Alla Nazimova, the Sunset Strip’s founding mother and mistress of the Garden of Alla estate, later the Garden of Allah Hotel at Sunset and Laurel Canyon Blvd., in her 1921 silent film adaptation of “Camille,” performing with the era’s top heart throb, Rudolph Valentino.

Here’s Alla Nazimova, mistress of the Garden of Alla estate, later Garden of Allah Hotel, in an undated photo. It appears to be a publicity shot. If anyone can ID it, please let us know in comments or send us an email.

Los Angeles came late to the historic preservation movement. The landmarks that have fallen to the wrecking balls is nothing less than tragic. The Sunset Strip has been luckier. Chateau Marmont and the Sunset Tower are standing and in fine fettle. Low-rise apartment building where notables like Marilyn Monroe, F. Scott Fitzgerald and Dorothy Dandridge [...]