Book is chock full of local lore

MOVIE MAGIC AT MALIBOU- Many films, including the 1931 classic "Frankenstein," were filmed at Malibou Lake. Anecdotes from that production can be found in the book, "Three Magical Miles," by Brian Rooney. Proceeds from the book support the Cornell Preservation Organization. Photo courtesy of Brian Rooney and Cornell Preservation Organization What do Frankenstein, talking apes, a United States president and Mr. Blandings' dream house have in common?

Try Malibou Lake.

In author Brian Rooney's book "Three Magical Miles," the history and lore of Malibou Lake comes alive with hundreds of tales and photographs documenting the formation of the lakeside community from its Chumash days to a Hollywood hot spot for movie and television productions.

Through it all, Malibou Lake has remained a haven for people yearning for the simple country life.

Malibou Lake was born in 1922 from the dream of two men, Bertram Lackey and George Wilson, who decided they would build a dam by rerouting water from Medea and Triunfo creeks. But filling the lake didn't occur until 1926 when a spring storm showered the area with 5 inches of rain. Millions of gallons of water from the creeks filled the dammed area and Malibou Lake became official. The founders threw a party that was said to have lasted for days.

LUCKY- While searching for oil in the area, resident Lucky Baldwin discovered a mineral hot spring in 1912. The entrepreneur turned that natural resource into the Seminole Hot Springs spa which drew more than 1,000 people on an average weekend in the 1920s. Photo courtesy of Brian Rooney and Cornell Preservation Organization Rooney said he was inspired to write the book after listening to the stories of Malibou Lake resident Gordon Thomas, to whom the book is dedicated.

"He started telling me stories about what happened in the neighborhood," Rooney said. "The thing that really got me going was there was an old community center," he said. The center has been used as a clubhouse, children's playground, baseball field, pool- name it and Malibou Lake residents tried it.

"What's absolutely amazing is there is still a children's maypole in an empty lot," Rooney said. "There are some wonderful ghosts still left where the old Lakeside Community Center was."

Photo courtesy of Brian Rooney and Cornell Preservation Organization GOING APE- Structures made of polyurethane foam created Ape City in the 1968 production of "Planet of the Apes" with Charlton Heston and Roddy McDowell. The set was built at the east end of Malibu Creek State Park. Although Rooney no longer lives in Malibou Lake, the legacy of the area is documented in his book. Now in its second printing, proceeds from the book support the Cornell Preservation Organization.

With the old 20th Century Fox ranch and Paramount Ranch close by, Malibou Lake was a perfect backdrop for many movies and television shows. Movie magic at the lake was ushered in by 44-year Malibou Lake resident and cinematographer Arthur Edeson.

Edeson made "Frankenstein" at the lake in 1931, "The Three Musketeers," "All Quiet on the Western Front," "The Invisible Man," "Casablanca" and many other classic films. He co-founded Shoson, a recreational park first known as Lake Enchanto that eventually became Peter Strauss Ranch.

The cameraman for "Frankenstein" also lived at Malibou Lake, as did many other people in the business, including character actor Strother Martin, who performed in more than 100 films and 500 television shows, including "I Love Lucy."

Malibou Lake was transformed into future Earth for "Planet of the Apes," and Cary Grant turned the area into a Connecticut suburb for the 1948 movie with Myrna Loy, "Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House." The "Blandings" house is now used as administration headquarters for the Malibu sector of the California state parks.

The late President Ronald Reagan made Malibou Lake his weekend home from 1951 to 1967. The two-term California governor's 250-acre ranch was a thoroughbred horse farm named "Yearling Row." Rooney said Yearling Trail is a reminder of Reagan's history in the area.

Malibu Creek State Park was used for exterior shots on M*A*S*H, the longrunning television series about a medical unit stationed in Korea. The helipad used in some scenes remains, as does a rusty old Jeep.

"In the movies and on TV, millions visited here without knowing it- thinking it is North Africa, Wales or the Planet of the Apes," wrote Nicolas Noxon of the Cornell Preservation Organization in the book's foreward.

Colleen Holmes, the organization's president, said more than 1,200 books have been sold, and the National Parks Service recently ordered several expanded editions. A second printing of the book offers an additional 56 photos and 23 new pages of history and stories.

The majority of the proceeds from the book support the CPO, which Holmes said supports conservation and responsible development.

"Three Magical Miles" can be purchased for $25 at the Rustic Canyon General Store, 2598 Sierra Creek Road at the intersection of Kanan Road, and through the CPO from Nick Noxon at (818) 991-0222.