Announcer: VISITING...WITH HUELL HOWSER IS MADE POSSIBLE THROUGH A GENEROUS GRANT FROM THE RALPH M. PARSONS FOUNDATION.

[CAPTIONING MADE POSSIBLE BY KCET PUBLIC TELEVISION AND FRIENDS OF NCI] Huell: WELL, HELLO, EVERYBODY.

I'M HUELL HOWSER.

AND YOU KNOW, ONE OF THE WONDERFUL THINGS ABOUT LIFE--ESPECIALLY LIFE HERE IN CALIFORNIA--IS THAT JUST ABOUT EVERYWHERE YOU LOOK, WE ARE SURROUNDED BY STORIES, BY WONDERFUL HUMAN STORIES.

STORIES ABOUT SUCCESS AND FAILURE, HOPES AND DREAMS, RICH STORIES ABOUT PEOPLE.

AND THAT'S ESPECIALLY TRUE RIGHT HERE IN HOLLYWOOD.

WE'RE ON CAHUENGA BOULEVARD, RIGHT AT THE INTERSECTION OF CAHUENGA AND WARING.

AND RIGHT OVER HERE ON THE CORNER IS THIS LITTLE SHOP CALLED WILLIE'S SHOE SERVICE--CUSTOM MADE AND REBUILT SHOES.

AND THIS IS THE KIND OF PLACE THAT, IF YOU WEREN'T LOOKING, YOU WOULD JUST DRIVE RIGHT BY THIS AND NEVER EVEN NOTICE IT.

BUT IF YOU DO NOTICE IT AND STOP, AND GO INSIDE THIS LITTLE BUILDING RIGHT HERE ON THIS CORNER, YOU'LL FIND A WONDERFUL HUMAN STORY.

A SUCCESS STORY.

OK, WE'VE COME INSIDE, AND HERE'S THE GUY RIGHT HERE.

THE MAIN MAN.

>> YES, SIR.

Huell: INTRODUCE YOURSELF TO EVERYBODY, WILLIE.

>> MY NAME IS WILLIE RIVERA.

WILLEBARDO RIVERA.

I'M FROM MEXICO CITY, AND I'M LIVING HERE IN THE UNITED STATES FROM 1949.

Huell: NOW, I'VE HAD SOME CONVERSATIONS WITH YOU, SO I KNOW THAT YOU'VE BEEN WORKING WITH SHOES LONG BEFORE YOU CAME TO THIS COUNTRY.

>> OH, YES.

I STARTED TO LEARN WHEN I WAS 10 YEARS OLD.

AND WHEN I WAS BARELY 14, I WAS SO GREAT AT MAKING SHOES.

Huell: NOW, WAS THIS SOMETHING THAT JUST CAME NATURALLY TO YOU?

DID YOU FEEL COMFORTABLE DOING IT RIGHT OFF THE BAT?

>> WELL, IT WAS NICE.

MY GREAT-GRANDFATHER WAS A SHOEMAKER, MY GRANDFATHER WAS A SHOEMAKER.

SO I HAVE IN THE FAMILY, MY BACKGROUND-- Huell: IT WAS IN YOUR BLOOD.

>> RIGHT.

SO I SAID NO, I HAVE TO KEEP GOING WITH THIS TRADE WITH MY FAMILY.

AND I'M GLAD I DID, BECAUSE I KNOW THAT--I MADE UP MY MIND.

I SAID, "THERE'S PEOPLE WHO WAKE UP IN THE MORNING AND THEY HAVE TO WEAR SHOES.

THE SAME AS FOOD.

SO I'M GONNA MAKE SHOES."

Huell: AND YOU'VE BEEN MAKING THEM--WELL, LET'S SEE, YOU CAME TO LOS ANGELES IN 1949.

YOU TOLD ME THAT AS SOON AS YOU GOT HERE, YOU STARTED WORKING IN A SHOE FACTORY.

>> I CAME LOOKING FOR A JOB MONDAY, AND THE NEXT DAY I WAS SITTING IN A SHOE FACTORY.

SECOND SPRING.

THAT FACTORY TODAY DON'T EXIST ANYMORE, BUT AT THAT TIME THERE WAS A LOT OF WORK IN THE SHOE FACTORIES.

Huell: BUT YOU DIDN'T WANT TO JUST WORK IN SOMEBODY ELSE'S SHOE FACTORY, YOU WANTED YOUR OWN BUSINESS.

>> RIGHT.

I WENT TO--THE FIRST CHECK I GET IN THE SHOE FACTORY, I BOUGHT ONE HAMMER.

I STILL HAVE THE HAMMER.

AND I MADE UP MY MIND, I SAID, "I'M GOING TO MAKE SHOES IN THIS COUNTRY."

AND EVERY WEEK, I WAS BUYING ONE TOOL.

ONE TOOL.

AND IN 6 MONTHS, I BOUGHT LATHES, I BOUGHT A LATHE AND TOOLS.

AND I WAS MAKING SHOES FOR LITTLE MONEY, JUST TO LET PEOPLE KNOW I WAS A SHOEMAKER.

Huell: JUST KINDA ON THE SIDE FROM YOUR REGULAR JOB?

>> YEAH.

Huell: WHEN DID YOU OPEN UP YOUR FIRST SHOE SHOP?

>> IN 1954.

AT 5326 MELROSE, ACROSS THE STREET FROM PARAMOUNT.

Huell: RIGHT ACROSS THE STREET FROM PARAMOUNT PICTURES.

AND THAT ENDED UP BEING PROBABLY THE BEST DECISION YOU MADE IN YOUR LIFE.

>> RIGHT.

I WAS SO LUCKY, BECAUSE I OPENED SATURDAY.

AND WEDNESDAY, MR. RICHARDSON, WHO WAS THE HEAD OF THE WARDROBE DEPARTMENT AT PARAMOUNT, SENT A SECRETARY, IT WAS ALICE.

AND SHE SAYS, "ARE YOU WILLIE?"

I SAID YES.

SHE SAID, "MR. RICHARDSON WANTS YOU TO MAKE ALL PARAMOUNT WORK."

Huell: ALL THE PARAMOUNT WARDROBE SHOES, YOU GOT THAT JUST LIKE THAT.

>> RIGHT.

NEW SHOES, AND REPAIRING, EVERYTHING THAT THEY NEEDED.

AND IT WAS A BLESSING.

Huell: WELL, THAT WAS YOUR WHOLE--THAT COULD HAVE BEEN YOUR WHOLE INCOME RIGHT THERE, JUST WORKING FOR PARAMOUNT PICTURES.

>> YES, AND ALSO FOR WESTERN COSTUME.

Huell: YOU WERE RIGHT ACROSS THE STREET FROM WESTERN COSTUME?

>> I USED TO WORK AT WESTERN COSTUME, AND THEN WESTERN COSTUME WAS MY CUSTOMER.

BECAUSE THEY USED TO SEND A LOT OF MY WORK FROM WESTERN COSTUME TO-- Huell: NOW, IS THAT HOW YOU MET ALL OF THESE STARS?

>> MET ALL THESE PEOPLE.

AND-- AT FIRST, I NEVER HAD THE IDEA TO COLLECT PICTURES.

BUT THEY GAVE THEM TO ME EVERY PICTURE I USED TO WORK ON.

Huell: SO ALL OF THESE PICTURES--I WANT TO GO THROUGH SOME OF THESE.

BING CROSBY UP THERE, YOU MADE SHOES FOR BING CROSBY?

>> YES.

HE USED TO WEAR SIZE 8 1/2.

Huell: WHAT ABOUT RONALD REAGAN OVER HERE?

>> HE WORE AN 11.

Huell: 11 SHOE.

PAUL NEWMAN?

>> HE USED--PAUL NEWMAN, NO.

I NEVER MADE SHOES FOR HIM.

I REPAIRED SHOES FOR HIM, BUT I NEVER MADE SHOES-- Huell: REPAIRED SHOES.

>> FOR HIM, YES.

Huell: DORIS DAY?

>> OH, YES.

DORIS DAY AND CLARK GABLE.

Huell: REALLY?

>> YES.

Huell: NOW, WOULD THESE PEOPLE COME IN THEMSELVES, OR WOULD THEY SEND PEOPLE TO-- >> NO, THEY USED TO CALL ME FROM THE STUDIOS, AND I USED TO GO--I STILL GO AND TAKE MEASUREMENTS.

THE DESIGNERS, THEY GIVE ME THE PICTURES OF WHAT THEY WANT, AND I MAKE THE SHOES TO THE SIZE OF THE ACTOR.

Huell: WOW.

>> IT WAS NICE.

Huell: LOOK AT ALL THESE PICTURES.

THERE ARE THE GOLDEN GIRLS DOWN THERE.

>> THE GOLDEN GIRLS, THEY USED TO WORK ACROSS THE STREET.

THEY USED TO MAKE THE SHOW AND [INDISTINCT].

VERY NICE.

Huell: DID YOU MEET ALL OF THEM?

>> WELL, I NEVER MADE SHOES FOR THEM.

I REPAIRED SHOES FOR THEM.

ESPECIALLY MISS BETTY WHITE.

SHE WAS A WONDERFUL LADY.

Huell: OK, THE TOUR BEGINS.

THIS IS A WONDERFUL ROOM BACK HERE, WILLIE.

IT FEELS GOOD BACK HERE.

IT FEELS OLD-TIMEY BACK HERE.

WHAT'S GOIN' ON BACK IN THIS ROOM?

>> I WANT TO TELL YOU, THIS IS-- THIS IS THE LAST THAT WE MADE SHOES FOR JESSE JACKSON.

Huell: YOU MADE JESSE JACKSON'S SHOES?

>> YES, THIS IS THE LAST USED FORM.

Huell: SO, WAIT A MINUTE.

THESE ARE ALL FORMS?

>> YES, THESE ARE THE FORMS OF THE PEOPLE.

Huell: SO YOU DON'T HAVE THIS LABELED.

HOW DO YOU KNOW THIS IS JESSE JACKSON'S SHOE?

>> YEAH, BECAUSE WE HAVE IT HERE.

WE HAVE IT BY DATE.

Huell: OH, OK.

SO WHOSE SHOE IS-- >> WE HAVE BILL COSBY-- Huell: LOOK AT THESE, WE'VE GOT A WHOLE-- >> THIS IS BILL COSBY.

Huell: BILL COSBY'S SHOE.

HA HA!

NOW, THIS IS YOUR WORKBENCH, RIGHT?

>> MY WORKBENCH, RIGHT.

Huell: TELL US WHAT GOES ON OVER HERE.

>> YES.

WHEN THEY GIVE ME THE PICTURE, I MAKE THE-- I GET THE PLAST, AND I MAKE THE--I MAKE THE PATTERN.

Huell: NOW, THIS IS WHEN YOU'RE MAKING SOMEONE'S SHOE.

>> RIGHT.

Huell: AND WHAT KIND OF SHOES DO PEOPLE COME IN HERE AND ASK YOU TO MAKE?

>> WHATEVER THEY WANT.

IF THEY WANT TO HAVE LADIES', MEN'S.

IF THEY WANT TO HAVE PUMPS, BOOTS, HIGH HEELS, WHATEVER THEY WANTED.

Huell: SO YOU MAKE BOOTS HERE AS WELL?

>> UH-HUH.

Huell: FROM SCRATCH.

>> FROM SCRATCH, YES.

Huell: ARE THESE-- DID YOU MAKE THESE?

>> YES, WE MAKE THESE.

IT'S A NICE SLIPPER--SLIPPERS.

Huell: SO PEOPLE STILL HAVE THEIR SHOES MADE?

>> YES.

SOME PEOPLE, THEY LOVE TO HAVE THEM MADE BECAUSE THEY DON'T BE ABLE TO FIND IN THE STORES.

THE WEAVE OR THE STYLE, THEY LIKE IT.

Huell: UH-HUH.

>> SO THEY'LL DRAW PICTURES, OR THEY'LL BRING ME AN OLD SHOE, AND THEY ASK ME, "MAKE ME A SHOE THIS STYLE IN MY SIZE."

I SAY, "OK." Huell: DOESN'T THAT GET EXPENSIVE?

>> WELL, IT'S A LITTLE EXPENSIVE, BUT PEOPLE LOVE TO PAY WHAT THEY WANT.

Huell: PEOPLE ARE WILLING TO PAY.

>> YEAH, PEOPLE ARE NICE.

Huell: WOW.

ARE THERE MANY PEOPLE STILL MAKING SHOES?

>> NO-- Huell: NOT BY HAND.

>> NO, UNFORTUNATELY, NOT MANY SHOEMAKERS ANYMORE.

BEFORE, THERE USED TO BE IN BEVERLY HILLS A LOT OF ITALIAN SHOEMAKERS, VERY GOOD SHOEMAKERS.

AND WE LATIN PEOPLE, JUST A FEW.

BUT CUSTOM SHOES, CUSTOM SHOEMAKERS, NO.

THEY DIDN'T WANT TO LEARN.

THE YANKEES, THEY DIDN'T WANT TO LEARN.

THEY WANT TO MAKE MONEY RIGHT AWAY.

Huell: QUICK MONEY.

>> QUICK MONEY.

Huell: OK, THE TOUR CONTINUES.

WE'RE NOW IN THE BACK ROOM.

AND YOU GOT SOMEBODY ELSE WORKING BACK HERE.

>> RIGHT.

HE'S A VERY GOOD SHOEMAKER.

HE DOES ALL THE REPAIRINGS.

AND HE'S FAST, HE'S OK. Huell: HE'S BEEN HERE WITH YOU-- CARLOS HAS BEEN WITH YOU-- >> 22 YEARS.

Huell: 22 YEARS.

SO IT MUST BE WORKING OUT PRETTY GOOD.

>> YES.

IT'S LIKE A FAMILY.

Huell: NOW, OVER HERE-- RAUL, CAN YOU COME DOWN HERE AND TALK TO US ABOUT THIS?

BECAUSE THIS IS VERY INTERESTING OVER HERE.

THIS OLD EQUIPMENT.

>> OLD EQUIPMENT, BUT GOOD AS NEW.

Huell: NOW, WHAT DO YOU MEAN?

>> THESE MACHINES ARE NEVER TO BE INVENTED AGAIN.

THEY WERE JUST MADE ONCE, AND IT'S THE BEST QUALITY EVER.

THIS MACHINE MUST HAVE BEEN WITH US FOR AT LEAST THE LAST 20 YEARS.

IT'S AN INSIDE NAILER.

THAT'S THE WIRE THAT NAILS THE SHOES AND MAKES THE HEEL STAY IN PLACE.

THERE'S NO OTHER MACHINE THAT WILL REPLACE IT.

Huell: WHAT'S THIS THING OVER-- >> THIS IS THE SOLE PRESSER.

Huell: A SOLE PRESSER.

>> A LOT OF THE NEWER SHOES ARE NOT NEEDING TO BE STITCHED ANY MORE.

THEY'RE MADE OUT OF RUBBER SOLES THAT CAN'T BE STITCHED.

SO WHEN WE ADD IT TO THE SHOE, WE PUT IT HERE-- [MACHINE HUMS] >> WE PRESS IT DOWN.

THAT'S HOW IT STAYS.

IT ONLY NEEDS TO BE THERE FOR 30 SECONDS.

TAKE IT BACK AGAIN, AND THE SHOE'S TOGETHER.

Huell: AND THESE MACHINES, TO ME, LOOK LIKE THEY WERE MADE TO LAST.

THESE ARE SERIOUS-- >> THESE ARE THE REAL EVERLAST MACHINES.

THERE'S NO WAY TO BE INVENTED AGAIN.

Huell: WHAT IS THIS?

THIS IS A STITCHING, ISN'T IT?

>> THIS IS AN OUTSOLE STITCHER.

MIGHT NOT HAVE ANYTHING TO SHOW YOU.

THIS IS A LANDIS, ONE-OF-A-KIND.

OILED ALL OVER THE PLACE.

IT DOESN'T HAVE A PLACE TO KEEP OIL.

SO, IT'S VERY DIRTY.

BUT THAT WAS THE WAY IT WAS MADE.

AND THE NEW ONES DON'T HAVE THAT ABILITY, EITHER.

USUALLY USED FOR WELTED SHOES.

YOU PUT IT IN HERE AND IT WELTS ALL THE OUTSIDE STITCHER.

Huell: OK, WE GOT A BOOT.

>> A COWBOY BOOT.

ONCE WE PUT THE SOLE IN HERE, ALL IT NEEDS TO DO IS GO RIGHT IN THERE AND IT WILL STITCH RIGHT THROUGH.

AND IT WILL GIVE US BRAND-NEW BEAUTIFUL STITCHING.

Huell: NOW, ARE YOU DOING THAT BY HAND, OR DOES THAT THING RUN AUTOMATICALLY?

>> IT NEEDS TO RUN AUTOMATICALLY.

RIGHT NOW, WE'RE JUST DOING A SAMPLE.

IT RUNS-- IT CAN PROBABLY GIVE US 100 STITCHES PER MINUTE.

Huell: WOW.

>> THIS IS WHAT IT'S GONNA LOOK LIKE.

WHITE THREAD.

Huell: AND HOW OLD IS THIS MACHINE?

>> THIS MACHINE--I BELIEVE IT'S 27 YEARS OLD.

WILLIE BOUGHT IT-- Huell: LOOKS A LOT OLDER THAN THAT.

>> IT JUST NEEDS A LITTLE MAINTENANCE.

Huell: HA!

>> IT NEEDS A LITTLE MAKEUP.

BUT IT'S GOOD AS NEW.

THE MAKEUP HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE QUALITY OF THE WORK HERE.

THAT'S A COWBOY BOOT.

WE HAVE AN INSOLE STITCHER MACHINE.

Huell: YEAH, THIS IS--THIS IS-- LOOK AT THIS THING.

THIS LOOKS LIKE IT OUGHT TO BE IN A DOCTOR'S OFFICE.

>> LOOKS LIKE A TOOTH SHAVER.

NOW, THIS DOES THE INSIDE STITCHING OF THE SOLE.

IT GOES--THE THREAD GOES INSIDE.

IT'S NOT TO BE VISIBLE OUTSIDE.

THE WAY YOU OPERATE THIS ONE-- PUT A SHOE RIGHT IN HERE.

I'M NOT GONNA PENETRATE THIS SHOE.

Huell: YEAH, WE DON'T WANT TO JUST PLAY AROUND WITH SOMEBODY'S SHOES HERE JUST TO DEMONSTRATE.

>> AND IT STITCHES ALL THE WAY THROUGH.

THAT'S THE MOST EFFICIENT WAY TO STITCH AN INSOLE FOR A DRESS SHOE.

Huell: SO NOW, IF--IS THIS THE WAY--IF WE HAD COME IN A SHOE SHOP 40 OR 50 YEARS AGO-- >> EXACTLY THE SAME WAY.

Huell: WE'D SEE THE SAME-- >> NOTHING HAS CHANGED.

NOTHING HAS CHANGED.

GOOD QUALITY SHOES HAVE ALWAYS BEEN MADE OUT OF LEATHER.

AND THESE MACHINES WERE JUST MADE TO SAVE THE SHOEMAKER SOME TIME, BECAUSE EVERYTHING IS MEANT TO BE ROUGHLY BY HAND.

Huell: UH-HUH.

>> THESE SHOES ARE JUST--I GUESS, LIKE THE GLORY OF A SHOEMAKER.

HE DOESN'T HAVE TO PULL THE THREAD, AND IT WILL SAVE YOU HOURS OF WORK.

Huell: BUT IT STILL DOES IT THE OLD-FASHIONED, HANDS-ON WAY.

>> CORRECTLY.

Huell: AND CARLOS HAS BEEN DOING WHAT HE DOES BASICALLY THE SAME WAY ALL HIS LIFE, HASN'T HE?

>> ALL HIS LIFE.

HALF--A LOT OF MATERIALS HAVE CHANGED.

LIKE RIGHT NOW, HE'S PRIMERING A SOLE IN ORDER TO ADD THE HEEL.

Huell: UH-HUH.

>> BECAUSE RUBBER WILL NOT BOND WITH REGULAR GLUE.

NEWER GLUES ARE BEING MADE.

THAT IS WHAT'S CHANGING, THE CHEMICALS-- Huell: BUT IT'S STILL DONE BY HAND, AND THAT'S WHAT MAKES THIS PLACE SO SPECIAL.

>> THAT'S CORRECT.

Huell: IS THAT IT'S NOT AUTOMATED, IT'S NOT SEPARATED FROM THE HUMAN TOUCH AND FEEL.

AND FROM THE CRAFT THAT THIS IS.

YOU'RE AN ARTIST.

>> THERE'S NO OTHER WAY TO FIX SHOES.

IF YOU DO IT THE OTHER WAY, IT'S ONLY GONNA LAST YOU FOR A COUPLE OF MINUTES.

TRADITIONAL IS THE KEY OF EXCELLENCE.

Huell: NOW, THIS LOOKS-- THIS HAS AN AMAZING LOOK AND FEEL TO IT, WILLIE.

WHERE ARE WE NOW?

>> YEAH, THIS IS THE DYE DEPARTMENT.

AND THIS IS THE MAN.

HIS NAME IS JUAN.

Huell: HI, HOW YOU DOIN'?

HUELL HOWSER, NICE TO MEET YOU, SIR.

>> THANK YOU.

>> HE DOES THE WORK--VERY GOOD WORK.

HE'S A GOOD WORKER, HE'S A GOOD MAN.

AND WE ARE SO HAPPY TO HAVE HIM HERE WITH US.

YOU'VE BEEN HERE WITH US FOR 16 YEARS?

>> YEAH.

>> YEAH.

AND HE'S--AND WE GET ALONG VERY WELL.

THIS IS LIKE A FAMILY.

Huell: HOW IMPORTANT IS THE DYE DEPARTMENT, RAUL?

>> WELL, AT THIS SHOP, NO SHOE LEAVES THE SHOP WITHOUT PASSING THROUGH JUAN'S HANDS.

HE TOUCHES EVERY SINGLE SHOE THAT COMES IN HERE.

ANY MINOR REPAIR WORK THAT WE DO, HE POLISHED THEM.

Huell: I CAN'T EVEN TELL WHAT--LOOK AT THIS, THERE'S-- THERE'S A LITTLE BIT OF EVERYTHING ON HERE, SIR.

HOW DO YOU KNOW WHERE EVERYTHING IS?

>> AH, YOU KNOW, THIS IS EVERYTHING OF COLOR THAT'S SORTED.

Huell: SO YOU KNOW BY COLOR WHERE EVERY-- >> I HAVE MORE COLOR OVER THERE.

Huell: OH, MY.

THIS WHOLE ROOM IS FULL OF BOTTLES OF COLOR.

>> YEAH.

GOT EVERY COLOR TO CHOOSE FROM.

Huell: BUT YOU LIKE DYEING-- >> I LIKE IT.

Huell: SHOES.

THAT'S A WHOLE SKILL, ISN'T IT?

>> YOU WOULD THINK THAT ALL THIS IS MESSY, BUT EVERY ONE ITEM HERE TAKES A GREAT ROLE IN SHOES.

WE HAVE A YELLOW PAIR OF BOOTS THERE AT THE TABLE.

THEY NEED TO BE DYED SOME SORT OF GREEN.

JUAN HERE WILL STRIP THE SHOE OFF-- Huell: WAIT A MINUTE.

THERE ARE THE YELLOW BOOTS THERE.

AND HE'S GONNA MAKE THEM GREEN?

>> HE'S GONNA MAKE THEM GREEN, LIKE A PALE GREEN.

THOSE SHOES ARE MADE IN THE UNITED STATES.

CUSTOM MADE, AND THEY'RE GONNA BE USED IN THE LOS ANGELES OPERA.

HE WILL STRIP IT OFF AND MAKE THE COLOR NEW.

THIS IS LIKE A LAB, HE'LL GRAB EVERY COLOR, MIX A LITTLE BIT OF THIS, A LITTLE BIT OF THAT, AND HE'LL GIVE YOU THE COLOR THAT YOU'RE LOOKING FOR.

Huell: THERE'S A WHOLE SKILL LEVEL TO THIS, ISN'T THERE?

>> WHOLE OPERATION.

AND IT'S NO WAY TO FIND A FORMULA.

HIS FORMULAS ARE IN THE HEAD.

Huell: SO IT'S ALL IN YOUR HEAD.

>> YEAH, I KNOW.

Huell: YOU KNOW EVERY COLOR.

>> EVERY COLOR I HAVE IN MY HEAD.

[LAUGHING] Huell: NOW, HERE'S A LADY WHO'S COME IN REALLY FOR THE FIRST TIME.

THIS IS THE FIRST TIME YOU'VE BROUGHT YOUR SHOES IN.

>> THAT'S RIGHT, THIS IS MY FIRST TIME.

Huell: WHY THIS PLACE?

>> IT JUST LOOKED NICE.

Huell: WHAT DO YOU MEAN IT JUST LOOKED NICE?

>> I WAS DRIVING BY, I NEEDED MY SHOES FIXED.

THERE IT WAS.

I LIKE THE FACT THAT THERE WAS PARKING RIGHT IN FRONT.

Huell: UH-HUH.

>> MY OTHER OPTION WAS BEVERLY HILLS.

WHO WANTS TO DRIVE TO BEVERLY HILLS TO HAVE THEIR SHOES DONE?

Huell: AND WHEN YOU CAME IN HERE, DID IT FEEL GOOD TO YOU?

>> IT DID, IT DID.

I THOUGHT, WOW, LOOK AT THIS.

THIS HAS BEEN HERE FOR A WHILE.

IT MUST BE GOOD.

THAT'S WHAT I THOUGHT.

Huell: WELL, LET'S TAKE A LOOK.

YOU'RE GETTING YOUR SHOES BACK.

>> DON'T THEY LOOK NICE?

Huell: NOW, WHAT DID YOU HAVE DONE?

>> WELL, THE HEELS WERE ALL WORN DOWN, AND WHEN YOU WALKED, THEY WENT "CLICK, CLICK, CLICK", AND THAT'S ANNOYING.

AND THEY'RE VERY NICE, EXPENSIVE SHOES.

AND LOOK, THEY POLISHED THEM UP FOR ME.

THEY LOOK BEAUTIFUL.

Huell: WOW.

SEE, YOU'RE USED TO HAVING--TO HEARING GOOD, HAPPY CUSTOMERS.

>> OH, YES.

THE CUSTOMERS, THEY ARE WONDERFUL PEOPLE.

AND PEOPLE RECOMMEND ONE TO ANOTHER ONE, AND THEN THEY COME AND THEY COME BACK, AND THEY RECOMMEND ANOTHER CUSTOMER.

>> I'LL BE BACK.

>> AND THAT'S THE WAY WE GOT THIS PLACE.

Huell: SO YOU DON'T HAVE A BIG ADVERTISING BUDGET?

>> NO, I DON'T NEED IT.

[WOMAN GIGGLES] Huell: GOT YOU IN HERE, DIDN'T IT?

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

Huell: JUST DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD.

>> HAPPY TO BE HERE.

Huell: WE'RE STANDING UNDER THIS WONDERFUL PICTURE OF YOU AND YOUR WIFE.

YOU WERE MARRIED FOR HOW MANY YEARS, WILLIE?

>> 54 YEARS.

Huell: AND SHE HELPED YOU A LOT.

>> OH, YEAH.

WAS MY RIGHT ARM.

Huell: YEAH.

AND THE OTHER THING THAT CATCHES MY EYE IN THIS PICTURE--YOU'RE HOLDING A CAT.

>> IT'S--YEAH, HER NAME WAS SHOESHINE.

Huell: THE CAT'S NAME WAS SHOESHINE?

>> SHOESHINE.

Huell: MY FATHER ALWAYS TOLD ME YOU CAN TELL A PERSON'S CHARACTER BY WHETHER THEIR SHOES ARE SHINED OR NOT.

>> RIGHT.

Huell: DOES THAT MAKE SENSE?

>> YES.

SOME PEOPLE ARE VERY CAREFUL.

I'M ONE OF THEM.

I ALWAYS--I LIKE TO HAVE MY SHOES CLEAN.

AND I'M GLAD THAT I AM ABLE TO DO IT.

SOME PEOPLE, THEY DON'T CARE.

I DO.

THIS GUY, HE SHINES SHOES REGULARLY.

>> I'M A SHOE SHINER.

THAT'S HOW I STARTED INTO THE SHOE COMPANY.

BUT YOU PROBABLY WANT TO THINK ABOUT THAT.

LOOK AT HIS SHOES.

THEY'RE NOT SHINY.

Huell: WELL, THEY'RE DOCKSIDERS, AND THEY'RE NOT SUPPOSED TO BE SHINY.

BUT THEY COULD BE CLEANED UP A LITTLE BIT.

>> SHOULD BE CLEANED UP A LITTLE BIT.

WATERPROOFED-- Huell: YOU BUSTED ME.

>> SHOES ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT ITEM.

EVERY TIME I SEE SOMEONE, I MEET SOMEBODY, I SHAKE THEIR HAND, LOOK AT THEIR EYES, AND THEN LOOK AT THE SHOES.

Huell: REALLY?

WHAT DOES IT TELL YOU ABOUT THEM, WHEN YOU-- >> ABOUT PERSONAL CARE.

YOU KNOW, IF YOUR SHOES DON'T HAVE TO BE THE MOST EXPENSIVE SHOES, BUT THEY MUST BE CLEAN.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO PAY THE PROFESSIONAL SHOE SHINER TO HAVE THEM POLISHED.

YOU NEED A LITTLE BIT OF POLISH AT HOME, CLEAN THEM UP, AND A BRUSH.

Huell: IT'S ABOUT PERSONAL PRIDE, ABOUT HAVING PRIDE IN YOUR APPEARANCE.

>> THAT'S CORRECT.

THAT'S THE ONLY THING I WOULD JUDGE SOMEONE AT THE FIRST IMPRESSION, SHOES.

Huell: WELL, HA!

I DON'T KNOW WHAT THAT SAYS ABOUT WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT ME.

>> WELL, THIS IS THE SECOND TIME I SEE YOU.

I BELIEVE LAST TIME WE MET, YOU HAD SOME CLEAN SHOES.

YOU'RE WORKING TODAY.

THAT'S EVERYBODY'S EXCUSE, "THESE ARE JUST WORK SHOES."

I THINK THEY'RE ON YOUR FEET, THEY SHOULD BE CLEAN AT ALL TIMES.

100% OF THE TIME.

Huell: YES, SIR.

>> TOTALLY.

SO GET YOU A LITTLE CARD.

Huell: I'M GONNA CLEAN MY SHOES.

HE BUSTED ME.

[LAUGHING] Huell: OH, MY GOSH.

LOOK AT THIS OLD SINGER SEWING MACHINE, WILLIE.

THIS THING--HOW OLD IS THIS MACHINE?

>> WELL, THIS MACHINE THEY'VE BEEN MAKING FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS.

THIS MACHINE IS ABOUT 40 YEARS OLD.

Huell: WOW, AND YOU STILL STITCH ON THIS THING.

>> YES.

WHEN THE SHOE'S ALREADY MADE, WE'LL BE ABLE TO STITCH THEM UP INSIDE.

Huell: I'M LOOKING AT THIS MACHINE OVER HERE.

LOOK AT THAT OLD MACHINE.

OH, THIS IS FASCINATING.

LOOK AT THIS.

THIS OLD SEWING MACHINE.

NOW WE'VE COME ACROSS A LONG-TIME CUSTOMER.

>> YES, I AM.

I'VE BEEN COMING HERE SINCE THE MID-SEVENTIES WITH MY MOM, SINCE MY MOM BROUGHT ME HERE.

I LIVE IN PASADENA, I DRIVE ALL THE WAY HERE TO SEE WILLIE.

Huell: YOU'RE KIDDING.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

Huell: SO HERE'S WILLIE RIGHT HERE.

>> THERE'S WILLIE.

HELLO, SIR.

Huell: YOU'RE ACTUALLY BRINGING YOUR SHOES IN.

>> I AM.

I NEED NEW HEELS.

Huell: SO YOU'VE BEEN WORKING WITH THIS LADY FOR OVER 25 YEARS.

>> YES, SHE WAS IN HIGH SCHOOL WHEN I MET YOU.

>> THAT'S RIGHT, I WAS.

>> I REMEMBER YOU.

>> MY 25th HIGH SCHOOL REUNION IS THIS YEAR.

Huell: WOW.

SEE, A GOOD SHOE SHOP IS HARD TO FIND, ISN'T IT?

>> WELL, IT IS HARD TO FIND.

ALTHOUGH I'VE NEVER HAD TO LOOK, 'CAUSE I'VE ONLY EVER COME TO WILLIE.

Huell: YOU'RE SPOILED.

>> I AM VERY SPOILED.

I'M SURE THERE ARE LOTS OF THEM IN PASADENA, I'VE NEVER BEEN TO ONE.

I'VE ONLY EVER COME HERE.

Huell: AND WHAT IS IT THAT HOOKED YOU INTO THIS PLACE?

>> WELL, HE'S KIND, AND HE'S--HE MUST BE A MAGICIAN, BECAUSE HOW HE FINDS ANYTHING BACK THERE I'LL NEVER KNOW.

UM, BUT IT'S ALWAYS PERFECT, AND IT'S AN AMAZINGLY FAIR PRICE.

AND HE'S A WONDERFUL, KIND MAN, AND WE ALL KNEW AND LOVED HIS WIFE.

AND WE KNOW AND LOVE WILLIE.

AND JUST A PLEASURE TO KEEP COMING, AND I'M DELIGHTED THAT THE STORE'S NOT GOING AWAY.

Huell: AND HERE'S THE INTERESTING PART, THE OTHER LAYER TO THIS STORY.

BECAUSE, WILLIE, YOU'VE BEEN IN THE SHOE BUSINESS HERE IN LOS ANGELES FOR OVER 50 YEARS NOW.

>> RIGHT.

Huell: ONE OF THESE DAYS, YOU'RE PROBABLY PLANNING ON RETIRING.

>> YES.

I'LL BE RETIRING THIS YEAR.

I'M GONNA BE 90.

AND I'VE BEEN THINKING ABOUT SLOWING DOWN.

Huell: SLOWING DOWN A LITTLE BIT AT 90.

>> RIGHT.

Huell: BUT YOU STILL COME IN.

>> I'M STILL COMING--BECAUSE I CAN'T STAY AWAY FROM THE SHOE SHOP.

Huell: HA!

IT'S IN HIS BLOOD.

BUT, RAUL, HERE'S THE REAL GOOD STORY HERE.

ABOUT THE 2 OF YOU, AND HOW YOU CAME TOGETHER.

>> ABOUT TO BE IN WILLIE'S--I'M DRIVING BY WARING BOULEVARD ONE DAY GETTING SOME COFFEE FOR A FRIEND, AND I SEE THE SHOE SHOP.

NOW I SHINE SHOES FOR A LIVING FOR THE LAST 5 YEARS BEFORE I MET WILLIE.

AND I FIGURE, "HUH.

MAYBE THIS SHOE REPAIR SHOP CAN DO SOME REPAIR WORK FOR US, AND SO THAT WE CAN OFFER THE SERVICE TO OUR CUSTOMERS."

SO I STOPPED.

I WALKED IN, WILLIE WAS WORKING.

I OFFERED MY SERVICE, AND HE SAID, "THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

I'M TOO BUSY ALREADY.

MAYBE SOME OTHER TIME, WHY DON'T YOU STOP BY LATER?"

SO I DID.

I MADE IT A ROUTINE EVERY FRIDAY.

I WOULD STOP BY TO CHITCHAT WITH HIM.

I GOT TO KNOW THAT HE IS A SHOEMAKER, THAT HE CAN MAKE SHOES OUT OF SCRATCH.

AND I GOT VERY INTERESTED.

AND I SAID, "WILLIE, HOW ABOUT YOU TEACH ME HOW TO MAKE SHOES."

HE SAID, "SURE, WHY NOT.

YOU CAN COME IN ANYTIME."

I MADE IT A ROUTINE.

AND EVERY SATURDAY I WAS HERE, WE DRANK COFFEE, WE NEVER GOT ANY WORK DONE BECAUSE WE WERE BUSY CHATTING.

Huell: HA HA HA!

>> IT DEVELOPED TO WHERE I WAS SO INTERESTED, AND I STARTED TO BE HERE 5 DAYS A WEEK, GETTING FAMILIAR WITH THE SHOP, WITH THE SHOE MAKING, AND I LOVE IT.

I WOULD LIKE TO BE JUST AS GOOD AS HE IS, TO MAKE SHOES ONE DAY.

BUT IT'S A LONG PROCESS.

Huell: SO HE WAS--YOU KIND OF TAUGHT RAUL A LOT OF YOUR KNOWLEDGE.

SHARED YOUR KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS.

>> I'M GLAD TO SHARE MY KNOWLEDGE WITH HIM BECAUSE HE LISTENED.

AND HE'S WILLING TO LEARN GOOD.

AND HE'S A GOOD BOY.

I LIKE HIM VERY MUCH.

Huell: SO THIS FRIENDSHIP DEVELOPED JUST OUT OF NOWHERE, JUST BY ACCIDENT, BY CHANCE.

>> YES.

AND IT GREW UP MORE THAN A WORKING RELATIONSHIP.

I LIKE TO SAY THAT I WOULD LIKE TO ADOPT THIS GUY AS MY GRANDFATHER.

YOU KNOW, I DON'T HAVE THE GRANDFATHER FIGURE.

HE IS RIGHT HERE, HE LIVES ALONE.

I VISIT WITH HIM ALL THE TIME, AND IT GOT TO THE SECOND LEVEL.

MORE THAN JUST A WORKING, YOU KNOW, MASTER AND APPRENTICE RELATIONSHIP.

IT GOT MORE PERSONAL.

Huell: AND NOW, THOUGH, IT'S DEVELOPING YET ANOTHER LAYER, BECAUSE YOU'RE GOING TO SOMEDAY TAKE OVER THIS WHOLE OPERATION.

>> YES, SIR.

THAT IS--THAT WILL BE A GREAT THING TO HAPPEN.

IT'S THE MASTER PLAN.

I'D LIKE TO BECOME A SHOEMAKER.

I'D LIKE TO MAKE SHOES BEFORE I CAN SAY I'M SHOEMAKER.

AROUND THE SHOP, THE SHOP HAS TRADITIONAL EXCELLENCE, BUT I'M BRINGING THE NEW MODERN BUSINESS CLASS INTO THE SHOP.

WE'RE GONNA TAKE CREDIT CARDS.

ONE OF ALL THESE NEWER THINGS THAT WOULD CONTINUE TO ATTRACT PEOPLE, NOT ONLY THE OLD CUSTOMERS THAT ARE KNOWN TO BE COMING HERE.

WE KNOW THAT EVERYBODY WEARS SHOES.

SO EVERYBODY WOULD LIKE TO HAVE OUR SERVICE DONE.

Huell: HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT RAUL STEPPING IN?

>> WELL, WE BLEND VERY GOOD.

I LIKE HIM VERY MUCH.

AND HE LISTENED, AND I TELL HIM.

HE ASKED ME, "HOW WILL I DO THIS WORK?"

I SAID, "WE'RE GONNA DO THIS WORK, YOU DO THIS, YOU DO THIS."

AND HE LISTENED.

AND HE DOES THE WORK RIGHT.

AND PEOPLE ARE SATISFIED, THEY'RE HAPPY.

AND I'M HAPPY, TOO, BECAUSE THE PRESTIGE OF THE SHOP IS STILL ON.

Huell: SO YOU FEEL LIKE THAT IT WILL CONTINUE WITH HIM AFTER YOU'RE GONE.

YOU KNOW IT'S IN GOOD HANDS.

>> RIGHT.

NO, HE'S A GOOD BOY.

I KNOW HE'S GONNA BE GOOD, BECAUSE HE'S A YOUNG MAN.

HE'S 24 YEARS OLD.

AND HE HAS A LOT, A LOT OF LIFE IN FRONT OF HIM.

SO HE--HE'S GONNA BE OK. Huell: DO YOU BELIEVE IN FATE?

>> FATE IS NUMBER ONE FOR ME-- Huell: THAT YOU ALL WERE JUST THROWN TOGETHER.

>> FATE, DESTINY, I THINK--I FEEL--A LOT OF PEOPLE TELL ME, "HEY, RAUL, YOU'RE A LUCKY GUY.

YOU'RE WORKING WITH WILLIE, YOU KNOW, LEARN AS MUCH AS YOU CAN."

I GUESS THAT I'VE REACHED LUCK A LONG TIME AGO.

YOU KNOW, WHEN I STARTED SHINING, DOING SHOE SHINING, AND BUSINESS WAS GOOD.

I FEEL BLESSED.

Huell: WHATCHA GOT IN YOUR HAND THERE, WILLIE?

>> THIS IS THE FIRST TOOL I BOUGHT HERE IN THE UNITED STATES.

THE FIRST CHECK I MAKE IN THE FACTORY, I BOUGHT THIS HAMMER.

Huell: WAIT A MINUTE.

THIS IS THE FIRST TOOL YOU BOUGHT WITH THAT FIRST PAYCHECK BACK IN 1949?

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

Huell: LOOK AT THIS.

>> LOOK AT THAT.

THAT'S HISTORICAL.

[HUELL LAUGHS] Huell: YOU'VE KEPT IT ALL THESE YEARS?

>> OH, YES.

THAT'S MY BRAND.

Huell: CAN YOU REMEMBER HOW YOU FELT WHEN YOU BOUGHT THIS FIRST TOOL?

>> WELL, MY DREAM WAS TO MAKE SHOES.

AND I HAD TO HAVE THE TOOLS.

SEE, I HAVE TO MAKE THE SHOES, BUT I HAVE TO HAVE THE TOOLS.

SO I HAVE TO BUY THIS, AND NEXT WEEK I BOUGHT ANOTHER TOOL AND ANOTHER TOOL.

SO I WOULD BE ABLE TO MAKE THE SHOES.

BUT WITHOUT TOOLS, YOU CAN'T MAKE IT.

Huell: SO THIS WAS THE VERY FIRST STEP IN ACHIEVING YOUR DREAM.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

MY DREAM CAME TRUE THANKS TO THIS.

Huell: WOW.

>> GOOD LUCK.

I WANT TO GIVE IT TO YOU SO YOU CAN BE SET FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE.

AND YOU CAN PUT HERE THE TAG.

"THE FIRST TOOL THAT WILLIE BOUGHT HERE IN THE UNITED STATES, 1949."

OK?

>> THANK YOU.

MOST IMPORTANT PIECE OF THE TREASURE.

HAMMER.

1950s.

IT'S STILL HAMMERING.

THIS IS ALWAYS GOING TO BE WILLIE'S.

IT WILL--HOPEFULLY, WE'LL DO ANOTHER 50 YEARS IN SHOE CRAFTING.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

IT'S A NICE COMPLIMENT.

TO KEEP GOING WITH THE NAME.

THAT'S VERY GOOD.

Huell: HAD YOU HEARD THAT BEFORE, THAT HE WAS GONNA CONTINUE WITH THE NAME?

>> HE TOLD ME ONCE.

HE TOLD ME ONCE, JUST--THIS NAME, "WILLIE'S".

EVEN WHEN HE ANSWERS THE PHONE, HE ANSWERED, "WILLIE'S."

I SAID, I FEEL GOOD.

>> NO HURRY.

RIGHT, THANK YOU.

LOVE YOU.

>> IT'S NICE TO SEE YOU.

>> YOU, TOO.

YOU, TOO.

COME SEE ME AT THE CATHEDRAL.

YOU KNOW I WORK AT THE CATHEDRAL DOWNTOWN.

>> OH, YOU DO?

>> YEAH, I DO.

SO YOU HAVE TO COME WORK THERE.

I'VE BEEN THERE ABOUT 3 YEARS, SO YOU HAVE TO COME SEE ME SOMETIME.

>> I GO TO THE-- >> I KNOW YOU DO.

I KNOW YOU DO.

'CAUSE YOU KNOW MY FRIEND TERRY.

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