Chi Chi and Cubana

Historic photo colorized by Melvin Hale, Ph.D.

"Chi Chi and Cubana" is a captivating digital color composition that transports the viewer back to the vibrant era of 1940s Palm Springs. Originally a black and white photo postcard, this artwork is skillfully colorized to capture the liveliness of two iconic dinner clubs—Chi Chi and Cubana—nestled on the renowned Palm Canyon Drive. The composition, completed in June 2006, features Chi Chi as the teal-hued building to the left, while the Cubana club, housed within the El Rey Hotel, rests gracefully on the right. 

The artwork draws viewers into a scene that is emblematic of Palm Springs' mid-20th-century charm, highlighted by the teal blue 1940s coupe that subtly references the oasis's famed swimming pools. This vivid portrayal echoes the nostalgia of the 1941 movie, "The Saint in Palm Springs," in which these celebrated clubs also made their appearance. By delving into this picturesque world, one experiences not only the architectural allure of a bygone era but also the leisurely spirit that defined it. The imaginative and meticulous process of breathing life into a historical photograph underscores its unique, award-winning appeal, inviting both admiration and intrigue.