About

Alternate address: 1920 Laughlin Park Drive in 2002.

Arthur R. Kelly, architect.

History: Property listed for $2,100,000 about 2002, and address changed to 1920 Laughlin Park Drive. (Source: Donald Seligman).

A Hollywood screenwriter of the 1920’s and 30’s, Gene Towne, the owner in 1940, started as a title writer in silent cinema. He turned out many reliable lightweight scripts for comedies, romances and melodramas in the 1930’s, especially under contract to Paramount and for Walter Wanger Productions. He essentially retired after 1940. (Internet Movie Database)

1930 census:
5241 Franklin Avenue (value: $150,000): 1) Henry Ruff, head of household and owner; white male 55 years of age; married at age 28; born in Alabama; parents born in the United States; a capitalist in real estate; not a veteran. 2) Josephine Ruff, wife; white female 50 years of age, married at age 23; born in Alabama; parents born in the United states; not working. 3) Richard Ruff, son; white male 21 years of age, single; born in Alabama; a salesman in stocks and bonds. 4) Earl W. Ament, lodger; white male 39 years of age; married at age 28; born in Illinois; parents born in Illinois; a gardener for a private family; not a veteran. 5) Thelma C. Gose, servant; white female 24 years of age; married at age 16; born in Kansas; father born in Germany, mother in Kansas; a servant for a private family.

1940 Census:
5241 Franklin Avenue (Value $12,000): 1) Gene Towne, head of household; white divorced male 36 years of age; born in New York; director/producer of motion pictures; earns more than $5,000. 2) Betty Jean Towne, daughter; white female 10 years of age; born in California; in school. 3) Kathleen Yelara, cook; white single female 23 years of age; born in Montana; cook in a private family; earns $780. 4) Mary Yelara, maid; white single female 24 years of age; born in Montana; housekeeper in a private family. 5) Nick Yelara, lodger; white married male 61 years of age; born in Yugoslavia; not working.