A panoramic view taken below Charlie Wright’s home showing nearly the entire backlot. Tara (left) is still standing in this picture.
On a night where Earth, Wind, and Fire combine forces…
It’s evening, December 10, 1938, at 8:20pm. David O. Selznick is at the pyrotechnic controls of one of the most famous fires in Hollywood history. It will be the first ever scene filmed for the movie Gone With the Wind. The King Kong and King of Kings sets are sprayed with kerosene and set ablaze. The massive flames could be seen 50 miles away.
Culver City residents who were unaware of this event began calling emergency to report the studio is on fire. Other residents flee the area with their family in cars.
But not all residents were unaware of this event. What is not readily known, is the “GWTW Fire Party” thrown by Charlie Wright for his guests above Blair Hills, which overlooked the 40 Acres Backlot.
The eccentric Charlie Wright, at the age of 30, purchased this property in 1932 from none other than Howard Hughes, using the small fortune he made as a bootlegger. This home was made of steel and glass with a 180-degree view of the city below. Charlie struck oil less than 2 years after purchasing the property, so by his early 30’s he was independently wealthy for the rest of his life.
This 20th Century Renaissance Man would eventually develop many patents, including compression storage and use of petroleum gas. In the 1950’s he became a real estate developer, building property on the land he owned throughout Baldwin Hills. His personally named road stretches all the way to La- Cienega Blvd. Charlie is one of the most interesting figures in Culver City History.
There is little known about the attendees of the “Fire Party” but if I’d have to guess it’s a who’s who of the affluent residents of the area including Will Rogers Jr, and possibly Howard Hughes himself. Howard had a facility neighboring Charles’ house and were best friends. Benny Pitti was also a Culver resident and neighbor with horse property close by. He and his wife had two sons that are famous stuntmen. Carl and Paul Pitti are legendary horsemen. This was the elite property surrounded by horse ranches.
The Burning of Atlanta scene is not the only significant milestone to happen for this movie on this day. Scarlett O’Hara still hadn’t been cast. British actress Vivien Leigh, newly arrived from London, dropped by the burning set to visit her agent, Myron Selznick, brother of the producer, who introduced her to David as, “I want you to meet your Scarlett O’Hara”. David was impressed and asked her to test for Scarlett and signed her on a few weeks later.
I visited his house many times while exploring the hills above the backlot and took some pictures of it that I shared in this post.
Early 1971…
I first set foot on this hilltop in a mission to map Desilu from above. The entire backlot presents itself from the bottom of this hill and from the upper reaches. My pal Jimmy and I wanted to sneak in the 40 Acres backlot from the moment we first laid our eyes on it. We would ride our bikes all around the streets that surrounded the backlot, looking through the chain link fences. We could see Hogan’s Heroes and parts of Stalag 13, as the show was still in production back then. A guard tower could be seen on Lucerne. As tempting as this backlot was, the same fences we looked through had postings…Guard Dogs on Duty. With vicious German Shepherds painted above the warning.
Jimmy and I were infatuated with this place ever since we saw Batman drive by in the Batmobile, while looking through the fence on Higuera Street. I was a kid who owned a Bat Cape and mask, which I wore looking for the Real Batman. We were too young to “break the law” in the 60’s. Just riding our bikes that far was an adventure. I lived next to MGM, Desilu was pushing the limits as kids on bikes at that age. We had to settle for fenced out views, never actually seeing these guard dogs.
That is until we ventured up the hilltop overlooking the backlot. We then confirmed…Dogs exist!
Three German Shepherds with a security guard could be seen on the Desilu Western Street. We finally realized they have to be with a handler. The La Ballona Creek didn’t even have a fence, the dogs had to have supervision. We were doing due-diligence in the years preceding our vocation to be trespassers. We could watch Hogan’s Heroes be filmed from the safety of this hilltop. This view overlooked the Burning of Atlanta, long ago.
We had no idea the history we were looking down from. This backdrop, often seen in Andy Griffith, Star Trek, Gomer Pyle and The Untouchables was basically an extension of the 40 Acre backlot as Hollywood’s cameras capture scenes below.
The Backlot above…The Backlot
We explored this hilltop before ever setting foot in Desilu, and there was much to see. A compound with barb wire fences and security existed up here too. Signs indicate it belongs to “Hughes Tool Company.” In the distance you could see high rises in Downtown Los Angeles, San Pedro’s Vincent Thomas Bridge, LAX, and the Pacific Ocean. This is a strategic vector for Hughes Aviation and radars operated from here for Howard Hughes Airport, which we also overlook. This place was secured and in operation. It too had guard towers inside, like Stalag 13 below.
We followed a dirt road outside the compound fences and came to an isolated home with several cars, covered in dust that was occupied by this guy named-Charlie Wright. Since it was clearly occupied, we ventured only outskirts. Horse stables were spread out connecting different properties.
Our goal was to surveil Desilu and snoop out the safest way to trespass the backlot below us. Little did we realize how much sneaking around we would be doing above the Desilu lot.
In the years going forward, we spent ample time- up top here. It was part of the backlot. The part that you see when on the backlot movie ranch itself. Sitting in our forts we would later build at Andy Griffith’s house and in the Mayberry R.F.D. barn house, our views were of this hilltop. It’s like we spliced film history together.
Presently…
These structures have all been removed. A stairway to the top is a popular workout nowadays with no mention at all of the historic nature that preceded the observation deck and visitor center that greets you now.
Charlie lived on the property until his passing in 1991 and his house was demolished 10 years later. It wasn’t until recently I was contacted by Lee Phillips, who asked me for pictures of this residence, he then shared the house history and this GWTW pool party, told to him by Charles Wright.
Little is known about Charlie Wright, even though two streets are named after him (Wrightcrest Dr. & Wright Terrace). If anyone has any other information about the GWTW party or Charlie Wright, I’d love to hear about it in the comments.
Written and lived by Donnie Norden
The massive fire created from the burning sets could be seen 50 miles away.
Superman up on Charlie Wright’s hill, with Tara in the background. George Reeves has a history with the Tara set, as he played Stuart Tarlton in the opening scenes of Gone With the Wind.
All of the Fire Departments in the surrounding areas were working overtime for the fire.
David O. Selznick Telegram: You have missed a great thrill. “Gone With the Wind” has been started. Shot key scenes at 8:20 tonight and judging by how they looked to the eye they are going to be sensational! Notice the guy with the hose, and his shadow following him- bottom center.
Vivien Leigh and Myron Selznick (circled) showed up late to the fire, with DOS standing bottom right. Myron and Vivien rolled in about a minute and a half after the final building had fallen and burned.
David O. Selznick stated: Saturday night I was greatly exhilarated by the Fire Sequence. It was one of the biggest thrills I’ve had out of making pictures. First, because of the scene itself and second, because of the frightening but exciting knowledge that Gone With the Wind is finally in the works.
Even the MGM Fire Department was there to assist in case of a potential spread of the blaze to homes or the dry brush in the hills above.
Charlie’s house and palm tree can be seen in the background of many telivision shows. This is a post backlot demolition pic.
Arrow shown is Charlie Wright’s Glass Mansion residence. Building to the right is Howard Hughes’ Airfield Radar Station. An Antenna is spotted there in this screen grab from Gomer Pyle episode “Blow your Top” One of my favorite episodes. Howard sold this “Hilltop” to Charlie when Standard Oil discovered oil. Derricks sprouted up all over reaching just beyond MGM Lot 3. Howard would later lease part and parcel a section of this hill top that overlooks his airfield, now known as Playa Vista.
Only the palm tree is visible in a scene from the Andy Griffith Show.
Another scene showing Charlie Wrights’ home, this time in Hogans Heroes. Picture on right is how it appears today. Charlie’s house removed. The next time you watch one of your favorite televisioin shows, be on the lookut for Charlies home!
Bonanza filmed on the Desilu Backlot having been affiliated through parent company Paramount. Once again, these two studios stand connected. The Charlie Wright complex sits perched on the hill top above.Paramount at this time had a man made hill on their Western Street, Hills and the Old West Streets just go together. This Barn is very near-Stalag 13. The infamous tree stump is rope toss close to here. This is the barn where Maureen and I first-“Rolled in the Hay.” That’s a fun story you can read in my first book ” Hole in the Fence.”
LTR John Elwell (L), Charlie Wright (C) and Lee Williams (R) the guy who contacted me an told me about the life of Charlie Wright...Thanks Lee for back engineering the rest of this story with me. When I discovered this house, I had no idea its glorious past.
When paved streets become dirt roads, you have arrived at Charlies residence. Not Charlie Manson, Charles Wright. This was his entrance which is exactly the same driveway today. The Palm Tree still remains, all that’s missing is the home itself.
The roof of Charlie Wright’s tropical fish aquariums. There were about a hundred aquariums underneath that roofed structure. Pallets of valuable Black Coral lined the outside. Just one one of Charlies hobbies. This guy was an an extreme entrepreneur, yet somehow forgotten.
Red brick pathways extend from the house to the pool.
Landscaping planters lead you to the pool.
We arrive where the ” Gone With the Wind” pool party took place.
City veiw from the swimming pool
In this 1999, after Charlies passing this house sat vacant. The film 8 MM, starring Nicolas Cage, used both Charlies house and Hughes facility as locations. The house had been neglected, this section was a car port. The pool rim is on right side of photo. This ain’t Charlie pictured.
Pool and changing room.My son Jeff is in the empty pool, my dog Chester is on…The Hunt.
My kids, Christy and Jeff, with our two dogs back in 1999. We our inside the abandoned party home.A simple floor plan, one bedroom, one bath, a kitchen, and a living room entirely of glass and ornate tile from somewhere in this world.. This guy got around…
Abandoned, above Los Angeles. Stuffed animals along with two real dogs from a squatter family that occupied this home after Charlie died.
Interior shot I took standing outside of the home. A simple build, one bathroom, bedroom, and kitchen with a large dance floor type. living room. Picture taken looking in from outside.
View from pool, the industrial site below was Mayberry. Prior to that that, Atlanta.
This marble slab was recovered from outside Charlie’s home. Chuck traveled the world in search of cool stuff. This was sitting outside his aquarium annex. He had tropical fish from around the world and roughly one hundred aquariums inside. Pallets of super valuable rare black coral were stacked next to this marble slab I have inside my house. Scripp’s Institute of Oceanography worked a deal with Charlie, paying his property taxes for access to his his property and valuable imports. Charlie surfed the world.
The circle was where the pool was situated which is now Baldwin Hills Performing Stage.
1939 Deluxe Lobby Card showing an artist rendition of the Burning of Atlanta.
I took this picture in 1973. Taken directly in front of Goobers Gas Station, just left of frame. Cars lined up for service. Gomer barracks are directly behind me. Usually, Army trucks get parked here blocking the view of this filling station during Gomer Pyle’s barracks and camp scenes. The left arrow indicates Charlie Wright’s estate and right arrow Hughes Airfield radar facility combine on one hilltop. This dirt road follows along the La Ballona Creek and forks close by taking you past the Atlanta Depot. This area looked exactly like this in 1938- GWTW. Another iconic set would get built here in the mid-sixties…The Hogan’s Heroes Bridge, I”ll take you on top of that bridge with a handful of drunken Marines, a brawl takes place between soldiers and vandals. Needless to say who won. My new book “The Uninvited Guest” will take you down these same roads, dare come with me!.
I took this picture in 1976, the lot was decimated. Charlie Wright’s home actually looked down on “several fires,” most all started by vandals. In foreground right, a charred barn lays in waste. Top of hill two oasis’s, Charlie’s place left side, the trees on right mountain top surround Howard Hughes facility.
Train car 8142 can be seen in the upper left, which was used in the Burning of Atlanta scenes above. Lunch time for the cast of GWTW…it takes a lot of food to feed an Army. Scarlett’s double can be see in the lower left corner. Follow the hill slope and you can see Heinz 57 indentured in hillside. Charlies place looked down on Hill 57 into the 40 acre ranch. Charlie could have his own lunch with his feet in his pool- watching GWTW cast/crew eat theirs. “Pass the ketchup!”
GWTW burned Atlanta December 10, 1938. In December 11, 1916 this is how the area looked. No-backlot yet, Thomas Ince would play a significant part starting the film industry in Culver City. This is how the area looked pre-Hollywood. 57 stands for Heinz Ketchup. At night -57 lit up.
Two streets are named after Charlie Wright near his former residence. A toast is in order” Cheers Charlie!”
Phantom of the Backlots 
This stuff is just jaw dropping! I’m so envious you got to do all of this. Keep posting and keep writing! I am fascinated with backstage and behind the scenes stuff like this!
Phantomofthebacklots You Tube is a blast., Follow me on my job, nothing quite like it! More videos will be added as time permits. I’ve seen a lot of history. I want to keep it alive forever. Thank you!
I live on the hill now overlooking old 40 Acres in one of only 6 homes. Charlie would have been my neighbor. My old next-door neighbor, Frank Campbell also lived on the hill since 1955 and used to tell me about Charlie’s house and the squatters who moved in. Frank lived to the ripe age of 96. I’ve only lived here for the past 10 years so the lot was already gone by then. But I do remember seeing it from the street level during its last few years of existence.