Sorry for the typos. Charley “Alphin” was my grandfather. He came to Los Angeles around 1908. A prolific song writer, much of what he wrote was sold to Eddie Foy, Irving Berlin and others. He started in Colorado (Colorado Springs, Cripple Creek), where he hired Lon Chaney as a stage hand. He produced, composed and directed Ski-Hi at Madison Square Garden in NY around 1906 and other musicals. When Chaney hit hard times around 1911, my grandfather hired him to work full time at the Olympic. Subsequent to that, Chaney’s film career took off.
I have a telegram from Blossom Seeley asking my grandfather for a quick loan so she could come out to Olympic. These was live theater, seated about 1000. I have pictures.
Charles Alphin was my grandfather and he indeed did own and operate the Olympic Theater at 523 S. Main. It would seat 1000 people, was open 7 days a week with live music, mostly comoposed and played by my grandfather and his musicians. The venue was vaudeville. He gave several people their start, including Lon Chaney, whom he hired years earlier as a stage hand for a theater in Colorado Springs. I am not sure when he sold the Olympic, but I don’t believe he sold his interest until the early 30’s.
Sorry for the typos. Charley “Alphin” was my grandfather. He came to Los Angeles around 1908. A prolific song writer, much of what he wrote was sold to Eddie Foy, Irving Berlin and others. He started in Colorado (Colorado Springs, Cripple Creek), where he hired Lon Chaney as a stage hand. He produced, composed and directed Ski-Hi at Madison Square Garden in NY around 1906 and other musicals. When Chaney hit hard times around 1911, my grandfather hired him to work full time at the Olympic. Subsequent to that, Chaney’s film career took off.
I have a telegram from Blossom Seeley asking my grandfather for a quick loan so she could come out to Olympic. These was live theater, seated about 1000. I have pictures.
Hope this interests you.
Toni Alphin-Nicotera
Charley was my grandfather. He owned the olympic until 1923. Itwas theater where Lon Chaney and Blossem Seeley got their starts.
Charles Alphin was my grandfather and he indeed did own and operate the Olympic Theater at 523 S. Main. It would seat 1000 people, was open 7 days a week with live music, mostly comoposed and played by my grandfather and his musicians. The venue was vaudeville. He gave several people their start, including Lon Chaney, whom he hired years earlier as a stage hand for a theater in Colorado Springs. I am not sure when he sold the Olympic, but I don’t believe he sold his interest until the early 30’s.