In February 1935 Pancho Barnes traded her last remaining major asset, a bungalow apartment courtyard that she owned on Sunset Blvd in Hollywood for 80 acres of desert farmland. After many years of hard work (while a single mom!), she eventually enlarged the ranch to 360 acres, and transformed part of the desert farmland to become the world famous ‘Happy Bottom Riding Club.’
The Pancho Barnes Trust Estate Archive contains copies of letters that Pancho Barnes wrote to her friend, actor Duncan Renaldo (later of motion picture and TV fame as ‘The Cisco Kid’) discussing her ideas regarding the naming of her new desert ranch that she had recently purchased in February 1935.
In a letter dated February 5, 1935 Pancho Barnes writes, “Dear Duncan, I have been trying to think of a name to call the ranch. As it is surrounded to the South by dry lakes, the name ‘Rancho Lago Seco’ might be good. It’s euphonious, and whether or not a person knew Spanish, he would still be able to pronounce it. The name, of course, means ‘Dry Lake Ranch.’ Maybe you can [Read More]
The following interview was conducted in 2006 by the Pancho Barnes Trust Estate Archive with early hot rod Dry Lake racer Hyman “Blackie” Gold. Blackie became a friend of Pancho Barnes about 2 years after she relocated from Pasadena to Muroc on her Rancho Oro Verde. This interview features an excerpt from the coming book, VOICES FROM THE HAPPY BOTTOM RIDING CLUB. [Read More]
Born in Romania on April 23, 1904, Duncan Renaldo (birth name Vasile Dumitru Cughieaneas) was orphaned at an early age and never knew his birth parents. He was raised and educated in various European countries and arrived in the United States in 1917 as a stoker on a Brazilian coal ship. After his ship caught fire at the docks in Baltimore, Maryland, he was stranded and overstayed his 90-day seamen’s permit. He moved to New York, where he found a job as a janitor at a film studio. His attention to detail on movie sets earned him a promotion to set designer, and eventually, he began acting in [Read More]
Originally owned by the legendary aviatrix and entrepreneur, Pancho Barnes, this station wagon automobile originally was used to transport guests between Los Angeles and her Happy Bottom Riding Club dude ranch located in the Mojave Desert, where they were treated to laughter, camaraderie, live music, excellent meals, drinks and adventure. It was later gifted to one of Pancho’s hostesses as a wedding gift to ensure safe cross-country driving to Connecticut, where the automobile spent many years. It was well cared for by the hostess and her family, and eventually was sold to a car collector in Southern California. [Read More]
Vince Barnett (1902-1977) was an American film actor and comedian who specialized in playing practical jokes on his audiences. He was a licensed pilot since 1921. His initial involvement in Hollywood was writing screenplays for two-reeler silent movies of the late 1920s. He began appearing in films in 1930, playing hundreds of comedy bits and supporting roles. After World War II Barnett became a familiar face on television.
A master of disguise, Vince Barnett for years was known in Hollywood as a professional ribber, appearing at banquets and parties as a paid practical joker. His most famous prank was to show up at an event as “the worst waiter in the world.” He would insult the guests in a thick [Read More]
One evening in June 1949, on invitation from Pancho Barnes, Vince Barnett arrived at the Happy Bottom Riding Club, as usual incognito, however this time dressed as the head chef. His disguise was surprisingly successful, thanks to a carefully sculpted fake mustache, a pristine white chef’s hat, and a kitchen apron that helped to hide his identity from the unsuspecting Club diners. He let the hostesses serving dinners that evening in on his plans for the prank. After ensuring that the dinner service was running smoothly, Barnett decided it was time to make his appearance.
With a flourish of exaggerated French accents and impressive culinary lingo, accompanied by Bella, one of the club’s [Read More]
Famous film star Elizabeth Taylor’s first marriage was to Conrad ‘Nicky’ Hilton Jr., who was a businessman, socialite, and heir to the Hilton Hotel fortune. She was just 18 years old at the time of the marriage in October 1949, and he was 24 years old. Her husband liked to have fun and was known for his partying which included drinking and gambling. He had heard stories about the Happy Bottom Riding Club, and about its legendary proprietress Pancho Barnes, from several friends. He wanted to check it out for himself and wanted his new wife to have some fun.
In November 1949, Elizabeth Taylor and her husband Nicky ventured out to visit the famous Happy Bottom Riding Club. This iconic [Read More]
One particularly memorable evening at the Happy Bottom Riding Club, the whole gang was gearing up for another hayride and BBQ out in the desert. This time not only was Chuck Yeager attending, but also Pancho Barnes, her loyal Dalmatian dog Barney, ranch foreman Mac Mckendry as well as the head Hostess of the club, the platinum blonde Dallas Morley. They were all eager to join in on the festivities and spend some quality time together.
One early evening in October 1951 in the Mojave Desert, the sun was setting on another long day of filming the movie “Son of Paleface.” The cast and crew were tired, but none more so than the movie star, Bob Hope. The legendary comedian decided to take a drive to unwind and clear his head. As he wiped the sweat from his brow, he remembered a conversation he’d had with his good friend, comedian Milton Berle. Milton had mentioned a place called the Happy Bottom Riding Club, owned by a fascinating woman named Pancho Barnes. Intrigued, Bob decided it was the perfect time to pay Pancho a visit and surprise her. [Read More]