Exploring MGM’s Backlot -Time Machine Journey

Posted on by Phantom of the Backlot
Website header for 'The Time Machine Project' featuring a timepiece and a futuristic device on a red background, endorsed by the George Pal Estate as a tribute to the 1960 MGM movie 'The Time Machine'.
Don and Mary Coleman own this site and asked me put my own spin to match their excellent work. I am honored to participate in this First Class presentation they created. Don is al things…The Time Machine. A must visit site for those of us who traverse through time’s wormholes…
Black and white photograph of a film crew on location, featuring a table discussion among actors, a large camera setup, and various crew members in a sandy landscape with oil rigs in the background.

A mystery of mine has finally been solved regarding the making of ….The Time Machine in June 26,1959.

A scene from 'The Time Machine' featuring several characters observing a large, steaming volcano while exhibiting expressions of fear and concern.

I’m at this set everyday with my free range dogs-only very recently did this area directly connect to this set. Basically still untouched as it connects directly to MGM Lot 3.

A blonde woman in a pink dress standing beside a man in a white shirt, both in a natural outdoor setting with unique vegetation.
Black and white image of a film set with a woman and man sitting on a ledge engaged in conversation, while crew members are visible in the background adjusting equipment.

Tape Measure for camera setting…This set is not on MGM Property, rather-Just beyond the fence in the Baldwin Hills Oil Fields. I go here everyday with my dogs…

A blonde woman in a pink shirt and a man in a light-colored vest lean over a stone well in a natural outdoor setting, engaging in a serious conversation.

June 26, 1959 puts you…HERE!

A man in a white shirt examines a large, dome-shaped structure in a barren landscape, surrounded by unusual vegetation and other similar structures.
A group of people gathering around a large, round cauldron in a desert setting, stirring a mixture while others watch attentively.
A volcanic vent emitting a cloud of steam and ash into the air, surrounded by sparse vegetation.
A large metal object emitting flames in a barren landscape, with sparse vegetation around.
Cover of the book 'George Pal: Man of Tomorrow' featuring a smiling man in a suit with a futuristic landscape, including spaceships and a sunset in the background.
Absolutely Brilliant Visionary and Effects Genius-George Pal
A production schedule document listing scenes filmed on specific dates, including details about exterior shots at wells and a sunset landscape, with annotations about actions and timings.

The oil derricks were removed but oil production still takes place and outlasted film production. Oil started being drilled in 1924. “Wells” refers to this location. Barb wire follows me everywhere…

A sunset casting warm hues over a tree line, partially obscuring a house in the foreground.
A silhouette of a dog walking in a field at sunset, with the sun rising behind trees in the background.

Landscape at Sunset, as described on call-sheet.

View from a hillside overlooking a landscape with a sunset, featuring a metal railing in the foreground and distant structures below.

Sunset- Looking down on MGM Lot 3 and this set- Time Travel in the 1990’s.

Close-up of a light-colored dog with blue eyes and a relaxed expression, panting with its tongue out against a natural background.
A close-up of a smiling dog with a speckled coat and bright eyes, standing beside a wooden surface.

“Tell me more about this place” says my Husky Nico. “This field where you chase coyotes is most legendary for MGM T.V action and can be seen in The Twilight Zone- “The Hunt,” Old Man Hyder Simpson and his (Coon Hunting) dog RIP. Garrison’s Gorillas, Combat, The Outer Limits (Zanti’s) filmed all along side this area that only a rusted barbed wire fence separated the MGM wild kingdom from (Boom Town) Oil Production. “We found a buried puzzle piece today- Boy -YES!” says Donnie the MGM Time Traveler

Two men standing beside a fenced area, one holding a leash attached to a dog. In the background, there is a small watchtower and trees.
A man in a plaid shirt interacts with a dog while sitting next to another man in rustic attire, all set against a wooden fence.

“We are looking for a dog named…Lassie” – “No Dogs allowed in here!” says the devil.

A tree-lined path with shadows on the ground, leading towards a distant structure.

This fenced road separates MGM Lot 3 and the Oil Fields. The Road to Freedom in a place where anything can happen and did! –We all time traveled here…

A barbed wire fence in the foreground with a hilly landscape and power lines in the background, under a cloudy sky.

A road to West L.A College cuts through here today.

Silhouette of an oil pump jack against a cloudy sky with the sun partially obscured.
A row of tall eucalyptus trees lining a field with a pile of cut logs in the foreground.
A scenic view of a grassy area with tall, wild vegetation under a cloudy sky, featuring distant hills and scattered trees.
A scenic view of a grassy field with wildflowers, surrounded by trees under a cloudy sky.
A serene landscape featuring tall grasses and wildflowers under a partly cloudy sky with a setting sun.

These landscapes around MGM have barely changed.

Close-up view of a chain-link fence with a rusted metal post and barbed wire in the background, surrounded by greenery.

My old MGM Lot 3 (Get In) spot still has a rusted original MGM barb wire pole. This Morock Village we visit was located just the other side of Eucalyptus Lane.

A tranquil scene featuring a vibrant green pond surrounded by lush trees and palm plants.
A serene landscape featuring a body of turquoise water surrounded by lush greenery and trees on a sunny day.

Morock Location -Raintree–Lot 3 Lake

A black and white photo of four people playing by a river. A man is lifting two women while another woman stands nearby, all enjoying a sunny day outdoors.

MGM Lot 3 lake- 1959

A view through lush greenery overlooking a tranquil scene by a river, with people engaging in various activities along the water's edge.
A serene outdoor scene depicting a group of people gathered near a riverbank, surrounded by lush greenery and colorful flowers, enjoying a leisurely moment in nature.

MGM Lot 3 Lake- Time Travel happens here- here are a couple kids arriving from…The Twilight Zone

Two girls swimming in a circular formation in a lake, creating ripples on the water's surface.
Children playing in a garden, with two boys on a seesaw and a girl holding a stick nearby, in front of a rustic house.
Children interacting with an elderly woman in a kitchen, with a large cake on the table and a variety of fruits in the foreground.
A wooden sign displaying '5002-5010 SHOWBOAT PLACE' surrounded by lush greenery and garden plants.
A historic steamboat named 'Cotton Blossom' with multiple decks and smokestacks navigating a river, decorated with flags and a few people aboard.
Cotton Bossom -Showboat MGM Lot 3.– Traveling back in 1951.
A rocky shore with colorful leaves and a serene, green pond in the background, framed by lush trees and buildings.

A pristine Utopia-Raintree Town Homes maintain this former MGM Backlot 3.

A man with a beard wearing a blue shirt and hat sits beside a woman in a light jacket, both smiling while sitting on a large rock surrounded by greenery.
A weathered wooden post surrounded by dry leaves and underbrush, with trees and a body of water in the background.

Don and Mary Coleman-at the MGM Lot 3 Lake. It was my honor to assist these Time Travelers in an attempt to locate the exact location of the Morlock Village set. I insisted it was on the backlot-until a call sheet and a picture drew the conclusion that this set was just behind Lot 3 in the neighboring Standard Oil Fields that are still pumping oil here in 2026…Oil Production dates to 1924.

Two young men sitting on a rock by a river, wearing light-colored tunics, with water and greenery in the background.
Children playing in a lush outdoor setting, with two girls in light dresses reaching out towards a boy standing nearby among tropical plants.
A man standing in a lush, tropical garden surrounded by vibrant green palm leaves and colorful flowers.

This space remains untouched by time.

The inside view of a traditional Scottish flat cap featuring a red and green tartan pattern.
Interior of a hat featuring a plaid pattern and a quilted red lining, with a label visible at the edge.

Time Travelers wardrobe – Fabric from Rod Taylor costume…

Image of a typed schedule document with various scene descriptions and details for the film 'Time Traveller'. Contains sections labeled with dates, scene descriptions, and notes about filming locations and actions.
Black and white photograph of a barren landscape with sparse vegetation, including various plants and tree stumps, with a sign labeled 'Exit Wells' prominently featured.

Oil Field side of MGM Lot 3. Eucalyptus Road on MGM Maps is the trees in the distance.

A landscape featuring two people walking through a barren area with sparse vegetation, including agave plants and unusual shrubbery, under a clear blue sky with trees in the background.
A view of tall trees and shrubs along a gravel area, with a cloudy sky in the background.

Morlock Village Location-Baldwin Hills oilfield, as it looks today, the tree line is MGM lot 3. The area I’m in is the oil field side. Match this area where number 55 on map below, this is oilfield side of fence line.

Detailed topographic map showing various features such as a river, an island, and tank areas, labeled with numbers and annotations.

MGM Lot 3 Map – Tarzan Jungle is part of backlot closest to this oilfield. 55 is Eucalyptus Road, a dual Eucalyptus Road also existed on the oil field side. Eucalyptus trees thrived in this area, both in hills and MGM Lot 3. Many still exist that laid witness to all things MGM.

A desolate dirt pathway surrounded by sparse vegetation and trees under a cloudy sky.
A natural landscape featuring various trees and shrubs, with some bending in the wind, set against a backdrop of lush greenery.
An abandoned concrete drainage area surrounded by overgrown vegetation, featuring a dilapidated wooden bridge and a large cylindrical concrete structure.

This is a catch basin hat existed before the Time Machine was filmed here and is still here today to prevent rainwater flooding on the MGM Backlot 3 on rainy days from Badwin Hills runoff, water drains from this basin to La Ballona Creek. This Morlock village incorporated itself all around this area, the trees are MGM Lot 3.

A production schedule page detailing scenes from a film set in a great hall and a sphinx, with dates, scene numbers, and cast members including the Time Traveller and Weena.
Production documents
Schedule document for film production with scene details, dates, and cast information.
Production documents
A detailed steampunk-inspired time machine featuring a luxurious chair, intricate brass and glass components, and mechanical gears.

“Hop on- We are headed to all the exterior sets used in this film.

Cover of 'Time Machine II' featuring a time travel device and a character seated inside, with a colorful background.
A vintage film set featuring an elaborate, futuristic vehicle against a backdrop of stone walls. The scene is dimly lit with a misty atmosphere, and there is a sign labeled 'INT. SPHINX BASE' positioned near the vehicle.
A mythical creature with long hair and animal-like features is holding a woman in a white dress, smiling, in a lush, prehistoric setting.

Beauty and The Beast

A Rottweiler facing a coyote on a sandy path surrounded by vegetation.

Predators still reign supreme, dating back to dinosaurs that are buried here that provide the raw material for the oil business taking place alongside MGM Lot 3. Coyotes, foxes, raccoons, owls and hawks have taken over this Movieland landscape I visit everyday.

Close-up of a decayed animal skull resembling a lion, showing hollow eye sockets and exposed teeth, lying on dirt ground.

Nature has its own Time Travelers constantly coming and going in this space devoid of clocks.

A black and white photograph of a film set resembling a dense forest, featuring large stone structures and various types of foliage. Visible lighting equipment is mounted above, indicating stage production.

The Great Hall, a set built on stage on MGM Lot 1 but also a partial Great Hall exterior built on the MGM Backlot 3. This set also existed on Stage 20, MGM Main Lot. Notice the lighting from perms on stage.

Large, abstract stone statue resembling a head, surrounded by lush greenery and tropical plants.

The Great Hall- Lot 3. The head was added in post production on to this backlot set.

Black and white photo of a toppled vehicle in a lush garden, featuring ferns and tropical plants, with a modern structural background.
A man wearing a checkered jacket stands with his back to the camera, looking at a large ornate door. Beside him is a colorful, vintage-style time machine with red upholstery and various decorative elements.
Movie poster for H.G. Wells' The Time Machine, featuring a time travel device and a man seated inside it, with motion effects conveying speed.
A person seated in a mechanical device resembling a futuristic machine with large, intricate components and transparent panels.
Fortunately- I too am a Sky Pilot! –Mach 4 version.
A creative depiction of the 'Twilight Zone' featuring a large eye, a clock, and a figure floating in a starry background.

This is how time flies by when you push the handle forwards or backwards.

Film schedule document outlining scenes, locations, and dates for filming, specifically for a time travel-related project.
Production documents
A lone figure stands before a large, dilapidated structure with a dome-shaped roof, featuring broken elements and overgrown surroundings.

This set has a matte painting incorporated- only the stairway is real and located on MGM Lot 3 -Set 59

A detailed land survey map displaying various lots, structures, and roadways, including labeled sections such as 'M.G.M. LOT 3' and 'D. WELL'. The map features marked drainage pipes, hydrants, and topographical elements.

Set 59 on MGM maps. A Matte painting combined with the actual stair set.Best remembered for library steps in a Burgess Meredith Twilight Zone where his glasses break as he just finishes sorting out his favorite priceless books…(Time Enough at Last). Also filmed in 1959…

A black and white image of a person walking up steps in a park-like setting with bare trees and lampposts.
A smiling man wearing glasses is sitting among stacks of books, reading a book with enthusiasm.
A man sitting on stairs surrounded by stacks of books, holding a few close to his chest, with a distressed expression amidst a chaotic backdrop.
A man with gray hair examines a pair of glasses while surrounded by stacks of books on steps.

Twilight Zone connection – this aired in November – 1959. As time would have its way-this was most likely the next thing filmed at this stairway set following- The Time Machine. Time again was the featured narrative- Time Enough at Last-Who didn’t tear up when this happened?

The living room of Mr. Henry Bemis from 'The Time Machine', featuring a man reading a newspaper.

A Matte Painting tops off this set-the dome head top is the painted-finishing touch. Clues and props used in both Time Machine and Time Enough at Last. Absolutely Fascinating, Time tells its own stories. In my Time travels I met Burgess Meredith at MGM Lot 1- under the water tower as he was taking a break outside while filming ROCKY. Mr. Dingle and I cross paths in a brief moment in time that became a precious memory as it aged and faded into time and space.

Two male characters in colorful robes, one in gold and red and the other in pink, standing together indoors with a serious expression.
A black and white photo of a young man smiling, wearing a turtleneck sweater.
Close-up portrait of an elderly man wearing a black beret and a light-colored jacket, looking directly at the camera with a serious expression.

A most famous Time Traveler in this area close by to Desilu where he portrayed a villain named-The Penguin.

A cozy cottage surrounded by trees in autumn foliage, with a snow-covered path leading to the entrance at night.
A scene from the library in 'The Time Machine' featuring vintage furnishings and a large clock.
Black and white photograph of a rustic house surrounded by trees, featuring a white picket fence and a 'Private Property, Keep Out' sign.

This set is known as The Vinegar Tree House. A friendly guard told me all about this set being used in this film and that’s what he called this set-Vinegar Tree House -do to particular trees that grow on the flip side of this set.

A horse-drawn carriage parked in front of a house surrounded by autumn foliage, with a driver in a hat sitting on the carriage.
A hand holding a small, intricately designed toy vehicle with a large wheel, decorated with various components including a cigar and colorful embellishments.
Two men in vintage clothing examining a complex mechanical device with colorful components in a dimly lit room.
A vintage-looking time machine model featuring a colorful design with a seat, spinning disk, and various mechanical components.

The 4th Dimension miniature.

A miniature time machine inside a small box, held next to a coin for scale.
A vintage workshop interior featuring a large, whimsical time machine with colorful details and a prominent wheel, alongside various tools and items scattered around.

Full size-first class Time Travel

A potted plant with vibrant orange flowers and green leaves, sitting next to a snail on a stone surface.
A close-up of a spiral shell resting on a green surface, featuring a smooth and patterned exterior.
A close-up view of several striped snails climbing on a textured white wall, with some green algae visible.

“I can make snails speed up or completely stop still” …MGM Lot 3 snail exodus.

A man standing at the entrance of a barn, gesturing with his hand. The area features overgrown grass and bushes, with a decorative garden feature visible in the foreground.

1917…

A dilapidated house with a partially collapsed chimney and overgrown vegetation in front. The building features a mix of stone and wooden materials, with several broken windows and a neglected appearance.

East Entrance -Vinegar Tree House–1972

A man in formal attire stands at the entrance of a house, surrounded by a snowy landscape and icicles hanging from the roof.
Black and white photo of a partially collapsed building surrounded by trees, featuring an open balcony and ornate architectural details.

West entrance-A Vinegar Tree-this is same set. Walk in this door and exit 20 feet away, across from the lake out another door that make this set a dual set. this home has two different entrances and identities…Recognise this from “A Thing About Machines,” a Twilight Zone episode, Albert Finchley’s home.

A man in formal attire walks towards a vintage car parked in front of a large, shadowy building at night.
A man in formal attire walks towards a vintage car in front of a large, shadowy house at night.
A man stands in front of a vintage car with headlights shining, set in a shadowy outdoor environment at night.

A man who has had it -with machines.

A vintage photograph showing a stone bridge with arches, surrounded by wooden structures and construction elements in an open area.
A snowy city street scene featuring a storefront labeled 'Wylie's Dainty Store,' with shop windows displaying items. People dressed in period clothing are gathered outside the store, and a lamp post illuminates the cobblestone path. The architecture reflects a historical style, with brick buildings and a staircase leading to a nearby structure.
Abandoned building with peeling paint and broken windows, featuring a decaying facade and visible structural damage, surrounded by overgrown vegetation.
A vintage black-and-white photograph of a street scene, featuring an underground entrance marked as 'UNDERGROUND' and 'AIR RAID SHELTER.' Several classic cars are parked nearby, with people walking and standing around, set against a backdrop of buildings and structures.
A busy urban street scene featuring vintage cars, pedestrians, and a historic archway. The foreground shows people walking, with a shop sign visible in the background.
A vintage scene featuring two classic cars parked near an underground air raid shelter sign, with greenery and skyscrapers in the background.

A split set – notice curb line is the delineator off Copperfield Court and the landing spot of this the Time Machine stopping point.

Exterior view of Gilby's Department Store featuring large windows with a mannequin display, steps leading to the entrance, and a vintage car parked nearby.

A MGM Guard named Al Marioenzi was a veteran officer who shared what it was like to be on this set at Filby’s as they continually dressed these mannequins, over and over. I lived time through his eyes and spoken word. This wonderful friend also shared Louie B. Mayer’s office with myself and my side kick – Maureen. Overtime-Gaurds had a thing for this most pretty trespasser of all-time. Al was suspended for 3 days for befriending us as he was turned in by another guard. The Watch Commander had a rule posted in security -“Do not befriend this Phantom Trespassing Kid” I was a thing-Once Upon a Time!

An abandoned brick building with broken windows and a decaying facade, surrounded by overgrown vegetation and an empty lot. In the background, a construction crane is visible against a clear sky.
A man in a stylish outfit, consisting of a plaid jacket and vest, walking confidently in front of a storefront with a red cross sign and a mannequin in the window.
A man in formal attire stands in front of a building with a sign for 'Perfumes Lingerie,' holding a drink and looking at a poster for 'Shave Clean with Delby.' In the background, another man dressed in silver is exiting the building.
A man in a shiny silver suit holding a round object is gesturing animatedly while talking to another man in a dark blazer. The background features a vintage poster on a textured wall.

Time Travel to my Birthday-June 13-I always visited the backlot on this date.

A close-up view of an abandoned building's entrance, featuring broken windows and dilapidated steps surrounded by overgrown vegetation.

1980 photo of a street ravaged by time.

Historic black and white photograph of a pawn shop named 'Hawkins Pawnbroker' featured on a street with brick buildings, benches, and steps, taken in Copperfield on February 2, 1949.

Before Time Machines were invented-“Lassie Come Home” set in 1949.

A wide shot of a dilapidated industrial building with exposed brickwork and metal staircases, showcasing signs of decay and neglect, surrounded by overgrown vegetation.

Copperfield Court and Filby’s Department Store set.

Looking up the wooden stairs of a tall structure, emphasizing the perspective and depth of the climb.

Catwalks above Copperfield Court-the skies our the limit in Time and Space…

An aerial view of a vintage house with a sloped roof, featuring multiple windows and a central chimney, surrounded by empty outdoor space.
Black and white photograph featuring several vertical wooden posts and a structure with a door and railing, casting shadows on the nearby surface.

“Being There” set for character Chance Gardner/Peter Sellers for last film ever on Copperfield Court…1980. Pictured right-the backside of of Copperfield Court.

A black and white image of a wooded area with trees casting shadows on the ground and a footpath visible.

Time Machine landing spot in this 1976 picture on MGM Lot 2. Through the forest best know for Tarzan an enormous set is being built-look closely- the King Kong walls of Skull Island are being built.

A man sitting in a futuristic, wheeled device in a garden setting, with a stone monument and a decorative structure nearby, surrounded by greenery and flowers.

Same angle in 1959-notice the tiny brick wall still remains undisturbed.

An overgrown area featuring a wooden structure partially hidden by greenery, with trees in the background and a grassy foreground.

My 1974 picture of this stairway used as people try to escape the Mushroom Clouds…

A group of people, including children and adults, walking down steps surrounded by greenery on a sunny day.
A devastated landscape featuring ruined buildings, debris scattered on the ground, and bright red liquid resembling lava flowing through the scene.
A man operating a whimsical time machine with a large clock face and intricate mechanisms, set against a grassy landscape.
A desolate scene depicting a ruined city with destroyed buildings and abandoned cars, covered in debris and dust.

Time to move on – this is one handy machine.

A detailed map showing a residential area with labeled streets and numbered plots, including structures like 'Green Spray Shed' and 'Copperfield Court'.

75 I- is the stairway that the Time Machine is parked – Copperfield Court is Filby’s Store-set 3 # 462

A man in a formal outfit stands near a decorative compass on a pedestal, with a stone plaque beside him, set in a lush garden.
A metal plaque on a stone surface with engraved text dedicating a park to George, by James Filby, in honor of his father's devotion.
A vintage photo service advertisement featuring the words 'BONUS PHOTO exclusive with Snap-pak' and an image of a partially constructed industrial building with steel framing.

All this Time Travel takes place just on the other side of this fence. From the Twilight Zone and all points beyond…

A vintage black-and-white scene featuring a horse-drawn carriage on a street with buildings and people in early 20th-century attire, overlaid with the title 'BACK THERE'.

No Truer Words- I throw in a Bonus Picture from the MGM parking lot. The other side of this steel fence is Filby’s Department Store. The front side of this set pictured was the exterior set of the Twilight Zone-“Back There”

A man in a lab coat stands beside a large, angular scientific device with a transparent top, surrounded by various dials and instruments, depicted in black and white.
Russel Johnson tinkered in time travel is the Twilight Zone episode…”Back There” This Time Machine was stored in a Lot 2 warehouse and a kids favorite capsule to play inside off.
A man inside a glass enclosure, exhibiting a distressed expression while struggling to break free from the restraints.

Time waits for know one in a capsule that bends and manipulates this consortium.

A figure stands in front of a large golden clock set against a starry cosmic background, symbolizing the passage of time.

Time Travel Exits…Let’s Go Reeling in the Years

Today, June 13, 2026-we unfold time to to June of 1959, to see the changes time has bestowed upon us…

This story involves 3 different Time Machines of which I am lucky enough to have history with. I’m qualified to pilot all 3 machines. My first certification was the machine used in…The Twilight Zone. An MGM favorite prop for teenagers of the 1970’s-built for traveling in and out of Rod Serling’s time travel needs.

At that time in space-we lived on all these backlot locations used in 1960’s time travel. In the year 2000, I worked on my own – Time Machine Project on the Dreamworks remake. I’m living proof Time Travel exists-at least when mixed with the backlot magic that resonates continuously under the Power of Now manifestations.

This is a follow up on today’s version of yesteryear. Let’s see what has changed and what remains unchanged as time picks and chooses what fate has in store involving past, present, and future. There are no guarantees- when you tug on that tiny diamond handle that propels backwards, forwards, sideways and in some cases -upside down.

Don’t bother reaching for your seatbelts, non exist!

The MGM Studio Backlot 3 disappeared in 1972 as our time traveling begins. So that’s the future of this studio 12 years after Rod Taylor and Yvette Mimieux visited this landscape.

A smiling couple posing together against a light blue background, featuring a man in a brown jacket and a woman with long blonde hair in a white dress. The image is promotional for the film 'Joy in the Morning.'

In 1965, I see Yvette has a new boyfriend-Dr. Kildare now carries the Trophy as we move forwards.

The area surrounding the Morlock Village is relatively unchanged as we trek forward through the 80’s. But the nature surrounding this set is alive and well, let’s get out and walk.

Listen… Let the landscape tell it’s tales

The quiet is deafening. An occasional oil pump is the most common sound that reminds us man coexists with the predators in this area today. Animals here are generational. They are ancestors from the distant past to present day. “Resilient” best describes their survival. Predators thrive in this Morlock Landscape.

Nice animals monkey around in the daylight, squirrels go in and out of the Raintree Complex that replaced the backlot. Rabbits provide high speed chase opportunities for the coyotes that torment the friendly critters. No wonder “The Hunt” was filmed here with RIP and Hyder Simpson. I am reminded everyday that ” Even the Devil Can’t Fool a Dog.” No truer words…

Lizards sun themselves, turtle doves coo, occasionally, skunk and raccoons pass by. A tiny fox is a rare but dignified grand traveler – for centuries. Fireflies love to show of there ability to hover, disappear, then reappear like they are miniature Time Machines. Butterflies, colored birds of all sorts and sizes frolic happily. Crows are the dominate species and often sit proudly in large numbers on the still remaining eucalyptus trees from MGM. A daytime hunter is the beautiful red tail Hawk, soaring upwards with a couple of flaps, then reversing it’s course and effortlessly doing a 180 degree downward look on all things taking place below.

Often “take- offs” from the large portion of the MGM Lot 3 lake soar over your head as Ducks and Canadien Geese venture…off lot. Frogs and crawfish peek out from the well maintained MGM lake that was often the African Jungle for Tarzan. MGM had its own zoo and horse stables. Elephants called this backlot their home as a Big Top that was bigger than Barnum and Bailey’s traveling animal entertainers.

In the 60’s, the MGM backlot was most famous for War TV. Combat, then Garrison’s Gorrillas and The Rat Patrol filmed this backlot non-stop. The quiet area became a battlefield for gunfire and explosions as all the nature on the studio lot felt the need to escape and headed out of the studio and into the hills…literally.

Animals had to tolerate being in the middle of WW2.

Predators-Visitors in the dark.

Owls are the official “backlot bird” and thrive on reducing the rodent and snake population. They “hoot” passionately when humans explore areas near their nests. MGM Gaurds had the best job in the world-having the keys to this kingdom. Security was the most feared predator for our trespassing generation. The guards on Lot 3 use salt rock guns to emphasize No-Trespassing. A land patrolled by Sharp Shooters…

A vintage police sharpshooter medal from 1938, featuring crossed guns and the inscription 'MGM POLICE DEPT'.
A historic black and white photo of a smiling police officer wearing a cap with insignia and a uniform adorned with badges, focusing on a specific badge highlighted in a red circle.

Don’t let looks fool you-he’s armed and dangerous.We were told this by trespassers we ran into oder than us and who were being chased through this exact area

A bright yellow flower with petals surrounding a dark center, growing on a green stem with leaves in a natural setting.
A dry landscape featuring wilted plants and sparse foliage under a clear blue sky, with sunlight shining brightly from above.
A foggy landscape with trees and shrubs partially obscured in mist, viewed through a chain-link fence.

I push the handle forwards as flowers turn from full bloom to no bloom, low clouds turn to high clouds as the warm summer sun takes its annual foothold, as regular as any clock. I glide into June- 2026 as easy as I left 1959. I’m my own version of Homer’s Odyssey, this time I’m Odysseus.

Wars were once fought here by both ancient armies and popular MGM TV. Steeples, castles, and forts have been replaced by luxury condominiums. Creatures that disappeared long ago just took refuge in the oil fields.

A surreal black and white close-up of a creature resembling a spider with a human-like face and large, expressive eyes.

Since 1959, so much has changed, yet nothing has changed. I’ve just grown older, the earth doesn’t age, just man and his technology. Newton and Albert Einstein’s theories on time travel are backed up now by an Artificial Intelligence, a technology that will change each forever has arrived, butis it our friend ?

It seems friendly, driverless cars now exist and are much more courteous sharing the road than those driven by humans. A.I just informed me several living rock legends are- still, alive and well.

Mick, Kieth, Paul, Ringo, Frampton, Clapton, Dylan and Steely Dam still tour. Don’t be surprised if you see my Time Machine parked at The Greek Theater. Music defies time and plays continously…in outer space. It’s needed. Star Wars bars still play Juke Box music from the 70’s. Mad Magazine is still popular for 70 year old kids. I don’t know how many hours Maureen and said we were studying when we were actually reading this interactive piece of literature, always trying to fold exactly the trick page. Now, I realize there is no such thing as …waisted time.

Speaking of which, the pot has gotten a lot better and expensive. The Twilight Zone Time Machine was enclosed plexiglass and captured all the smoke inside making all those who dared entry disappear in a clouded veil of cannibas.

Time gets warped, twisted, and only exists in the present, worm holes allow for safe off ramps when on a night out-cruising.

Another change I notice is : Robots no longer look and act like “Robby”- they are much more human in appearance. They can be peaceful and desirable, or ready to kill you in whatever Combat is taking place. Soon everyone will have at least one robot in their possession.

A Zombie Apocalypse was predicted, usually in movies. But it turns out in 2026-Zombies are EVERYWHERE…

Every street corner practically has these lost souls-what’s changed in the last few decades?

“Oh my” how civilization has changed since 1959. I take notes wondering where civilization is headed.

Kids play computer sports rather risk getting hurt, even their bikes pedal themselves at literally-Break Neck Speeds. “No truer words” describe describe the risks inherent. We just used skate boards, roller skates and Sting Rays. Sure seemed fun back then. I wish we had these two wheeled battery powered chariots.

Kids now E-Bike as if they were on a Time Machine with wheels attached. Maybe, I’m one of them, but from the past!-

Maybe, I’m seeing myself in a a different time and space…

I wish to sincerely thank Don and Mary Coleman for inviting me into their world of Time Travel, I to am a Time Traveler and loved going…Back to the Future.

Final thoughts…The Time Machine used in The Big Bang Theory is not the original, it is a mock up owned by Fred Barton. Not the original. The last use of the real one was in -Time Machine-The Journey Back in 1993. Don Coleman was given a “Thank You” in the credits. Don supplied the console and lever the actor held up to polish the wheel and a few bits or props on the work table. Some of Don Coleman’s pictures are used. Don came up with a way to spin the dish in the workshop.

We conclude with knowing this origin Time Machine is alive and well and being stored in a warehouse pending litigation of who will take ownership now that the estate is in transition. This machine will someday travel again and will be forever captured in recounting- Time Travel.

Treat yourself to this classic film knowing what you know now-it is truly- One Fun Ride

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.

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