The Scenic Art Department…MGM

Posted on by Phantom of the Backlot
Is it real bird, or is it a painting?

In the movie business, there is no such words as TWO BIG…

We will explore this iconic building. Scenic artists created canvas paintings large enough to change the view out of the living room. They could even cover your house completely. Anywhere and everywhere, pick your era, it probably is rolled up inside here. The creations made here are museum quality, and J.C Backings operated out of this iconic building from 1972 until recent. The building and the Art Department itself date much farther back. Basically, this place is the museum of movie backdrops.

The building itself is so iconic it has doubled as an exterior film set. In Somebody Up There Likes Me, it is part of a prison. In Soylent Green, it is hidden in a matte painting of future New York.

The elevator that greets you as you walk inside this structure is fit for a king. A king from the thirties named Irving Thalberg. In the 1950’s, his personal elevator moved from the Thalberg Building. Louie B Mayer resided there. It found its way to this iconic facility. It does more than just take artists up to the painting platform, it’s more like a Time Machine.

The fact the vendor J.C Backings has relocated has created rumor’s this building may be torn down. It has outlived it’s usefulness if there is such a thing. CGI can green screen images where paintings once occupied window and patio spaces, along with rolling vista’s.

This building is designed to capture all the natural light the sun has to offer. I will take you on the roof as to show you the concept capturing sky light through clever engineering. This place is a palace few outside the studio know or appreciate.

If indeed Sony does remove this iconic building, Hollywood needs to salvage Irving’s Thalberg’s elevator. This building in it’s entirety should be a Hollywood Museum.

This scenic backdrops still get rented and are part of J.C ‘s stockpile of history that sits silently, collecting dust. Many canvas paintings have been rolled up for decades from the looks of things. The Sony Tour refuses to walk you inside even though the tour starts right outside. They should at least allow you to poke your head inside. You should at least look up at this uniquely designed art house. At least, let folks see this elevator.

Today, I will take the liberty to show you around the MGM Scenic Art Building…

Irving Thalberg’s elevator!
The upstairs exit
The coolest elevator I’ve been in since Blade Runner at the Bradbury Building. My pictures don’t do it justice, this is a thing of beauty.
The West entrance to the scenic art building…
The entry as you walk inside the Scenic Art Department
This not look like much but, there is a ton of engineering involved here. To get these massive canvas’s to become a picture easel. Old artist’s would teach “hands on” to the next generations of artists. This place was integral to the Motion Picture Industry.
A Quote from Arnold Gillespie, Art Director, Head of Special Effects. 1924-1965. The True Wizard of MGM. Grasp this depth best needed by these artists.

Let’s take this opportunity to access the roof…

Even the roof is slotted and glass. Painting can be done at night and lighting used on sets helps light these backdrops inside this department. In the day time, existing day- light is sufficient.
The studio water tank for filming actors swimming while the camera never gets wet…This was removed a few years back. It sat at the base of the side of the Art Building that has all the windows.
This area doubled as a prison in Paul Newman’s- Somebody Up There Like’s Me
The bottom of this picture is the live half. The top is a matte painting. This scene took place on Lot 1 below the scenic art building. Soylent Green 1972
The scenic art building in a matte painting in Air Raid Wardens
The Overland Gate expansion. This picture is taken from upstairs in the Filmways building across the street. It is the Sony Studio’s west entrance today. It was still MGM when this was taken. It is a construction entrance only at that time. The right side of the photograph has an edge of the scenic building. The movie sign above the studio, left of the water tank has the title… Why Would I Lie ?
Hopefully, The Clock never strikes Mid-night at this legendary Scenic Artist Facility that almost secretly ignores time…

Written and lived by Donnie Norden

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Published by Phantom of the Backlot

They called me the "phantom of the backlot." Join me on my adventures through the historic and celebrated MGM studios, in Culver City, during the height of its glory.

5 thoughts on “The Scenic Art Department…MGM”

    1. Alan, thanks buddy! I have a very unique spin. Start as a trespasser, MGM makes a movie of the week Phantom of Hollywood. Loosely based off my exploits. Kids fall to their death, from my fort.
      MGM security called me the “phantom’
      Here one second, gone the next.
      Then I got a job there, film lab.
      Next I moved on to Driving Trams at Universal.
      Lots of fun there, read my Glamour Tram site on WP.
      Start at beginning if you go there, scroll to Guides/Drivers for beginning story.
      Finally. I fulfill a apprenticeship and become the electrician of the …STARS.
      So much going on I can’t focus on all my mail.
      I didn’t forget you Al, I have discovered another gigantic Hollywood artifact of The Golden Age. …
      I’m off the grid, but I do check WP replies.
      Glad we reconnected. I try to answer here.
      Cheers Al-
      Glamour Tram is fun and that is a subject I am returning to. “All Aboard Allen.”

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