>> "VISITING" WITH HUELL HOWSER IS MADE POSSIBLE THROUGH A GENEROUS GRANT FROM... [CAPTIONING MADE POSSIBLE BY KCET PUBLIC TELEVISION] >> WELL, HELLO EVERYBODY.

I'M HUELL HOWSER.

AND YOU KNOW, AN INTERESTING THING HAPPENED TO ME THE OTHER DAY WHEN I WAS DOING MY SHOPPING HERE AT PAVILIONS, WHICH IS MY LOCAL GROCERY STORE ON THE CORNER OF VINE AND MELROSE HERE IN HOLLYWOOD.

NOW, WHEN I'M SHOPPING INSIDE USUALLY IT'S NOT THAT UNUSUAL FOR ME TO END UP MEETING AND HAVING CONVERSATIONS WITH SOME FELLOW SHOPPERS.

BUT ON THIS PARTICULAR DAY IT WAS A LITTLE UNUSUAL BECAUSE DURING MY SHOPPING EXPERIENCE, I ENDED UP MEETING 2 DIFFERENT WOMEN, BOTH OF WHOM CAME UP TO ME AND SUGGESTED THAT I VISIT THEIR PLACES OF BUSINESS, THAT THEY THOUGHT WHERE THEY WORKED WOULD MAKE A GOOD STORY.

WELL, THEY BOTH GAVE ME THEIR BUSINESS CARDS.

AND BOTH OF THESE PLACES WHERE THEY WORK SOUND LIKE INTERESTING PLACES.

SO, WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO ON THIS PARTICULAR ADVENTURE, WE'RE GOING TO FOLLOW UP ON THOSE 2 INVITATIONS I GOT THE OTHER DAY INSIDE THE GROCERY STORE.

I HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO IDEA HOW THIS ADVENTURE IS GOING TO TURN OUT.

BUT IT ALL STARTED IN THE GROCERY STORE.

AND IT SHOULD BE A LOT OF FUN.

HERE WE GO ON THIS OPEN-ENDED, WE DON'T KNOW HOW IT'S GOING TO END UP ADVENTURE.

STOP NUMBER 1 ON OUR ADVENTURE.

AND ACTUALLY WE'VE JUST COME A COUPLE OF BLOCKS FROM THE GROCERY STORE.

WE'RE STILL ON MELROSE.

AND, SHIRLEY, INTRODUCE YOURSELF TO EVERYBODY.

>> WELL, MY NAME IS SHIRLEY GINTEL.

I'M THE MOTHER OF THE BOYS THAT OWN THIS BUSINESS.

WE'VE BEEN IN IT FOR 30 YEARS.

AND WE HAVE A GOOD CLIENTELE.

AND WE MUST BE DOING SOMETHING RIGHT IF PEOPLE COME BACK FOR 30 YEARS.

>> AND YOU--NOW, I WAS TELLING THE TRUTH WHEN I SAID YOU REALLY DID COME UP TO ME IN THE GROCERY STORE.

>> WELL, I MET YOU AT PAVILIONS.

AND I SAID, "HUELL, YOU SHOULD COME IN AND SEE US."

>> AND I ASKED YOU FOR A BUSINESS CARD.

YOU WROTE DOWN THE NAMES AND NUMBERS AND ADDRESS AND EVERYTHING.

DID YOU THINK WE'D SHOW UP?

>> I WAS HOPING.

YOU SEEMED SO ENTHUSIASTIC WHEN I SPOKE WITH YOU.

>> WELL, WE HAVEN'T GIVEN AWAY OFFICIALLY WHAT THIS BUSINESS IS.

BUT IT'S RIGHT OVER YOUR SHOULDER.

PAWN SHOP.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

WE SELL RECYCLED GOODS.

>> UH-HUH.

AND YOU TAKE THINGS THAT PEOPLE BRING IN.

WE'RE GOING TO FIND OUT HOW THE PAWN SHOP WORKS.

BECAUSE I DON'T REALLY KNOW HOW A PAWN SHOP WORKS.

AND I HAVE A FEELING A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T.

>> NO, THEY DON'T.

THEY HAVE A DIFFERENT IDEA ABOUT WHAT IT IS.

AND IT'S NOT UNDERHANDED.

IT'S NOT MISERABLE.

WE DON'T DEAL WITH STOLEN THINGS.

WE MAKE REPORTS EVERYDAY-- >> IT'S A GOOD BUSINESS.

>> YES, IT IS.

>> AND YOU THINK IT'S GOING TO MAKE A GOOD SHOW.

>> I HOPE SO.

>> ALL RIGHT.

HERE WE GO.

YOU'VE MET US OUT FRONT.

WE'RE GOING TO RING THE BELL.

[CLICK] THEY'RE BUZZING US IN.

HERE WE GO INSIDE THE PAWN SHOP!

THERE'S A LITTLE BIT OF EVERYTHING INSIDE, INCLUDING A WELCOMING COMMITTEE OVER HERE.

SHIRLEY, I'M GOING TO LET YOU DO THE HONORS.

INTRODUCE THESE PEOPLE.

THEY REALLY DON'T NEED AN INTRODUCTION TO YOU.

THEY'RE YOUR SONS, RIGHT?

>> RIGHT.

MY SON RUDOLPH.

>> NICE TO MEET YOU, SIR.

>> AND HAROLD, WHO'S BEEN A FRIEND OF OURS FOR 50 YEARS.

>> NICE TO MEET YOU, SIR.

>> AND MY SON ERNEST.

>> NICE TO MEET YOU.

>> NICE TO MEET YOU, TOO.

>> NOW, I DON'T REALLY KNOW MUCH ABOUT PAWN SHOPS.

GIVE ME PAWN SHOP 101 RIGHT NOW.

WHAT IS A PAWN SHOP?

BECAUSE I'VE SEEN THEM IN MOVIES, WHERE PEOPLE COME IN AND HAWK THEIR MOST PRIZED POSSESSIONS TO GET SOME MONEY TO TIDE THEM OVER.

IS THAT THE WAY IT WORKS?

>> IT'S NOT REALLY THEIR PRIZED POSSESSIONS.

NOBODY LIKES TO GIVE UP THEIR PRIZED POSSESSIONS EVEN IF THEY NEED MONEY.

SO, THEY FIND OTHER THINGS THAT ARE OF VALUE.

WE DEAL MOSTLY WITH PEOPLE THAT INHERIT THINGS THEY DON'T WANT, THAT ARE TIRED OF WHATEVER THEY HAVE AND WANT TO GET NEW THINGS.

WE TRADE A LOT WITH PEOPLE.

AS FAR AS THE LOANS THAT ARE MADE, THEY'RE ALL SET BY STATE LAW.

THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA HAS STATUTES THAT GOVERN EVERY PAWN SHOP IN THIS STATE.

IT'S A 4-MONTH LOAN.

THEY GET A NOTICE AT THE END OF THAT, GIVING THEM AN ADDITIONAL 10-DAY GRACE PERIOD.

AND MOST PEOPLE PICK UP THEIR STUFF.

90-95% IN THIS SHOP REDEEM THEIR GOODS IN THE END.

>> SO, IT'S LIKE A LOAN OF SORTS.

IT'S A PLACE THAT I CAN BRING IN--THERE'S A LOT OF JEWELRY HERE.

I COULD FIND SOME OF MY GRANDMOTHER'S OLD JEWELRY AND BRING IT IN HERE.

>> WELL, SOMETHING MAYBE SIMILAR TO YOUR GRANDMOTHER'S OLD JEWELRY.

YES, PEOPLE PAWN THINGS USUALLY THAT THEY DON'T REALLY NEED, THAT THEY CAN GET ALONG WITHOUT FOR A WHILE.

>> IS IT BECAUSE THEY NEED THE MONEY?

>> MOST PEOPLE DO IT BECAUSE THEY NEED THE MONEY.

BUT NOT EVERYBODY.

SOME PEOPLE DO IT BECAUSE THEY WANT TO STORE THEIR STUFF IN A VAULT IN A SAFE PLACE.

WE HAVE MUSICIANS THAT STORE PRIZED INSTRUMENTS HERE.

AND THEY GO ON THE ROAD.

THINGS LIKE THAT.

>> SEE, 'CAUSE IN THE MOVIES, YOU SEE THE TRUMPET PLAYER WHO'S HARD UP FOR MONEY.

HE HAS TO HAWK HIS PRIZED POSSESSION TRUMPET.

>> NOT IF HE'S MAKING A LIVING WITH IT.

IF HE JUST HAS IT AND IT'S ONE OF HIS PRIZED POSSESSIONS AND HE DOESN'T WANT TO LEAVE IT IN HIS APARTMENT OR HIS HOUSE FOR A COUPLE OF MONTHS WHILE HE GOES ON THE ROAD, HE BRINGS IT IN HERE AND STORES IT HERE.

AND HE PAYS A SMALL AMOUNT OF MONEY TO DO THAT.

IT'S A VERY CONSUMER-FRIENDLY STATE, CALIFORNIA.

SO, THE RATES IN THIS STATE ARE LOWER THAN VIRTUALLY ANY OTHER STATE.

>> LOOK AT THIS!

YOU'VE GOT EVERYTHING FROM AN ELK HEAD TO GUITARS TO LOOK AT ALL THIS JEWELRY HERE IN FRONT.

ARE YOU EVER SURPRISED AT WHAT PEOPLE BRING IN?

>> I'M USUALLY FASCINATED AND HAPPY TO SEE WHATEVER THEY CAN BRING IN.

BECAUSE IT'S LIKE AN ADVENTURE FOR ME.

IT'S KIND OF FUN WORKING HERE.

>> DO THEY TELL YOU STORIES ABOUT THINGS?

>> SOMETIMES THEY DO.

YOU KNOW, THEY RECEIVED IT AS A GIFT FROM AN OLD BOYFRIEND OR GIRLFRIEND.

THEY'RE NOT INTERESTED IN IT ANYMORE.

THEY CHOOSE TO SELL IT.

NOW, IF IT'S A CURRENT BOYFRIEND OR GIRLFRIEND, THEN THEY WANT TO PICK IT UP AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE BECAUSE-- >> THEY'LL NOTICE IT'S GONE.

>> THEY'RE EXPECTED TO BE WEARING IT.

SURE.

>> SO, YOU HAVE TO BE DIPLOMATIC HERE, DON'T YA?

>> OH, YES.

WE'RE IN THE MIDDLE SOMETIMES OF SITUATIONS BETWEEN PEOPLE.

BUT USUALLY IT'S A--LETS PUT IT THIS WAY.

IF I HAD A HOTDOG STAND, I'D MEET THE SAME RANGE OF PEOPLE, THE SAME PROBLEMS.

IT'S LIKE ANY OTHER RETAIL BUSINESS, REALLY.

IT'S JUST A GENERAL OVERVIEW OF SOCIETY.

>> YOU NEVER KNOW WHO'S GOING TO COME IN THAT DOOR.

>> NEVER KNOW.

FROM THE WEALTHIEST PEOPLE THAT YOU'D EVER WANT TO KNOW TO PEOPLE THAT NEED MONEY.

THEY DON'T COME IN HERE NECESSARILY BECAUSE THEY NEED MONEY.

THEY WANT CASH, HUELL.

CASH IS A UNIQUE KIND OF THING.

IT'S SOMETHING THEY CAN SPEND ANYWHERE.

AND THAT'S WHAT THEY WANT TO DO.

>> THEY BRING THEIR POSSESSIONS, AND YOU GIVE THEM CASH.

>> THAT'S CORRECT.

>> THAT'S HOW A PAWN SHOP WORKS.

>> THAT'S CORRECT.

IT'S CASH.

>> NOW, THIS IS A FAMILY BUSINESS, ISN'T IT?

>> YES.

IT'S BEEN A FAMILY BUSINESS FOR OVER 50 YEARS NOW.

>> STARTED BY YOUR DAD?

>> MY MOTHER AND FATHER STARTED THIS WITH MY FATHER'S BROTHER.

ACTUALLY THEY WERE BROTHER'S ALSO THAT OWNED A PAWN SHOP AT THE CORNER OF 6TH AND ALVARADO ACROSS FROM MACARTHUR PARK FOR 20 YEARS.

>> DOWNTOWN.

>> WELL NOT ALL THE WAY.

MACARTHUR PARK AREA, YES.

>> THEN YOU MOVED OUT HERE?

>> YES.

WE MOVED OUT HERE 20 YEARS LATER.

MY FATHER RETIRED AT THAT POINT.

AND MY BROTHER AND I OPENED THIS SHOP.

>> 30 YEARS AGO.

>> 30 YEARS AGO.

>> AND YOU'VE BEEN PART OF THIS FOR HOW LONG?

>> RIGHT NOW ABOUT 4 YEARS.

>> 40 YEARS?

>> 4.

>> 4?

>> YES.

>> BUT I THOUGHT YOU SAID YOU HAD KNOWN HIM 50 YEARS.

>> YEAH.

I GREW UP NEXT DOOR TO HAROLD.

>> WELL, YOU'RE A LATE BLOOMER IN THE PAWN SHOP BUSINESS.

YOU'RE JUST NOW COMING INTO THE BUSINESS.

>> RIGHT.

AND IT'S VERY FASCINATING TOO.

AND IT'S VERY NICE WORK TO SEE ALL THE DIFFERENT KINDS OF PEOPLE AND HEAR SOME OF THE STORIES THEY HAVE TO TELL.

AND SOME OF THEM ARE VERY NICE, VERY NICE.

>> WELL, YOU HAVE TO BE A PEOPLE PERSON TO BE IN THIS BUSINESS.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

ESPECIALLY FOR THE BUSINESS TO SUCCEED.

WE'RE NOT IN HERE FOR THE 1-SHOT DEAL.

WE WANT CUSTOMERS TO BELIEVE IN US LIKE WE BELIEVE IN THEM.

AND THEY COME BACK OVER AND OVER AGAIN AND DEAL WITH US ON MANY LEVELS.

THEY BUY.

THEY SELL.

THEY TRADE.

>> I WANT TO BUY THIS RADIO.

I WANT TO BUY THIS OLD MICROPHONE.

CAN YOU MAKE ME A DEAL?

DO YOU MAKE DEALS?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> DO YOU NEGOTIATE?

>> YES.

THIS IS NOT A MUSEUM, HUELL.

WE DON'T WANT TO KEEP THESE THINGS FOREVER.

THAT'S CORRECT.

>> BECAUSE YOU'VE GOT--LOOK AT ALL OF THIS OVER HERE.

YOU'VE LITERALLY GOT A LITTLE BIT OF EVERYTHING IN HERE.

>> OUR MAIN BUSINESS, HUELL, IS AS YOU POINTED OUT EARLIER-- JEWELRY.

THAT'S BASICALLY IT.

BUT YOU KNOW-- >> AND MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS.

>> WELL, ACTUALLY, THE MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS PART IS MORE OF A MINOR PART.

THE JEWELRY'S OUR PART.

BUT IF WE WERE A JEWELRY-ONLY PAWN SHOP--AND THERE ARE PAWN SHOPS THAT ARE JEWELRY ONLY--IT WOULD JUST BE BORING FOR US.

WE'VE DEALT IN ALL KINDS OF THINGS ALL OUR LIVES, AND THAT'S WHAT MAKES IT INTERESTING.

>> NOW, SEE I FOUND THIS ON THE WALL.

"JAPANESE PEARL DISPLAY, POST WORLD WAR II" FROM OCCUPIED JAPAN.

$149.00.

>> I WANTED TO BUY IT.

AND YOU WOULDN'T SELL IT TO ME.

>> I DIDN'T SAY I WOULDN'T SELL IT TO YOU.

YOU JUST NEVER MADE ME AN OFFER ON IT, HUELL.

I MEAN-- >> YOU SAID YOU DIDN'T WANT TO SELL IT.

>> IF IT'S ON THIS WALL WITH A PRICE ON IT, IT'S OBVIOUSLY FOR SALE, HUELL.

>> BUT YOU HAVE LOTS OF THINGS HERE THAT YOU'VE GROWN ATTACHED TO OVER THE YEARS.

>> MY HUSBAND USED TO SAY "DON'T FALL IN LOVE WITH THE MERCHANDISE."

THAT'S WHAT MY HUSBAND USED TO TELL THEM.

"DON'T FALL IN LOVE WITH THE MERCHANDISE."

>> WELL, HE'S FALLEN IN LOVE WITH IT.

>> CAN I HELP IT?

>> HE DOESN'T LIKE TO GIVE THINGS UP.

>> THAT'S WHY HE'S WITH HIS WIFE FOR 30 YEARS.

>> NOW HERE'S ONE.

ASSEMBLAGE-- THAT'S A KIND WORD FOR IT.

>> [LAUGHING] >> 95 BUCKS.

>> SOMEBODY PUT THAT TOGETHER.

I LIKED IT.

I BOUGHT IT, HUELL.

IF I BOUGHT IT, SOMEBODY ELSE WILL BUY IT.

>> I DON'T KNOW WHETHER THAT'S WORTH 95 BUCKS OR NOT.

>> I DON'T EITHER, HUELL.

BUT I PAID MONEY FOR THAT.

>> HOW LONG HAS IT BEEN HANGING THERE?

>> ABOUT 2 MONTHS.

ABOUT 2 MONTHS.

>> I THINK IT MAY BE THERE A LOT LONGER THAN THAT.

>> IT MIGHT.

IT MIGHT.

MY BROTHER FEELS THE WAY YOU DO, ACTUALLY.

>> THERE'S A LOT TO LEARN ABOUT PAWN SHOPS.

>> THEY STUDIED A LOT.

THEY WENT TO PHOTOGRAPHY SCHOOL.

THEY LEARNED CAMERAS.

AND THEY'VE KNOWN INSTRUMENTS ALL THEIR LIVES.

AND LITTLE BY LITTLE, THEY BECAME EXPERTS AT WHAT THEY'RE DOING.

>> IS PAWN SHOP IN YOUR BLOOD, IN YOUR FAMILY'S BLOOD?

I HAVE A FEELING IT IS.

>> I NEVER WAS IN A PAWN SHOP TILL I OWNED ONE.

>> AND YOU HAVEN'T BEEN OUT OF ONE SINCE!

>> NO.

>> WHAT DO YOU DO HERE?

>> I DO THE BOOKS.

>> YOU KEEP THE BOOKS.

>> I LEARNED QUICK BOOKS ON THE COMPUTER.

I DID IT BY HAND ALL OF THESE YEARS.

BUT NOW I THOUGHT, GOD FORBID IF SOMETHING HAPPENS TO ME, SOMEBODY'S GOING TO BE ABLE TO COME IN AND PICK IT UP OFF THE COMPUTER.

>> IT'S GOT TO BE GREAT HAVING YOUR MOM HERE WORKING.

>> IT'S WONDERFUL.

I LOVE GOING TO WORK WORKING WITH MY MOTHER AND HAVING RUDY AND HAROLD AND THE OTHER GUYS THAT WE WORK WITH.

IT'S A LOT OF FUN.

BUT MY MOM DOES MUCH MORE THAN THE BOOKS.

SHE DOES POSTAL WORK.

SHE FEEDS US.

SHE BUYS US FOOD.

SHE TAKES CARE OF US.

I MEAN, IT'S JUST WONDERFUL HAVING MY MOM HERE.

>> I'LL TELL YOU WHAT ELSE SHE DOES, SHE'S ALSO YOUR DIRECTOR OF P.R.

AND MARKETING.

>> ISN'T THAT TRUE!

>> SHE'S HANDING OUT BUSINESS CARDS DOWN AT PAVILIONS TO PEOPLE LIKE ME AND INVITING US TO COME BY HERE.

>> SHE IS VERY, VERY GREAT.

YES.

>> WE'VE HAD A WONDERFUL TIME HERE.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> I'VE SEEN YOU MANY TIMES ON [INDISTINCT] AND I WAS AFRAID TO APPROACH YOU.

>> WHAT WAS IT ABOUT THAT DAY IN THE GROCERY STORE?

'CAUSE YOU CAME RIGHT OVER.

SHE ALMOST PUSHED ME OVER WITH HER CART.

>> I FELT THIS IS THE TIME.

>> THIS IS THE TIME.

THIS WAS THE MOMENT.

AND IT WORKED.

>> I HAD YOU IN A SMALL SPOT.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

YOU KNOW, I DON'T LIVE VERY FAR FROM HERE.

I CAN BRING MY GRANDMOTHER'S BROACH OVER HERE AND SEE WHAT KIND OF A DEAL YOU CAN GET ME ON IT.

>> A GOOD ONE!

YOU'LL GET THE FAMILY PRICE.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

WE'VE HAD A WONDERFUL DAY.

BUT THIS IS JUST THE FIRST STOP.

WE'VE STILL GOT ANOTHER GROCERY STORE STOP AHEAD OF US.

STOP NUMBER 2.

>> OK. >> THE ADVENTURE CONTINUES.

WE HAVE LEFT THE PAWN SHOP ON MELROSE.

AND NOW WE'VE COME OUT TO NORTH HOLLYWOOD.

WE'RE ON SATICOY STREET.

I GOT THE BUSINESS CARD YOU GAVE ME.

YOU HANDED IT TO ME IN THE GROCERY STORE, DIDN'T YOU?

>> AND I'M GLAD YOU KEPT IT.

AND I'M GLAD YOU CALLED ME, HUELL.

>> ALL RIGHT, NOW I DON'T EVEN KNOW YOUR NAME.

HERE IT IS ON THE CARD.

INTRODUCE YOURSELF TO EVERYBODY.

>> I'M LISA SCHULTE.

I'M THE OWNER OF NIGHTS OF NEON.

>> YES.

BUT THAT'S NOT THE WAY YOU INTRODUCED YOURSELF TO ME IN THE GROCERY STORE.

>> ALL RIGHT, I'M BEING A LITTLE SHY RIGHT NOW.

>> WHAT DID YOU DO?

>> HUELL, I AM THE NEON QUEEN.

>> SHE INTRODUCED HERSELF TO ME AS THE QUEEN OF NEON.

NOW, THAT GO MY ATTENTION.

>> I THOUGHT IT WOULD.

>> AND I'VE GOT THE BUSINESS CARD.

SO, I'M HERE.

AND WE'RE HERE.

THERE IT IS.

THE NAME OF THE COMPANY IS NIGHTS OF NEON.

I'VE ALREADY PEEKED INSIDE.

THERE IS A LOT OF BEAUTIFUL NEON IN THERE.

SO, LET'S DON'T STAND OUT HERE IN THE BRIGHT SUN.

>> LET'S SEE SOME LIGHTS.

>> LET'S SEE SOME "NEON" LIGHTS INSIDE WITH OUR TOUR GUIDE, THE QUEEN OF NEON.

HERE WE GO.

>> LOTS OF NEON.

LOTS OF NEON!

BOY YOUR NEON MAKES A STATEMENT.

LET'S GET DOWN TO THE NITTY GRITTY RIGHT AWAY HERE, LISA.

HOW DID--WHAT IS ALL THIS?

>> WELL, WHAT YOU'RE LOOKING AT IS A COLLECTION OF NEON OVER THE LAST 28 YEARS THAT I'VE EITHER COLLECTED AS VINTAGE AND RESCUED SIGNS OFF OF BUILDINGS OR I'VE DESIGNED THEM MYSELF.

>> WHAT'S THE BUSINESS?

WE SAW A BIG TRUCK FROM PARAMOUNT OUT FRONT WHEN WE GOT HERE.

>> YEAH.

WE'D LIKE TO SEE A LOT MORE OF THOSE.

A LOT MORE MOVIES IN TOWN WOULD BE NICE.

WE'RE A PROP HOUSE.

SO, IF PARAMOUNT IS DOING A FILM OVER ON THEIR BACK LOT AT LET'S SAY THEY NEED CHINATOWN, AS YOU KNOW FROM BEING ON THE BACK LOT, THERE'S NOTHING BUT THE BUILDING.

SO, THEY WILL COME TO PLACES LIKE THIS TO RENT ALL THE DIFFERENT SIGNS AND MAKE IT FEEL LIKE IT'S REALLY--WHETHER IT MAY BE A CASINO THAT WE'RE DOING OR A GIRLS BAR-- >> NOW, DO YOU MAKE THESE CUSTOM MADE FOR THEM?

OR ARE MOST OF THEM ALREADY HERE AND THEY RENT THEM ALREADY.

>> HUELL, I'D SAY THAT 50% IS RENTAL AND THE OTHER 50% IS CUSTOM FABRICATION.

>> SO, YOU CAN MAKE THE SIGNS.

>> YEAH.

WE MAKE IT HERE.

>> NOW, DO YOU MAKE THEM FOR PEOPLE OTHER THAN MOVIE STUDIOS?

>> WELL, WE DO AN AWFUL LOT OF MUSIC VIDEOS AND LIVE STAGES.

WE'VE DONE ACADEMY AWARD SHOWS.

WE'VE DONE RESTAURANTS.

WE'VE DONE PRIVATE PARTIES FOR PEOPLE.

AND YOU GOT YOUR START--I JUST FOUND THIS OUT--IN A VERY INTERESTING AND HISTORIC WAY.

>> YES, I DID.

YEAH.

IT WAS DURING THE OLYMPICS.

AND I WAS WORKING ON A DESIGN TEAM AND CREATING EVENTS DURING THAT PERIOD.

THEY WERE HERE FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS.

>> THE 1984 OLYMPICS.

>> OK. YOU'RE DATING ME NOW.

OK. >> COME ON.

LET'S WALK THROUGH HERE.

>> SO, I DESIGNED A WHOLE BUNCH OF EVENTS WITH IT.

AND THOUGHT I COULD FIND A COMPANY THAT COULD DO IT FOR ME.

AND LO AND BEHOLD, THERE WAS NOBODY DOING THIS.

SO, I HAD TO PULL IT OFF.

AND IT WAS A GREAT SUCCESS.

AND THEN I DECIDED MAYBE I SHOULD START A COMPANY.

>> SO, WHEN YOU STARTED PUTTING TOGETHER EVENTS FOR THE 1984 OLYMPICS, YOU COULDN'T FIND ANYBODY WHO DID NEON FOR YOUR EVENTS.

>> WELL, I COULD FIND PEOPLE THAT DID NEON.

BUT THEY DID NEON SIGNS.

AND THEY WERE A BUNCH OF OLD PEOPLE MAKING SIGNS.

AND I WAS DOING 10-FOOT TOWERS WITH NEON SHOOTING OUT OF THEM.

AND IT WAS JUST FOR A NIGHT.

IT WASN'T A PERMANENT INSTALLATION.

>> AND THIS GAVE YOU THE IDEA.

>> GAVE ME THE IDEA.

>> LOOK AT ALL THIS.

YOU KNOW WHAT?

I LOVE NEON.

BUT WHEN YOU SEE IT LIKE THIS-- >> I KNOW.

ISN'T IT BEAUTIFUL?

>> IT IS JUST SPECTACULAR.

>> I KNOW.

I'M SO--YOU KNOW, TO COME EVERYDAY AND WORK AROUND THIS STUFF AND EVERYBODY REACTS TO IT.

>> LOOK AT THIS OVER HERE!

WHAT IS IT ABOUT NEON THAT SO CAPTIVATES PEOPLE?

>> WELL, I MEAN IT'S NOSTALGIC TOO.

I THINK PEOPLE SEE IT AND REMEMBER WHEN THEY WERE YOUNG, THE NEON SIGNS IN THEIR LITTLE TOWNS.

>> THEY DON'T MAKE NEON--REAL NEON--SIGNS MUCH ANYMORE.

THERE ARE THESE NEW KIND OF-- >> THE L.E.D.s, THE PLASTIC SIGNS.

YEAH.

THEY'RE PRETTY COOL.

BUT I DON'T THINK IT'S EVER GOING AWAY.

EVERYBODY ASKS ME THAT QUESTION AND I'M STILL HERE.

AND IT'S STILL GOING GREAT.

>> LOOK AT THIS.

NOW, THIS IS AN OLD ONE OR IS IT JUST MEAN TO LOOK OLD.

>> WELL, THIS PARTICULAR ONE WE AGED IN [INDISTINCT] DOWN TO LOOK OLD.

>> YOU TRICKED US.

>> WE TRICKED YOU, YES.

>> LOOK AT THE BUTTERFLY.

NOW, WHAT WOULD YOU USE SOMETHING LIKE THIS FOR?

WHAT'S THE PURPOSE OF THIS?

>> OK. WELL, THIS BUTTERFLY I MADE FOR MARIAH CAREY FOR A MUSIC VIDEO FOR HER.

IT WAS FEATURED IN THE WHOLE MUSIC VIDEO AS A BACKDROP FOR IT.

>> AND WHAT ARE YOU DOING WITH IT BACK HERE NOW?

>> WELL, I GUESS IT'S MINE NOW.

>> LOOKING FOR SOMEBODY TO RENT A BIG BUTTERFLY.

>> I DON'T KNOW.

YEAH, ANYBODY WHO WOULD NEED A BIG BUTTERFLY OUT THERE.

WELL, SHE NEVER PICKED IT UP.

SO, IT'S JUST IN PART OF MY COLLECTION NOW.

>> WOW.

YOUR EVER-GROWING COLLECTION.

BECAUSE HERE YOU GOT CIRCLES.

WHAT'S THIS ABOUT?

>> THIS WAS PROBABLY--IT ANIMATES AND CHASES.

AND IT WAS PROBABLY MADE FOR A MOVIE.

>> SO, SOME OF THIS IS MORE COMPLICATED THAN OTHERS.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> AND SOME OF IT IS REAL BASIC.

DOESN'T GET ANYMORE BASIC THAN THIS.

"SIN WILL FIND YOU OUT."

>> THAT'S RIGHT, HUELL.

YOU WANT TO STAND IN FRONT OF IT?

>> HA.

WELL, WE CAN BOTH STAND IN FRONT OF IT.

BECAUSE THIS IS A GREAT OLD HISTORIC LOOK.

>> I KNOW.

AND I ACTUALLY MADE THAT FOR MYSELF.

AND I MADE IT IN REVERSE AND HAD IT AT THE END OF MY POOL AT MY HOUSE SO THE REFLECTION IN THE WATER WHEN YOU WERE IN THE POOL SAID "SIN WILL FIND YOU OUT."

BUT SINCE THEN I HAVE PUT IT BACK TO THE WAY IT WAS.

>> WOW.

THIS IS JUST--LOOK AT THIS STANDING OVER HERE.

LOOKING AT THIS.

I MEAN, THIS IS SPECTACULAR.

>> YEAH.

IT'S MY OWN LITTLE MAGIC CASTLE HERE.

>> MOST PEOPLE DON'T EVER SEE THIS.

>> NO.

>> THIS IS YOUR WORKSHOP.

>> IT'S MY STUDIO.

AND THAT'S WHY I WAS GLAD WHEN I TOLD YOU I WAS THE NEON QUEEN THAT YOU CAME.

I MEAN, I WANTED PEOPLE TO SEE THIS AND SHARE IT.

>> BOY THERE IS A LOT OF ENERGY.

THERE'S A HUM.

THERE'S A BUZZ IN THE AIR.

NOT JUST THE NEON HUM AND BUZZ.

BUT YOU CAN'T HELP BUT FEEL GOOD WHEN YOU'RE AROUND SOMETHING LIKE THIS.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

I AGREE.

LIKE I SAID, I'M A LUCKY GIRL.

>> ALL RIGHT, NOW THERE'S MORE.

BECAUSE THIS IS THE FINISHED PRODUCT RIGHT HERE.

WE'RE NOT GOING INTO ANOTHER PART OF YOUR STUDIO AND SEE WHERE ALL THIS COMES FROM.

WHERE IT ALL STARTS.

OK.

HERE WE GO.

NOW I GOT TO ADMIT.

THIS ISN'T THE MOST EXCITING--THIS ISN'T AS EXCITING AS ALL THAT NEON.

>> WELL, YOU KNOW, BEING A DESIGNER IS PRETTY EXCITING.

>> THIS IS THE DESIGNER.

>> THIS IS ONE OF OUR DESIGNERS.

>> HOWDY.

YOUR NAME IS?

>> CHRIS.

CHRIS.

>> NOW OBVIOUSLY YOU'RE HAVING FUN WITH HUELL ROCKS.

THAT'S NOT REALLY A SIGN YOU'RE GOING TO MAKE.

BUT HOW DOES IT WORK?

HOW DO YOU PUT ALL THIS TOGETHER?

>> WELL, PRETTY MUCH OUR CLIENTS--THEY SEND US THEIR SKETCHES OR DRAWINGS OR WHATEVER ARTWORK THEY CAN SEND US.

AND THEN I PUT IT IN THE COMPUTER.

AND THEN I MAKE NEON PATTERNS.

AND WE TAKE IT TO THE ROUTER OR OUR [INDISTINCT] RIGHT HERE.

THEN AFTER THIS, WE TAKE IT TO OUR BENDER.

>> TO HAVE IT ACTUALLY MADE.

YOU TAKE THE IDEAS THAT COME IN HERE--AND DON'T THEY COME IN IN ALL SHAPES AND-- >> MATCHBOOK COVERS, NAPKINS.

>> PEOPLE HAVE THIS CREATIVE IDEA.

>> YEAH.

>> THEY BRING IT TO YOU.

YOU'RE THE FIRST STOP.

>> YEAH, I AM.

>> AND YOU GO TO WORK MAKING SOME SENSE OUT OF IT TO SEE IF IT CAN ACTUALLY BE DONE.

>> EXACTLY.

AND THEN LIKE I SAID, WE MAKE NEON PATTERNS OF IT.

>> AND IT GOES INTO THE NEXT ROOM.

>> YES, SIR.

>> ALL RIGHT, WE'RE LEAVING YOU HERE.

YOUR NAME AGAIN IS?

>> CHRIS.

MY NAME IS CHRIS.

>> OK. WE'RE GOING TO LEAVE CHRIS WORKING ON THAT "HUELL ROCKS" NEON SIGN.

>> YOU DO ROCK.

>> I KINDA LIKE THAT.

I DON'T KNOW WHERE I'D PUT IT IF I EVER BOUGHT SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

ANYWAY, WE'RE GOING TO LEAVE YOU IN HERE.

WE'RE GOING TO GO IN THE NEXT ROOM.

AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS AFTER TO IT AFTER CHRIS GETS THROUGH DESIGNING IT ON THE COMPUTER.

NOW WE'RE GETTING DOWN TO IT.

YOU CAN REALLY FEEL THE CREATIVE ENERGY IN THE AIR HERE.

>> AND THE HEAT.

>> AND THE HEAT.

WHAT'S HAPPENING IN HERE?

>> BRIAN HAS BEEN WITH ME FOR ABOUT 30 YEARS ON AND OFF.

HE'S DONE ALL OF MY MOST BEAUTIFUL BENDING.

ESPECIALLY WHEN I DO ARTWORK AND PIECES THAT ARE GOING TO BE IN SHOWS.

>> SO, HIS TECHNICAL TITLE IS BENDER.

>> NEON BENDER.

>> NEON BENDER.

HOW ARE YOU DOING?

>> DOING GOOD.

>> INTRODUCE YOURSELF TO EVERYONE.

>> BRIAN CURRIE, THANK YOU.

>> I KNOW NOTHING--BOY, I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT TO ASK A NEON BENDER.

HOW DO YOU BEND NEON?

>> WELL, AFTER CHRIS MAKES ME A PATTERN BACKWARDS AND IN REVERSE, THEN I LAY THE GLASS OUT AS I'M GOING TO SHOW YOU.

AND WHAT YOU DO IS YOU HEAT THE GLASS TO THE PATTERN, TO WHATEVER SHAPE-- >> OBVIOUSLY THIS IS WHAT'S HEATING OVER HERE.

THIS IS GAS?

>> YES.

YES.

GAS AND AIR.

>> AND WHAT DOES THAT DO?

IT MELTS THE GLASS?

>> MELTING THE GLASS, YES.

>> AND HOW DO YOU KNOW HOW TO BEND IT ONCE IT GETS WARM ENOUGH TO BEND?

>> WELL, BY THE COLOR AND THE WAY IT BECOMES ELASTIC.

>> LOOK AT THIS CHANGE IN COLOR.

>> IT ALMOST BECOMES LIQUID.

>> IT'S BECOMING LIKE A RED COLOR.

>> YES.

ABSOLUTELY.

>> WOW.

HOW FRAGILE IS-- >> IT'S PRETTY FRAGILE.

THIS IS HOW IT STARTS.

SO, YOU SEE EVERYWHERE THERE'S A LITTLE TURN OR BEND, BRIAN HAS TO GO INTO THE FIRE AND COME BACK.

>> WHAT ARE YOU DOING?

YOU'RE COMPARING IT TO THE-- >> IT'S GOT TO BE EXACT TO THE PATTERN.

>> SO, IT FITS THE PATTERN THAT HAS ALREADY-- >> YES.

AND HE ONLY HAS A LIMITED AMOUNT OF TIME FROM THE FIRE TO GET IT BACK ONTO THE PAPER.

>> NOW YOU'RE GOOD AT THIS.

YOU'RE A PRO.

BE HONEST, HOW MUCH BREAKAGE IS THERE.

BECAUSE YOU COULD GET ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE END OF THE SLOGAN AND BREAK IT.

AND YOU HAVE TO START ALL OVER AGAIN.

>> WELL, THAT'S TRUE.

BUT THE IDEA IS NOT TO BREAK IT.

>> THAT'S WHY 30 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE REALLY HELPS.

>> I'M GETTING NERVOUS JUST HOLDING THIS.

>> WHY DON'T YOU TRY IT IN THE FIRE?

>> WELL, I'M NOT READY TO TRY THAT QUITE YET.

YOU GET THAT DOWN TO THE EXACT--LOOK AT THIS, CAMERON.

YOU'RE MARKING EVERYTHING TO THE EXACT-- >> AND BACK IN THE FIRE AND JUST THAT ONE AREA.

>> WOW.

LOOK AT THIS.

LOOK HOW IT'S TURNING RED.

HOW HOT IS THIS?

>> WELL, ENOUGH TO MELT THE GLASS.

>> ABOUT 1,000 DEGREES.

>> 1,000 DEGREES.

AND WHAT IS THAT IN YOUR MOUTH?

>> I GOTTA KEEP THE GLASS UNIFORM.

ONCE YOU HEAT THE GLASS, IT COLLAPSES.

>> WHAT DOES THAT HAVE TO DO WITH WHAT'S IN YOUR MOUTH?

>> WELL, I HAVE TO BLOW IT BACK OUT.

>> HE BLOWS A LITTLE AIR INTO THE TUBE TO KEEP THE SAME CONSISTENCY.

WE DON'T WANT IT TO COLLAPSE OR WE DON'T WANT A BIG BUBBLE WHEN HE BENDS IT.

SO, HE'S JUST SLIGHTLY BLOWING AIR THROUGH IT TO KEEP THE CHAMBER THE SAME.

>> THIS IS LIKE WATCHING AN ARTESIAN AT WORK.

>> AND THIS IS A RARE PERSON.

YOU'RE NOT GOING TO FIND THESE PEOPLE.

IT TAKES YEARS TO LEARN EVEN HOW TO MAKE ONE PATTERN, ONE LETTER.

>> IT'S LIKE A LOST ART.

>> IT'S A LOST ART.

IT REALLY, TRULY IS.

>> HOW DOES THAT MAKE YOU FEEL?

YOU'RE MAKING YOUR LIVIHOOD ON A LOST ART.

>> IT'S QUITE UNIQUE.

I LOVE IT.

I WOULDN'T CHANGE IT.

>> AND YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT YOU'RE GOING TO BE WORKING ON FROM DAY TO DAY.

>> NO.

NO.

IT'S FUN.

>> YEAH!

SO, YOU GET BIG JOBS.

SMALL JOBS.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> YOU PROBABLY SEE YOUR WORK IN MOVIES.

>> OH YES.

YES.

>> DID YOU MAKE THE "SIN WILL FIND YOU OUT" SIGN FOR HER POOL.

>> YES, I DID.

>> HE KNOWS MORE THAN ANYBODY PROBABLY ABOUT MY SINS.

>> WELL, THAT'S ANOTHER WHOLE STORY RIGHT THERE.

WOW.

THIS IS FASCINATING.

AND YOUR OFFICIAL TITLE IS?

>> TUBE BENDER.

>> TUBE BENDER.

WELL THAT'S IT.

OUR VISIT TO THE NIGHTS OF NEON HERE IN NORTH HOLLYWOOD.

AND, LISA, WHAT A SURPRISE BECAUSE YOU'RE LOCATED IN AN INDUSTRIAL PARK IN A VERY NONDESCRIPT BUILDING.

AND THEN YOU WALK IN AND BAM!

>> YES, HUELL.

WE'RE A LITTLE SECRET IN HOLLYWOOD.

BUT WE'RE PART OF THE BIG PICTURE IN HOLLYWOOD WITH THE MOVIES AND EVERYTHING.

>> WELL, YOU'RE PART OF THE WHOLE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> MUSIC VIDEOS, MOVIES, TV SHOWS, POOL NEON.

>> YES!

AND I HOPE PEOPLE START NOTICING A LITTLE BIT MORE NOW THAT THEY SEE ONE COMPANY DOES A LITTLE PART IN A MOVIE.

>> YEAH.

WOW.

THIS IS JUST BEAUTIFUL.

AND THIS IS VERY--IT GIVES YOU, LIKE YOU SAID EARLIER, A REAL FLASHBACK IN HISTORY TOO.

BECAUSE WE USED TO HAVE SO MUCH--PEOPLE REALLY USED TO TAKE PRIDE IN THE NEON SIGNS ON THEIR BUSINESSES, DIDN'T THEY?

>> WELL, IT'S THE FIRST THING YOU SEE WHEN YOU WALK INTO A STORE.

PLUS YOU NOW KNOW HOW COMPLICATED IT IS.

IT'S A DYING ART.

>> WELL, IT'S NOT DYING YET.

THANKS TO YOU.

>> NOT YET!

>> BOY, THIS HAS BEEN GREAT.

DID YOU THINK THAT WE WERE GOING TO SHOW UP?

>> WELL, YOU KNOW, THAT DAY JUST FELT RIGHT.

I WAS KIND OF GLOWING.

AND YOU HAD A PRETTY GOOD GLOW GOING ON TOO.

AND IT JUST FELT RIGHT.

AND I'M GLAD YOU SHOWED UP.

>> WELL, I GOTTA TELL YOU.

ANYBODY WHO COMES UP TO ME IN THE GROCERY STORE AND INTRODUCES THEMSELVES AS THE QUEEN OF NEON-- >> DESERVES IT.

>> THAT GETS MY ATTENTION.

>> I THOUGHT IT WAS GOING TO TAKE SOMETHING LIKE THAT TO GET YOU.

>> YOU DON'T KNOW WHERE WE WENT EARLIER.

WE WENT TO A PAWN SHOP.

AND HAD A GREAT TIME THERE.

WE'VE HAD A GREAT TIME HERE.

BOTH OF YOU LADIES I MET IN THE GROCERY STORE.

>> YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT YOU'RE GOING TO MEET IN THE GROCERY STORE.

>> YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT WONDERFUL STORIES PEOPLE HAVE GOT TO SHARE.

AND THAT'S WHAT THIS ADVENTURE'S ALL ABOUT.

SOMETHING AS SIMPLE AS 2 LADIES COMING UP TO ME IN THE GROCERY STORE.

AND LOOK WHAT'S COME OUT OF IT.

2 WONDERFUL STORIES FOR ALL OF US TO ENJOY.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

WE'VE HAD A WONDERFUL DAY.

LET'S GET OUT OF THE WAY AND JUST TAKE A LOOK AT THIS NEON.

IT'S ALL ABOUT PAWN SHOPS AND NEON.

IT'S ALL ABOUT PEOPLE WE MET IN THE GROCERY STORE WHO SHARED THEIR STORIES, THEIR PASSIONS WITH US.

WE'VE HAD AN ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL DAY.

[CAPTIONING MADE POSSIBLE BY KCET PUBLIC TELEVISION] [CAPTIONED BY THE NATIONAL CAPTIONING INSTITUTE --www.ncicap.org--] >> "VISITING" WITH HUELL HOWSER IS MADE POSSIBLE THROUGH A GENEROUS GRANT FROM THE...