This photo from March 31, 1962 of John Datu Arensma was taken at the grand opening of actor Raymond Burr's Fine Art Gallery on Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills, CA,. It was displayed during a PBS "Antiques Roadshow" program from 2019, taped at the famous Hotel Del Coronado, Coronado Island, CA. I'm the proud owner of 3 of his fine paintings!!! From everything I've researched about him, he was a very gifted artist and fine gentleman. RIP, J.L. Datu. Tim Beasley - Virginia Beach, VA
He was an exceptional artist, and was the 'Art Director' in quite a few films of the 1940's - 1960's. He is probably best known in that career as the Art Director in the iconic western, "Red River" starring John Wayne, Montgomery Cliff, Walter Brennan and other notable actors. This movie is considered by many to be the top western movie of all time. John Datu Arensma was also a prolific illustrator and artist. He was an art director and illustrator for Disney's iconic 'Bambi" animated feature, and one of his illustrations recently sold at auction this July 2021. I'm proud to have 6 of his works.
He was also a set designer for live theater, including one for famous actor Buddy Ebsen! Hoping others who have knowledge of his film and entertainment career will contact me. Tim Beasley - Virginia Beach, VA
The 1960's were years of great change: Protests (Vietnam War, Free Speech, Civil Rights), assassinations (JFK, Martin Luther King Jr, Bobby Kennedy), conflict (the Cuban Missile Crisis, the Cold War, ...
I'm a Founder of AncientFaces and support the community answering questions & helping members make connections to the past (thus my official title of Founder & Content and Community Support ). For me, it's been a labor of love for over 20 years. I truly believe with all of my heart that everyone should be remembered for generations to come.
I am 2nd generation San Jose and have seen a lot of changes in the area while growing up. We used to be known as the "Valley of Heart's Delight" (because the Valley was covered with orchards and there were many canneries to process the food grown here, which shipped all over the US) - now we have adopted the nickname "Capital of Silicon Valley" and Apple, Ebay, Adobe, Netflix, Facebook, and many more tech companies are within a few miles of my current home in San Jose (including AncientFaces). From a small town of 25,000, we have grown to 1 million plus. And when you add in all of the communities surrounding us (for instance, Saratoga, where I attended high school, living a block from our previous Mayor), we are truly one of the big cities in the US. I am so very proud of my hometown. For more information see Kathy - Founder & Content and Community Director My family began AncientFaces because we believe that unique photos and stories that show who people are/were should be shared with the world.