Living, Breathing History
Movies like Sunset Boulevard may have captured the glitz, glamour and style of 1950s California, but Hal Boucher actually lived it. He’s been the Resort photographer at Four Seasons Resort the Biltmore Santa Barbara since 1948 and has photographed everyone from John and Jacqueline Kennedy, who frequented the Resort while on their honeymoon in nearby Montecito, to Rock Hudson and numerous other visiting celebrities and politicians.
When asked what his favourite era was, Boucher, who, at 85 years old, still works at the Resort, answers quickly: the 1950s. “There was such euphoria after the war that people just kept on celebrating. We had some incredible parties,” he says.
“Those decades—the 50s, 60s and 70s—are legendary for their glamour,” says Four Seasons General Manager Karen Earp. “Hal is a treasure trove of stories from that era. He has all kinds of anecdotes about encounters with the Hollywood stars and the other notables.”
A natural storyteller, Hal loves sharing his amazing tales with our guests. “Guests are drawn to him and he spends some time every day talking to people and sharing his fascinating memories,” says Earp.
And, of course, taking their photographs.
