Robert Nudelman: A Tireless Defender

Several hours after I heard Robert Nudelman had died at the age of 52 at his father’s home in Tucson, Arizona, I was driving on El Centro Avenue, heading north towards Sunset Boulevard and the Hollywood sign. In front of me, I could see the Palladium and the old CBS TV-and-radio complex—two important buildings that contributed to Los Angeles’s historic culture and funky architecture. I looked at these landmarks and thought of Robert, the now-former director of preservation issues at Hollywood Heritage.

Robert often worked with developers on the restoration of old Hollywood buildings, and the Palladium, the famed rock venue and former ballroom, was one of them. He would supply photographs and historical facts to developers, and expect them to refurbish their properties with accuracy and taste. It was his way to keep an eye on a project. As I drove past the Palladium, I couldn’t help but wonder if the money men, with Robert no longer around to keep them honest, were now going to switch gears and rebuild on the cheap.

At the old CBS complex, also known as Columbia Square, a huge development project had been proposed for the site, which included a 40-story condo tower and a 14-story office building. Robert had been working with developers Molasky Pacific and Apollo Real Estate Advisors to save the historic buildings at the front of the property on Sunset Boulevard. The money men apparently agreed, but Robert was still trying to keep them from demolishing the two studios on the lot, where many old TV shows had been taped for broadcast, and incorporate them into the larger project. The developers weren’t so thrilled with that idea, but Robert kept talking with them.

Robert also told the developers that the 40-story building was a violation of the Hollywood Redevelopment Plan, a document that sets the ground rules for how the money men can build in certain parts of Hollywood. Robert cited a line from the plan that essentially says a new project can not overwhelm existing neighborhoods. Since a historic neighborhood of early 20th century bungalows stood directly east of Columbia Square, Robert came to the reasonable conclusion that a skyscraper was not exactly neighborhood-friendly. The developers’ reaction to this news, Robert told me, was the usual: their lawyers were handling it. As I drove past the site, I once again wondered if Robert’s death would now clear a path for the money men to do whatever they wanted, even if it meant bending, or breaking, the law.

The death of Robert Nudelman will have a major impact on the future face of Hollywood and, as a result, Los Angeles. In fact, years from now, his passing may be seen as a turning point, when developers and accommodating politicians finally got the upper-hand over community activists in the never-ending battle to demolish much of old Hollywood in favor of a bulkier, more dense, and architecturally-uninspired new Hollywood, with huge traffic problems to boot. In other words, quality of life will be dramatically altered, and not necessarily for the best, especially for the regular folk who won’t live in the luxury condos largely being proposed for the area. Those people will be screwed. It was this kind of fight Robert had been engaged in for the past three decades by filing lawsuits, writing letters to various city agencies, and attending and speaking at numerous city department hearings and meetings.

I first met Robert in 1998, when I took over the Hollywood beat as a young reporter for the Los Angeles Independent newspaper chain. Among some people, Robert had the reputation as a naysayer and a troublemaker, and they warned me about him. I think we first seriously talked at a media event that trumpeted a deal to save the Cinerama Dome. Robert was instrumental in saving this landmark.

When we chatted, everything he said to me made sense. Robert wasn’t looking to condemn the entire project, which included the new theaters, shops, and garage that were eventually built around the Dome. He just wanted to save a true historic treasure that gave Sunset Boulevard character. Can you imagine what Sunset would look like without the Cinerama Dome? It would be just another street in Los Angeles.

Not only that, it was a great place to see a movie. The sound was phenomenal, the screen was humungous, and the overall movie experience was unique and special. It still is unique and special, and people still love going to the Cinerama Dome. Robert, who was also cinephile, saved this experience for the rest of us.

There are many other historical buildings Robert helped save through his work with Hollywood Heritage, a local group of dedicated preservationists. I wrote about some of them, and Robert was the person who patiently guided me through all of the complexities—he worked long days and nights to understand all of the legal nuances, and just before his death, he told me he was keeping watch over 57 different projects. Sometimes Robert and I talked for two, three, four hours straight, with me often asking the same question but in a different way. He never begged out or grew impatient with me. Robert stayed on the line until everything was answered. Then I wrote the piece and looked smart and informed, but it was really Robert’s vast knowledge of the inner workings of City Hall that made me appear that way.

I very much enjoyed talking with Robert for those long stretches of time. He was very smart, very witty, and very funny. I often thought he spent his nights thinking up one liners before journalists would call him the next day. His quotes were that good, that polished. They were not only filled with truth and intelligence, but they were also very funny.

The last time I talked with Robert, for example, was for an article I wrote about the 40-story skyscraper at Columbia Square. http://www.laweekly.com/news/news/doomscraper-here-comes-hollywoods-first-ever-mega-skyscraper/18790/ We chatted for over two hours on a Sunday, and he was really flowing with the perfect quotes. I couldn’t write them down fast enough. We then talked about traffic on Sunset Boulevard, and City Council President Eric Garcetti’s high hopes for buses and subways to ease congestion—Garcetti represents much of Hollywood. Robert said to me, with his dry, nasal delivery, “If you put up something as big as Columbia Square, it’s going to be catastrophic. And no one is going to use the subway. People who own condos don’t take public transit. They drive cars.” He paused for a comedic beat and said, “And they probably own two of them.” It was pure gold. Everything made perfect sense, with a funny zinger at the end.

Speaking of Garcetti, it was very kind of the City Council President to mention Robert’s passing on his blog http://lacityorgcd13.blogspot.com/2008/05/farewell-robert-nudelman.html. But I also noticed Garcetti described Robert as a “friend.” City News Service also picked up on that comment and mentioned it in the wire’s obit of Robert. Now it’s probably zooming around the Internet. But if I were able to interview Robert right now, and ask him if Garcetti was his friend, I’m pretty sure he would chuckle and give me one of his great one liners, which would probably rework the old chestnut, “If I have friends like that, who needs enemies.”

Now, they probably weren’t enemies, but I do know that Robert was frustrated with Garcetti’s hard push for high density projects. I also know Robert was frustrated with Garcetti for other things. And I’m sure Robert would wonder if Garcetti, through his blog posting, was trying to make a subtle political move by aligning himself with a leading preservationist in Los Angeles, who was now deceased and couldn’t contradict the City Council President. Garcetti, after all, hasn’t been a favorite these days among many community activists who fear old Hollywood will soon be demolished beyond recognition. Overall, Garcetti’s tribute to Robert is undoubtedly sincere, but Robert would still be wondering if a touch of politicking was going on, and he wouldn’t have been afraid to ask that question through the press.

That’s the last thing I want to mention about Robert. He understood the power of the press, and he understood you needed to rock some boats to grab the attention of big money developers and local politicians. It was the only way to level the playing field. He understood that speaking up gave him and his cause power—developers and politicians hate controversial headlines, and will do a lot of things to avoid them, even if it means negotiating with people like Robert. Too many citizens, though, don’t understand that. They stay quiet and get rolled over by big money interests and politicians every time. Robert never let that happen. He was a fighter to the end. I’m going to miss talking with him, learning from him, eating lunch with him, and seeing him on the streets of Hollywood very much.

There are 5 comments posted for this article.

McDonald is correct in everything he says about Robert Nudelman. Hollywood & people who care about its preservation will be very, very much the poorer for his untimely passing.

So many of us are truly shocked and torn up over Robert's passing. It's hard to comprehend such a dynamic and involved personality not being around at this time and what his loss may mean for Hollywood.

He was a fierce workhorse and many of us were awe-struck at his vast knowledge and tirelessness. He was a totally selfless, behind-the-scenes worker bee whom countless visitors to Hollywood will benefit in a huge variety of ways.

My and many of his friend’s experiences with him were always filled with passion, amazement, not to mention lots of laughter from his genius, razor sharp wit.

As I sit here waves of disbelief keep washing over me. It's just like a bad dream I can't wake up from.

I always felt like a kid in a candy store with Robert and despite being concerned I was asking him too much about Hollywood's history or recent developments, he would always kindly oblige me with new and fascinating facts and stories.

As I walked around Hollywood yesterday the whole city looks and feels different to me knowing he's gone. He was a huge part me. He served as a beacon of light in the constant struggle to preserve the cultural significance of Hollywood. He was our respected leader and a tireless booster who inspired so many to join him in passionately protecting our respective connections to the district's storied past.

When people pass away we often hear about how devastating the loss. Well as Patrick states, it's also the physical, built environment of this magical and historic district that is now a lot more endangered of being devastated by poorly planned development.

For the past few years, as the district has finally started to revitalize, sharks have surround it, people with NO regard for the rich history of the neighborhood. I'm angry at these opportunists and at the city council. There is a deep disconnect going on. The sheer rate of beautiful, quaint historic bungalows, single family homes, apartment buildings and commercial structures that have suffered unceremonious bulldozing in the name of crappy, cookie cutter 'development' is enough to boggle any sane person's mind. I have lived here for almost 20 years and have become more active in the tough preservation battles of the past 5 years and have seen Hollywood's historic fabric devastated.

Robert has always been in a dynamic dance with all these players using his profound knowledge and skills as a debater and negotiator to prevent as much of the devastation as possible. He was in full swing; he was more pivotal at this time than at any other in his life. He was a shining example and had an astute, professional attitude and a deep personal compassion for the city.

Without Robert’s work to date it’s hard to imagine what things would look like. He has virtually single-handedly prevented countless ill-conceived projects using his dynamic methods. I always dreamed of winning the lottery and gifting him a huge paid staff to assist his work.

I find it terribly sad he's gone and a shame he was so indispensable.

Thanks so much Patrick for your article and your support and your talent in describing Robert. You obviously understood him well and I believe you speak for many of us.

I encourage people to support Hollywood Heritage and it's efforts to help fill the massive void left by Robert Nudleman and his undying passion for Hollywood.

Ted Otis

 

Patrick has done a brilliant job of capturing the essence of the irreplaceable Robert Wood Nudelman. Robert's sterling personal integrity was a model for anyone to follow -- he could not be "bought" -- he had no "price." And the local politicians and developers knew that and, I think, respected him for it...whether they liked it or not. Truly a colossus has fallen. I agree with every one of Ted Otis' fine words and feel that I too am in a bad dream from which I shall mercifully awaken. But I won't. He's really gone. How I wish I could bring Robert Nudelman back for us all -- we need him! And poor little historic Hollywood, under siege from all sides, needs him more than ever. I loved this man. And he loved Hollywood! And I will never forget him for as long as I have left to live -- it was a privilege, and honor to have known him. I only wish it had been for even more years than it was. Oh Robert -- dear, dear Robert -- how I will miss you. Forever. I carry you in my heart always...and my heart is truly broken.

Robert W. Nudelman

1954-2008

http://www.hollywoodheritage.org/main.html

Ten days before his untimely passing, an event was held in his beloved "barn", the Hollywood Heritage Museum. Not knowing what ten days hence would have in store, I gave a tribute to him mentioning that if there was to be another Honorary Mayor of Hollywood, I'd nominate Robert because nobody loves Hollywood and noone has done more for Hollywood than him. Everyone applauded except for Robert.

When the evening was over, he stopped me and asked why I made that speech. I replied that it was true and it needed to be said. Not one for self praise, he smiled at me, taking a particular delight in the moment. How he was loved by his supporters, how he was admired by his friends. I'm proud to have been both.

His work for Hollywood Heritage and Cinecon, an organization dedicated to film preservation and history, two establishments we both were board members of, will continue to do what they do - only they will have to do it now without Robert. The challenges are many and hard but Robert made it so much easier because of his tenacity, skill and intelligence.

Now our friend is a part of the ages, gone at an age too soon, much of his work left undone. But the work he did accomplish in his short but very full life is a living testament to what he believed.

Whenever one passes past the Cinerama Dome, it's there because he was here-

Stopping by the El Capitan Theater, it's also there because he was here-

The Pantages still sparkles because he was here-

Old houses, apartment complexes and historic buildings - so many structures; a reminder of Hollywood's past are here still because he was here to save them.

Who is going to save the others now?

Who is going to care for these ancient monuments in his wake?

We, the members of Hollywood Heritage and citizens of Hollywood will do all we can to pick up where Robert left off. It's going to be hard to follow along in his path because his shoes are way too big to fill. But together, we can keep the memory and the committment of Robert alive.

As a community leader he was unchallenged-

As a preservationist he was unequalled-

As a friend he is irreplaceable.

Farewell friend.

 

 

____________________________

CINECON WEB PAGE NOTICE

It is with great sorrow and a sense of deep loss that we mourn the untimely passing of Robert W. Nudelman, Cinecon vice president and our dear friend. Robert passed away suddenly on Saturday May 3rd.

http://www.hollywoodheritage.org/

_______________________________

Legendary Hollywood Preservationist and Community

Leader Robert Wood Nudelman passes away

posted by Michael Zoldessy on May 8, 2008 pm31 3:30pm

Robert Wood Nudelman, 52, a legendary figure in the fight to preserve Hollywood’s heritage, passed away at his father’s home in Tucson early this week. Ever present at meetings and hearings in the Hollywood community for 30 years, Nudelman is often credited as a driving force behind the restoration of landmark theaters and other buildings in Hollywood, spearheading a renaissance of the once-blighted area.

The loss of such a pivotal community leader has been met with unspeakable shock and sadness. He was the longtime Director of Preservation Issues for Hollywood Heritage, and was a past President and Board Member of the organization and Curator of its Hollywood Heritage Museum. He was a Vice President of the Society for Cinephiles/Cinecon Classic Film Festival and president of the Project Area Committee for the Hollywood Redevelopment Area. At the time of his death, he was working with Debbie and Todd Reynolds on the Hollywood Motion Picture Museum in Tennessee.  

Nudelman was the son of Ruth Donovan Wood and Dr. Sol Nudelman, a leader in medical imaging. He grew up in Illinois and Rhode Island before a stint in Germany and then Tucson. He studied Theater Arts at the University of Arizona. His brother Mark and mother preceded him in death.

Nudelman launched his activism with the fight to save Lot 2 at the MGM Studios, and soon with the Wiltern Theater. He figured prominently in the campaigns to change minds and plans for such important landmarks as the El Capitan Theater, the Cinerama Dome, and the ABC/Merv Griffin Studios facade. Making his name synonymous with Hollywood and film history, he provided historical photographs, data, and restoration details to countless property owners of such landmarks as Grauman’s Chinese Theater, the Egyptian Theater, the Pantages Theater and the former Schwab’s Clothing Store. There probably isn’t a single historic building or development project in Hollywood that Mr. Nudelman didn’t have a part in, sharing his encyclopedic knowledge, agitating for better and more consistent planning, and defending Hollywood’s heritage.

His work has received many awards, including those from the LA County Board of Supervisors, the LA Historic Theatre Foundation and the Hollywood Highlands Democratic Club. As an expert on Hollywood history and preservation issues he has been interviewed and widely quoted in more than 150 publications, both local and nationwide, and has appeared on radio and television programs worldwide. He was the author of many books on Hollywood’s history, including “Historic Hollywood: A Centennial History” and “Images of America, Early Hollywood”. 

Showcasing the Hollywood area, Nudelman developed and led the Historic Hollywood Theatre tours for the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s 2000 annual conference, and the same for the 2007 California Preservation Foundation Conference. He has frequently provided written and/or verbal testimony on historic preservation compliance at the request of Congressman Henry Waxman, California State Senators Hayden and Polanco and various high-ranking federal and state committees including the California State Assembly and Senate Joint Hearing on the Los Angeles Metro Rail Project and the Los Angeles MTA. 

Nudelman made friends of enemies, keeping up a constant dialogue with politicians, property owners, and neighborhood activists, who learned to treasure his storehouse of knowledge, his intelligence, and his uncanny ability to be right. He was tireless in his contributions to the Hollywood community.

Nudelman was in the state to help care for his ailing father, and his body was discovered by a family friend after Robert had failed to appear at his father’s hospital bed for several days.  Immediate cause of death is unknown. 

Robert W. Nudelman helped make the village, and the village will carry on his work, although as an individual he was irreplaceable. Hollywood Heritage will hold a memorial service in his honor, which will be announced in these pages or contact Hollywood Heritage.

YOUR COMMENTS

 

My hearing his name only now, he sounds like he was one heck of a great guy, while it's tragic to read how he left this world at such a still young age. My only becoming familiar with who he was now, already I'm greatly missing him! He sounds like he was a master of the one aspect of historic theater restoration and preservation that I find very difficult if not impossible to stomach, the political end of things. And boy, do we need people such as that now more than ever or what? At the same time it is inspiring, heartening, to read of all the great things that this man did, his proving that what we so often think is impossible can be done. May you rest in peace, Mr. Nudelman, and your legacy become one that others will surely try to emulate.

posted by TheaterBuff1 on May 9, 2008 am31 12:25am

 

I am shocked and saddened by this news. I first met Robert Nudelman in 2001 when I was making preparations for the Cinema Theatre Association (CTA-UK) visit I was planning to the cinemas & theatres of Los Angeles in October 2002. Robert assisted in making just about all the many contacts he knew in Hollywood theatres aware of our visit and arranged for our group to tour their buildings. He also led the group along Hollywood Bouevard, pointing out other historic buildings and telling stories of their past history.

Three years later, when I was co-director of the Theatre Historical Society of America (THSA) Conclave to Southern California, which we were planning for June 2005, Robert again pulled out all the stops to assist the group to gain access to the buildings. I also spent many hours with him, going through my visit notes that I had prepared for the previous CTA-UK visit, which I made available to THSA members. Robert was a wealth of information and offered to check the 160 page document page-by-page for corrections and additional information. It was a real pleasure working with him and tapping into his 'vast mind of information', something he really enjoyed doing was sharing with others.

Robert will be greatly missed by all who knew him and came into contact with him.

posted by KenRoe on May 9, 2008 am31 3:20am

 

BROADWAY/L.A. MOURNS THE LOSS OF HOLLYWOOD CHAMPION

ROBERT NUDELMAN

Robert Nudelman, who served as the Director of Preservation Issues for Hollywood Heritage, passed away on Wednesday, May 7th.

And while you may not recognize the name, anyone who has experienced the glorious restoration of the Pantages Theatre since it was completed in the year 2000 has been touched by Nudelman's unwavering passion for honoring Hollywood's landmarks.

In his blog, Los Angeles City Council President Eric Garcetti wrote, "Robert believed in Hollywood, even during times when few others did. His perseverance helped ensure that the neighborhood’s renaissance became a reality. He will be greatly missed, but his work will remain a part of Hollywood’s enduring history."

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