By the end of 1937 Fredric March was reported to be one of the five richest men in America, earning half a million dollars per year. He invest some of it in this Bel-Air, California home which may be known nowadays as the home Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston bought together before their split. However, he was no stranger to the East either, owning a 40-acre farm in New Milford, Connecticut and a New York apartment.I came across these photos on a Flicker account with this story attached:
"In the middle of the Depression my great grandfather got his biggest job, building a home for Hollywood producer, Fredric March. The house was designed by the architect, Wallace Neff.
From an interview with Carl G. Johnson: 'That Fredric March house, that was a beautiful house, the biggest house I built, twenty-two rooms and eleven bathrooms. There were seven complete bathrooms and four half baths. Two down by the swimming pool. And it was in the middle of the worst depression. I was lucky to get the job. It helped me a lot. Movie people are nice people to work for, if you do it right for them. They all said he was a bad man to work for in the studio. I never saw him on the job more than twice. But his wife was there every day and she was a wonderful woman. I got along fine with her.'"
From an interview with Carl G. Johnson: 'That Fredric March house, that was a beautiful house, the biggest house I built, twenty-two rooms and eleven bathrooms. There were seven complete bathrooms and four half baths. Two down by the swimming pool. And it was in the middle of the worst depression. I was lucky to get the job. It helped me a lot. Movie people are nice people to work for, if you do it right for them. They all said he was a bad man to work for in the studio. I never saw him on the job more than twice. But his wife was there every day and she was a wonderful woman. I got along fine with her.'"
Not really sure if the story is true since some of the facts are off. But thought it was interesting enough to share. The house boasts it's own screening room, a tennis court, wine cellar, and swimming pool. I feel like a realtor, let me stop.
The house as it is today.
Hi - it is my flickr stream that you refer to and pull the quote from. It's definitely a true story but certainly a fact could be off somewhere. My great grandfather, Carl Johnson, was the the general contractor who built the house. The direct quote from him comes from an interview for an oral history project that was completed in the 1970s just before he died. I'd be curious to know what you think is inaccurate.
ReplyDeleteIt's great to see the other pictures of the house! Thanks for collecting them.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jphillipson/3872211937/
What is inaccurate is the reference to Fredric March as a "producer".
DeleteHi Josh, thanks for responding! I just highlighted the word "Flicker" so people would know to click on your accout in reference. (Sorry, I thought I highlighted it before).
ReplyDeleteI was curious about the facts because at the time I wrote this, I read that the March's were actually in Racine, WI when the house was being built. However, I later learned they rushed home from WI to be there for the building of it.
I also wondered about the line "They all said he was a bad man to work for in the studio." From all I have read about March, he was a consummate professional and got along well with all his co-stars (perhaps a little too well with the ladies). In fact, he's known as one of those rare actors who never caused scandal or made life difficult for any cast or crew he worked with. I read that his wife however was a bit of a snob and quite cold.
Thanks for confirming and sharing!
Just for starters, Fredric March wasn't a producer. He was an actor, one of Hollywood's biggest, and won two Best Actor Academy Awards. When he's referred to as a producer, all veracity goes down the drain.
ReplyDelete