Collegiate gothic in Los Feliz

When I was a kid, I loved the '60s television show Mr. Novak, starring James Franciscus as a young, sensitive high school English teacher.

A year ago, while exploring Los Feliz, I came across the building (at 3939 Tracy St.) that served as the exterior establishing shots for the series: John Marshall High School.

John Marshall High School, 1931

The collegiate gothic structure was closed from 1975 till 1981 for retrofitting, following the earthquake of 1971.

Establishing shot from Mr. Novak, 1963

The original ornate tympanum over the front doors, as well as the doors themselves, have been replaced by a more modern security entrance, but otherwise the building looks remarkably similar.

A very young Walter Koenig, later Chekov in the original Star Trek series, played a Russian immigrant youth in this episode of Mr. Novak. Still gripping after all these years.