Author Archives: Peter Moruzzi

About Peter Moruzzi

Author and historian Peter Moruzzi is passionate about the middle decades of the 20th century: its nightlife, classic dining, and architecture. Born in Concord, Massachusetts and raised in Hawaii, Moruzzi graduated from the University of California at Berkeley and later attended the American Film Institute in Los Angeles. In 1999, he founded the Palm Springs Modern Committee (PS ModCom) an architectural preservation group. He is the author of "Havana Before Castro: When Cuba Was a Tropical Playground," "Palm Springs Holiday: A Vintage Tour From Palm Springs to the Salton Sea," "Classic Dining:Discovering America's Finest Mid-Century Restaurants," "Palm Springs Paradise: Vintage Photographs from America's Desert Playground," and "Greetings from Los Angeles." His latest pictorial history, "Greetings from Las Vegas" will be available in September, 2019.

Moving a 10,000 Ton Building in 1920s Los Angeles

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I’ve always been fascinated by the number of companies that moved buildings in the early decades of the 20th century.  In Los Angeles at that time, street widening projects and new construction often necessitated the relocation of existing buildings.  In … Continue reading

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Melvyn’s Restaurant hits Los Angeles Times front page!

Los Angeles Times celebrates Palm Springs’ Melvyn’s restaurant on front page! We’re so lucky that the last, great classic dining restaurant in the desert, with its top notch seasoned staff, remains for us to enjoy. Here’s to Steak Diane flamed … Continue reading

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A Eulogy for the Four Seasons Restaurant

A well written article from the NY Times.  However, I disagree with the conclusion that the new, relocated Four Seasons will be worth watching.  There will never be another Four Seasons. http://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/10/nyregion/four-seasons-lunch-spot-for-manhattans-prime-movers-moves-on.html?_r=0  

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Fine Dining at 30,000 Feet

Check out this great article in Los Angeles Magazine about the history of airline food.  It appeared in the magazine’s online “Ask Chris” column penned by my good friend Chris Nichols. http://www.lamag.com/askchris/fine-dining-at-30000-feet-the-history-of-airline-food/

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Palm Springs Architect Donald Wexler Honored in New York Times and Los Angeles Times Obituaries

One of Palm Springs’ masters of Desert Modern architecture, Donald Wexler, was honored with New York Times and Los Angeles Times obituaries today.  Fitting tributes to a great architect and a wonderful human being.

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Habana Hilton – Pawn in Castro’s Battle Against America in 1959

The Guardian newspaper published this intriguing article about how the Habana Hilton, the hotel-casino that had just opened in 1958, became the symbol for Fidel Castro’s dismantling of America’s dominant position in Cuba when he took it over as his headquarters … Continue reading

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“Palm Springs Holiday” Inspires Fashion Line

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I was surprised to learn that former Project Runway fashion designer Christian Siriano says that his new Resort 16 fashion line was inspired by my book “Palm Springs Holiday.”  The Desert Sun took notice and published this article.  How fun! … Continue reading

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Pete’s New “Havana Before Castro” Website and Tour Maps

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Because of the renewed interest in Cuba travel, it made sense to completely revamp my Havana Before Castro website.  It includes chapter summaries, a downloadable sample chapter, and cool Then & Now photos.   Take a look! People are using … Continue reading

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Lawry’s Legendary Chairman Dies at 92

Richard N. Frank, son of original Lawry’s owner Lawrence Frank, died on Wednesday, May 20th in Pasadena. Los Angeles Magazine editor and historian Chris Nichols wrote this obituary. I wrote an extensive illustrated blog about Lawry’s 75th anniversary that is … Continue reading

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Two Important Preservation Successes! Four Seasons and Norm’s Coffee Shop

Two major victories in two days.  New York City’s Landmarks Commission voted to deny requested alterations to the interior of the Four Seasons restaurant in Manhattan.  The interior had been designated years ago, but the current owner nonetheless wanted to … Continue reading

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