A Visit to Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills, Part 1

Last spring we paid a return visit to Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills and spent several hours strolling the grounds.

We paid our respects at the final resting places of a number of filmmakers that day, starting with the great fashion designer Orry-Kelly. His extensive credits included many great pre-Code films, designing for actresses such as Kay Francis, and later classics such as CASABLANCA (1942).

Character actor Jerome Cowan is a great favorite. His memorable roles include Sam Spade's ill-fated partner Miles Archer in THE MALTESE FALCON (1941) and the District Attorney in MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET (1947).

Leon Ames was another wonderful actor whose films included one of my very favorites of all time, MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS (1944).

Alvy Moore, known for TV's GREEN ACRES (1965-71), was also in the delightful SUSAN SLEPT HERE (1954).

Ub Iwerks was an animation great who was a key part of Disney history. Among other things, he was the designer of Oswald the Lucky Rabbit.

As sometimes happens, by mere chance I noticed that the plaque immediately below this lovely statue was for animator Walter Lantz, creator of Woody Woodpecker.

Rita Corday, also known as Paula Corday and Paule Croset. She played numerous small roles in RKO films of the '40s.

Iris Adrian appeared in supporting roles for over half a century.

I love Pamela Britton as "Brooklyn" in ANCHORS AWEIGH (1945); she was also memorable as Edmond O'Brien's secretary-girlfriend in D.O.A. (1950). On TV she was known for MY FAVORITE MARTIAN (1963-66).

Lovely Joy Page appeared as the young bride, Annina, in CASABLANCA (1942). She played Ronald Colman's daughter Marsinah in KISMET (1944) and costarred in Budd Boetticher's great film BULLFIGHTER AND THE LADY (1951). The stepdaughter of Jack L. Warner, she was married to actor-producer William T. Orr.

Joy Page's husband, William T. Orr, played small roles in films of the late '30s and early '40s. He later became a successful TV producer of shows such as MAVERICK (1957-62).

Jean Parker played Beth in my favorite version of LITTLE WOMEN (1933). Her other films included BEYOND TOMORROW (1941) and THE GUNFIGHTER (1950).

Singer Donald Mills of the Mills Bros. I love their sound and especially treasure their Christmas album.

Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills is a huge cemetery, at over 300 acres, and many famous people are interred in the grounds. Links to previous visits may be found below, including at the linked Western RoundUp columns.

I'll be sharing a second post from this visit in the next few days. Update: Here is Part 2.

Additional photo posts on the final resting places of historic Hollywood figures: A Visit to Forest Lawn Glendale, Part 1, A Visit to Forest Lawn Glendale, Part 2, A Visit to the Forest Lawn Museum, A Visit to Hollywood Forever Cemetery (2014), A Visit to Westwood Village Memorial Park - The Musicians, A Visit to Westwood Village Memorial Park - The Comedians, A Visit to Westwood Village Memorial Park - The Actors, A Visit to Westwood Village Memorial Park - Writers, Directors, and More, A Visit to Holy Cross Cemetery, Part 1, A Visit to Holy Cross Cemetery, Part 2, A Visit to Holy Cross Cemetery, Part 3, A Visit to Desert Memorial Park, Los Angeles National Cemetery, A Visit to Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills, Part 1 (2017), A Visit to Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills, Part 2 (2017), A Visit to Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills, Part 3 (2019), A Visit to Forest Lawn Cathedral City, A Visit to Oakwood Memorial Park, A Visit to Hillside Memorial Park, Part 1, A Visit to Hillside Memorial Park, Part 2, A Visit to Hollywood Forever Cemetery (2019), A Visit to Woodlawn Cemetery, A Visit to Valley Oaks Memorial Park, A Visit to Valhalla Cemetery, A Visit to Pacific View Memorial Park, A Visit to Glen Haven Memorial Park, A Visit to Forest Lawn Glendale (2020), A Visit to Calvary Cemetery, A Visit to Home of Peace Memorial Park, Visits to Sedona and Las Vegas Cemeteries, A Visit to Forest Lawn Glendale (2022), Visits to Orange County Cemeteries (Holy Sepulcher Cemetery and El Toro Memorial Park), A Visit to Inglewood Park Cemetery, A Visit to Mt. Sinai Memorial Park, A Visit to Palm Springs (Coachella Valley Public Cemetery), A Visit to Marysvale Cemetery, A Visit to Holy Cross Cemetery (2022), Part 1, A Visit to Holy Cross Cemetery (2022), Part 2, A Visit to Rose Hills Memorial Park, and A Visit to San Fernando Mission Cemetery.

Articles on the final resting places of Western film stars from my Western RoundUp column at Classic Movie Hub: May 2019, February 2022, November 2, 2022, November 29, 2022, and April 2023.

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