Giant doughnuts in the sky are still around

In the coming disaster movie "2012," tragedy strikes Randy's Donuts in Inglewood when its giant rooftop doughnut becomes unhinged and is last seen bouncing down the street in the direction of star John Cusack's limo.

The incident is just digital magic, of course. In real life, Randy's -- once a member of the now-defunct Big Donut chain -- is very much intact, as 405 Freeway drivers know well.

But over the last half-century, half a dozen Big Donuts have disappeared, gobbled up by developers.

If it's any consolation to worshipers of these giant confections, however, there are three leftovers in Greater L.A. Also still standing are smaller rooftop doughnuts -- former members of the Angel Food Donuts chain -- in the Long Beach area, not to mention a distant cousin in La Puente.

Some of the survivors have seen fit to change with the times.

Photo credit: Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times

Comments

[Jim Osborne]

Wish Harvey's article mentioned the Donut King II located at the northeast corner of Marine Ave and Western Ave in Gardena. It's architecture is identical to Randy's as well as Kindles. An image of it can be seen at the LAPL digital archive back in 1974 when it was known as Anglefood Donuts. The site also shows the Donut Hole that used to be in La Puente.