The early days of Malibu Colony

Re “They Were the Kids of Malibu Colony” [Nov. 4]: Michele Willens’ recollections brought back many memories of growing up and living year-round in the colony. She was a “kid” in ‘69, and I was a kid in ’35. While Willens’ family resided at No. 74, mine lived at No. 81 until my father, Edgar Cohn, died at age 95.

Early homeowners included actors Loretta Young, Warner Baxter, Madeleine Carroll and Myrna Loy as well as directors and producers such as Frank Capra and Lew Seiler, who introduced me to a young Ronald Reagan. We were never aware of a marijuana plant in actor Larry Hagman’s garden but enjoyed his yearly Fourth of July parade down the beach with his guests carrying colorful flags.

Our next-door neighbor often rented out his home in the summer. I particularly recall the Jon Voights and Robert Redford, whose stay was short-lived because of the lack of privacy. A much earlier and friendlier temporary inhabitant of No. 80 was Dick Powell, who shared his fish catch with his neighbors.

Several years after my sister and I sold the family home in 1987, I returned to sadly see the three-story behemoth that had replaced our well-loved home.

Patricia Cohn Melniker

Los Angeles