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.
We can’t use jeeps in this mission-stealth is required. Escape will be by hijacking German transportation.
Today’s Mission involves infiltrating Verona Square, a war torn village used in every MGM War T.V Series in the decade of the 1960’s.
This balcony dates back to…Romeo and Juliet, the 1936 MGM Classic, Directed by George Cukor. I had a fort inside the ledge Christopher George happens to be firing from. My special friend Maureen and I spent a Valentines Day Night under the moonlight right here.
“I’ll be right there darling- I have a grappling hook in my pants”
“I got it from here, Moffitt-yes -she is worth …the trouble!”
1967 Verona Square, the oldest section of MGM Lot 2, and the closet set to my house.
This picture is Verona Square, the site of today’s mission. Picture taken from Maureen’s front porch area, she lived even closer than me to this magical kingdom. We became a perfect fit-like say… Bonnie and Clyde.
1936- Romeo and Juliet set under construction.
Before Jeeps with 50 caliber machine guns, battles were fought like this…
The things these ancient plaster faces have seen. So much history, so much war. George Cukor was the first director to film here, Gene Levitt was the last-Fantasy Island pilot in 1977. But, prior to that in the 60’s, he ripped this town up in COMBAT! -In 1973, Gene Directed a must have MGM movie of the week, using all my stuff, so you know MGM Security called me-The Phantom two years before this film was filmed.
Recurring faces in history….
I met this T.V Phantom, also directed at this set by….my director hero-Gene Levitt.
Heads up …Trespassers!
From Verona Square to …Joppa Square-right across from each other.
The chase is on…
Our Hero’s steal their escape vehicle.
MGM Art Department, my collection given to me by- MGM.
“They Met in Bombay”-1941. MGM Art Department classic photo.
Location in Spain- the chase continues-filmed months apart.
Mission Accomplished…1967
I WAS A KID SOLDIER
A simple nostalgic romp through the MGM Backlot 2. As a kid, I could not get enough of W.W 2. Luckily, that war was often fought right behind my house. I heard every round ever fired, I was too young to trespass but this soundtrack influenced my life going forward. I rode my bike to school and stared through every hole in the old green fences that barely contained what was taking place open the other side of the old green barbed wire fence.
The holes became my T.V, I could not wait for each episode to to “AIR” on T.V. Combat was my soul, best series ever made. As the sands of time spilled out of the hour glass, war had high ratings!
Hit series after hit series carried on for 10 years, The Rat Patrol, Garrison’s Gorillas, and Jericho continued the backlot assault longer than W.W 2 took place. MGM was my history book and I’m forever grateful, Before VHS tapes were engineered, I would try to screen grab with my Polaroid camera. Very poor quality turned me into an artist, I would sketch, diligently images from my mind onto paper, often at school. I sat in the back of the class and appeared to be taking notes.
When that alarm bell rang I was first out the door, like a fire alarm went off. I had to get home to a place called…MGM.
Charles Bronson, in a sniper position here firing towards a Plexiglass covered camera lens and operator.
Reverse angle as the battle begins…
All the parties have arrived in the Baldwin Hills oilfields. Everybody is -Armed and Dangerous!
No place run -Charles has you in his sight.
The camera captures these final scenes protected from full load blank ammo under a blanket.
We need a bigger gun…
As the sunsets, investigators sort through all the carnage.
All in a days work…
Another fine job by man….Charles Bronson.
THE CRACKDOWN
A day on set…1987
A 5 million dollar budgeted film spun off collective series of successful features, this one is directed by J.Lee Thompson.
I discovered this production while mountain biking up in the oilfields above Culver City.I had just got home from my job at that time as a Tram Driver for Universal’s Studio Tour. I gave four tram tours earlier in the day but nothing going on at Universal today was a cool as this set I rolled up on. Fortunately, I had a camera with me. At first I wasn’t sure what I was watching until I saw all the show cards in the Transportation equipment.
Death Wish 4 is on every dashboard in all the production vehicles. Ironically, this is a MGM Film. We are above the former MGM Lot 3 for these action sequences. As I malinger myself around set I manage to capture a close up of one of my all time favorite stars…Charles Bronson.
I hesitantly approached this man, more clean shaven but, just as mean-if not meaner,
I had to take advantage of my “one minute in the sunshine.” As Charles wondered off alone I pulled up alongside him. “I’m sure glad you survived that chateau assault in the Dirty Dozen. He gave me this stare as I kept rambling on, “that set was on the backlot in the MGM facility in the U.K I believe?” as he responds. “The entire chateau was a set, we destroyed it”. “I’m a huge Lee Marvin fan so you two are quite the pair of survivors.”
” Lee was in The Battle of Saipan, he’s seen a lot of real action.” said Charles.
We happen to be overlooking the City of Culver City but more specifically, the former MGM Lot 3.
“My favorite show ever, I wanted the entire cast to survive, I cried when Jim Brown gets killed, what an ending!” Here I am on a hill top with the baddest dude in film. Next question I always wondered is – ” In the Twilight Zone episode “TWO” where was that New York Street?
I never could figure out this set, it baffled me for decades…
Charles impressed me as he scoured the horizon. He was trying to point it out, but – he became as baffled as me. I then point to Raintree, formerly the MGM Backlot 3. He stares towards Desilu and its grand water tower, then responds, “I don’t see the studio.” Then the bombshell, “It was at Hal Roach Studios.” “That studio was torn down in 1964.”. He is needed on back on set to undoubtedly kill more people, I sit in an afterglow.
No wonder I couldn’t pin it down, I never got inside Hal Roach. The Twilight Zone never filmed there or so I thought. They did it turns out-only this mentioned episode. My moment with Charles was fleeting yet still imprinted in my wonderful life memories forever.
I would find out later…
I did not know I was talking with a W.W. 2 hero himself, Mr. Bronson was a B-29 Superfortress aerial gunner. A Purple Heart was awarded to him for injuries sustained in action over Japan. They don’t make actors like they use too….
The view from a kids fort -1967 left- 1972 pictured right.
Soccer anyone?
Elvis wants in…
That perilous chimney became a refuge in a time of need.
Early version of Building 29. A tower would be added and the entire front was refaced over the old face. That created a maze of passages that could even confuse mice. Once you train yourself inside the interior on what passage connects to what-then try it at night in the pitch dark. A hidden ladder is a big key to reach this overhang we happily call….HOME.
Building 29 on map, doorway number 715.
This front became was remolded and refaced, leaving the original underneath the new exterior.
The remolded look below- The square platform section just below tower has the maze built through the original front hidden inside.
Remodeled front that became …The Best Fort in Hollywood!
Left pic-The Gap between the original front exterior to the refacing addition extending this section past the original. What all this does is create a maze with a hidden ladder wood built into the wall and passages that even a police dog could not overcome. I know this for sure because…THIS PLACE IS BATTLE TESTED.
A message for the 3 guards most likely to figure this out as if their jobs -DEPENDED ON IT!Full disclosure Jolly and the 3 Stooges, Jolly is MGM Security Captain, 3 Stooges are 3 Guards who are clearly named. Most of my most thrilling chases involve these names. Final part of message says”P.S I will miss you” That’s because word is MGM is handing the backlot over to a private security company. They have no idea what they \are in for here on this haunted back lot. Pic right- is another challenge, you must squeeze under that hole above the roof shingles to exit onto roof top of left chimney.
Complete the maze and you end up in here. All the comforts of home can be enjoyed. Pictured-A Mickey’s Big Mouth, Two Orange Crush Sodas and a couple Bazooka Joe wrappers. The coat hanging is from Combat and found in a building as is an ammo clip commonly used in battles like Garrison’s Gorillas. They have gunpowder and the explosive discharge can kill you. Not recommended for kids. I’m not your normal kid. A water cooler was given to us by the MGM Labor Department. The sign above the mop reminds all us school kids “Your Tardy if you are not in your seat when the bell rings”
Our fort library included-Garrison’s Gorillas Comics, Mad Magazines, Sports Illustrated, and a couple PlayBoy Magazines. Ron Harper would return to the lot one more time in 1974-Planet of the Apes T.V. I ran into him and Roddy McDowell at the train station. Ron left the backlot as a War Gorilla , but returned to fight apes in that series. Ron Harper had the coolest parts a fella can have.
Pat Rich, one tough Irish Kid, we just finished are St. Augustine education and were excited to start public school. That’s until Pat found out he’s headed to a private High School that is all male and built like a prison. They do play good football at Loyola High. Culver Middle School was on my horizon and I am now dating Maureen in 74.. My chum from my street. She helped me build this fort and one of the few girls capable of climbing this course. Plus…She still looks pretty covered with dirt.
That exit’s blocked…
Schools Out in the legendary MGM “Girls School”
That fort up there is in trouble…
There is enough propane fuel upstairs to torch the entire lot.Operation Hellfire is the title of this episode in Garrison’s Gorillas.
This is my picture exactly where this Special Effects blaze is being controlled. Propane, smoke makers, manifolds to control fuel, water hoses, fire extinguishers and several effects men would be what’s up here in my fort in 1967.
I became “The Dean” of this institution for “higher” learning.
This overhang is my fort-that’s where it is. Guards would hit this place with powerful search lights hoping we would flee since going upstairs and tackling the maze will get your uniform and badge filthy.
The view to die for…Dead center of the backlot is where we are located. Wide open spaces make for hazardous conditions in accessing this Shambhala for teenagers.
Tarzan Lake and Forest left- Right is view towards over sized property storage. That dirt road leading to this set was the rout Kong took to be assembled as a 40 foot Robot for the finale of 1976 Kong.
Another view from my all time favorite fort…
Picture I took in 1974 of fort from a rooftop in Small Town Square. A work light and tombstone can barely be seen. This set below the fort is a graveyard where Dr. Frankenstein and Igor exhume a body, in the pouring rain. This was a “hot set” and a guard was located there, Transylvania Station is right around the corner…
Operation HellFire-1967
I myself lead several operations into this set that didn’t always go as planned. When MGM Security realized we had a nest up top here, every mission was challenging.The rewards outweighed all the risks. We had several close calls including a night of a complete assault by Culver City Police and MGM Police.
In a chase that started on 5th Avenue,in NYC, we ran through the jungle, crossed Tarzan Lake and took refuge up in our fort. The guard on duty was named George Barner, he was hired for one reason, to catch me. Like a true Public Enemy #1, all available security guards were pulled in for this emergency. If that wasn’t enough-6 police cars rolled in to assist MGM officers.
This is where the rubber meets the dirt road that surrounds this college campus in so many films. We hear the clomping of footsteps climbing higher and higher. Police at the front door try to call us out on a loud speaker, but instead we climb out onto rooftop and climb up into a chimney. Each side of this structure has one. There was no place left to hide as our fort is being invaded.
MGM Police to the honor of clearing this upstairs except for one thing…we escaped into a chimney and could watch everything taking place on this rooftop and on the dirt road below-lined by police cars. “This is big” is all my friend Jimmy and I know as we whisper standing face to face in a narrow fake chimney. This went on for several hours and we watched as another friend was caught, handcuffed and hauled away. This chimney can only fit two kids. Danny, my friend who lives next door to me gave the police are names so they continued to try to talk us down using mega phones, with threats.
Patience is a Virtue
Hours go by-finally the police cars disembark, leaving behind the two suspects ‘Jimmy and I.’ The entire police department gave it their all to protect ‘The Heart of Screenland, and MGM Security had to explain again to the chief, “How did he get away this time, ?”….”He is like a Phantom, he was here one minute and gone the next!”
The Phantom of the Backlotsis born- and the next year a movie of the week was made, using this fort-The Phantom of Hollywood.
A Beautiful Day in Carvel, Idaho. A quintessential version of the America Louis B. Mayer wanted to depict. From a 1925 play titled “Skidding.”
The Streets from Andy Hardy series is where we are going to explore today. Coast is clear, I see no security from this rooftop…
3 sides of this home constitute Andy’s home. This side with Phil’s Bakery faces Small Town Square and downtown Carvel.I have a fort upstairs, inside this window that has a view of the main entrance to the backlot.
The commercial side of the Hardy House. Train tracks are used not only for “Picture trains” from everybody from Judy Garland to Elvis Presley.
Beautiful Downtown Carvel -1975…Soon to be renovated for the Blockbuster film Sgt. Pepper.The Band would perform here and sail over this land…from Carvel to Heartland U.S.A
1973 version of a street we called Maple Street, from the Twilight Zone Series. We snuck in with a beat up-Black and White T.V and managed to get good reception with bent and broken antennas. We watched that 1 dimensional episode on T.V in a 3 dimensional colored setting where it was filmed in Andy Hardy’s house.
Another beautiful day in Carvelas Mickey Rooney walks into-The Twilight Zone.
Mickey Rooney returns home in 1974…That’s Entertainment
Nothings changed…
Looks like more fan mail for our star…
I’m sure Mickey delivered to his fan..
If you search hard around here, you receive gifts from MGM’s Glorious past, Penmanship was a special quality before computers. You actually had to write your thoughts. Can’t beat that MGM scribe!
1932 on left, 1935 on right. Both films had this same future structure of the Hardy Set. This home was pieced together from differs MGM Films. This backlot had acres of walls stored and categorized. They rarely just tore sets down, they disassembled, stored and used to build other sets. Ironically, Sgt. Pepper disassembled again it in 1977. The Apple doesn’t fall far from the tree at MGM.
Pre- Andy Hardy- which began in 1937.. Mickey Rooney filmed at his house before the Hardy Series in ‘AH Wilderness’. TCM doesn’t deliver this much info….The movie industry is a very small world full of trickery and illusion. This mysterious world is my home.
Marion Davies and her original make up mirror from the silent film era. Key figures in her life recomposed in this mirror I’m the proud possessor of.this Magic Mirror, it is a portal back in time and the Holy Grail of Hollywood history.The bulbs are original with many colors for skin tone. Red, blue, and clear. When I powered this trailer up for the first time since 1970, everything came -Back to Life.
Hollywoodland and its original make up trailer. This discovery will forever preserve this most Glamorous relic. These mirrors talk in image form. For more on this subject visit-Phantomofthebacklots on Youtube. Watch for yourself as Long Lost History comes back as if it was in between films. I will forever keep the artifacts from inside this room as together as the as I rediscovered them.
Fine Craftsmanship stands the test of time…
Some assembly required but you too -can build your own movie set! An almost endless line of walls, stairways, and turrets.From storage as seen here, Andy Hardy finalized a home that would stand until 1977. Then it was disassembled and used to block the view of all the storage areas on the backlot.
Front porch of his house-“My Fort!” I acquired a wicker chair in 1977 on the set of Sargent Pepper, exactly like this one 2 houses down from from this porch.This is how we furnish our hide aways…
“Your bedroom is a mess!”…Blame it on me Mickey. My fort, his room- upstairs would get decorated with furnishings on this street. Floor mattes, carpet, table with fake flowers and a picture hanging on wall is how every house on this street rolled. We grabbed what MGM Property Department left behind. Behind the curtain, inside the doorway is the stairway that takes you to the Hardy House upstairs. The layout at the top of the stairway has windows on all sides, a balcony overlooking downtown Carvel and …chairs, shag carpet,and a table. All are set decorations from previous shows. We set up in the windows that face the main gate so we don’t get surprised or caught-“off guard.”
Andy Hardy house- front porch in the Twilight Zone Episode…The Monsters Are Due ON Maple Street .Andy is lucky he moved outjust in time…
Upstairs it is, facing Downtown Carvel. North side view out of Hardy Home. Meet Me in St.Louis is below balcony. Clang, Clang Clang went the trolley on this side of house. Pictures from balcony of Hardy Home.
I took this picture upstairs in the Hardy Home.
The Trolley Depot ended up an Arco Station in -They Only Kill Their Masters-1972, Starring James Garner.
Upstairs in the Hardy House looking out on Maple Street through a tree in front yard. The Hardy House became a 70’s Party House. This house had a fort, it fit the necessary criteria needed for fort status which is…Dual escapeability, in case a guard comes inside and heads upstairs, we will wait until he arrives a top the indoor staircase, then jump of the balcony in flight. It has a strategic view allowing us to see the main gate. That way we can see who comes and goes through the main gate.
Upstairs window on right is the window- frame in tree picture.
Notice the younger tree in front of upstairs fort. Everything gets older except these two mischievous kids. If a guard comes up the stairs, auto pilot kicks in -we can jump from this balcony or the one overlooking the St. Louis Depot.
“Let’s go upstairs, we only have so much time you know “
The trolley to St. Louis
Nice seeing you again Mickey, I got a song to sing and trolley to catch!
MGM Security handed off the backlot to this gentleman-Lewis Hunt. Cowan Security was in over its head and a huge fire took place burning the church and half of Maple Street. In this double exposure, the church lays in ashes as Lewis tells us Gospel passages. standing in front of his cruiser….1976
Warnings exist every 20 feet…. Center-Les Green MGM Overland Gate. He sometimes shared stories but was too old to catch me. He didn’t often get backlot duty. Garth Bluff- pictured right-23 year veteran in 1973. He owned a home on Elenda Street. His house was extremely close to the backlot and the enormous Grand Central Station Terminal. Very friendly, these senior guards were found manning the gates. My best friend of all with a badge was Ken Hollywood-he introduced us to Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly in 1974-That’s Entertainment.
Fire strikes Carvel, the church across the street burns down, late 1975. In my photography class at school, I often developed my own Black and White film. Photography was expensive so I cut costs shooting B/W. Once, my teacher saw the emulsion develop into into a picture of King Kong. He was stunned, not the usual high school photo shoot, so he asks “How do you get these photos?” I answer, “with a camera sir.” Good ole Mr. Leatherman. The Hardy Home did not burn at all but the church and 3 other structures were turned to ash…Not the Hardy’s-that house had a different fate ahead.
This set is about to be revamped…Carvel is to become Heartland USA for the film Sgt. Pepper
The St. Louis Trolley happens to stop in Heartland U.S.A, the music never stops…
In 1977, The Andy Hardy House was split into 4 sections, each wall became a blocker of parts of the backlot not wanted to be seen by production and it’s 360 degree camera shots. This front porch was situated to replace the burnt down church from 2 years ago.
The last picture ever of this Hardy front porch.
This Bell Tower replaced the Hardy home in 1977, sections of the home are spread out in Heartland.
This is the Bell Tower that replaced the Hardy Home. Only the front side was viewed by camera. We had a harrowing moment up in this tower with Sgt. Pepper armed security. I was with a truck full of Marines from Camp Pendleton. Recommended reading, not your typical stories in other books. In mine, wear a helmet be prepared for anything.
The Yellow home is the Hardy House North side that use to overlook Small Town Square, here being moved as to block view of Vets Tower and an oversized prop warehouse. Walk through the front door and nothing exists-drapes hide-nothing inside.
Carvel, now Heartland-That’s not Mickey and Cecelia in the Hot Air Balloon basket, rather it’s Peter Frampton and The Bee Gees. Come sail away with them.
I could see this balloon from my house. This scene I captured was cut and replaced with CGI fireworks. Only see this scene and effects in my world now.
The final act in Carvel was this blockbuster…My summer of Love!
“Hot Set” Do not touch without UPM approval– Unit Production Manager…
Pic left-balcony as on Hardy House but relocated for a set designed to block vision of other backlot sets.Heartland/Carvel about to be destroyedpictured right.
1978- The End of Carvel …From dust to dust-decades worth of memories…I was so disillusioned I anted to cry, I watched every backlot in Culver City disappear-one at a time. Only New York Street stayed up, until October of 1980.Notice the teeth on the Bulldozer in the dirt cloud, a single Bulldozer pushed these sets down from behind.
At night, I pretend the lot is still here because I feel its spirit. You can take Donnie out of MGM, but you can’t take MGM out of Donnie…
Studio Estates formerly MGM Lot 2. A full moon over the former backlot where the Hardy House once stood. My mind still tunes in MGM when I- walk on by.
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As Emerson, Lake and Palmer sing so eloquently… From the Beginning ;
My life has taken me many places-past, present, and future. In the studio backlot world, all things are possible. The Moon is your clock. Sets and stars come and go, as do guards and trespassers. Spirits exist- no one wants to ever leave this view masterof MGM History.
As I deliver this story in 2025,, 100 years have almost passed by since this version of the Hardy Home.Yet it still stands proudly on Television in the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s and feature films.
I was upstairs in this home when a spectacle of large proportions rolled in, literally. King Kong-The Robot arrived for his scenes for that Blockbuster on the MGM Backlot.MGM Security returned to the backlot as Kong’s escort. Several groups people walk on both sides of this slow moving cargo that was covered by a Blue Tarp with only Kong’s feet sticking out.
The first section to arrive was the lower torso. As the convoy passed under us, Kong veered down a dirt road alongside the Tarzan Lake to its final resting stop, dead center of “Shea Stadium.” A Gas Pump- the size of Kong- had already been delivered that had PETROX as the corporation wanting to capitalize on this 40 foot star.
Imagine having your trespassing afternoon interrupted by this event. Guards I know escorted this beast like a Gold Shipment from Fort Knox. As the sand in the MGM Hour Glass winds down, two of the most expensive movies of the 70’s decade finish this area off. From the Hardy home, you can see the King Kong walls, natives, and torches on top of the walls in a place built as Skull Island..
Sitting in my fort, either watching shows get filmed, or watching Twilight Zone reruns on T.V that looks like it was in a tackle football game-we were constantly entertaining ourselves. Every kid who visited this set did their own Rod Serling imitation, right down to the Chesterfields. Common’-you gottasmoke. We had a large shag carpet upstairs we drug up from the downstairs, a table, chairs from interior doorways and an extension cord that ran from a “shooting station” on the bottom floor.
During one impersonation of Rod Serling, the lit cigarette fell on the carpet, lighting it on fire. It didn’t want to extinguish itself easy-so my friends ran down the stairs and took off.
What a bunch of quitters
Left as if I’m the only one who cares, this fire was not stomping out, it was growing. Luckily it didn’t catch any of the wood on fire and I flipped this large carpet over, cutting off the oxygen and extinguishing this poorly planned / what could go wrong – Rod Serling imitation before the structure caught fire.
Boys will be boys, especially….In the Twilight Zone.
This T.V only pulled in –The Twilight Zone.
The channel knob broke so pliers sit on top of this set. The rabbit ears are short from continuous travel back and forth to the MGM lot. A coat hanger helps pulling in a signal from the Outer Limits – to The Hardy House.
“That’s a wrap,” Eddie Murphy #67, Tony Scott, a cigar and a movie star in his arm and the entire cast.Enjoy this very special pictorial of my pictures I took on this set in 1987.
Director Tony Scott, fresh off TOP GUN, giving direction to Brigitte Nielsen in her final thrilling scene.Cigar in hand as always, this picture is my favorite one of all I took on this location in The Baldwin Hills Oil Fields. Dent Industries is crooked oil business. I could’nt have posed this better, this content laded direction. Cigar, pointed finger, with hat he wore directing TOP GUN. Picture means more to me now than then. Absolutely great director at work….
Eddie Murphy in his impressive Detroit Lions vintage jacket.He is about to be shot in this plot twister moment…
Brigitte Nielsen right before this action sequenceis to beginfilming.At this time she is married in real life to Sylvester Stallone
I’mShotgun alongside the Panavision camera. Sequence is the pivotal twist in this film. Who shoots who…Tony Scott in previous picture is directing our blonde star on her movements, what the camera sees and reaction needed.
Brigitte twists and turns as her character is taken out. The legendary Buddy Joe Hooker is assisting this action sequence.
Our female lead, Karla Fry- is about to pull the trigger and kill Axel Foley but Sergeant John Taggart shoots her before she can unload her gun.
A round of applause..excellent death scene indeed!
Buddy Joe Hooker doing his own stunt being shot off this rooftop. Dent is a fictitious oil company.
This crime is all but solved…
Beverly Hills P.D.
Case solved…Axel explains to the chief of Beverly Hills police.
Let’s make 3 – This show is Good. Sure enough, #3 was to be made and they used Universal Studios for several sets and animations for Wally’s World- Theme Park.
Brigitte Nielsen and Donnie Norden. Brigitte never stopped working out in between scenes, part of a hockey family. Her brother was on set and he plays Hockey in Sweden.
Downtown Los Angeles…distant. The final shot of the day on location in the Baldwin Hills Oil Fields.
The Sequel Everyone is waiting for…
Beverly Hills Cop- 2 filmed the action packed finale on a location I grew up on, in Baldwin Hills. In 1956, The Highway Patrol, starring Broderick Crawford, used these exact roads and sets in an episode titled Oil Lease. In that episode a bazooka was used as a weapon to hold up oil workers from their hard earned payroll checks.
30 years later – rocket launchers replaced bazookas as weapons of choice. In each case, the law outsmarted the bad guys and apprehended them. On this set of COP 2, Tony Scott is the hottest director in Hollywood. Fresh off TOP GUN- he’s pumping out gold. This was the first time I met him. Later on, he would film scenes with Deja vu, starring Denzel Washington. A chemistry exists when actors and directors have synchronicity that takes over the stage. It’s a rare quality.
TOP GUN and Deja Vu are serious films, while COP 2 is a comedic adventure. One of my all time favorite sets I’ve ever been on was Blade Runner, directed by brother Ridley Scott. Quite the brother combo. Tragically, Tony took his life by jumping off the Vincent Thomas Bridge in San Pedro after a bout with brain cancer. Even in his own death- a finish fit for a sad blockbuster movie was his chosen final scene. Legends never die…they just move on.
Tony Scott R.I.P… This stone at Hollywood Forever Cemetery has his name carved into it and all his films. A fitting tribute to a man who lived life like his own movie…
In the Heart of Mayberry- this set was built for a 70’s Miller Malt Liquor commercial. Ironically today, their logo jingle is based off- 50 years ago. Great 50 year old stories, this is my story
This Hotel is next to the Mayberry Hotel at 40 Acres. Main 4 way intersection, center of town.
S
This is really going on -real collapse -real humans in fall zone. Stuntmen get replaced by stars as dust settles…Old fashion film making like Buster Keaton or Hal Roach would do!
“This must be Urban Renewal” toasts Redd Foxx. Colt 45 is named after Baltimore Colt running back Jerry Hill who wore number 45.
Drink hard, play harder!…The true Colt 45
This picture is from behind behind the buildings in this commercial.
Opie is where backside of mock up hotel stands.
Mayberry-where drinking is a crime. No longer in 1975…
Gomer Pyle scene exactly where this drink is served!I never met a Marine who doesn’t like drinking.
This guy looks thirsty..15 years to early is this- Man in a Hurry.
If your standing here-YOUR TOO CLOSE
Everybody wants to see this beer commercial…
“This planet drinks”..says Captain Kirk
The view on left before ‘Urban Development’ – set on right built in this intersection…
Beer commercials, cigars-cigarettes, big fancy cars commercials, and soft porn films all found their way on to this lot in the mid 1970’s. The backlot reflected the culture.
The two story building at the end of this street is my location. I am trespassing, 4 P.M ish. I saw this set and then a guard, he didn’t see me so I went upstairs. Im behind camera which has the same angle for this “one -take shot.” Security looked like Sheriff John, he had a cowboy hat, a badge, and a rope. He walked around lassoing everything he sees. I have to watch out for him because I do not want to miss this scene. Redd Foxx-is right below in a Limo. The front door of Hotel faces south to Baldwin Hills.
I took this picture 1976, the last year of the 40 Acres Backlot. This is exactly where this Colt 45 Hotel stood…
My Dad often had some of these cans in our home refrigerator. Naturally a few ended up here at the Desilu Ranch. Miller Beer and I could do great commercials….VIntage of course. My dad was an actor in Bar Fly. He pretended to be drinking…even got in a fight with Frank Stallone in an ally behind the bar. His credit depicts “Man in ally” My mom hated it but dad loved it. Paid to drink and hang out with Faye Dunaway. Filmed at the Culver City Bar closet to this set.
ONE TAKE –Then a Toast
All the preparation is complete, this set took a week to build and another week to “dress” the set and familiarize effects and stunt folks with all the moving parts. This building is built to collapse, Not straight down, it must tip. Actors “stunt people” could get hurt if things do not go as planned. This is old time film making going on here. The final go overs are being checked as this shot is to be captured in daylight, of which has about a hour left to it.
I just got home from school and am not sure I will make it here in time. As soon as I hit the lot I run down the backroads along the creek and climb upstairs in a building looking straight at the one that has only – less than an hour left to stand. A grandfather clock is added as the interior is finishing being dressed.
These are actually two sets. The exterior is engineered to be a collapsible front on wheels. Set two is the stationary interior of this hotel. The Art Department is finally finished now the front of this hotel is rolled and positioned exactly to the square inch where it needs to be to collapse safely. This integration is slow and methodical. Inside upstairs, the stunt people load in. This is too dangerous for actors, they won’t be seen till the dust settles.
Anticipation increases as every final detail is checked and rechecked. A guard is active on this set. He’s a character with a badge, cowboy hat and a rope. He hangs out by REDD FOXX as we all watch from almost the exact spot.
Countdown 3,2,1
A building is collapsing before my eyes, this 7 second moment seems like an eternity. People disappear and reappear in a cloud of dust. They got their shot, actors are inserted at doorway entrance as if they survived this. REDD says “SO THIS MUST BE URBAN RENEWAL” as he toasts to Pabst Blue Ribbon.
The real toast belongs to Special Effects, this was so perfect, when I get older I want to be in Special Effects, For now, I’m a trespasser looking down at a collapsed building, a famous T.V Star, and sheriff with really wild roping skills who looks like he stepped out of a western film. I hope there’s a Colt 45 in the fridge for when I get home…
As I return home from school, I instinctively turn on our color TV set. It’s a little after 3 pm, and I was planning on visiting my backlot to get an idea of what I missed today. I quickly turn channels, Gilligan’s Island reruns are on, Match Game with Gene Rayburn is an option, and Tattletales hosted by Burt Convy, all adequate alternatives to homework. But-“stop that dial~” oh my- as my eyes bulge out, normally I like Mike Douglas, mind you he’s no Johnny Carson, but what he is –is on the backlot at MGM!
He’s broadcasting live from the set of Sgt. Pepper.
Mike is interviewing the cast. The Bee Gees and Peter Frampton are sitting in folding cast chairs close by the lake in between two nicely remodeled cottages. I holler to my mom working in the kitchen to “Getin here…You have to see this! This is the set I’m always on at MGM.” as she hastily arrives in our shag carpeted living room.
I brainstorm as she sits in awe, “Mom, see that door they’re sitting in front of? Well, keep your eyes fixed on that doorway. I’m going to run over there now and I will exit through that door right behind where Barry Gibb and Peter are sitting… I’ll wave at ya!”
Not needing a response and with time being of the essence, I’m out the front door before her famous “Be careful” can be uttered.I make like a flash running full speed down two side streets and a short jaunt over train tracks. Within a few minutes position myself by entering through the back door of those very same cottages being presented on television and posture myself next to the front exit. The camera is focused on this area as Mike interviews Peter. This is a working movie set so work is going on all around, no need to hide.
I listen to Peter talk about almost being electrocuted on stage. “I got the famous Blue Flash and was knocked flying, it’s not that unusual” he carries on for Mike. “Only takes one bad ground, after that I learned to touch the microphone with the back of my hand, not to grab it!” “Fascinating stuff Peter,” I think to myself, like I’m the host of this National NBC afternoon talk show.
Heartland U.S.A –Prior to Mr. Mustard take over
Fearing a commercial cut is coming, ” Out the front door, I appear, waving toward Mike Douglas behind the band members –nonchalantly,with my own long hair flowing, like I own the place.
After watching some of this interview, I exit the front door with a subtle wave to “Mum.”
Out of this door and into my TV set…I appear!
I exit the front door – waving to my mother, not Mike as Peter wraps up his interview and is about to be replaced in the folding chair by Frankie Howard- mission accomplished. I run even faster homewards, skipping and gliding, now I just hope she saw me. I run in the front door of our home- this entire event back and forth took twenty minutes at the most. “Did you see me?” I ask, as I catch my breath – her mouth flaps- but without words, just expressions. Finally she spits something out. “Yes I saw you exit the door and wave… How do you get away with this?”‘ she asks in embarrassment yet amazement with her head stuck tilted like the illusion just became more tangible.
“Seems natural to me, I’ve been doing this so long.” I proudly calm down as Mike starts interviewing Frankie Howard on TV- on a set I was a part of just moments ago.
That’s a first, live backlot television, I would like to thank all the backlot spirits for making my T.V. appearance possible.
Frank Smith...sounds like one of my alias’sat 40 Acres.Helen digs him, Opie digs him, but who is he?– He is an attorney with an office directly across from the Mayberry Courthouse.Upstairs above another of Sheriff Taylor’s favorite sweets…Walker’s Soda Fountain shop.
Good friends and a bottle of wine, Below Helen is having a wonderful time…
Andy’s Rival is more popular than our sheriff-in his own house.
Just when Andy thought he owned Mayberry. Maybe Helen has seen enough of Andy squeezing every woman in town.
Another old picture of mine with, Frank Smith Attorney sign is partially in view left of frame. The Rusk Hotel is Mayberry’s cheaper overnight stay. “We’ll leave a light on for ya!”
A simulated version of the soda shop, pharmacy, hotel and Frank Smith’s office. The Mayberry Courthouse is directly opposite this set. This gives you a clear visual of a building center of town, below the church.
The real deal version.
This is my school work, done at Culver Middle School. I appeared to be taking notes at all times, but not really.
I included Frank Smith in my doodle, Ididn’t know who he was…1974
Andy may need an attorney if he’s not careful.
Ellie, always calm, cool, and collected. She always concocts the proper Ambrosia for what ails ya!
The Darling -look of love.Just below Frank Smith’s office.
Definitely Rivals. “I’m going to call Danny Thomas and get him off this lot” says the sheriff.
“Danny -let’s lose the Frank Smith character, he’s drinking on set” -” you got it Andy”
Downtown Mayberry is where we begin;
Looking at my old pictures recently, I realized I do not know who Frank Smith is. A sign above the for-mentioned center of town. One of the most seen sets on this T.V series, many because the church, the courthouse, and the post office all face each other.
Back in the 70’s, we had no internet, we needed “Sarah” to complete a simple call. I had no idea after al these decades, who is the name on the sign. Now in 2025, I can get an answer and to my surprise, this sign is from the Andy Griffith show. It is mounted in an awkward location. Therefore, it was never touched by human hands other than set dressing when installed.
In this period after the series was canceled. Other shows that followed did not want Mayberry references. Across the street is an example. The Mayberry Courthouse sign is still here. Just open the courthouse door, and it sits there, leaning against a wall. I examined it 3 times and planned on taking it home. It was big, 4 by 4 feet, I bit obtrusive to sneak around the lot with. I always said to myself…next time, leaving it inside the exterior courthouse. It was all mine.
Before and after-The Mayberry Courthouse sign above the front doors.Picture I took on right, minus sign, the sign was inside, leaning against the wall under the left window.
Anyone could have had the courthouse sign, Culver Studios, Cinema General Studios lost track of Desilu/RKO history. They left it all for me. I had-the key to the city.
The key to the kingdom…
Three Strikes your Out
Wait, hold on. I finally am here just to pick up the Courthouse sign when I open the front door-the sign is gone. Somebody beat me to it. A trespasser no less I’m sure. Today, I have one of my few regrets ever on this backlot. I regret not grabbing it. I should have hidden it until it was possible to exit with it down to the La Ballona Creek.
Back to Frank Smith, it turns out this character is played by actor Charles Aidman. In this period, Charles is also in several Twilight Zone episodes just down the road at MGM. In this Andy Griffith episode, he brings a bottle of wine to dinner at Sheriff Taylor’s house. Mayberry is a “dry county,” just ask Otis Campbell. Just some food for thought as we say our before dinner prayers.
This was the first T.B.S picture on the roll of 36 pics. I had just got this camera, a Minolta, for Christmas. This happens to be Christmas Day 1975. The shutter snapped, then the roof snapped louder. My shiny- fancy camera got a big dent but we both survived. When I caught up to my friends, we went driving around in costume. The Wantons had wardrobe inside it, hats and coats for all of us. The car was a stick, I wasn’t old enough to drive and I nearly crashed into the Walton House. All this- while you folks were watching ‘A Walton Christmas’ episode on television.
Same angle from a Chapman Crane vehicle. Roof is unsafe, take it from me!
This street is long gone, built in 1957.You can’t have a backlot without a saloon…
Where the heck the heck did I leave my horse?
I’ll have what he’s having bartender…
I almost died when the roof of this bank fell through. Half my body was dangling in the upstairs windows. My upper torso was precariously balanced on the roof. This was possible thanks to my camera strap.Quite a sight indeed. The story just begins up there that wonderful Merry Christmas Day in 1975
I see the Walton’s are in town…
Those Walton’s know a good watering hole when they see one.Grandpa “fires up” in his truck before pushing open those swinging doors… That’s the rumor round these parts anyhow!
Last Chance Saloon…Show Downs daily!
Bonanza has filmed in Paramount’s Saloon, The Desilu Saloon, and Warner Brothers. The family that drinks together has the best chance for a long and successful T.V series.
Bring on-The Dancing Girls
We take all currencies-Gold, Copper, Silver and Paper
This behavior always gets the best of ya!
When Maverick says “I’ll Return !” He keeps his word. Decades apart!
Area 14, 13 and 12 featured in tonight’s episode of craziness.Map from 1967, pre- Walton House.Notice the circle around the jungle, dirt roads take you to and from sets in this part of the backlot. We always enter the lot off California Street, that’s where we park. First set always was the Walton house, shed, and treehouse. If you can climb the chain link barb wire fence covered with ivy.
We miss the the old west;
I’m 22 years old now a days, considered by law enforcement to be a grown up. But, we also look old enough to blend in…unlike when I was 12. There are pros and cons in everything, I suppose. All the Culver City Studio backlots were long gone. MGM’s Backlot 3 was a saloon haven. Desilu/ 40 Acres had one-a very good one. One of the first places I ever got drunk was at Desilu.
Jimmy, Danny, Pat, Tim and myself had a hankering to go back in time, back to the old west. Tim, who was a background actor on Happy Days at this time, came up with an idea. Tim is the only one who still is at studios all the time. His brother Sean doubled for a lead actor on Blade Runner.
That feature was a ninety day shoot-all nights. Ridley Scott directed this film that used The Burbank Studios New York Street exclusively. I was in-between studios. MGM Film Labs just shut down. My next job was next to the The Culver Studios at a film distribution warehouse. I was in between my trespassing life and attempting to build a career.
So far, trespassing is still really my true career at this time. I spent about 30 nights sneaking on Blade Runner. I saw everything you can imagine. Acid rain, Asian street walkers with large anaconda snakes wrapped around them. Ostriches, hookers and spinners compete on water covered sidewalks with outdoor live food stands.
Cranes on set merge with liquid nitrogen. Special effects inject it to create the lift-off of the Spinners into the night sky. Androids being hunted by humans-what can go wrong. Like craziest drug trip ever, with out drugs. This film just “wrapped out” recently at this time.
Each one of my pals tonight visited the Blade Runner set with me on one night or the other. We all have our own memories, especially the mid night catering as the clock strikes 12.
From dusk till dawn, dinner was served at mid night promptly. I would hand craft a well laid out tray of gourmet food. Then, I would disappear into the darkest parts of this backlot. Often, the Walton front porch was the eating spot, quiet- dark, and surrounded by jungle. The closest humans are on a very lit up New York Street. The lighting shines so bright that it can be seen from outer space. Yet, the canopy in this jungle area blocks all the hectic commotion from a couple of villages away.
These valley studios quickly replaced the backlots I lost in Culver City. Even better, the guards don’t know me here. I always had call sheets in my pocket. proof that- I belong!
I crave this movie stuff-just like a plate of Prime Rib and Lobster!
I digress, but I became very familiar with all things Warner Brothers. At this point this studio was The Burbank Studios. Around 1986, it rededicated itself as Warner Brothers. I was then driving trams and Warner Brothers rented our trams and drivers for the 12th biggest party in history. Sandwiched between Woodstock and the J.F.K birthday bash.
A Tram in search of a saloon.
I‘m the one with the gimpy leg…
History waits for No -One!
This backlot was all things Waltons in the 70’s. Every storefront had set decor, costumes could be found in picture cars. But shows get canceled and channels change.
Other shows would take over the backlots. Maverick returned. James Garner and I crossed paths in a scene. It was in front of this very saloon we are visiting tonight. The Fall Guy made a guest appearance here, that day I met Roy Rogers. If only they knew I was a trespasser…
My older version of “The Hole in the Wall Gang” reunites tonight in a saloon. The meeting takes place in a dark, deserted ghost town.
I frame this story I’m about to share with past history and future history not yet lived. With all this lead in, lets go have some drinks…shall we?
The Climb
We begin this night by climbing in behind the ‘recently canceled’ Waltons house. “No more of those kids” we all laugh as we climb a barb wire fence behind the chicken coupe shed. “Those Waltons are all grown up now, but not us!” we snicker.
We are not even stoned yet, but it’s never to soon to get into character. Tim breaks out a bag of Magic Mushrooms. We chow down large caps and the stems they’re attached to. Next to our make shift counter are empty chicken cages. Crude farm tools also persist from the series. This includes a big saw blade. An outdoor smell of hay remains from the series.
None of us know what that family even did for a living. Oh well, another fine set becomes ours.
Double vision is kicking in-Two different backlots
We had a fort in the red version of this set in Desilu. We had so many parties in the Mayberry R.F.D home. Inside little exists, just a stairway upstairs. The red one was torn down, this clone set sits empty at T.B.S. Both these sets are exact, inside and out.
We all feel a “buzz” coming on a half hour into tonight’s odyssey. We started off as quiet as could be, talking very low. There are no guards or any other signs of life, which allows us to become lackadaisical. The mushrooms are adding flavor and colors to this pitch dark setting.
We are, Out in the Woods
Every bush, tree and vine acknowledge us as we pass alongside and underneath. Crickets sing, a bull frog croaks as we pass a tiny lake. Flamingo Road filmed here and Howard Duff had an accident, falling off a hydrofoil. He was pulling up to shore, that’s all the scene required. The big spinning fan blade was moving too fast. It caused Howard to dump below the surface. I had just arrived on set. I had just climbed in the jungle area like Tarzan.
As the corrupt Sheriff Titus Semple struggled greenish colored water, everyone on this set was “busting up.”
I just climbed in, this was the first set I came upon. I worked my way behind MorganFairchild, who was watching from the lake edge, just out of frame. I follow her lead and stand beside her as this scene unfolds. Unexpectedly, this craft flips. Morgan begins laughing so hard-she hugs me, laughing furiously.
As if I was Mark Harmon. I’m a trespasser, on the lot for 10 minutes. That’s enough time to be embraced by the star. Every time I come to this studio, I meet big stars. This backlot always has something going on, from Kung Fu to The Dukes of Hazzard. Even Maverick is back, now in living color.
My mind is a kaleidoscope of a collection of images, each with there own story…
I don’t need movie stars to have fun here. That said, it was pretty funny to see Howard Duff the white suit get dumped into the drink. That scene got cut out, no matter how funny that moment was, not what they were hoping for. You couldn’t do a retake, he was all wet and different looking as he walked out of the jungle lagoon.
A vacant backlot is pretty darn fun. That’s what we have ahead of us tonight. We walk down this winding jungle road. It delivers us to the old west.
Illusions fill our confused minds, images come out of the dark and tantalize us..
The Queen of Hearts is taking a walk
. You haven;t seen security tonight have ya? …You never know who you may run into on psilocybin.
For those who have never indulged, the high resembles images from a rock video. I worked on this video with Aerosmith. Title –Sunshine.
As we pass slowly through this mysterious jungle, we see the silhouettes of buildings on Laramie Street. We each brought a quart of beer. Colt 45, Miller Malt Liquor and a couple of Foster Lagers. Beer from the Outback being drank on the backlot. We got something for everybody tonight-On Location at-The Burbank Studios
Silence is broken
The sound of a motor scooter can be heard and appears to be following our tracks. We take cover like raccoons in the old Ike Godsey country store on the edge of town. We lay low as the scooter with a security guard operating appears to be investigating something. He must be hearing things, things being My Hole in the Wall Gang.
We carry our large round beer bottles protectively, like a football. Slowly, we are moving the chains.
The saloon is the end zone, we are close to scoring. As the ‘put put’ scooter disappears, we reappear and transition from a jungle to…the old west. Mission accomplished. We now occupy the bottom floor bar area of the Laramie Street Saloon.
Twist off the tops and have a toast!
Cling, cling, is the next sound you hear as we toast at the bar. It is so dark that color magically takes form. The next thing you know, a strong pot odor fills the air inside our saloon. We are feeling as good as can be and like in any saloon, the talking gets louder and louder. Sports talk fills the the sound void.The first backlot sports bar is now talking Dodgers.
It is so dark inside here. You have to reach out and touch things that dimly appear. This is just to see what is real and what isn’t. All the while, we keep getting louder.
One by one we head upstairs to the saloon roof. We share stories as we pass the the joint around. We duck down on each hit so the “cherry” can’t be seen from the street below. I laugh, “If The Doobie Brothers could see us now!”
Louder and louder we get as we try to out do each other story wise...Until
That silly little scooter has returned with a jeep accomplice. We now have two motorized sheriff posse circling below us with their lights of. We lay flat on the roof as they park there motorized horses and enter the swinging doors.
As if they are looking for a “Showdown.”
We got them out numbered, They probably got a good whiff of “spirits”as they entered.
We hear no talking, just footsteps. 2 guards, 5 trespassers. We are too high to go to jail. If they come through the roof doorway, we will jump. First to the balcony, another jump to where the dirt road they parked on.
We could take off with their “horses” while they search for sounds of ghosts.
We wait for our Que, we will react when need be. Everything is quiet, an eerily silence because… we know they are waiting below us. Pure silence as our minds race to a conclusion of what to do next. We have one way out of this studio. We need to retreat to the chicken coupe next to the Walton former residence. After a half hour library time. they finally move on after never coming up to the roof.
We exit and backtrack through the jungle, retracing our steps, but this time we run. It’s not fun to climb a barb wire fence while being chased, nor extremely stoned. We are happy to leave without a visit to the watch commander. The funnest part of this trip was outsmarting the motorized security hunters. A typical cowboy adventure, all that’s left on the roof is a bunch of empty beer jugs.
A cover up of a building that has been a centerpiece of the backlot. Trams always stop here.
This square was used regularly in Leave it to Beaver. Decades later, it became the centerpiece of Ghost Whisperer with Jennifer Love Hewitt.
“Come on up”- it has been refortified after two devastating fires took out this village.
Picture of road, bottom right is the road the DeLorean speeds down towards theater…
My Books make for popular reads in…any decade!Book 2–Uninvited Visitor, is aMcFly Favorite.
Back to the Future …1985
Gremlins-1984 filmed in this square at Universal and the Warner Bros. Small Town Square. Snow scenes done in 100 degree summer days at Universal.
“Wonder why we don’t have a cartoon?”
This side street at Universal Studios Courthouse Square is featured in these two films a year apart. The Town Theater had an infestation problem!.
“What do ya mean I’m Fired?”…says Eric. “There’s a new kid in town stepping into the role of Marty McFly,”says Dr. Emmett Brown.History is made in Small Town Square.
Hill Valley’s Future was an Apocalypse…
But it would rise again! You to can pass through Hill Valley in a Glamour Tram.
My-How Time McFlies…
For me-it seems like yesterday when this trilogy was launched… I remember vividly Special Effects setting up for the DeLorean’s burning tire tracks. The car reached the speed needed to travel forward and backwards in time. I have been on so many sets in my life. I didn’t realize the significance of that evening’s events. At the time, we had no idea – this was going to be just one of three-major successes!
We weren’t sure ‘one’ was going to even get off the ground. Two weeks in-Eric Stoltz, the star, was fired. Michael J. Fox was ushered in as the “future.” Many gas station scenes were filmed already. They were shot in a filling station built across from the Courthouse in Universal’s Small Town Square.
Eric would move from here and make the film MASK, with Cher. A part he was excellent with.
A smashing success at the box office tilted the scales in favor of a trilogy. The Glamour Trams promoted all things Michael J. Fox and this was the most popular set for a tour picture stop.
Lions sat on each side of the clock tower as guests aboard these trams took deep breaths looking upwards. Toys could not sell fast enough. Everyone wanted the silver car. What we have here is… a marketing bonanza. I feel very safe to say that this film became an extraordinary success because of M.J.F. We even built a B.T.T.F Ride. Since replaced by The Simpsons Ride.
Since the trilogy was made, two fires, 10 years apart burned down this entire square…twice. Everything that is except…The Clock Tower building. Talk about a survivor, only one other building can say it survived both apocalyptic events. The other is at the end of New York Street. We lost 23 vintage picture cars in ‘fire one.’
This square becomes a Base Camp for films on New York Street. Trailers get squeezed into every nook or alley way. Tents sprout up like a Ringling Bros. Circus is in town. The delicious smell of catering satisfies every appetite. I grew old in this often-remolded square. I just didn’t realize it was happening. “It always has been and will continue to be …the longest, most popular town square in Hollywood History”
Phantom of the Backlots 