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.
Rockstars arrive like this…Peter Frampton and The Bee Gees at LAXLos Angeles.
Let’s go get…Billy Preston
The legendary Apple Recordsrooftop concert January 30th, 1969
Ladies and Gentleman….The Beatles- Billy Preston on keyboards.
Billy Preston’s rooftop performance at the MGM Backlot. 1977 -8 years after The Beatles last public performance.
I could hear this performance at my house, I live that close to MGM.
I’m surrounded by rockstars…I’m trespassing. Peter Frampton who is still basking in Frampton Comes Alive success, is on one side of me, while Billy spins around in circles…Welcome toMy Life…
We are all- Staying Alive
Get Back with Billy, trumpet in hand.
Billy Prestonexiting the rooftop, Here Performing Get Back. He is attached to a crane by way of a cable and harness. Soundtrack is booming loud in this shot.This song was performed twice on the 1969 rooftop.
Billy at this time was his own smash hits. His songs were always on The Radio… “Outta Space,”Going Round in Circles,” and ” Nothin for Nothin” are all big hits. Billy also played with The Rolling Stones in 1976, the year previous to his role in “Sargent Pepper.” The Stones let Billy do his stuff on the “It’s Only Rock and Roll Tour.” Ron Wood was the newest figure in The Rolling Stones back in this time. He left that legendary band that amazingly still performs, unhappy lack of credit for “Melody.”
Guess who’s in this picture I took…The Bee Gees and Peter Frampton. They had to duck when pyro is ignited. I was there but we could see this from my house. Cover of my next book, I’ll take there as only I can do. No release day set yet for my 3rd book.
Hollywood Gold…A land where Rock Stars, Movie Stars, and Giant Robots can be found side by side. All you have to do is climb these fences.
“My Life”
Let’s live this together in June Gloom that surrounds me as I punch keys in Liverpool weather. A British Invasion took over the infamous MGM Lot 2 in 1977. The year prior- King Kong, the 40 ft Robot, was the big star. But promoter Robert Stigwood, CEO of RSO records wanted to capitalize on the Mega success of Peter Frampton and The Bee Gees. To do this, Robert decided to unite big bands on this backlot in a film titled “Sgt. Pepper”
Just prior to this film, Robert produced Saturday Night Fever. During shooting of Sargent Pepper, those Bee Gee guys filmed a video for Robert titled “Staying Alive.” I watched as the stars left their main set in Heartland and mover further into the backlot where the TV series Combat was filmed. I happened to be in a church steeple often used in war that was a balcony of sorts to overlook the backlot. Low and behold below before my eyes and ears – a rock video is being made, long before MTV.
A dream come true for this long haired teen age boy. I was the most popular kid in school “when I showed up,” anyways. My priority and allegiance has always belonged to this film factory first. I went to school for drugs and to develop my film and rolls of pictures shot on Hollywood’s backlots.
My photography teacher once asked, “How do you get these pictures?” My answer was simple “with a camera sir,” somethings are better left unsaid. This was the music scene in 1977, I will hold you by the hand and take you to see the artists that dominated the Radio Waves and album stores.
If a girl wanted to go with me, all she had to do is climb a fence, easier said than done. Kids at school knew I was a “can’t miss party!”
I would see stars who partied all night and lip synced all day. No real lines, just happy yet sometimes tired faces. Peter Frampton had been promised the Beatles would get involved with this film but they never did. That upset Mr. Frampton who grew up in England idolizing that band. Who didn’t…
The only star with lines is George Burns who was coming off the feature “Oh God.”
The first day on the set was a press conference with all the heavyweights in our Small Town Square, now for this film named Heartland. As the stars unite for promotional obligations on day one, tiny friction occurs. The Bee Gees aren’t happy- Peter gets top billing. When it is Peter’s turn to promote, he is tripped while walking up to the podium, by a Bee Gee who stuck his leg out. Probably Barry who was one of this shows producers. Turns out that band wanted Andy Gibb to play Billy Shears.
Two Alpha Dogs don’t fit in the same room. We have a whole summer ahead and already not every body is happy, welcome to “Day One.” Peter would later claim he wouldn’t have done this film had he had know the Beatles were not involved. George Martin lied to him. Worse royalties were disappearing at an alarming rate. Little did I know then, Peter had reached his Azimuth in fame and fortune, a shop decline is what would be next for this Cover Boy of the 70’s.
At the premier in NYC on 7/13/1978, Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr did attend. When George Harrison was asked about this he responded “I think they ruined there careers, asking them to be- The Beatles.” True, I would concur, but these bands were already catapulted too close to sun and other situations involving fame, insane money and drugs would begin a downward spiral.
George, you said it best –All things Must Pass. Nothing lasts forever.
At the end of this film, looking backwards, I would say “We all had a real Good Time.” I did anyways….
The interior sets was built at Universal Studios, Stages 27/28
“We wish to thank all the little people behind the scenes who helped us achieve this plateau.”
Hollywood Blvd was closed for two nights in January 2011 to film “Life’s a Happy Song,” the final musical number in the film.
When your Hot …Your Hot!
The skies the limit!
Let’s head to theAfter Party! … Where’s the Limos?
More Awards for my office…YES!
Let’s go inside these doors of Kermit the Frogs office.
A typical Hollywood set with enchanting actors going over their lines…
This film ended up grossing over 165 million dollars…Making these furry creatures the more popular than the human actors along side them.
We need room for more awards…
Kermit’s office was built on Stage 27, Universal Studios.
Extraordinary set dressing, recreating a vintage Hollywood Bungalow.
Built for a tycoon frog…
Ms Linda Ronstsadt…
This guy is not your ordinary Toad
Thanks for stopping by Linda!
The funniest man in Hollywood–Steve Martin
“Dam-This Jerk plays a mean Banjo!“
My make believe world before Muppet’s existed...That Battleship in foreground fired missiles, spring loaded! Take that you Muppets! My mom bought me the coolest toys.Long before Muppets existed.
Well before The Muppets, this was what my generation watched. This show was “‘Dope“
“Behave yourself you little toad!“
Can somebody cool down this stage please…
Hold me closer please Raquel…“Why are your ears standing up?“
“ I’m Bad –You know it”
WhoseBad !
Bob Hope and similar looking Muppet…”Bob ,we have the same nose.” Right side -Kermit fast talking with a legend!
My Pal from King Kong-Charles Gordon, on the right -Mr Dom DeLouise
Kermit’s wall of fame continues..
We grew up watching The Brady Bunch Florence…“I had a thing for Marcia”
One of the funniest men in Hollywood-Rich Little
Sing along if you dare- Mr. Ray Charles. He has the beautiful teeth all the Muppets would die for, let alone the voice.
George Hamilton and John Ritter vying for the same PIG…What a lucky swine!
Leading Ladies… meet Oscar the Grouch
Kermit and his honors fill this room.
Awards never stopped rolling in
Fabulous items in Kermit’s office
Play some more Linda Ronstadt...
This backstage area was built on Stage 28-The Phantom of the Opera Stage
Can we all get seated…
The Paris Opera House, stands overlooking the recreation of the Chinese Theater-Backstage.
This theater was built on Stage 28, the historic Phantom of the Opera set and the greatest sound stage in Hollywood history.
Just outside the El Capitan Theater on Hollywood Blvd is proof of their claim to fame…Bravo my little friends.
Exit Stage Right
Written and lived by… Donnie Norden…
Kermit the Frog’s Office at Universal Studios
Step inside Kermit the Frog’s iconic office at Universal Studios and take a peek at the magic behind the scenes! From Hollywood sets to famous faces, this is a whirlwind tour of the enchanting world within the walls of Stage 27 and 28.
Hollywood Magic Unveiled
Step into the enchanting interior sets at Universal Studios, where the magic comes to life.
A Night to Remember
Experience the glamour as Hollywood Blvd was closed for filming “Life’s a Happy Song,” a memorable moment captured forever on film.
The After Party Awaits!
Let’s head to the After Party and soak up the star-studded atmosphere – where’s the limos, you ask?
A Glimpse of Nostalgia
Marvel at the extraordinary set dressing, perfectly recreating a vintage Hollywood bungalow.
Wall of Fame
Explore Kermit’s wall of fame, a tribute to the stars that have graced the timeless Hollywood sets.
Star-Studded Encounters
Dive into the world of Hollywood legends as George Hamilton and John Ritter vie for the spotlight alongside the beloved Muppets.
The Phantom’s Stage
Behold the grandeur of The Paris Opera House, overlooking the spectacular recreation of the Chinese Theater backstage.
Experience the charm, the glitz, and the timeless allure of Kermit the Frog’s office at Universal Studios, where fantasy meets reality in the most enchanting way.
This rugged section of Universal Studios is rumored to be notoriously haunted by Spirits in the Night. This digital picture surprised me beyond belief. When I took it, I didn’t see these floating white objects that are dominating the skies right behind…The Psycho House.
Even camping isn’t safe around here…This tent is under attack –From Orbs! Enlarge floating white circular objects as we try to find clues.
This very poor fellow has 2 Orbs examining him…
Orbsand zombies attract…Both shots their are floating visitors…
The Jurassic Park visitor center is it’s own ...Haunted House. It’s behind this facade the Orbs have taken over.
In the early 80’s, Universal tamed this wildness area that at parts still are similar to Topanga Canyon. At night its pitch dark up here. The wild life takes over. Coyotes hunt, a pack of deer must remain alert for their young. Owls warn everybody they are being watched. Backlot folklore stories exist of a car going over the side of a cliff in this area and the deceased wasn’t found right away.
The War of the Worlds 747 crash is a perfect spot for this communion taking place between the dead and these Orbs. Wouldn’t you know the Psycho House would be in the middle of this mystery from The Outer Limits
Inside this house strange things happen...Animation technicians reported several lit candles inside when they were checking on mother upstairs, at her window. A seance appeared to have taken place all night with background noise of bull frogs croaking, crickets, and the terrifying sounds of coyotes hunting close by.
Orbs –one at tire and several all over the crash site.
The story you’re about to hear is real, no photo shop. “You see what I see” as we begin;
Early morning at work, my services were required to this area loaded with sets. In the month of October, Halloween Haunts loads in. I love Halloween so I toured the site the following morning after a sold out crowd was frightened to death the previous night in this exact area. A ghoulish and sinister environment surrounded me as I snapped off pictures on my cell phone.
Nothing seemed unusual at all, just me and dead people- distributed everywhere, in every way, in every position and their final strange fate. The wilderness was very still, spookily still. Because just last night, fairly late, this was the most active area on the lot. There are several sets here, the 747 crash built by War of the Worlds film company, Paramount Pictures. Another Spielberg set is barely hidden behind the plane and that was the Visitor Center for Jurassic Park- 1
Terror needs a home and Alfred Hitchcock provides us that.It oversee’s this entire haunted wasteland. When this photo op became something more to me just happened recently, inspiring this story. As I looked over these pictures and found un-regularities in these photos not seen by my naked eye. These pictures involving morbid situations have visitors.
White Floating Orbs…
They are everywhere, silent, invisible to the naked eye, but alive and well on digital photography. All occurred in a cove and backroad area know to be haunted for decades. Did I capture something here, like the Loch Ness Monster. Zoom in on these circles an embryo type image may be seen.
This is not a joke I’m playing here “you see what I see”
From the lot that brought you Cowboys and Aliens, This has no logical explanation. Unidentifiable by radar, similar to drones, but with a hankering for blood.
I wish Steven Spielberg or Alfred Hitchcock had there cameras rolling up here this morning.
I wore that helmet as security had a conniption fit and had me removed. It was Urko’s leather helmet, he was the Alpha Ape, hunting the humans. Ron Harper costar was a regular at this backlot in Garrison’s Gorillas, a series withNothing to do with Apes! -MGM war TV series in the 60’s.
Whose the old guy with the glasses?
Whose’s the young guy with the Hawk?…A bit of Ape Envy.
Where’s catering located?
Found it!Prosthetics make eating an adventure. Like conversing with a mouthful of Novacaine.
We fixed your hair, but those cigarettes keep messing up your lips.
Roddy McDowell-leaning on subway, smoking, wearing a blue robe. He is going over opening scene. Just exited a prolonged make up session and from here goes to wardrobe. 1974-This upcoming scene is that of a EarthQuake. The sidewalk below will collapse into a subway track.
Two Apes, resting on box-having a smoke also. All these Apes relax by smoking, like a futuristic Marlboro commercial.
I’m hiding upstairs, “No Cameras” rule enforced…I was a guest, but MGM security got involved and called me “The most dangerous boy in Hollywood” Funny thing is -I was wearing Urko’s helmet, hands, and looking over his rifle when MGM freaked out. This is a 20th Century Fox Production. MGM security got their way and escorted me of lot. Actors had taken off some of their wardrobe gear for lunch and I was trying on the stuff left sitting on there chairs when Bronco Bob Coleman of MGM Security arrived and had a conniption fit!
I’m located top floor-this building. Roddy’s cigarette smoke drifted upwards and I inhaled his expulsion “drags”
Train station on left-Brownstone on right. Roddy visited with about 10 kids, standing on crates watching this scene filmed from the train tracks along Lot 2. Ron waved to us but Roddy visited, mimicked ape gestures and reached up with his “hairy hands” to touch our ‘dirty hands” as we all bonded.
A younger Ron Harper…same set-Grand Central Station. Series ran from 1967-68. A West Point Grad, Lt. Garrison, commands a group of convicts behind Nazi lines. Same narrative as The Dirty Dozen
Genius at work…His legend started with American Werewolf in London, where he won his first Academy Award for Make-Up. As this series of films progressed, Rick took over- turning humans into apes.
Transformation -Man to Wolf. Rick won his first Academy Award creating these effects.Scary stuff is his specialty...”Insert hand here to operate”
Rick spent countless hours at the zoo studying Gorillas for this part.1976-Rick was the actor inside the suite.
This kind of make up makes for extremely long days. Costumes and masks in particular get hot inside. His day has just begun as this actor, Bill Corso, contemplates his career. Rick started working with Dick Smith in 1972 on The Excorcist.
Modern make-up session…
Roddy in make up- before Rick Baker took this over. Close by- is a pack of cigarettes. His face is now extremely flammable. 1968
Two MGM Studio icons...Ricardo Montalban and Roddy McDowell on left.Mark Lenard wearing “my helmet”right.
This would become the lovableE.T
1982 E.T
Filmed at Culver City Studios, other classics filmed here include King Kong 1933, Gone With the Wind 1938, and Citizen Kane 1941–add E.T to this list.
Movie making evolution of all things film. This was before CGI took over so much of this industry.
Let’s Roll Cameras...Action
1974- On Location at the MGM Back Lot 2,…We Begin;
Like all other young boys, I loved this show beyond end. Of course I saw the films, starting in the 60’s, but low and behold, that theater box office success bled off to a very expensive T.V series. MGM Backlot 2 became the devastated location for the pilot episode. Broken cement was trucked in as set decor simulating Earth Quake damage.
The prep of the street took approximately a month, then it stood on hold while awaiting the ratings of the first 6 episodes. Sadly, the series was canceled, but many scenes were filmed not just on New York Street but all over the backlot. Tarzan’s lake and Grand Central Station were also used. The star besides Roddy was Ron Harper and he has quite the backlot history himself.
Roddy was one of MGM’s child stars and worked with Elizabeth Taylor on Lassie. Ron filmed at almost every set on this backlot in a series almost entirely filmed on MGM’s backlots. I can tell you – Roddy has a innocent charm that is itself childish.
During filming on the MGM backlot, word spread around my high school that “Apes were on loose” on the backlot. It actually became out of control, kids everywhere, rooftops, windows, and doorways. Things came to a head with “production” when a kid walked out of a doorway while the camera was rolling. Now the line has been crossed, so Roddy to the rescue.
Roddy took charge, he invited every trespasser to stand behind camera, on set. He used his fame and clout to out rank the director and U.P.M, allowing the biggest group of trespassers ever to witness many action scenes to come that afternoon.
Wonderful memories that I shared in my First Book, The one with the Big Green Fence as the cover. Read “Hole in the Fence” for the best stories ever- behind the scenes of the Golden Age of Hollywood. I conclude with a reflection later in life at Universal Studios. Roddy was starring in Tales of the Gold Monkey. A Friday night in a crashed plane in a jungle setting, I had to ask him ” Do you remember the chaos on the Apes set at the MGM backlot in 1974″…He laughed, took a drag off a cigarette, stared deeply in my eyes and after a pause said “Yes I do” “Well Roddy, I was one of those kids!
Jack Nicholson seated behind driver Don Luntzel- ready to get this party started! Universal’s Logois covered up by aW.B. Logo...Welcome Aboard The Glamour Tram,where we always keep it Safe and Slow
Most the time anyways…Did we lose Jack?
Left to right-Malcom Mazer, Donnie Norden.Don Luntzel, Mark Murphy. Your drivers for this evening’s gala-event.
A Warner Brothers female guide/historian squeezed in between four Universal Teamsters. I’m a bit embarrassed, it appears- I’ve never stood aside an attractive woman before. “I’m like a puppy dog.”
The entire Universal ensemble…Guides and Drivers. A phone booth behind me- outside stages to call- Central Casting!…”Anything available tomorrow?…sure I can play an Indian”
Bruce and Demi getting ready to board The Glamour Tram.
Richard Gere looking decadent…
Jack Valenti- long time President of the Motion Picture Association of America.
Jeff Goldblum, all slickered up-making his way tram ward.
Warner Brother’s Huge hit was –Batman. Here is the more modern Batmobile. June 2, 1990
Cars change but friends last forever…Darnell Norman looking dapper as ever, Universal Electrician of the stars…
The latest style of crime fighting ..May 5, 2024
As a kid, dressed as Batman and staring through a chain link fence at Desilu, the dynamic duo sped by me leaving me in a cloud of dust. A moment that seems like yesterday, yet nearly 60 years ago.
Where’s the stereo? -This version had an 8 track player.Don’t pull that handle, that’s the parachute!
The 1920’s greet us on New York Street. In 1981, Blade Runner took over this entire street for a 90 day shooting schedule.June 2nd 1990.
The silent era, here comes The Flapper Girls.
Patriotic indeed, many political figures are in attendance.
Flag of the Free-Home of the Brave.34 years apart-Nation Anthem
A dance floor in a town know for Dukes of Hazzard.Lyle and Marty Lundin, Dear friends of mine. Lyle was the House Electrician for The iconic- Universal Amphitheater.
This band performed music from Earth,Wind and Fire, Tower of Power and opened with Kool and the Gang’s Hollywood Swinging. A really tight band, rich in sound that carried through the entire backlot.
Wait…I know (That Girl) Maureen Miller live on stage, My female trespassing accomplice, she didn’t have to climb fences this night–but she could !
I’m just going to crash here tonight…
June 2, 1990…Warner Brothers
A Red Carpet Evening rededicating Warner Brothers as the “Brand” going forward. This studio was founded in 1923 by four brothers, the most famous being Jack Warner. This event would go-down in history as #12 of all-time parties/events. The Burbank Studios experiment ended, and the famous Warner name was restored at this official event I was lucky enough to have had an active part in.
David Wolper, who just produced the pageantry of the 1984 Olympics, Steven Spielberg and Jack Haley Jr. were hired to put on this event. The company invited everyone who ever worked at Warners and combined two soundstages representing Rick’s Cafe in “Casablanca” with a backlot tram tour of their legendary backlot.
That’s where I step in, “I drive trams” and I like to party.
Since Mr. Spielberg was involved in planning, trams are a daily occurrence on the Universal lot where his Amblin Offices are located. Why not take four of these trams across the way, across Barham to the Warner Bros. Backlot.
Brilliant idea Mr. Spielberg,me and three other powder blue tuxedoed up Teamsters were brought over to be designated party drivers. We had a synchronized rout to follow with entertainment at every turn. From 1920’s Flapper Girls to the contemporary version of Batman, this evening had no clock. The entire history of this studio has come together tonight. You can’t get tickets for this one….Private!
Every time I turn around there’re faces from legendary T.V Series surrounding me, such as Angie Dickinson and Earl Holliman, from Police Woman, who seemed very connected that evening. Jack Nicolson climbed on board for a ride and needless to say was a barrel of fun. I got to talk to Robert Stack, that’s Elliott Ness. I loved- The Untouchables. He snickered approvingly when I told him I grew up over at Desilu and we would recreate all your shootouts years later on those same sets. My battery powered Tommy Gun even had The Untouchables insignia on it…P.S “My Mom Loves You.’ I got caught up in the moment…
Most of the stars that evening were still at the peek of their careers. One guest just kept getting bigger and bigger after moving on from Showbiz…
His name, Ronald Reagan. He owned the evening, he is such the legend in this industry. He had just served as the 33rd President of the United States. A very successful 8 year term following his being Governor of California from 1967-1975. Prior to that, he was twice president of the Screen Actors Guild. His secret service took up much of the tram he was seated in.
For our part of the event, we delivered history from the blue seat cushions with myself behind the wheel. Four Universal Tour Guides came along for the ride. I’ve been on this lot before and drove around this studio dressed up as John Boy Walton. In 1975, that hit series filmed regularly on this backlot and on this Christmas Day, the lot was deserted, except for myself and couple trespassing friends. One thing lead to another and costumes found inside the Ford Coupe just happened to fit perfectly. We became The Waltons, on Christmas Day …No-Less.
While most of America watched A Walton Christmas, “we were” the Waltons on that day. My friends and I drove all over the lot that 1975 afternoon. We owned this place. 15 years later, I’m driving the former President of the United States along these same streets. Just call me -“John Boy” when the crew’s on hiatus. We share the same Birthday -June 13th, wear the same clothes, drive the same cars. The Odd Couple has nothing on us…
This tour rout excluded the Walton House, since it’s located in a dark corner adjacent to a jungle. A spin down Laramie Street and Dukes of Hazard Small Town Square polished off the backlot entertainment. I’ve met or witnessed several of these same actors film scenes here, on these same sets from their TBS television series
I never could in my wildest dreams imagined 15 years after terrorizing the Walton’s set, I’d be driving the President of the United States down these same streets. My O’My- it’s a small world on these backlots.
Top 12 Parties of all -time. Rated in order are;
1-Belshazzar’s Feast, the ruling co-agent of Babylon, through a party for a thousand of his closest friends. Silver Goblets taken from Jerusalem after the conquer were used to sip beer from these sacred vessels. This party could easily be recreated on the lot. I’ve been on sets like this.
2-Andrew Jackson’s “Whitehouse Cheese Party” in 1837. Chosen “number two” all time.
In 1836, a dairy farmer gifted Andrew Jackson a 1,400 pound “wheel of cheese. After aging for a year at the Whitehouse, a party was thrown on Washington’s Birthday in 1837. Supposedly, this was the wildest party ever at Our Nation’s Capital.
3-Admiral Russell’s Cocktail Party–1961.
A fountain full of spirits so large bartenders used Gondola’s to move about while serving drinks.Recreated from 1694 when The Admiral of the Mediterranean Fleet invited 5000 sailors to a week long event. “Drunk as a sailor” was coined.
When Germany surrendered to Allied Forces in 1945, people around the world took to the streets.
To celebrate this premier in Paris, a grand fete was thrown on the Seine River by hosts Gerald and Sarah Murphy in 1923. This husband and wife team were the inspiration behind F.Scott Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby.”
Yep, this was the party Marilyn Monroe sang a very seductive version of “Happy Birthday …Mr President” This event took place at Madison Square Garden with 15000 people in attendance. Mr Kennedy’s 45th Birthday was hosted by Jack Benny. Ella Fitzgerald performed. The dress worn by Ms. Monroe during the sultry rendition to our leader would become the world’s most expensive dress.
Over 400,000 showed up for this party in the Catskills for three days of music, love, peace, and understanding. Some of the greatest artists ever performed at this event including Jimi Hendrix and not to be outdone Alvin Lee of 10 Years After. A very special time in U.S History with Viet Nam raging.
The wildest themed party ever was probably this event hosted by Marie- Helene Rothschild. Everyone from Audrey Hepburn to Salvador Dali were guests at Chateau Ferrieres for a Surrealist Ball in 1972. Dinner plates were covered with fur. A mannequin corpse sat at the table. Guests wore surrealist outfits, including deer masks with tears made from diamonds.
Of all the glamorous parties held here at Studio 54,Bianca Jagger’s 30th Birthday party in 1977 tops the list. Fashion designer Halston clothed our guest of honor, Bianca climbed aboard a white horse and was lead around by a nude man covered with gold glitter on the dance floor. Could have been Donald Trump for all we know!
11. P.Diddy’s 2004 White Party…
Top 12- All-Time Party’s. We’re in some fine company, what haven’t Glamour Trams been part of? Even the Pope rented one while visiting Los Angeles. His party ranked far below this- W.B’s, extravaganza.
34 years later..The Band Plays on...100th Anniversary Party, I.B.E.W–May 5th, 2024
Written and lived by …Donnie Norden
It sounds like you’re in for a fantastic time! Riding the tram packed with celebrities or relaxing like a star at the Warner Brothers lot must be an unforgettable experience. Enjoy your trip back in time and soak in the glamorous atmosphere. “All Aboard!”
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 millionBlue 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 bookcan 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 Depotfrom 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
The STARSHIP … A Boeing 720, bought by Bobby Sherman in the early 70’s
An Airplane with a fireplace…
James Bond “Roger Moore” on board…What can’t he do?
A piano bar...This is like a Twilight Zone flight. Whose flying this thing?
I wanna go to the Sun…
Drinks anyone?
Make mine a double…
The Only Way to Fly…”Let’s watch Duck Soup!”
This plane plied the skies in the service of amongst others: Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones, Elton John, Deep Purple, The Allman Brothers, The Bee Gees and Peter Frampton.
One of the great artifacts of the coke-flecked, halter-topped ‘lude dropping’ rock and roll gestalt of the 70’s, the Starship brimmed with gaudy-chic delights. A bedroom with a king-sized waterbed, a fake fireplace, a brass bar with a built-in electric organ.
At the airport, the entourage often- hid drugs in theirsoiled clothes. “Don’t worry-you smell fine!”
Elton and KiKi Dee
Elton graduated from vans, station wagons and cookie cutter motels and voila… the song Holiday Inn in 1971, Madman Across the Water. In the spring of 72′ the band moved up to a Greyhound Bus, plowing from one college campus to another.
During fall… Elton upgraded to the Starship. He hired pilots, 3 stewardesses and a bartender. The pilots and the entire crew were very professional. The flight’s crew had to be on the ball one evening when a near miss on a landing took place.
A sudden upward thrust like a rocketship take off jolted everyone on board. The pilots were avoiding another aircraft on the runway.
The video collection on board the Starship is stocked with everything from Deep Throat to Duck Soup. Stewardesses cater to your every need. This plane was the inspiration for Austin Powers’ shag-a-delic private 747 airplane.
“A flying gin palace” is how Zep’s road manager, Richard Cole, characterized the ship. David Libert, Alice Cooper’s road manager, declared it “a rock and roll Air Force One.”
Mick Jagger was said to have “gasped” the first time he climbed aboard and glimpsed the wall-to-wall Vegas.
The four- engine variant of the Boeing 707 was renovated at a cost of $200,000. It leased for $2,500 per flight hour. “It was a potent symbol of where you were in your career,” said Peter Frampton. His team leased it during his climb to white hot super stardom. This is the plane Peter used on the Frampton Comes Alive Tour.
“Whoopee! We must be big-we’ve got the Starship”
Led Zeppelin was first to lease the plane, in 1973, after a white- knuckle ride from Oakland to Los Angeles in a tiny Falcon 20 business jet.
Zeppelin became indelibly associated with the Starship when the band posed with the plane in Bob Gruen’s iconic 1973 portrait. Bob explains,” this sums up the excess and decadence of the 70’s, the fact that here are these guys-they don’t even have buttons on their shirts- and they have their own plane!”
The Alice Cooper Band leased it for the Billion Dollar Babies Tour in 1973. The United States was in the midst of a crippling petrol shortage, manager Shep Gordon had an idea. Rather than bribe service stations to fill up the tour trucks, lets lease the Starship.
It’s four gas- guzzling Pratt and Whitney engines flew on and above all the gasoline vehicle lines at gas stations below. It was perfect for Alice’s image at the time.
What was it like aboard the Starship…
The first time the Allman Brothers Band boarded, they were greeted by “Welcome the Allman Brothers” rendered in lines of cocaine on the brass bar.
Led Zeppelin’s fearsome manager Peter Grant was know to disappear in the back bedroom, often for the entire flight… and he’s not sleeping.
A drunken John Bonham allegedly tried to open a hatch door at 30,000 feet to urinate over Kansas City… Kansas City-here I Come.
“It was pretty much a party plane”, says Peter Frampton. We’d drive right on the runway, just a long stream of black limos, jump out and get on.”
Peter continues, “To foil custom inspectors and their drug sniffing dogs, the band members stashed their contraband in the “dirty stage- clothes bags.”
Despite the heedless indulgences-an Atlantic Records executive remembers Peter Grant brandishing a handgun on a flight to Pittsburgh while the entourage hovered in a cocaine pile.
The Starship came to symbolize the isolation rock stars of the seventies embraced as they saw less and less of everyday life.
After a concert in Minneapolis, Danny Markus, at Atlantic Records executive, marveled. As quick as the show ended, the band was whisked aboard the Starship.“I’m being served Lobster Thermador as we are rolling down the runway, while the audience is still in the building waiting for the encore!”
A member of the Allman Brothers walked out of his hotel in a bathrobe and boarded both the limo and the plane with out changing.
No one wanted to appear Starstruck , as they boarded the plane. Everyone assumed the posture…”This is how I go to work!’
Speaking of …The Rolling Stones… Roll with me on my Glamour Tram. Rock Stars, Movie Stars, and Famous People from all around the world also love to ride this iconic contraption.
Written by Donnie Norden…read The Glamourtram- also on W.P.
“We party like this too…All Aboard!”
MGM wasn’t the only party going on in the 70’s, the skies were friendly too…Written by Donnie Norden…read The Glamourtram- also on W.P.
Introduction...I hope all is well with my fans- I look forward to personally reuniting with all of you. I disappeared to focus on my books. Out of the mist, under the cover of darkness-I’ve reappeared. The Uninvited Visitor is now available on Amazon.
On the One Hundredth Anniversary of MGM Studios, I’m proud to go back 50 years with my own stories and experiences at this legendary movie studio that ended up having a major impact on how my life would play out. The MGM Effect is real, I salute you MGM as I would any dear friend I’ve known so long. We shared so much fun together, you’re forever part of my DNA. From hundreds of tiny wooden slivers, a few small yet still distinguishable scars from cuts and stitches from long ago that required a few trips to the ER for repairs. And a tooth that broke and ripped through my lower lip while running through buildings on New York Street. That’s not counting several other…near misses!
A third book detailing MGM’s final years 1977-80 will be my next and final installment. T.U.V will travel back through 1975/1976. A lot happened in these two years including my final stories involving Desilu as it disappears and literally becomes… Gone With the Wind.
Meanwhile a blockbuster film titled King Kong moves in at MGM and that set becomes my home. I will take you to Skull Island. Climb the walls with me in a story titled Dark Side of the Moon. I even briefly go inside Kong, the Robot, as he arrives on the backlot. That story is titled…Welcome to the Machine.
Season Three…Phantomofthebacklots, begins now!
Copperfield Court-The window on left was Filby’s Department Store in The Time Machine.
Young Frankenstein used Copperfield Court in 1974, just for a hanging…
Prior to Mel Brooks’s band of all things fun, this courtyard was used in Soylent Green. The arch had doors on them and was an entrance for a church. Just outside the doors, a shootout took place involving Charlton Heston and Chuck Connors. I watched from these rooftops above while learning how to…Trespass this scary place at Night!
These buildings are funner inside…
1973- One year prior to 20th Century Fox location work here on the MGM backlot.
Lassie Come Home…please girl!
This is just inside the doorway of Filly’s Department Store. The sunset protrudes through windows, doors, and holes in the wall. One side of this structure exits into Copperfield Court while the other exits into Park Ave and Winpole Street, sight of my baseball field. I was always inside here on game days fetching tennis balls that flew through windows.
Art Department vs Living Color for my favorite studio dog besides– my own!
On left, Being There set, 1979-Right, Pandora’s Box, as we called it because sign above door- said so. 1973.
The final call sheet…
Studio Fence line along Montana Street, this is what the backside of Copperfield Court looks like. A Stairway to Heaven high above this Courtyard. Where lights often end up and tarps can create night effects in daylight. Also, rain effects begin the process, up here. Now, don’t be scared…I’ve climbed this at night.
A very easy fence to climb over, but it takes two, one kid lifts the first kid upwards with a tennis shoe in the palm of the others trespassers hand. The first trespasser then reaches down and pulls up the second by there uplifted stretched out arms.This takes 30 seconds, every second counts…
This is the End…My only Friend !
A Salute to MGM at One Hundred Years–Happy Birthday Baby, I miss You!
My Birthday Cardto a special place…
I lived this place and I Love it, so who better to reminisce with but me. I have countless stories on every set on this lot, and definitely no shortage here. Where do I even begin. Well, lets try the fence, because how else are we going to get in!
Behind the wooden sets is a 10 foot corrugated, weathered, steel fence that is very favorable to sneak in at. One in we occupy the buildings and climb stairways inside buildings to the rooftops over Manhattan. A place we feel most comfortable occupying, sitting alongside wise old owls. The ancestors of these predators still exist and we still cross paths on early morning walks in the dark on what was the backlot. The backlot doubled as an aviary for several birds, including wild parrots. When Busch Gardens decided to pave their paradise, the birds relocated and have beeb a staple in traversing the skies above Culver City, with stop overs at MGM.
I use to listen to music on this lot, all the time, 93 KHJ was where my AM Dial was set. The L.A Sports also, I was in my own world. I was real comfortable on what seemed like -my own backlot. Although often I entered by myself, I was never alone, between nature and movie spirits, we were all friends. Even my Siberian Husky, “Tashka” was know to trespass on these hallowed grounds.
Over the years, security changed but chases continued, and did they ever. For the film King Kong, the MGM red Bronco was no more and a gang of Heathen’s patrolled the lot, often on motorcycles. Experience some of those moments, in my new book “The Uninvited Visitor.”
Not for the timid at heart, be prepared for…Anything!
When we played baseball in here starting in 1978, home runs landed on this courtyard area after clearing the catwalks. It was almost as fun finding where the balls landed as it was crushing them with my Ernie Banks bat. Like a rubber ball Easter egg hunt. Baseball was so fun, workers would join in, the T.V series Chips was at that time storing crashed cars on the backlot after long afternoons of stunt work, and the guys would hit balls with us. More importantly, they made a clear path, piling cars up with forklifts in away not to block our baseball diamond.
The first thing I ever saw filmed at Copperfield Ct. was Soylent Green. Shortly after, another nighttime film took place titled “A Picture of Dorian Gray.” Horses pulling carriages in thick studio fog created by special effects was what we watched once again from rooftops overlooking the sets. The horseshoe sound on Cobblestone and the smells of all things horses is my take away from that Friday night in 1972.
Chips and that Phantom Cycle” trespasser” filmed on our court, part of a street to street chase from the law, specifically Jon and Ponch.
In 1979, the private security that could never catch me, offered me a job, yes me!
Iv’e come full circle, Public Enemy # 1, to the man in charge of two blockbuster film sets. Hero at Large, starring John Ritter and Being There, starring Peter Sellers.
Many stories took place I will share in full detail in my 3rd book in my anthology to be titled…”TheStuff that Dreams are Made Of”
A book heavy to do with Rock Stars but it doesn’t stop there, it actually stops here, on this set. “Being There”
Hal Ashby will conclude a long list of directors that preceded him on this landscape made up of spirits, castles, never ending roads that twist and turn, practically to my front door. Yes my house became part of MGM with routine patrols…
The stories will never stop, they just get better…
My job is to carry the torch for all things MGM, so it’s never forgotten. Don’t let that Columbia Studios sign fool ya…This place is MGM!
Happy Birthday my babyLion…
Let David Bowie have the last words “Time can change me, But I can’t change Time”
Written and lived by….Donnie Norden
Hey Everybody, if you would like to meet myself alongside Steven Bingen,Robert Welch and others please unite under the Veterans Park Tower in Culver City, a place Elvis Presley and Ann Margret made famous as we celebrate MGM and it’s 100th anniversary. Special stories by special people- about all things MGM. Experience “The MGM Effect” and how it significantly changed the lives of so many of our citizens. My second book “The Uninvited Visitor,” will also be profiled. We welcome you and all your questions in an All Star Extravaganza involving MGM Studios. See you there, where I will whoosh you back in time, starting in the 60’s and the entirety of the 70’s decade.
Steven will be delivering the decadent side of MGM history while I deliver a specialized version of conquering these backlots, and all the danger and excitement that waits within these barb wire fences.
Join us in a rare opportunity to talk …all things MGM!
Disneyland and Pacific Ocean Park have something in common. That would be theme parks.
But on closer investigation, we find they were built and designed by scenic artists and built by studio craftsmen. They are like backlots with rides.
P.O.P is a classic and unique park built over the Pacific Ocean. Many of the same artist and engineers worked on both parks, along with their movie studio jobs. P.O.P, sadly became derelict, and worse, a home for derelicts, only to burn down to the ocean’s edge. It can still be enjoyed in the Twilight Zone episode…Praise for PIP, starring Jack Klugman.
Get Smart, starring Don Adams, also filmed at this amusement park…As did Batman, starring Adam West and Burt Ward.
Disneyland, with its huge lake, large paddlewheel boat, canoes, a large New Orleans street, trains, rockets, planes, etc…Exactly like MGM Lot 3.. But these theme park backlots allow you the opportunity to (buy) your way inside.
Instead of tanks, weapons, battlefields, and bombed out villages like most movie studios have in their arsenal, a smaller-family friendly place exists.
50 caliber machine guns are replaced my Muskets…actors in costume are replaced by mascots in worse costumes. Barb wire fences are replaced by tollbooths.
All built by the same folk. Since Jimmy can drive now, we head out this morning in his white VW square back. The Happiest Place on Earth is our destination.
This is the first time either of us do this Kingdom without parents.
Six bucks buys a ticket booklet with passports for twelve rides. Unlike school grades, an A-ticket is the worst letter you can have. Slow and worn-out rides surrounded by screaming kids require an A-ticket.
B-ticket…stands for better than A, but not by much. We have two decent options, the motorboat ride and the Casey Jr train ride.
C-ticket… you receive three… so we strategize a few moments…Autopia, with those cool cars… is a must for beginner drivers like myself. Magic moments with Mr. Lincoln is really cool, that robot guy with a hat and beard…For the third, well that will either be Mr. Toad and his wild ride…or the shooting gallery.
D- tickets…we get three, these look just like my report card.
The clock a top the train station stares down as we stare upwards. We position ourselves to run once these metal gates with mouse ears… open.
It’s 8 am, we charge in…like trespassers. Thousands follow quickly. We grab a seat on a train to New Orleans square. Here is where we will use most of these E-tickets.
No other ticket comes close!
All Aboard: is shouted for the last time as our tiny little steam engine begins jugging towards the Bayou, still a ways away. We pass through a prime evil world which would make a great setting for a movie, maybe Spielberg will make it…call it- I don’t know- maybe Jurassic Park. I’m inspired. This train cost us a C-ticket…
On the way there we can’t help but wonder what it would be like to sneak around here. I am almost certain they don’t shoot kids here…unlike MGM. Having paid an entrance fee, we could always pretend… we’re just lost. We would have to talk are way out of any problems, since running home would be difficult… We live 40 miles away.
All we would need to do is show that we have a Disneyland passport, say we got lost and rely on are innocent looks. How do you think we got in here…some Hole in theFence? … kiddingly!
We disembark at the New Orleans depot and run to get in a short line at Pirates of the Caribbean.
Without parents is the only way to visit this resort, we quickly agree. “They just slow ya down,” we laugh…”Let’s celebrate”…Yo Ho Yo Ho
After the coolest water ride ever… we move hurridly to the fastest ride ever.
The Matterhorn…Its majestic peak towers above us but a very long line leads you to the bobsleds…we decide to try later. Instead, we decide to jump on board the Aerial Tramway and it’s private little flying baskets.
Two “D” tickets allow us to come sail away, and we head towards the Matterhorn by way of the sky. Alone with just Jimmy in this flying basket, I light up one of two doobies specially rolled for this afternoon. Not just pinners but much larger… bombers!
Acapulco Gold blows from our mouth as we pass inside and through this iconic mountain, like we’re Cheech and Chong…
Bobsleds zip by, as all occupants inside scream for help…. We float by very slowly, silently, and almost effortlessly… above them. A giant wolf growls at us as we approach the entrance at the mountain summit.
As we pass inside the Matterhorn, an abominable snowman with glowing red eyes stares me down…
I stare back with blazing red eyes…smoke bellows from inside our little sky unit… which is being pulled by large steel cables.
Swoosh, more sleds, non-stop…below us. It’s a magic kingdom moment, and it’s more magical stoned. I have never been high around this many people before. It’s groovy!
We come to a soft exit… landing in Tomorrowland. We exit higher than the altitude we just descended from, that’s for sure! This is going to be a fun day on this backlot… theme park style.
We still have one more bomber joint on us as our sky ride concludes. We hurry to catch a raft to Tom Sawyers’ island… where I’m sure another adventure awaits us…
Our motorized raft sets sail after passage of a steamship…
We touch ground on this charted island…I have been called Tom Sawyer often, and I do have my own lake and jungle…mine is named after Tarzan!
We wonder over to the barrel bridge… to cross it…a dozen times. We climb up in the tower of the log fortress that overlooks the lake. Very real looking rifles point out towards the Indians reservation over yonder. We both agree this island may be the last spot we can… kill this doobie. It’s rolled up in my top pocket. Nowhere else will we be able to isolate ourselves.
Just as we are about to spark it, some dam kids climb up. Darn… so we climb down and enter a cave close by… about half way through, we stop. We discovered a small cut out, since no one else is around, I fire it up… here.
It’s a bomber and we are determined to finish it. Needless to say, the smoke can only go two directions in this narrow tunnel. I realize two people are entering at one end, backlit by the light at the end of the tunnel. Their hats quickly catch my attention then next, their uniforms. These are not tourists as I had hoped…it is the U.S. Calvary, in full uniform, complete with a swords on their hips. The only thing missing are their horses.
Extinguish that joint– is commanded of me...
My instincts tell me to run…but my brain says…Your house is 40 miles away.
I am forced to capitulate to these officers… on Tom Sawyer’s Island, no less!
The three men in blue laugh like this is their Up in Smoke moment. Pot smoke was billowing out each end of my underground lair, like a joint that is lit on both ends.
Jimmy is released amazingly since I had the joint in my hands. As I begin the long-escorted trip out of here I think to myself…these guys don’t realize who they have here, this would be huge capture at MGM…. Oh well, I am going to make another security list.
First, we are get our own charter boat across the water, just me and the men in the fancy blue duds. What waits on the mainland is something else, photo ops. By the hundreds, people from all over this small world want a picture with these calvary gentlemen…and me. Cuffs are not being used in public display so, they hold me tight as we all say…cheese!
Never in my life have I had more pictures taken of me than this moment! I now know how Winnie the Pooh must feel.
It gets worse…these characters show up, (above), creating more of a jammed crowd…
Finally, I turn to all the smiling faces, ranging from every walk of life, and say in my best English… “Backoff…I’m headed to jail you idiots, get out of the way, please” … click, click,…flash…click.
We arrive at Disneyland’s City Hall and I realize costumes are the key to security here. Two pirates, also security, sit across from each other at a table. One has a loud walkie talkie stuck on a police channel, the other has on…a sword and cuffs. He is also wearing a wire.
Clever! … I think to myself… undercover Pirate police…whmmm…this is quite the police force…Swords seem the weapon of choice here!
A Tomorrowland land officer walks by dressed like Captain Kirk, he has a laser gun. Different weapons for different criminals…
You can’t trust anyone around here, it appears!
After my interrogation concludes…
Next, I am escorted to the main gate for my official release from the Magic Kingdom. But waiting for me, under the iconic Monorail track is a Anaheim police car. The door is open, and I find out there is yet another leg to this journey I’m on today.
I am quickly stuffed inside the backseat of this police car…just as the Prime Evil World train passes by-stuffed with passengers, staring my way, taking more pictures. Slowly…the Monorail glides quietly overhead…All parties salute!
Next thing you know, I am in jail…I have never been, so this is new. I was in prison, but that was to see my teacher’s boyfriend. I am told I will remain here until my parents can be reached, me being a minor, this is my new home!
Pick up the phone, anyone please…
I have been just brought a cell mate who can bilingularly cuss…and does so for the next couple of hours. I can see the Matterhorn all lit up from my cell window. It’s dark outside now. I imagine Jimmy riding the bobsled, as we had planned.
Ernesto, is my friend and cellmate now, he is in here for robbing a pharmacy. I am in here for having a roach!
I spend more time with Ernesto today rather than with my pal Jimmy.
Fireworks begin, it’s that late. The show can be seen from my barred window surprisingly good, so there’s a positive…
A negative: I’m still here…” Hello, Please answer the phone!”
The Happiest Place on Earth… is closing.
Finally, I am told, my parents are on their way…Yippee!
As I greet them, we shortly all exit the jail together, as a family…Instead of anger, there is a dead silence. Just three car doors shutting, then the engine starts. I listen to the motor all the way home…no radio, no conversation, just the purr of a new 1973 Caddy engine and it’s quiet ride...extremely quiet, tonight!
I can’t wait to see how Jimmy’s day went…we got some catching up to do!
1984–O.J carries Olympic torch up California incline in Santa Monica. It’s ‘here after ‘handoff I meet my legend while doing a live interview.
Everybody loved this icon, he had a charm to him, a magnetic personality.This fun picture was sadly, a harbinger of things to come…
The 1984 torch relay began in New York. Traversing 33 states and 9,320 miles.Gina Hemphill, Jesse Owen’s granddaughter, relayed it to the L.A Coliseum from here.
We are at the finish line of passing of torch, I’m one of those people behind barricades. I am sizing him up -his style and grace. I want to tackle him because-I love football. I grew up watching this dude!
At the top of the incline, after handing off torch-O.J begins T.V interviews…I stand directly alongside him, listing to his every word…
The torch arrives at its destination-the L.A Coliseum compliments of Gina Hemphill
O.J on the set of “Frogman,” he received training from actual Navy Seals.
Interestingly, NBC never aired this pilot.I happen to know O.J’s personnel driver who took him from his home in Brentwood to locations. I was shocked by what I was told by Gene Carr, “Driver” and former NHL star in his own right…
In 1987-This NHL Star would begin a post hockey career on films as transportation in Vancouver, Canada. Airwolf was filming across our Northern Border. He was assigned as O.J’s driver when he relocated “once again” to Los Angeles. I met Gene when he arrived at Universal, he was loved by everyone and quickly moved up the transportation ranks. We became good friends. Talked everyday and during the making of a David Cassidy special on the Universal lot, he introduced me to his old friend David Cassidy. Gene was drafted by the New York Rangers to start career and became pals with Joe Namath and Cassidy back sun 1971. Gene is not only a hockey legend, but also a Universal Studio legend.On a Pilot titled “Frogman” these two sports legends unite.
1932 -Los Angele’s first Olympiad…
O’J’s gridiron when he was a Trojan!
O.J, as a rookie in Buffalo, wore number 36. It was when he got back his legendary #32, his career took of running…
“Gotta catch a plane”…
On the California incline, we begin in 1984…
My studio career started at this same time, I was a Glamour Tram driver, living in Santa Monica. What fun that era was. I was being paid to du things-I love! Los Angeles was a buzz about hosting the Olympics once again. Many L.A residents left town, fearing complete gridlock on city streets.
I never expected to be at the location where O.J would be -carrying the Olympic Torch of all things. It’s at the peek of this identifier of all things California I meet my hero. As this lit torch gets handed off, O.J is mobbed, the electricity in the air is shocking. Even O.J never experienced a thrill like this. The news reporters move in –as do I.
I had to touch him and did, I patted him on the shoulder as he was talking in a microphone live… “This is one of the greatest thrills of my life” is his answer to the question on just how he feels.
Q-“Where do you go next from here?”
A-“I’m headed over to Sam Nassi’s house for a party” pointing to a home on PCH.
For those who don’t know, Sam is a billionaire and owned the Indiana Pacers at this time. He loves sports like me-this liquidator of giants companies made him a very rich, yet eccentic man.My brief moment was special as anything, especially looking back-a better than football moment for him and myself.
Fast Forward 1994, Ten Years Later
June 12th, 1994, the day before my birthday. While at work on the Universal lot, the news broke on the events from the night before. Like an eclipse of the sun, the studio transformed itself into a dark shadow. Too hard to believe, more details were needed.
Enter Gene Carr, Teamsters Local # 399 .O.J’s driver on a pilot being done by NBC. Navy Seals were involved in the technical side of making a movie star seem realistic as a soldier, capable of killing with his bare hands. Just showbiz right, it’s how films get made. O.J had to feel comfortable with weapons.
Some more freshly squeezed juice…
My good pal Gene Carr shared with me a story while taking O.J from the set, back to his mansion.Gene begins “we were headed back to his place in Brentwood when he out of the blue had me take him to a shop on San Vicente that sells weapons, it’s here he bought a knife and returned to the vehicle”
“Then this event occurs days after, I expected to be a witness in the investigation that followed!” But Gene was not interviewed by detectives, so I have been sitting with this side bar since 1997.
The Verdict…The time has come today, October 3,1995.
A day at Universal unlike any day ever on the studio lot at Universal. Many people in this industry know or have worked with-Mr Simpson. This drama was watched live all over the lot. Every filming show stopped their clocks and cameras to watch this final saga. Never has such interest captivated this city we call Universal…
I remember where I was -Stage 12 watching a T.V in a Gold room with electricians and grips.A factory whose moniker “The show must go on”-came to a complete halt. It’s as if aliens from outer space have landed. Grimness fills the air both here and in the courtroom.
“The glove don’t fit -got to acquit!”
Johnny Cochrane’s Academy Award performance saved Mr. Simpson from life in prison. Basically, they just slapped his hands. They successfully pulled the table cloth from banquet buffet, damaging nothing.
2-people lay dead and the evidence set forth seemed enough to convict, but this jury had it’s own alternate ending. People would return to their workstations stunned, like a hangover, your body is in one place but your mind is in another.
Fade to Black…
At this point in 2024- this event is what it is. Like him or not he is a legend. Marcus Allen, who I have met at the studio and is total gentleman had nothing to say about O.J when we briefly touched base on his predecessor at USC. Rumors were flying around of an affair with Marcus and Nicole Brown. She knows a great running back -when she sees one.
Phantom of the Backlots 