Our entry in the parade was a 1931 Ford Phaeton, the use of which was generously donated by Ed Justice of the Justice Brothers.  This vehicle, valued in excess of $100,000, once belonged to Louis B. Mayer of Metro-Goldwyn- Mayer fame.  Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney were seen driving it in feature films.

        Riding in the exquisite antique vehicle were two of Sierra Madre's early residents, Bob Mitchell, 90 and Joe Hinojos, 88.  In the picture at right, Bob is on the right, Joe is on the left. 

        Bob Mitchell lived in Sierra Madre from 1916 to 1926, on Alegria Ave., and his father, Robert Mitchell, Esq. was mayor of Sierra Madre from 1918 to 1924.  Mitchell went on to fame as the leader of the Bob Mitchell Choir Boys, who appeared in more than 100 films from the 1930s to the 1950s, including films with Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland.  He currently plays piano at Los Angeles only remaining silent movie theater, and is believed to be the only silent movie pianist in the nation who actually played at silent movie theaters when they were in their heyday.  You can find out more about Bob Mitchell, currently living in Hollywood, here and here. 

        Joe Hinojos moved to Sierra Madre in 1920, and attended Sierra Madre Elementary School, except for four months when he attended St. Rita's School where he and Mitchell appeared in a Christmas extravaganza.  He lived at only two locations in Sierra Madre, including a boyhood home on Grove Street.  Joe is a photographer and writer, and served a stint in World War II, starting in the infantry and working up to an important spot in an Army camp newspaper.  One of his action shots was used nationwide as a recruiting poster by the American Legion, and Joe was the photographer that Gen. "Vinegar" Joe Stilwell (while Stilwell was in command of the 7th Division of Fort Ord) personally placed on the staff of the Fort Ord Panorama on the advice of a junior officer who was well aware of Joe's photographic abilities.   The General was highly pleased when he received the photos that Sgt. Hinojos had taken of the General's daughter Winifred's wedding that he had missed, for he was at this time somewhere on the Burma Road.  Hinojos received a letter in longhand of thanks from the General  which you can find on the Joe Hinojos page on this website by clicking on the link below.  Joe came back to Sierra Madre after the war, and lived here until 1972 when he and the family moved to Leona Valley, CA.  He currently resides in Saugus.  Joe was the "unofficial" town photographer throughout the late 40s, 50s, and much of the 60s.  His photos are found all around town, and he has donated generously to the City's Historical Archives. 

         You can find out more about Joe Hinojos and view some of the photos from his portfolio here and here.

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