I have always liked the idea of secret tunnels and door and things like Priest’s holes.
Of course, today, electronics and digital cameras can do great spying without the tunnels...
Sunset Blvd has become lifeless in keeping with the rest of LA in general sadly. The glam factor is lost. Things close early, homeless roam the sidewalks by the Chateau, etc…
I finally found my great grandfather’s summer home and met the current owner, who gave me a tour. One of her wonderful stories was that after the health spa bought it following ggfather’s death, it was purchased by an unnamed rock musician who was also reputed to ride his motorcycle thru the underground tunnel that connected the main house to the indoor pool. Got to walk the tunnel. Love it!
The opening “This is the City” recitation of this Dragnet episode from Season 3, around 1953-54, pans across the Chateau Marmont from left to right, from 0:27 to 0:32, looking down on Sunset Strip. It also features Aunt Bee.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GqnBg2VeyjQ&t=36s
I never stayed at the Marmont, but I wandered into the lobby/foyer as part of my explorations of LA. When I first moved to LA in the early 80’s, I loved 1920’s/1930’s Hollywood and lots of my film/video clients were in offices on Seward St (the “video ghetto” we used to call it) in bungalows that dated to that era. Plus the major studio lots where I went on occasion to visit clients all dated from that era.
The Marmont had a fairly large lobby with Spanish tile and castle-like overstuffed furniture, probably looked just like it did in the 30’s. It was very cozy, not exactly my style but it looked right for the hotel. And of course you knew you were in this famous place. Fun.
Lots of pix at google images.