Architectural Ramblings -- The Sowden House

Drawing by Charles Owens/Los Angeles Times

The Sowden House by architect Lloyd Wright at 5121 Franklin Ave. is on the market for $4.2 million. You may recall that this was the purported murder HQ of Dr. George “Evil Genius” Hodel during his supposedly bloody rampage across the city, in which he killed with impunity (the Black Dahlia, Jeanne French and the Red Cars) after coercing authorities into silence by threatening to reveal which prominent Angelenos had (gasp!) VD.  Yes, venereal disease is a far worse crime than murder, at least according to “Black Dahlia Avenger,” “Most Evil” and  whatever may be next (Jimmy Hoffa? Judge Crater?) in the “Evil Genius”  franchise.    ALSO  A virtual tour of the home. The Nuestro Pueblo feature on the home. Dr. George “Evil Genius” Hodel on the Daily Mirror

Comments

[Arye Michael Bender]

Long before knowing The Sowden House was a Wright gem, I got one of my first genuine Hollywood thrills when I drove by it for the first time close to fifty years ago. I knew immediately that it was 'the house on haunted hill'. Even thought I spied Vincent Price skulking and vamping in the bushes on Franklin. Turned out only to be a plastic skeleton on a wire.

Just Googled to reaffirm my memory, only to discover that it was not the Sowden, but another Wright in the hills. I may never forgive William Castle for allowing me to pull the wool over my own eyes again.