Whitley Heights 101

6621 Emmet Terrace (1922)

6621 Emmet Terrace was built in 1922 by owner, Bertha M. McGrath, architect Rex D. Weston, and contractor W.P. Stillman. The Mediterranean style home, consists of 1,212 square feet, two bedrooms, and one bathroom, with a detached one car garage down by the street. There is a mission style roof on the home with wooden beams that support the porch entryway in the front. The McGrath’s lasted in the home for about 2 years before the house was auctioned. Below is a photograph of the home taken soon after the home was built, before the sidewalks were paved.

Actress Phyllis Haver rented 6621 Emmet Terrace in 1924. Haver was born in Iowa and moved to California in her childhood years. Her grandmother had moved from Iowa and was living at 607 Vernon Avenue by 1912 so Phyllis and her mother moved in with her. Haver attended the Manuel Arts High School in Los Angeles, where she became friends with Marie Prevost. After graduating, Phyllis got a part-time job playing the piano at a local movie theater where she was discovered and interviewed for comedy producer, Mack Sennett. He hired her as one of the original Sennett Bathing Beauties; Gloria Swanson, Marie Prevost and Carole Lombard were also hired. Below is Haver posing in 1917 as a bathing beauty.

It did not take long for Haver to being to film movies as she appeared in over 100 films from 1916-1930. In 1923, Buster Keaton hired Haver to be in his short film, The Baloonatic and in 1927, she starred in the Broadway production of Chicago as Roxie Hart. When Haver’s grandmother moved back to Iowa, it is probable that Haver and her mother moved into this house in 1924 and then she moved to an apartment located at 1725 1/2 Whitley Avenue in 1925-26.

Haver’s success began to rise and she was able to buy an English style house at 1626 N. Orange Grove Avenue in 1928 and decorated it on her own. Haver wanted to have a housewarming party to celebrate her purchase, but the house was not big enough to entertain her friends so she co-hosted a party with the owner of a house located at 1400 Havenhurst Drive in West Hollywood in October of 1928. The building is now an apartment complex, but in 1928, Mr. and Mrs. A.B. Zwebell owned the 22 bedroom, 19 bathroom home. There were over 300 guests at the party including; Buster Keaton, Monte Blue, Darryll Zanuck, Bebe Daniels, Marie Prevost, Janet Gaynor, Lita Gray Chaplin, Greta Garbo (or maybe her double), John Gilbert, Samuel Goldwyn, D.W. Griffith, and Charlie Chaplin. Below is a photograph of the apartment building as it looks today.

Since Haver was so busy with filming, she did not have time for a personal life in over 10 years. That all changed in 1929 after marrying billionaire William Seeman and moving to New York. Haver had only starred in 2 sound films and she gave up her career for the billionaire. They remained married until 1945 and Haver moved to Falls Village, CT. On November 19, 1960, a housekeeper found Haver in her bedroom lying quietly in her bed with her face perfectly made up with make-up. Haver had died in the middle of the night and her death was ruled a suicide by barbiturate poisoning. It was alleged that Haver attempted suicide the previous year. November was the month she left her husband and was not over the divorce.

Between 1931 through 1937, insurance agent Jacob Miller, his wife Charlotte, and possibly 2-3 sons lived in the home. They had previously built a new duplex at 6693-97 Whitley Avenue in 1922 and Arthur S. Barnes was the architect. When the Millers moved to this residence, they began renting out the Whitley property. However, between 1949-50, the house was being auctioned to be moved or it would be torn down for the Hollywood Freeway. Unfortunately, the house was not purchased and was razed in 1950. Below is the entrance leading up to 6621 Emmet Terrace.

Between 1945-60 director Albert Plummer and his wife, Lois resided at 6621 Emmet Terrace. Albert ended up directing one movie, Darkness and Daylight in 1923 and it is not clear why he did not direct another film. His wife, Lois, a former actress, claimed she went by the screen name Lois Darwood, but no movie credits could be located. She also claimed that her cousin was Georges “Tiger” Clemenceau, the prime minister of France. The only truth was that Lois was selling cosmetics.

In 1947, she had sued Ted Fio Rito and his parents because she went to their home in Northridge selling make-up and their big black Husky bit her. It is unknown whether she won that case in court. In 1952, Lois had a “cat feud” with the neighbor Floyd A. Hoelzel, 6615 Emmet Terrace, which is next door on the right side of this house. Lois, who liked law suits, sued the upholster for getting her wet with a hose. In court, the parties indicated that the feud started November 1, 1952 when Snooky the cat died. Lois claimed that cat was left with Hoelzel while a neighbor was away, but it was she who fed it and took it to the veterinarian when it got sick, but it had died. Lois claims Hoelzel accused her of stealing the cat and said that it belonged to his son. On October 3, while she was at her kitchen sink with the screen window open, Hoelzel came over and sprayed her until she was drenched. Lois admitted that she went outside and started spraying the neighbor with her hose. She claims he got more water on her and ruined $50 worth of clothing. Once again, the outcome of this case was not disclosed. Below: You decide. Who was more credible? (Plummer reminds me of the wire hanger scene from Mommie Dearest).

6621 Emmet Terrace has had minimal alterations other than termite removal in 1945, foundation repair in 2011, and a new pre-fab fireplace in 2012. In 1973 there was a permit to repair $2,500 worth of fire damage, but did not specify where the damage was. In addition, the garage had changed from 2 wooden doors with windows that opened from the middle so an aluminum white garage door. Gables were also added over the garage door. Also, the front porch was altered as the awning was taken down to build an enclosed porch; then 2/3 of the porch wall was removed. (compare the first and last pictures of the house). The image below shows the house needing desperate attention; the picture was probably taken prior to the 3 previous owners.