This story starts almost 60 years ago for me…
An opportunity of a life time presented itself recently, literally, the stars aligned. Like a portal, the backlot came alive again. It really never died, I easily block out the present and drift backwards into the past. Reruns keep this lot alive. A lot we all grew up on. Whether you’re watching Andy Griffith, Gomer Pyle, Hogan’s Heroes, Superman or Batman. Superheroes never die. My journey started in the mid 60’s as a boy -dressed as Batman.
A cape and mask bought with what seemed like a million Blue Chip Stamps provided my wardrobe. My sting ray bicycle provided transportation as I scrutinized both the main lot and backlot from the sidewalks surrounding them. I was a young caped crusader in search of-Adam West-the one and only Batman.
I was successful, I saw the Batmobile speed by me through the fence, zipping down the dirt road behind the Mayberry Courthouse. “He is real” was my first thought as I was blanketed by a huge cloud of Batmobile dust. Another time- little crusader “me” pulled up to the main gate on Ince Blvd. just behind Desi Arnaz’s office. The playing cards in my spokes making a flap flapping noise came to a screeching long slick tire stop as a pair of clams caught my attention. The episode using them had not aired yet so I wasn’t sure what I was looking at.
I probably was a sight to see, this kid on a bike with a cape and mask, so the “studio grips” handling this prop signaled towards Jimmy and me to come inside. Two Clams, two young crusaders- each in his own clam.
Something smells fishy. I too survived The Giant Clam
“Come on in -little kids!
As I became older, I broadened my scope from a little trycycling Opie Taylor to a Super Powered Caped Crusader. My bikes got faster too. I am wearing a Batman T-shirt, which I slept in. Basically, I never took it off!! I became all things Batman. Picture most left is my 6th Birthday, Jimmy is pictured to my right.
” He looks stoned- like he’s been Bonging”
I had no idea I would inherit the landscape and become all things Desilu. Each camp, each set, each hilltop were mine. I had forts all over the lot including upstairs in the Taylor residence. You may already know I ended up with the infamous tree stump when the Stalag was removed for sets for another film “The Fortune.” made in !974. Starring Jack Nicholson and Warren Beatty.
I was so disheartened when I walked in on the removal of America’s favorite prison camp.
Gomer Pyle’s barracks were where so many of my trespasses began, located next to our creek entrance. Lockers and cots remained inside after the show was canceled, while still top rated television. You could sleep inside except for one problem, there was no back wall and the road was the busiest on the lot, due to the proximity to the main gate. Every show had to pass by this Camp Henderson set that greets all things entering this ranch.
“Ranch’ is the proper word, this studio lacked organization until Desi and Lucy took it over. The Desilu years were when this ranch looked more like a studio. Television made this backlot a studio, RKO was movies only, television changed the landscape. This was a busy as any studio in Hollywood back in the 60’s.
Time travel is my specialty, and the past connected to the future in a recent get together involving Dixie Griffith, Andy’s Daughter and a guest appearance by Duke Slater, AKA Ronnie Schell. I wish I still had my Bat Cape for this reflection backwards.
The Stars Align…one more time!
Camp Henderson- 1973
Camp Henderson -same angle. 1967
The morning starts at a fine Mexican Restaurant in Santa Monica called Gilbert’s. Seated from left to right is Mr.Ronnie Schell, Gregory Schell-co-producer/actor Mayberry Man, Maureen Miller, Culver City Historical Society and yours truly….Donnie Norden
I snuck in to Camp Henderson with real Marines, who were almost overpowered setting foot in this Desilu version of a Marine Base. We ended up getting atop the Hogan’s Heroes bridge in my military tour. My late friend Brian would bring real deal Recon Rangers as word spread around his platoon. That’s the subject at this moment in this picture. That’s a great story that you can read in my just released book-“Uninvited Visitor” now yours to read. Available on Amazon.
Gregory and Ronnie in my front yard. The Mayberry Group is about to arrive for a look at “things” I found on old movie backlots. I acquired that statue that is stationed in between Ronnie and Gregory at …Desilu
The lovely Dixie Griffith, daughter of Andy Griffith, and the Mayberry gang all crammed amongst my Marion Davies mirrors and artifacts. Directly opposite the wonderful Ms. Griffith is author Randy Turner. Marion’s presence was felt as she cordially received her guests. It would be very likely, Andy Griffith himself would be present in the mirror pictured since it was on the old Desilu lot and still used as a makeup trailer up until 70s…
Some of Randy’s fine work on this classic TV series. After 60 Years Andy Griffith is still must see “again and again” TV
Ladies and Gentlemen….Mr. Bruce Bilson. This legendary Director was an assistant director on the original Andy Griffith. His name caught my eye since Andy Griffith reruns preceded Hogan’s Heroes every morning on KTTV Channel 11. Bruce’s name was on all my favorite shows. “Who is this guy” before Google, info was hard to get. I always wished I could meet him for over 50 years. Now he’s in my phone, What a wonderful world it is, especially 50 years ago Bruce directed two more favorites- Get Smart and Love American Style
Speaking of Love– Bruce has a book out, I just ordered mine. He shared stories over at Paramount directing many episodes of this Friday Night must see T.V. I miss those days- I will continue to take you back to a time before cell phones and computers, you won’t want to come back. Bruce’s book can be found on Amazon as well as that book Bruce was looking through..Hole in the Fence. There is love in my books too with a lot of other craziness Uninvited Visitor-my second in the anthology has arrived there also. Amazon is now inhabiting the Desilu lot-by the way.
Yeah -He’s this guy!
Bruce Bilson, 3rd column, #658-Director. Sheet found inside barracks at Stalag 13
We embark from my house to Desilu –
A crusade I made daily in the 70’s-I’m now making with Desilu legends. I hope my mom and dad, now in heaven enjoyed this moment. My parents former bedroom is now a studio museum where stars and family from the present can slip back into the past. Our three car caravan has arrived as we enter where the courthouse and church stood. Mayberry Gang has come back to roost in “The Real Mayberry,” and is in a large customized van. I’m in the backseat, Gregory driving and Ronnie “Duke Slater” when he filmed here sitting “shotgun”
Our first stop will be Camp Henderson. But first, we need to talk past a guard to get in, I smooth talk our way in. Some things never change…
Guards never cease to pop up in my world. It would be your moral imperative to let Hollywood legend, Mr. Ronnie Schell through these gates, I negotiate from the backseat. Just past that “stop” sign is Camp Henderson. He is guarding a basecamp-star trailers- for a reality TV show, just out of view.
Entire scope pictured here…
The Desilu Backlot, pictured in 1965, the backlots were a gold rush across town due to television. This backlot could be filming several TV shows at once, so not just one favorite show filming at one time, actually several cameras could be rolling on all the different exteriors.
We park exactly where the barracks stood as Ronnie takes it all in. At this moment, I cannot believe little Donnie Norden has returned to sets that were removed 50 years ago, hanging with the Schells. We are returning to place we saw every day for years. Actually, Gomer Pyle was at Paramount stages and did exterior camp scenes on Thursday and Friday. The Desilu interview begins exactly where roll call took place. Just picture Frank Sutton drilling his troops. Everybody loved Frank, I did, the show needed toughness to off set Gomer’s Goofiness. Ronnie pointed out how everyone in Hollywood loved Jim Nabors. The show was in the top 10 on ratings for its entire existence. Jim was ready to move on from Desilu. Ronnie pointed that out proudly. Few series stop while so successful. All said with a special Twinkle in Ronnie”s eyes. Powerful moment of a long seated passion, returning to exactly, where history was made.
Under shade of still existing Eucalyptus trees, the last living things left here on this lot. These trees are actually T.V. Stars as they listen to our stories from yesteryear. They existed even prior to this set being built in 1964. If trees could smile –these would.
Dogs- If you mention dogs to Ronnie, his tail wags and he looks at you eagerly like you’re about to introduce him to one. He brags of a golden retriever and wants to see pictures of your dog. We could have talked dogs all day. I told him my Rottweiler Thora was up the street with a playmate just now. I mentioned that she likes to shag balls for me when I hit them up at what used to be MGM Lot 3. He immediately turned the subject to baseball with much of the same enthusiasm. Ronnie is the proud owner of over 300 minor league baseball caps. He actually played some semi pro ball before enlisting in the Air Force. He said he would perform for the guys while in the Air Force and his focus turned to acting. It must have been comfortable to take a role in Gomer Pyle, USMC where his character, Private Duke Slater became so lovable. Ronnie self-proclaimed himself as the “slowest rising star in Hollywood.”
I ask ” What was the deal with Roman Gabriel, Rams QB, and Jim Nabors. Ronnie told me Roman has visited the set to see Jim. “I think to myself, he could been Running Bear in that episode. Cut to the chase “was my football idol having relations with Gomer?” Schell replies “No, but-Jim might have wanted to.” Jim traveled with the Rams to many cities and sung the national anthem. That was a question I had on my mind for decades…The Roman Gabriel /Jim Nabors connection, in particular, was Roman a visitor to this set.
R.I.P to number-18-Roman Gabriel, who just passed on right after my visit. He has been on this set at Desilu. Thanks for the Memories…
“What was this lot like on a busy day?” Desilu is television and much of it took place here. He responds by saying “I visited over at Stalag 13 and walked all over the lot, my favorite set was The Atlanta Depot from Gone With the Wind. I respond “that was torn down years before the rest of the lot, but I had a fort in the Mayberry R.F.D. house that sat adjacent to this depot.
I asked him about the contrast between his Duke Slater character and his night club act on the Vegas circuit. I would have loved to have seen some of those performances. He fondly remembered touring with The Kingston Trio and when I asked him to refresh my memory of their songs, he broke into “Tom Dooley.” He also performed alongside such greats as Don Rickles, Joan Rivers, Phyllis Diller, Sammy Davis, Jr., Jim Nabors, Andy Griffith, Don Knotts and the beat goes on..
“Desi Arnaz– what was he like?” I ask a man who knows. “A tough drunk” first thing from his mind. I respond “My dad drank in the same bar, right across street from Desi’s office, next to the Culver Hotel. This entire neighborhood is rich in film history. My favorite people are old people, especially studio folk, any function, I even learned to like security guards. Back to the bar, my dad saw Desi get kicked out for little bit of everything-to be nice here. Desi stood up and yelled to to the patrons “Where’s the next closest bar?
Andy Griffith- what was he like? Ronnie says “he could be a rough customer.” but he and Andy were friends and he enjoyed touring with him.
Understand everyone in Hollywood drank, on the clock, in their roles. Neighbors on Lucerne swear to me the Batmobile was parked in front of their house as the caped crusader sipped from a beer can inside a paper bag.
Listen kid, everybody smokes and drinks around here- so toughen up or ship out!…”Yes Sir, I will” No truer words from my favorite tough guy, Lee Marvin.
Seriously, everybody does smoke and drink around here…
Surely Marlo Thomas didn’t drink or smoke, “tell me about That Girl.” Turns out Ronnie and Ted Bessell were the best of friends. They were such a likeable team on Gomer Pyle USMC. He said that Ted was a very funny man. So funny in fact a big smile came upon him. I wondered what he was thinking about right then. Ted’s character of boyfriend Donald Hollinger was the perfect funny man/straight man combination for the bubbly (Marlo Thomas) character Ann Marie in “That Girl.” Ronnie was very sad when Ted passed away.
Ronnie expressed high regard for Ms. Thomas and her father Danny. “Danny Thomas was a class act,” the former “St. Jude” spokesman and that torch is now carried by Marlo Thomas. She was was my first ever TV girl crush. I loved the opening credits, the song, Marlo in all her vibrance, and a speeding train, it all made me feel good. I looked forward to-“Getting older.” I mentioned that Marlo Thomas has followed a story or two of the Phantom of the Backlots page. Shazam Marlo!
Danny Thomas, Dann Cahn, and Desi Arnaz. This photo provided by Daniel Cahn, son of another legendary figure at Desilu. What’s in that box must remain private. Let your imagination run wild… The expressions are all you need.
You don’t drink, don’t smoke, what do you do? Only insiders would know for sure…
Ted Bessell was Ronnie’s best friend and was a regular on Gomer also. Neat to know…
Ronnie Schell as Duke Slater, Ted Bessell as Frankie, and an irate Sgt. Carter, played by the legendary Frank Sutton. Ronnie said that Frank was not as gruff as he appeared in the series and was actually a very nice man. He shared a picture of Frank and his wife and said there were ups and downs career wise for the actor. Frank made his breakthrough in the Academy Award winning film “Marty.”
We have arrived at Camp Henderson, to think I’m pulling in with a star, to a place he worked at and I played at…Time stands still for us this afternoon.
What a sharp looking cast-Jim– looks rock-star…so 60’s. Jim was known to serenade girls at the main gate on Ince Blvd, while handing out cherry LifeSavers.
I mention next-Dick Van Dyke, Ronnie changes lanes and speaks of Jerry Van Dyke, “The best man at Ronnie’s wedding” in 1968. He is still very happily married to the former Janet Rodeberg. Greg and Chris Schell complete the family picture. This afternoon, Gregory, who helped set up this experience, was present for all things. Greg has many of the same gracious qualities as his father and is a pleasure to visit with. We all became friends and look forward to more “reflections of the way life used to be.”
Good things happen to good people…
Banjo Playing Deputy…
Just happen to have a call sheet of this Desilu series, found inside Stalag 13
“Bob Crane, his camp borders your camp, what was he like?
“A gentleman, all around nice guy”…”tell me” as I begin to brag, “were you ever in the tree stump tunnel? “Ronnie says “Yeah, if I remember correctly!” Cool because I ended up with that as my ultimate souvenir, until discovering Marion Davies trailer hidden in a yard next to Stalag 13.”
“Robert Clary- a real POW, any remembrances?
The answer Ronnie Schell passionately exhibited was almost verbatim to this search engine breakdown. Off the top of his head, Ronnie knew exactly his life story. I never knew all this. I “Donnie” met Robert on MGM’s backlot. I sat in a folding chair alongside him on the set of Fantasy Island. In my 3rd book, not yet published, sit along side us as we talk while final set preps are taking place. I’m 17, he’s playing a prisoner for life in his final role in character. Ipsy Dauphin is the character and he must escape with Bert Convy to never set foot on free land again. At that time, I had the tree stump a block away from this MGM set, I invited him over to see it! He didn’t take me up on it but we talked about the Stalag 13 and I broke the news Stalag 13 was no longer. I had no idea then he really lived this nightmare. With respect from all who knew him, R.I.P. my friend Le Beau.
Just happen to have this scene page at my house.
That scene page is this moment…
Clocks begin functioning forward again as my Mayberry Group constituents, due to time restraints, must exit the backlot. But not before presenting me a cherished, very hard earned Desilu degree. I’m now officially captured as a citizen of Mayberry.
Share my enthusiasm please, to be handed this certificate just a few feet away from where Goober and Gomer’s filling station once stood -will always be a cherished moment…
See ya all next time…
As Ronnie and Greg were about to exit through a side gate, I told them they better exit past the guard so he could see that Ronnie Schell was not out trespassing in Desilu.
Written and lived by…Maureen Miller and Donnie Norden