Broken Century Shorts
Description: Patrons were incredibly loyal to The Broken Drum on Wilshire Boulevard in Santa Monica and were shaken when the restaurant closed in 1986, according to local newspaper reports we've seen. The hamburger joint was a long-standing institution and is even now remembered fondly by former customers. With its open fire and wood-burning ovens and fresh flowers on every table, the restaurant served food until 4am and many aspiring actors and actresses used it as a place to meet and fret about their careers. The menu cover, showing a clown beating a broken drum, with the words "you can't beat it," is thought to be from the 1940s.