Los Angeles & Robert Taylor's Gravesite

[Linda Alexander]

Hello All:

Thought I'd drop in & update you on what I did in Los Angeles a few weeks ago. As I mentioned, I spoke to a group called the Hollywood Congress of Republicans. It was a sympathetic audience to the life Robert Taylor led, his conservative beliefs, & his concern for his America. There was much interest in our favorite movie star. That itself was a great part of my overall trip.

However, a sidebar to my trip was funny, delightful, & an absolute thrill. I visited Bob's gravesite. Before anyone asks ... no, I did NOT get photos. They were forbidden. Since Michael Jackson has recently been buried there--Forest Lawn Cemetery in Glendale, security throughout the property is extraordinary. The only reason I was able to fairly easily get in & walk around was because my great-grandparents are buried there. With that as background--& I did visit their site--I was able to explore the grounds ... & see where Bob rests for eternity.

Let me back track a bit. How did this come about in the first place? Wonderful, extraordinary--& I might add, funny--group member Jeff Wayne, a professional comedian, helped put me in touch with the group to which I spoke. He also suggested we could visit Forest Lawn--assuming we could get in--& see Bob's memorial spot behind a locked gate. I won't go into public detail as to how that was accomplished. Let it suffice to say we did get in but we didn't dare take photos. Remember ... we were supposed to be there to visit my great-grandparents.

It's a somber, beautiful spot. Bob was cremated, so there isn't really a lot to be seen--just a peaceful garden area & his niche along w/others in the same garden area. I did feel honored to just have the chance to visit.

We also saw resting places for Walt Disney, Spencer Tracy, Ida Lupino, Clark Gable, Carole Lombard, Tyrone Power ... & a few others. Forest Lawn is an absotively amazing piece of serene landscape amidst the crazy city which is Los Angeles.


~ Linda

[beachbaby]

Linda,
Is it just age catching up with Ursula, or is there any one particular health issue that she has? This is probably a private thing that they don't wish to elaborate on. I don't mean to be nosy, just hoping them the best. Poor thing, her life had been so complicated in her early years, with getting out of Germany, losing her son so close to losing RT, etc. I wish her well.

[Linda Alexander]

Dianne: That's been quite a mystery for some time. Bob Taylor didn't publicly hold much of a religious belief. He was raised in a strong Christian home & his mother continued to be a churchgoer & believer throughout her life. Bob seemed to have an internal belief system of his own, which he didn't often share.

As for that inscription--that IS the mystery. I've had conversations w/Terry, who says he has no idea what it means. The only person who probably would know would be Ursula, & she's not well, so no one's asking her such things these days. I've done a boatload of research & haven't yet come up w/a suitable answer but, you know, your point is an interesting one.... ; >

~ Linda

[Dianne]

Linda:

I, personally, find cremation very creepy & would hate to have a family member cremated even if that were their wish. That said, what do you think the message below his name on the niche means - "and a lifetime to go"? Did he, and/or his widow, believe in reincarnation? Or some other kind of afterlife?

[Linda Alexander]

Alejandra: The other "Taylor things" were, for that trip, the speaking engagement where I talked to the Hollywood Congress of Republicans regarding blacklisting in Hollywood, conservatives in Hollywood--a group of which Bob was definitely a member, & all the memorable contributions he offered to the movie world & Hollywood, in general.

And the picture on Findagrave is an accurate indication of what the spot looks like. It's a closed-in garden & when you are facing that wall, the only thing that really isn't represented is Michael Thiess' marker a few to the right of where Bob's is.

[Alejandra]

I would like to know more about the Taylor things you were talking about and I would like to visit his grave someday too, although I know is not open to the general public.The only pictures i have ever seen of Forest Lawn are on his page on findagrave site:
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?GRid=1022&page=gr
Even though it's a virtual place, at least we can leave him flowers and our thoughts there.

[Margaret Gaffney]

I would love to visit also but from what you said that will be impossible to do. I am so glad that you were able to see it along with the other stars at Forest Lawn. I am also glad to read that it is a peaceful place in the crazy city of Los Angeles.

[Bryan Aherne]

Linda,
it does sound amazing, i hope one day to visit there, but it sounds so difficult to get in and the unlikely chance of actually getting past a locked gate........im glad its a peaceful place

[Linda Alexander]

Beachbaby & Bryan: It is a bit "odd-sounding" to say happy things about visiting a gravesite. Yet on the other hand, it's good to know, for me, anywho, that Bob's in such a lovely, peaceful place. Los Angeles itself is not necessarily a peaceful location, so to be able to see the "oasis" of this spot amidst so much hectic movement & craziness ... it's a good thing. And Bryan--if you were to see this place in its entirety, it is SO large & the name does fit. It's like a well-manicured lawn that never ends amongst trees & beautiful statuary ... surrounded by big city.

~ Linda

[Bryan Aherne]

Linda,
I wish i could do the same, its such a pity the great mans memorial is behind a locked gate.
I dont like the sound of Forest Lawn, it sounds too officious to me.
Well done for getting in,

[beachbaby]

Linda,
It sounds like you had a wonderful experience. The chance of a lifetime for regular fans like me. What an honor! I guess that sounds strange saying happy things about our favorite movie star's final resting place, but it is great you had that opportunity. Thanks for telling all of us about your trip. Any other goodies to tell? Congratulations.