Category: Uncategorized

A Haunted Steeple that Overlooks…MGM

Phantom of the Backlot7 Comments

The Belfry on top of this house of worship overlooks a spooky- MGM Backlot.

Combat damage still left behind in these photos taken from my fort. I occupied all the towers and steeples on the backlots like a teenage…Quasimodo.

Transylvania Station Set at MGM lot 2. Church beautifully lit off in the distance.

Is he normal or “Abby” normal?

A steep climb to reach the very top includes squeezing through floor boards to reach this dangerous ledge.

Situated on a cobblestone roadway- Frankenstein once lurked these sidewalks in 1974.The tower in the distance is Vets Park. That one was built to overlook this- MGM Backlot.

Right, a Mule Cart drives by. Tools and props like stairs, street lights, phone booths, tombstones, etc- travel through the lot this way.This cart is picking up tombstones. It is relocating a cemetery needed for a rain scene. The scene involves exhuming the corpse body.

Before there were World Wars, this was a quaint Bavarian Village..

Village right after Young Frankenstein fixed what damage was left over from Combat.

But as history plays out -war would return to these cobblestone streets.

Look who just caught two soldiers, hidden in the church doorway. They have guns, I have a camera.

Germans are trapped -A 50 caliber machine gun is being loaded upstairs for the final show of resistance. Soldiers take refuge in the steeple…

A machine gun is firing from the church window. The plume of smoke indicates it is a 50 caliber machine gun. The steeple is hit by a tank shell. This is a full on war, watch out where you hide.

Finally…Liberation !

Silence...all the noise is now just…blowing in the wind.

In 1963, this church steeple was blown off -Combat owned this street. I heard every battle ever fought on this set, in my backyard, playing with my own soldiers. I directed my own Combat episodes.

In the window behind Rick Jason, an Arc Light looks down just waiting for its part. Plug the paddle into a electrical patch box and it takes on a life of its own…as a temperamental “Smoking Dragon.”

In 1963- The steeple was removed for this episode. Combat had to replace it-MGM rulebook. If you break it, you fix it. Combat owned this street and wanted it looking beat up. Eventually, ABC took this show off lot, often filming at Franklin Canyon Reservoir. The noise of all the gunfire also created production problems as other shows like- The Twilight Zone. No Twilight Zone episodes were ever filmed where Combat occupied the sets…

1963 Combat Episode; Battle of the Roses…

No Steeple episode…A historic moment in this village.

Pictures same angle -a couple years apart. I am about to get chased out in the left side pic.The Red and White Bronco that MGM Security drives, saw me…I just climbed in –took this picture-and was chased out.This was the time MGM Security gave me the name…The Phantom. They couldn’t catch me, “Here one second-Gone the next!”

The fence we climb for 70% of our missions. Trains enter the lot right here. Grand Central Station is a working train depot. Those two wood upright fence poles are cloaked with barb wire. The top of the fence is razor sharp. We climb the barb wire pole-watch where you grab, climb it like a ladder. Next-Learn to do this in the dark! This place never closes…

Left to right, you can see the old green fence along the Santa Fe train tracks. A razor sharp fence replaced the green wood fence in several sections. It was not replaced entirely. There were 4 styles of fence. The steel one was tricky when having to escape from the inside. This is the same rail entrance for lot 2 in previous pictures. Follow the fence left side, its green, poles with barb wire are in both pictures. These train tracks were a trespassers highway, trains were the first thing we would occupy. A Travel Town…with weapons!

Overview of a battle field. Hide in a train, a box car, a Pullman-just take cover. In this area –Bad stuff can happen. Sometimes we still hear- Bugles Blowing. When we need to retreat, the fence is right behind us. If the coast is clear, the next stop is the steeple.

I have nice two inch scar I wear proudly after a harrowing escape over this fence. Located on the base of my palm. MGM Security guard, Al Black, their most athletic guard was hiding in a train at night. He heard us climbing the fence. He waited for us to approach the Pullman train unknowingly. Nightime-pitch dark, no moon-on a Saturday Night, what could go wrong?

Out jumps the Badged weasel at full speed and he wants me…MGM Public Enemy #1. My friend Jimmy and I beat him to the fence but we still had to climb-luckily-we are good! As I jumped off to escape, Al caught my hand ripping open my palm on top the fence. Blood is pouring everywhere, I have to run home- covered with my own- Blood, Sweat, and Tears. My mom had to “stop relaxing” and watching Mary Tyler Moore on T.V to rush me to the Emergency Room to get a handful of stitches. I wear this scar like a guard wears his badge…”You, see a scar.” A memory of this chase- “is what I see.”

View of the steeple and haunted hill for the fence line on a street called Arizona.

Special Delivery-1976

In 1976-“The Skull Island Walls,” extended half way across the backlot. These walls were as high as the church steeple itself. The wooden gates would change to Aluminum Styrofoam for the final scenes at “Shea Stadium.”

Another picture requiring me to dangerously “hang out from this belfry.” I took a “deep breath” as I reached out, holding my Kodak Instamatic Camera in one hand. My other hand tightly grabs the wood framing in the steeple for balance. I extended out as far as I could without falling. That direction was a blind spot. We added a couple peek holes. We cut them with a Swiss Army knife for a complete 360 degree view of lot 2. No one took such risk to capture this studio in photography. I’m lucky I didn’t end up as a police chalk mark, you would die falling from up here.

Copperfield Street below…hanging out steeple for this shot. The size of this studio can be appreciated- MGM Lot 1 distant…1975

In the oldest part of this backlot-everything is capable of reappearing…

The Steeple watches our every move as…We appear!

The steeple is the first strategic set we usually occupy. From its vantage point, you have a 360 degree view of the backlot. LAX airport landings and take offs can be seen going on non stop. Baldwin Hills, Vets Park, and Culver High School are clearly visible.

In daytime, we can be seen so we sit in the dark shadows of its interior. But at night- we do the haunting. We are not the only ones, invisible spirits and mysterious sounds perpetuate this ghostly area. The darkness brings out-Spirits in the Night.

“Hazy Davy and Killer Joe climb up where Gypsy Angels Go- that’s up here-above it all.” You know the song, we play it here all the time.

Music tames the Savage Beasts but- tend to awaken –the dead or missing. Wind can mimic musical instruments. It creates a crescendo as windows and doors blow open, only to slam shut with a thunderous bang.

We become different beings in the dark, especially up here. It is imperative not to be seen up here by security because there is no escape hatch or rip cord. Like a space capsule, you will be stuck above the earth.

You’re potentially cornered when MGM calls for back up. You can watch law enforcement arrive and play out before your eyes. You have less than “30 Seconds Over Tokyo” to climb down to escape capture. “Do not hesitate” – every second is like a minute. My- what dangers lurk in the darkest shadows…

One evening, we had 4 guys up here, that’s a full steeple so you know. We all smoked imported cigars- Tijuana Smalls, while drinking imported German Beer-Lowenbrau. Young teens trying to become old teens…like a group of stoned, temple pilots. Music plays on a cassette recorder features Led Zeppelin. The song is a 10 minute version of Kashmir.

A song that fits this village-especially in Rat Patrol episodes. This street gets a Nomadic face change when dealing with –The Africa Corps.

8 Minutes later…

We were all having a real good time. I accidentally bumped the cassette player. It was sitting precariously on the highest ledge. This song is now in full free-fall as this instrumental is now flying at 30 feet a second. As the player spins downwards, the music becomes more distant. The song concludes with a large crash. It has the sounds of plastic and metal self-destructing. It is like a rock star death from a haunted steeple. It sounded like a car crash with the stereo on- Full Blast

We could not stop laughing. Forever on, when I hear this song, I think of a tiny haunted steeple overlooking MGM.

At night, we have the upper hand up here. Security can be watched as they patrol in the Bronco. Almost always they have their headlights on, so it’s easy to know when to go silent. When we see a “no-lights” tactics, slowly and silently patrolling, we know we are in for a potential long night.

But like the backlot owls, we are wise to all things. We too are predators…

I have spent more time up inside here than anyone. I’ve spent as much time at this movie church than the one I received “Sacraments” in at my St. Augustine Catholic School. When Combat replaced this blown up steeple in 1964, they didn’t make it easy. This is a difficult climb inside here. It takes skill, nerves, and toughness to reach this, the highest point, that this lot has to offer.

In the daylight, we watch kids we know going to and from the school and /or park. Heck, we’ve even our parents drive by on the public side of the fence on Culver Blvd. Southern Pacific Trains pass below twice a day on the same tracks we enter the backlot on. This is as much a Giant Toy Set as it is a Motion Picture Factory.

Grand Central Station sits below us. The entire backlot rail system, 3 stations, can be viewed. Castles surround us…we have 3 of those also. A street of shanty homes stands crookedly potential victims of…the next big winds.

Hansel and Gretel cottages greet you on the cobblestone streets. These streets often get shrouded with fog, this is the backlot closest to the Pacific Ocean. More people have died on this street and in this village than any other location in Hollywood. The war never stopped here and the ghosts of those fallen…live on.

Most were a bunch of dummies, seriously, dressed in war gear. Stuntmen do the live action, dummies intermingle do anything asked of them. Includes getting thrown from rooftops, lit on fire, and of course…blown up. The stunts, stuntmen don’t want!

I have reenacted more soldier deaths than any lonely soul can imagine. And myself, well I have been shot here dozens of times. You can continue to fight if your hit in arm or fingers. You are dead if struck main torso…“Remember the rules!”

Louis B. Mayer-would pull his little remaining hair out if he knew what takes place on this studio backlot. Where he was at one time – A KING.

Dino De Laurentis would occupy Mr. Mayer’s office in 1976. He was in the process of making two features. King Kong and The Great White Buffalo, starring Charles Bronson, both on the MGM lot.

The closing scenes…

This steeple would last be used in a film titled…The Stuntman. The Bee Gees would perform –Staying Alive at this set in 1977. Shortly after the stunt fest finally, the street was demolished. Phase One-Studio Estates would destroy all things MGM. Studio Mistakes, as we refer to it -took down this church in 1978

A bulldozer drove up to the front door of the church. I watched from Grand Central Station, also in the process of destruction. I was crying and refused to photograph any of this onslaught. As I take one farewell glance, the Bulldozer bucket raised itself and pushed the church backwards. First it moved in tact-2 feet backwards. A second push was too much for the steeple to take as it succumbed to its inevitable fate.

No news, no actors, no studio spokesmen. Just left over spirits from wonderful times… gone by. And a kid with tears… in his eyes!

Written and Lived by…Donnie Norden

Ancient Hollywood Catwalks

Phantom of the Backlot5 Comments

Black tarps were wrapped up- only never to unfurl again. Here they rest just…Blowing in the Wind!

This Stairway to Heaven overlooks Copperfield Court. It sits just inside the MGM Studio fence. It is alongside the fence line on Montana Street. A studio parking lot is located there.

John Ritter as Hero at Large, about to rescue a kid. A story in my latest book. Our Hero is on the catwalk level of Eastside Street. Everything in that area was reframed and strengthened for the star to be safe, close-ups were needed of John.

Public side streets include Montana Avenue and Overland Avenue. Overland takes you from MGM lots 1&2 all the way to MGM Lot 3.

Eastside Street and Brownstone. Same corner in side by side pictures, one picture has the tarp in use. The other tarp you see is folded up. These street burned down in 1967.

Left-The MGM Fire -1967, the day after. MAN from UNCLE cast looks over their destroyed headquarters. This was the very first of several backlot studio fires that included MGM, Desilu, and Universal. I was 7 years old, not a trespasser yet, and running errands with my dad that Sunday afternoon. Donald LeRoy Norden was a fireman in Tacoma, Washington, before moving to Culver City. He chewed nervously on his cigarette. He wanted to grab a firehose. CCFD did a fantastic job containing this to just one quadrant. Little did I realize at this time how regular accidental fires happen on backlots.

All these New York sets were built with poles anchored deep into the ground and encased in cement blocks. First things to be installed and the last things to face destruction. These help to keep these facades structurally sound and run up beyond the rooftops to the catwalks.

5th Avenue…used in all the classic musicals.

Looks like a model- but this is full scale, the entire length of New York Street. Universal Studios, our first of what would be-three New York Streets do to “Two” major fires. All you see here burned down.

You can see the sun beating in on this hot summer day. The tarps created even more heat due to lack of airflow.

Universal Studios with New York Street “ONE” tarped for night scenes…Streets of Fire. A show title that would be a harbinger of later things to come.I took this shot from the highest hill top on the backlot. Legendary cowboy Tom Mix had a home up here overlooking the studio.

Daylight infiltrates at the edge of this frame. Tarps being used here -daytime.

The Building used in The Twilight Zone episode...(Back There)

The enormous size and magnitude of making New York Street “night time” on a sunny day…

MGM Lot 2. New York Street is hidden under black tarps. This is a skill deploying these to block light and not get influenced by wind. Studio grips work alongside set lighting and special effects on very narrow passage ways. A busy place way above the street below. When needed, these tarps can cover every set on New York Street. Above, barely 1/3rd is covered. Waterfront, Brownstone, part of 5th Avenue …In the man made darkness.

My house is in all three pictures- as we pan forwards towards MGM.

My house bottom edge-4th from right-Maureen’s future apartment not built yet in this photo.

MGM Lot 2 from my roof- The sets from Romeo and Juliette and The BandWagon train depot.You can see catwalks on both sides of depot that could also be tarped over. The big green building in between telephone pole and avocado tree. Just below that green train depot is Arnold Gillespie’s snow room. Snow from every era and type was stored in “Arnold’s dungeon.” I have a magical story inside that room in…the middle of the night in my Book 3. Yes-it is haunted… Maureen’s apartment is the yellow and white building in front of- the station.“Your never to young to trespass“–says Chad- being trained by the top female trespasser in Hollywood.

The Phantom of the Backlot…on the Loose above Copperfield Court.

The Phantom escapes again leaving law enforcement dangling precariously.

Yes indeed -Jack and I crossed paths on this set. He waved at me with his non-weaponed free hand. He was just about to kill a fellow involved with tearing the backlot down..The passing of the torch-or weapon shall we say! MGM security nick named me –The Phantom -long before this movie of the week was produced. ‘Here one minute-gone the next” is how MGM Security described our interactions…

“I hate when things break that I’m on top off” –So goes Jack Cassidy -leaving me in charge.

A Day in the Life…

Left-fenced off studio from phase 2-Studio Mistakes-“Estates.” New homes sprouting up just beyond the catwalks…

Chainsaw Massacre

Timber…

The catwalks in this picture were just cut down

You can’t work this high up without encountering at least one of the 4 owls. They spend their nights hunting from up here. Picture left-dead center-an owl with a white head watches my every move. Like a “White Owl cigar add. I can proudly say-My feathered friends still exist up in the rooftops and rafters of MGM Lot 1. I ran into one who was hunting before dawn. It swooped up a critter and flew off towards the fabled MGM Watertank with it in its clutches.

Park Avenue on MGM maps. To be more specific, this is Fenway Park to any kid who was lucky enough to play MGM baseball. I’m on top of the “GREEN MONSTER.” It’s a homer if you hit it up here. Pictured-Catering area during the filming of Hero at Large.

Before Columbia Pictures installed this moniker overlooking the studio- Leo the MGM Lion owned this spot.

Stages have catwalks too-better known as perms...Here is a set for Spiderman.

In the perms, graffiti from past shows is etched forever, Bud Collins tribute up high in a stage. Bud wrote his name everywhere on the backlot. EVERYWHERE! I would see it looking down at me in places totally inaccessible. This iconic grip was half spider/half human. “The END of an ERA.”

We begin up high in the most dangerous part of the studio…

Skilled employees perform high-altitude tasks. They use either a 5-story straight-up ladders or navigate a maze of stairways that eventually interconnect. Grips, Electricians, Plumbers, and Special Effects work up here on top of the studio. Owls, watch our every move.

No clocks are needed, time stands still for predators on the lookout for their next meal.

There is extreme danger and these tiny “catwalk” isle ways in some cases 6 stories above ground. Today’s Hollywood would require several safety endorsements to work up here. First and foremost, fall equipment would be required. But these measures were not in place in my hay day of running around up top of this iconic backlot.

As a teenager, we overcame our slight fear of heights and threw caution ...to the wind. Our tools were B.B Guns. These catwalk rafters allowed us to enter buildings through their rooftops. Other sets around the lot only allowed ground access. this was a Utopia up here. We hunted each other, doing so at night.

Yep-pitch dark, otherwise we would be seen by the entire city of- Culver City. Add that dangerous element and it’s amazing no one was killed, except by pretending to be after being hit by a B.B or pellet. We took this cops and robbers game seriously. No one wanted to get hit. Our favorite place most used was Copperfield Street, home of the Three Musketeers, then Combat.

Very limited catwalks overlooked our Army games. In this European village-it was pure Combat. Right down to helmets, jackets and ammo clips. We were soldiers on one part of the lot, and Cops vs Bad Guys in Gotham City. Depends what your in the mood for basically. New York Street was less available because of frequent film use and patrol.

German Village allowed for(close quarter) gun battles. We carried rifles and pistols, with B.B refills and a tiny can of 3 in 1 oil. That lubricant made smoke discharge from the barrels. It seemed so real because …it hurt to get hit!

New York was far and away the most dangerous place to play. As long as you don’t fall, you can’t really get caught. The guards are not going to chase us up here and you can ladder down to any roof top.

Danger was our friend…

These catwalks were designed for weather control, such as artificial rain storms and set lighting. Rain had milk added so it would photograph better. Set lighting had the difficult task off bulky, cumbersome lighting equipment. Arc lights breathed smoke and fire up here. “Gels” could mount in front of the light’s housing- providing cascading brilliant colors all over the streets below.

Cameras and their operators made it up here to- for Birds Eye views. This was a busy place to be with such rickety conditions. If you’re afraid of heights-don’t proceed. Not only is it scary, but some of these floor blanks break as do handles attached to ladders. Always hold two -in case one breaks on the climb. Once on top, have a hand close to rigid water pipes used for rain sequences. Always have a back-up whenever possible if something gives out.

Rules to live by…

Load your B.B Guns to the fullest before “going up.” A Daisy Rifle holds over 700 copper B.B’s. A Crosman Pistol holds 20 B.B’s and/or 20 pellets. Multi pumps guns disallowed. Injury factor and potential to cheat. This becomes a game of chess at this point. Shots are too long to be accurate, so a lot of sneaking must be done. It became difficult to find your adversary. Therefore, we reduced this to above the “alley way set.” There are 3 large buildings interconnected by catwalks. This setup allowed for heated exchanges. It also provided opportunities to escape if someone sees us or hears us.

As always love to say “MGM was like Disneyland-with weapons!”

Written and lived by…Donnie Norden

Universal Studios Pictorial

Phantom of the BacklotLeave a comment

We begin by- reaching into our wallets;

My journey through time involving Universal Studios dates as far back as the early 70’s. I was a teenage customer looking for a good time, and boy- did I find it!

I transitioned from being a tourist to a trespasser. Then, I went from a tram driving Teamster Local #399 to a Local #40 Studio Electrician. I merged all these hats into one barrel full of adventures. I still know half the workforce, many dear friends indeed. I’m one of a very distinguished Alumni that was witness to and significantly part of-Hollywood History.

With a full access pass to all productions on our lot, I enjoyed many perks. Pictures are one of the most special items I cherish the most. I have so many, I lose track of what sets or show specifically I’m looking at these days. Call it…A big fifty year blur!

From Kodak Film to Digital Photography, my memories shifted from slides and proof sheets to…computer screens. Plus, almost all these pictures I display can be seen on television, 24/7, around the globe.

That globe- just happens to be our logo…

Roll Film …

Director Tony Scott, giving direction to actress Brigitte Nielsen. Tony is fresh off Top Gun, Brigitte is fresh off-Sylvester Stallone. I met Stallone on Capone-before Rocky, and later on Paradise Alley. (Sly) was the director, 1977. Read how that went in my latest book available on Amazon.

This cover has two of my favorite MGM pictures I ever took. On the left, John Ritter is saving a kid from a fire on the film Hero at Large. In that hot air balloon are Rockstars Peter Frampton and The Bee Gees… Film-Sgt.Pepper

Pirates of the Caribbean- our water tank-backdrop on the Universal Backlot is featured. Elaborate wave makers will “chop” the water so it doesn’t look like a fish tank. This is a lighthouse with a huge torch.

The Majestic–2001–Jim Carry…The picture on the left is myself in a mock up of this car. Special Effects has this rigged to crash but -not completely. They built a pier in the same water basin Pirates of the Caribbean would use later. Very expensive set due to construction and effects, a short shoot and scene…but critical.

A 747 crash for War of the Worlds starring Tom Cruise and directed by Steven Spielberg. I take you here on Phantomofthebacklots YouTube. A behind the scenes tutorial, please visit and subscribe. You will dig it!!

Spider Man set for Mr. Magneto to terrorize…

Backdrop- water basin set. Our biggest rental besides New York. Only two studios have these artificial oceans and painted skies. Paramount has one also. MGM had the oldest and most legendary. ‘The Wizard of MGM’ The legendary Pioneer Arnold Gillespie developed techniques we use to this day. If you like ‘Special Effects and BackStories’ This man-Arnold Gillespie- worked on two Ben Hur’s. The most amazing and difficult film ever done

The World Famous…Clydesdales. This was on New York Street, A high budget “Super Bowl’ commercial directed by Joe Pytka. Joe had about 6 commercials that Super Sunday. I was told Joe gets a million dollars to just read the proposal. If he accepts it, he’s fully in charge-all aspects. He lives close by and is on the lot-quite a bit. One of his homes was formerly owned by Madonna.

My daughter Christy, left, with friend Casey. Arnold Schwarzenegger film Jingle All the Way. A huge Minnesota Christmas Parade took place at…Universal. My kids had it made!

The older Christy got, the harder I tried to scare her…Mother in rocking chair inside Psycho House.

Western Street 6 Points Texas. Trams pass right outside.

This bridge collapses…100 times each summer day!

A small church in a ghost town. Trams park here, guides make stuff up until we get clearance for- the parting of the Red Sea. This was also a California beach community in Alfred Hitchcock’s –The Birds.

All we need are some horses. This barn housed them and is the oldest structure on this lot. It is real inside and out. This preceded the studio, a landmark. Alias Smith and Jones was the last Cowboy T.V series to occupy it. I use to stop by and feed apples to my 4 legged friends…

Oldest structure at Universal.

I used to hijack this train as a trespasser. I would remove the conductor and mimic his automated “Look out-I can’t stop.” This was a tour favorite: the train from Red Gap to nowhere…

Stories from behind the wheel on WordPress, get your season pass on my other W.P site.

Speaking of “Behind the Wheel”-That’s me and my vehicle.Before this fancy ride I often used an open air jeep with a camera platform mounted on the engine hood. Used on location to film vehicle activity. I was my own Rat Patrol. I wore a Fedora hat because it gets real warm on summer days. Overtime-every star on the lot signed it. From all the Desperate Housewives, Tom Cruise, Harrison Ford, Peyton Manning, Jerry Rice.Marcus Allen, Steve Young …football stars doing commercials. No one ever turned me down because it was A -List unique. Sadly it was stolen from my car one night. One of my most cherished items…

The future of Hollywood...No egos, no residuals just A.I robots.

This stage, 31, no longer exists-Tours took over this zone next to the Phantom of the Opera Stage -Stage 28. News item-many of are original stages used in most our T.V series is next to be removed. All the ’30s ‘ numbered stages and dressing rooms for stars will be excavated for more tour theme park space. The Beatles once slept over here. In 1965, during the tour, Lew Wasserman offered these rooms to the Beatles. He was the founder of Music Corporation of America, better known as MCA. No hotels would let them stay due to potential pandemonium. Lew was the last Studio Mogul. He was a wonderful man. He would greet any and all employees he crossed paths with.During the Fab fours brief stay-they became friends with-The Munsters, who filmed next door. So much history is being destroyed. Times-they are a changing!

All this power has to be denergized prior to demolition. All your favorite T.V shows from Leave it to Beaver to Dragnet filmed here…Once Upon a Time.

No one has been on more television and motion picture sets than…Donnie Norden. Please subscribe to WordPress- Phantomofthebacklots. This site is a never ending party of studio history. No one else has the pictures or stories, this has been my life since the Series Combat in 1964. My infatuation never stopped as one by one studios disappeared. My books are GOLD.

If I remember correctly-This was an exterior set for ‘Charmed.” I was on every set going for over 30 years as an employee and 10 more as a trespasser. I was assigned to every show. I had the Golden Egg of jobs…

European Street -Alley Way. Home of our Monsters. Walking the cobblestone streets at night under a full moon is intoxicating. MGM had the best of all Europe Sets.

Backside–Court of Miracles. Where monsters roam loose.

Visitor check in for …Jurassic Park.

Steven Spielberg’s toy chest for big boys. In this photo-two of his sets merge a few years apart. Jurassic Park meets-War of the Worlds

This crashed 747 is a real plane brought from an Arizona plane graveyard for complete realism. We made it look like it crashed. This set is now part of the annual Halloween Haunts.

Backside of JP 2 visitor center. A reinforced steel platform on roof allowed a helicopter land as chaos was ensuing with rogue raptors…Normally this is a deserted part of the backlot.

My dog ‘Thor‘ often went to work with me. He even met- Ron Howard. This area is called Falls Lake.

Studio Caterers prepared meals for the both of us…We never went home hungry. Thanks to Mario’s Catering, Tony’s Catering , and Four Stars. The best in the business. Frank and Peter of Four Stars send their rigs to California Fires to feed the Firemen combating blazes. No one works harder at 4 a.m than all my brother caters- Usually 2 hours before crew call.

Preparing for another commercial –New York Street ‘3’, The most used exteriors on this lot.

As the tour keeps growing, these sets are still standing for tram tours. This is the last Western Street in old Hollywood. Trams keep this area alive. Once Upon a Time-the Film by Quentin Tarantino filmed here. The closet Western Street left in Hollywood. I feel the stories in my books are worthy of a Netflix Series...Once Upon a Time. True adventures on every set in Hollywood in the Golden Age of Film. I have not met him Q.T-but if I do-I’d give him my real version. I have too many stories for a movie-mine is a series. Stay Tuned everybody, I’m trying-I see big things ahead!

That completes our tour today. This is just an appetizer of future content for my Phantomofthebacklots WordPress site. No one has more pictures, call sheets and stories I ask you to subscribe to Phantomofthebacklots. You can binge for hours or days if you wish!

I can’t put all this on Facebook, too much stuff. My stories read much better on this platform. Make the switch here please, there is nothing as well prepared and shareable than all things. Also visit- The Glamour Tram– real life tram stories...Written and Lived by…Donnie Norden

All Aboard ! Thank You…

Mission Impossible-Mayberry in Disguise

Phantom of the Backlot2 Comments

Never say Never!

We start with a Mission Briefing, inside this KVWV truck located at the Paramount Studios lumber storage and mill.

The Big Black Vehicle arrives…

The briefing involves election fraud in Mexico. In this swank 1966 apartment, the record player is disabled as we browse the folders on I.M.F personnel needed for infiltration.

“Cinnamon” is perfect for this assignment and “every” mission period.

We have our small yet tactical force. “Rollin Hand” is a code name we used. It describes how we rolled our “Doobies” on the backlots…

This Mission starts in Mexico, look behind the curtains, this is Mayberry…

Behind this ‘False Front” is the Mayberry Post Office. A Police Station, for this episode. Directly across the street, where camera is, is Andy Griffith’s Courthouse. The backlot uses several disguises in this Golden Age classic. Several Mayberry and Gone With the Wind facades will be altered. T.A.G.S was still shooting this street almost daily, so these set decorations and modifications required “striking.” This backlot was as busy as anywhere in Hollywood. T.V was never as good as this era.

Our I.M.F Force has arrived…

We need a free and honest election…Liberation !

Window set dressing…often-this kind of stuff ends up in my forts. Winston Churchill is a perfect trespasser motivational influence! We would sneak up to these widow displays from the back entrances and remove set decorations. Right after a scene was filmed and before set decorations could retrieve their items.

On the set of Roger Corman’s “CAPONE,” an entire tobacco shop was relocated upstairs in my fort. This included cigars and brier pipes relocated to the Mayberry R.F.D House set. This happened after a gangster was shot from a passing car band was blasted through the picture window. That story in full detail can be found in Book One titled…”Bootleggers, Tommy Guns and L.S.D”…Hole in the Fence–Book One.

This election…is rigged!

A day of reckoning -I.M.F in Volkswagon- Election fixer in dark glasses.

Downtown, Mayberry was built to be Atlanta in 1938. When television was born, this Main Street was disguised as any Metropolis in the world. Paint, cars, signs, and costumes can transform your mind. Production wants you to experience different places, all within the comforts of the studio.

Long before Mexico, this street was used as Atlanta in …Gone With the Wind

Lets unpack this picture...The West End of Atlanta/Mayberry. The Desilu Watertower overlooks the backlot. He pictured above the Atlanta train depot, still standing in 1966. False fronts were installed to block the view of this iconic depot used in GWTW.

There were two theaters in Mayberry. On the corner on the left side, you can see a marquis. An alleyway, not shown, separates the theater from Main Street.

This is that corner, minus the train depot. My picture taken in 1972. The single one story row of buildings that blocked this view of the depot is no longer standing. I took this photo after they had been removed. This is where the pavement begins on this dirt backlot. It was dirt for Gone With the Wind. No backlot in history used so little cement.

Same corner in…Gone With the Wind

Mayberry became the next identifier on this main street. The Untouchables branded it as Chicago, Metropolis in Superman, Gotham City in Batman and Berlin in Hogan’s Heroes.

Election interference…”I was pushed off the road!“

This crash was where the theater alongside the Mayberry Hotel stood. Donkeys are first responders.Concerned voters assist with election ballots inside ambulance.

Meanwhile, in the nearby jungle“We need some gas- Cinnamon”

“I need a smoke Rollin!“ I have seen this gas station before…

Wally’s “Gasolina” Station

This famous turn into Goober’s Gas Station

Goober’s filling station. This dirt road parallels the La Ballona Creek. Gomer Pyle films across the way…

If only I had some music to unwind-says Cinnamon…Mission Accomplished!

To the left of this jeep is the filling station. Music for a successful “Mission Accomplished.”

Final thoughts;

I thought I would share my version of Mission Impossible dating back to 1966. These screen grabs, combined with my photos and personal experiences paint at picture of a wonderful era of television. As God would lay out my future, I worked on the first feature of the same name with Tom Cruise. Paramount rented the Universal -“SKY” backdrop and water basin for some stunts and inserts.

Paramount owned Desilu when this T.V series was in production. Hogan’s Heroes was also a regular Paramount location on the 40 Acre backlot. These streets were like revolving doors, different shows, every day-non stop. Crime had no chance with all the capped Super Heroes and detectives roaming these streets.

I Spy, The Green Hornet, and Batman followed Superman and the Untouchables. Sheriff Taylor also patrolled this street with Barney through much of this 60’s decade. It was originally designed as Atlanta in GWTW.

I rode my bike here in the late 60’s. I came just to look through the fence. I was in search of all these- “Heroes.”

The marvel of television allowed me to watch episodes then go relive scenes where they were filmed. Basically, “I lived my T.V set.” Even my parents were amazed by this passion burning inside me. We would sit and watch television together and I would have my own stories…like a real life Opie Taylor. I put a fort upstairs in the Andy Griffith house.

My folks saw the Hogan’s Heroes tree stump effect become my own personnel hide out. That big bulky item moved in and out of my bedroom to various locations around my house. Everyone wanted to go -“under the lid.” My house had signs with bullet holes nailed to it. I even had a working Barbers Pole that would spin and light up when plugged in.

I was quite the sight. I could be seen towing tree stumps, various props of all sizes, spears, bows and arrows, etc. I had weapons ranging from rifles to ray guns. I brought B.B guns to play inside Combat sets. I fought real Marines from Camp Pendleton. I gave tours of Camp Henderson to these same soldiers. Gomer Pyle, Jim Nabors- was a recruiter and recruitment soared.

Most kids carried school books, but I carried props. I even had bushels of King Kong horse fir, so much I attached it to my dog. That was quite the monster looking creature. My dogs trespassed at times with me. I wasn’t like all the other kids, needless to say.

It’s fun being the “Black Sheep.” I never wanted these times to stop and they never did. My life evolved into living this lifestyle everyday. 35- Universal working years later, I feel a need keep and hand down my history. I did not realize then I was living in the Golden Age. I thought things would never disappear. But disappear they did.

Thankfully, I took notes, no matter what time of night I came home. I gobbled up discarded “call sheets” and have taken more studio pictures than anyone alive. MGM blessed me with hundreds of Art Department pictures. I became a legend long before I worked at these studios. Everyone knew me, or about me-at MGM. I had an endless supply of blank ammo shells, what kid has that?

Not bad for a trespassing kid who even snagged the studio “Trespassers List” from a guard shack. I knew 50 percent- of the captured folks!

I thank all of you. You like to return to that marvelous era I specialize in capturing. This era is called- The Phantom of the Backlots. I always knew I was experiencing “special things.” A salute-from me to you…

Written and lived by…Donnie Norden

But wait-There’s More…Glamour Tram is back up and running. Come take a tour with me. This site on WordPress reads like a book. You must scroll to the beginning for “cast of characters & training exercises.” Otherwise, your just lost on the tram route, which is really fun anyways…

Real life Tram Tours with Donnie Norden, you too may be on my celebrity list of “miscasts.“

More adventure stories now on sale at Amazon. Follow The Phantom in his escapades back in time…

As always…Boots on the ground stories–Written and Lived by…Donnie Norden

Marineland-Hollywood by the Sea

Phantom of the Backlot1 Comment

Above the surface creatures…

Irene Ryan as Granny reacts to a whale surfacing out of the water in The Beverly Hillbillies episode ‘Back to Marineland’, 1964.
THE PARTRIDGE FAMILY – “Whatever Happened to Moby Dick?” 10/22/71 Dub Taylor, Howard Cosell, Shirley Jones, Dave Madden, Danny Bonaduce, David Cassidy, Brian Forster
LOS ANGELES – APRIL 10: Marineland Carnival. A CBS television special. At Marineland of the Pacific tourist park, Palos Verdes, Los Angeles, CA. Broadcast April 10, 1966. Pictured from left is Jim Backus, Irene Ryan. (Photo by CBS via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES – APRIL 10: Marineland Carnival. A CBS television special. At Marineland of the Pacific tourist park, Palos Verdes, Los Angeles, CA. Broadcast April 10, 1966. Pictured from left is Irene Ryan, Max Baer, Jr. (Photo by CBS via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES – APRIL 10: Marineland Carnival. A CBS television special. At Marineland of the Pacific tourist park, Palos Verdes, Los Angeles, CA. Broadcast April 10, 1966. Pictured from left is Donna Douglas, Irene Ryan, Max Baer, Jr. (Photo by CBS via Getty Images)
UNSPECIFIED – CIRCA 1970: Photo of Beverly Hillbillies Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
American rock n’ roll singer and actor Elvis Presley (1935 – 1977) feeds a pair of whales during a visit to Marineland of the Pacific at Longs Point, southern California, December 1969. (Photo by Alan Band/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
USA – 1958: A decal for Marineland of the Pacific in California from 1958 in USA. (Illustration by Jim Heimann Collection/Getty Images)
(Original Caption) Sealed with a Kiss. Palos Verdes, Calif.: Actress Jayne Mansfield, on a sightesseing tour of Marineland in Palos Verdes, gets acquainted with a trained seal, who seems to love every bit of attention he’s getting from the beauty. Jayne, who likes animals, found the tour very interesting.
.A. And the intelligent mammal understands plenty of nautical expressions as well as being able to dish out the orders – when he puts his skipper’s cap on. December 1975 (Photo by WATFORD/Mirrorpix/Mirrorpix via Getty Images)
UNITED STATES – OCTOBER 22: THE PARTRIDGE FAMILY – “Whatever Happened to Moby Dick?” 10/22/71 Dub Taylor, Howard Cosell, Shirley Jones, Dave Madden, Danny Bonaduce, David Cassidy, Brian Forster, Bert Convy, Suzanne Crough, Susan Dey (Photo by ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images)
UNITED STATES – OCTOBER 22: THE PARTRIDGE FAMILY – “Whatever Happened to Moby Dick?” 10/22/71 Dub Taylor, Howard Cosell, Danny Bonaduce, Shirley Jones, Dave Madden, David Cassidy, Brian Forster, Suzanne Crough, Bert Convy, Susan Dey (Photo by ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images)

Six Million Dollar man

Marineland-Hollywood by the Sea

The End of an Era…MGM/ On Amazon

Tales Beneath the Sea

Animal activists may shudder but one cannot deny the tremendous awe, joy and respect these animals have inspired in millions, including me. I visited Marineland many times. My mother kept my drawing of Bubbles the Pilot Whale on our refrigerator for a number of years. it was my favorite park of all, besides Pacific Ocean Park in Santa Monica. But P.O.P. became derelict and abandoned in the mid 60’s. I was lucky enough to see Marineland through the eyes of a child and then visit the area again as an adult as part of Universal Studios crew.

History Timeline…

This public oceanarium operated from 1954 to 1987. Designed by William Pereira, it was the world’s largest oceanarium when it opened.

In 1974, 20th Century Fox becomes the new operator, allowing Fox to diversify exposure of its motion picture and television assets to the public. Fox begins work on integration of movie and television displays throughout the park. Walk-around characters from Planet of the Apes are seen. (If anyone has a picture of this, please share!) 

Fox also begins discussions with Irwin Allen to “transform” the park into a major tourist attraction. In 1978 Fox pulls out following overly aggressive development plans by Irwin Allen that prove impractical; and marineland is purchased and merged into Hollywood Park, Inc. Hollywood Park, Inc. retains the operating management services of Hanna-Barbera. Costumed characters are seen, including Scooby Doo, Huckleberry Hound and Yogi Bear.

But, the real celebrities of the era were the mammals of Marineland including Flipper the talkative dolphin, Corky and Orky-the Killer Whales, Captain Winston’s California Sea Lions – one of which starred as Esmerelda in Twenty Leagues Under the Sea, the beautiful Pearl Divers, Omar the Giant Octopus and countless other memorable sea animals who educated and entertained the public.

Competition with all the other theme parks in the Southern California area resulted in low attendance and the park finally closed in 1987.

Marineland conducted valuable research on animal behavior.  Their approach to training was not only using food as a reward, but playing, rubdowns, splashdowns, positivity and human kindness. (Who doesn’t like that?) Obviously, there was and still is reason for taking steps to ensure humane treatment of these sea creatures. Conclusion–they dislike being captive in small tanks.

Written and Lived by …Donnie Norden

The Wild Wild West

Phantom of the Backlot2 Comments

This story can be found in my second book-The Uninvited Visitor…

Well, here we go again…

The challenge…

Just like last year around the Christmas Holidays, we’ve gone mobile. Studio City here we come. We were out here casing a few of these valley backlots last weekend. Jimmy and I have determined CBS has passed go, and that’s the first stop on today’s Monopoly board that we will circumvent. The fence along the L.A. River is as simple as a recreational climb. This corner fence that has had little activity on its crest is no match for Jimmy, Pat, and myself.  You can tell when a fence gets action by shoe marks and bends from what must be trespassers. Apparently, kids are compliant to the trespassing signs here in a city named after the industry itself. CBS Radford is the facilities operating name.

Universal is a true studio city, since they have their own mayor, fire department and post office. But Culver City has always been the hub for the greatest movies and TV shows ever made. We take pride in the backlots in our city. We live on them. We’re professionals…

Our typical greeting…all the motivation we need!

Today, we explore the unknown. We know every square inch of our backlots, but each turn today will be a passage into the unknown. Every open door, or structure, possibly trees and bushes, will be approached and used as camouflage. Like three chameleons, we are on a mission, to find Gilligan’s Island.

Sure, we might see a security guard, earning double time today. That said, the badge will be in for double trouble, if we cross paths. Better have a fast golf cart buddy, trespassing doesn’t stop on holidays in our world.

This is how we mentally prepare for our excursion. Like a team, a team that’s undefeated. When we touch down on the forewarned private property, it’s like taking the field for the big game. If Maureen and her pals were here, they’d be cheering… Go Centaurs!

We’ve landed…CBS

First and ten…

We’re in and the three of us take cover in some houses laid out in a rustic tree lined area void of roads and activity. That’s how we like to start, quietly nestled in, observing activities. Jimmy and I both have camera bags on our shoulders, Pat is shopping for old cars. Where we begin reminds us of MGM lot 3. The landscape is all we see, a large grass field with lots of trees around it, could the remains of the lagoon be around this spot?

We sometimes need to put on detective hats to connect dots to the past. Things get buried easily when ratings cease to meet expectations. You’re only as good as your last sweep weeks in Hollywood.

With Gilligan canceled years ago, who knows if this deserted island still exists. At MGM and Desilu, Tarzan filmed on sets like this. But Tarzan’s deep “AHHHAAHHHA” as he swings vine to vine would be replaced by the Skipper shouting “Gilligan” on this lot.

We have no idea of what this set was used for, but that’s the beauty of being kid detectives.

The silence of a backlot on a holiday morning is similar to a prayer moment in church. Pristine quiet, we skip the kneeling of course. Morning dew covers the grass during this chilly but bright morning sunrise. We touch everything, we are on an expedition. Last year on this same day, we conquered The Burbank Studios. My camera is still dented forever after saving me from falling through a roof on Laramie Street, last New Year’s Day. Of course, at Disney, my camera received more battering, and was captured, only to be released to my parents, who were forced to drive all the way out to get me.

This year’s resolution was the same as last year’s, go where few if any kids trespass, and explore new frontiers. If all goes well on this tiny lot, we will visit the Columbia Ranch afterwards. But first, where is this damn island?

My other island was torn down for housing, the former MGM lot 3. Some of it remains and is located in what is called Raintree Condominiums. We sneak in there also- to remember the glory of MGM lot 3. A few original things still remain besides the magnificent trees, if you have a keen studio eye.

Right off the bat, this area seems to be where you would stick an island or lagoon on the Radford backlot. We scrounge through the bushes, as if searching for the remains of a downed aircraft or yacht that’s been marooned. It appears the castaways have been rescued, there are no signs of life now-or ever. The jungle gives and the jungle taketh away…

Our exploration has centered on another set that says CBS on its credits. This is the home of The Wild Wild West, starring Robert Conrad. I love Cowboy shows, and this one is slick. He’s a thinking man’s Cowboy. We usually just watch shows from Culver City lots, but Alias Smith and Jones and this show are too good to pass up. I made my own 8mm western movie on the Desilu lot, in front of the saloon, I feel at home as we pass a gallows pole…

Follow these tracks and you’ve arrived in the Wild West, CBS style.

Just like last year at a saloon on Laramie Street, we toast to the New Year with a big joint in the old west. We sit on barstools lined up along the dust covered dark stained countertop. The three amigos are reunited, this time in a different saloon. Satisfaction gleams on all our faces. Adventure awaits, maybe we’ll find a picture car from My Three Sons. A station wagon tour, after all, we are three boys!

Smoke blows out the swinging doors as we follow its swirling path. The aroma sets us free. Life is easy- welcome 1976.

There are props all over the place on this western street, it’s like we’re at a Cowboy yard sale. The street is jam-packed with lanterns, whiskey barrels, gun powder boxes and livery equipment. Such wonderful items, it’s deserted here so we take our time. Must be no hangings planned today.

Behind the western street is a small-town square, Mary Tyler Moore films her show here. She should, she and husband Grant Tinker own the place. I found a call sheet from Dick Van Dyke Show at Desilu. Here she lives, ten years later, different husband and studio. That’s Hollywood for ya!

This is one finely built set…
No- that’s not us boys…

No- we’re not driving this car and trailer…

My Three Sons set has been discovered… Kids were so good back then!

Well, we covered this entire, quaint, backlot and it’s just now noon, after a nearby- Bob’s Big Boy lunch, we will plan the second half of today’s adventures at this iconic hamburger joint. It’s much older than the ones where we live. While Ohio State is kicking off versus UCLA today, we will be climbing a fence to take on Columbia Studios.

It’s good for the taking- we already cased the joint!

Another backlot…another year of backlot fun awaits!

I have a 3rd book, just released. A trilogy of trespassing all the backlots in the 70’s. I have permanent scars on my body from events that I lived during these wild times. I call them MGM tattoos-remembrances I cherish, caught in the exact moment they took place. Trust me, this trespassing game is not as easy as it sounds in the…Wild Wild West!

Written and Lived by…Donnie Norden

.

Hollywood Forever

Phantom of the Backlot5 Comments
Paramount Studios …early 70’s–It’s built like a penal institution with Insurmountable walls.
Maybe we can get into the studio through here…this backlot cemetery?

I turned 65 on this Friday the 13th, and I’ve still “got it!”

My office at Home- Tea with Marion is how my morning begins and I’m headed out today to see her grave, in respect and appreciation for this gift of extremely tangible Hollywood History. My day always begins with Hollywood Spirits…
This stool is where Marion sat with a make-up artist in a tiny room that fits two. You’re surrounded by mirrors inside. It’s amazing how good of condition this chair is. It could be fastened to the floor when this trailer was originally moved by horses.
This trailer was made when Marion was working at Paramount Studios. This room bore witness to sound revolutionizing how films are made. Silent to talkies, films were silent when this unit was built. Underneath some white paint is a distinctive color green. Paramount and RKO were that green color, it’s on their equipment. The degree of craftsmanship is astonishing. The mirrors are built into the wall, not hung. Shingles would be added at some point to preserve the original wood integrity. Randolph Hearst did not have film facilities, but he had a star he controlled and endless stories from Cosmopolitan Pictures, which he owned. A disconnect happened between Paramount and Hearst, and this portable trailer went on a long company move cross town to Culver City. That’s when the story I’ve discovered becomes overwhelmingly compelling….
Bottles of various Ambrosias. Wine bottles imported from Italy still remain. “Hey, wait, is that the Phantom, who’s drinking that bottle? “
This is the room’s entertainment system. Installed in 1925 …
I brought the music and the wine...what guests should we expect?
Everything ages, time waits for No-One. It just folds up to be revisited… you just gotta believe. This room never died. I applied power to the lighted mirrors and they illuminated like they did in the early 1920’s.
“Horses are hitched, we’re ready to roll” One of two rubber wheels, not counting the “steel wheel” above the hitch.
Randolph Hearst strolling around a Koi pond San Simeon. Culver City also had a similar pond in- between Marion’s dressing room and the Ince Backlot.
This statue from antiquity sat above a Koi Pond outside Marion’s make up room door. It came along in the relocation. This is her art; I’m just keeping it for her.

The iconic Paramount Water Tower…distant.

“Pull over, who’s driving this car?“…Before being ordained as The Wizard of MGM, Arnold Gillespie worked with Cecil B. DeMille on the Paramount Studio Lot. This stunt gag by A.G. preceded his long heralded career at MGM.
They don’t make movies like this anymore-you know –the feel good ones-1922. An Exodus was taking place at this time…both Marion Davies and her overseer, Randolph Hearst, and Arnold Gillespie would move on to Culver City. Ironically, these parties would reunite at Metro Goldwyn Mayer. A top actress, a top art/effects technician and the richest man in the world all packed up and set foot at the brand new facilities built by Thomas Ince.
Cecil B. DeMille (hand on hip) directing one of his early motion pictures. ca. 1920.
Don Adams-A Gentlemen first, television star second…now resides very close to Marion Davies. Get-Smart filmed at this Paramount Studio.

I gave this man and his family a Tour of Universal and a humorous discussion took place involving “Shoe Phones.” Dial me up on my at –The Glamour Tram ...WordPress site.Ride with us on WordPress…The Glamour Tram. Stories aboard trams lived by yours truly. Take a tour around Universal with Agent 86. This is a priceless tour, follow me for more on T.G.T.

“I Love Stuntmen” Burt Reynolds checked in to Hollywood Forever Cemetery because “we needed an actor capable of doing his own stunts!”
“I know I can jump this pond-Get me my Trans Am”…”I’m bored”

I’m reading Burt a story featured in my latest book, just released. We spend the day at The Columbia Ranch and I meet and gab with Hooper. He loved it then,he loves it now. Going on fifty years at this graveside visit.

“Stay out of trouble Charlie, for mom’s sake!” This was Marion Davies mother figure. Hannah Chaplin, Mother of Charlie. Two top box office stars but more importantly-Soulmates. His soul sadly, was not allowed back into the U.S.A. He rests in peace in Switzerland at the Corsier-sur-Vevey Cemetery. Grave robbers dug him up and held him for ransom. This was Marion Davies’ best Male-Friend. Not Randolph Hearst. That leads to speculation…was Thomas Ince accidentally killed on board the Oneida. Was Charlie the real target do to shenanigans between the two? Hearst covered it up in his news papers, nothing to see here!

Persons of interest…Thomas Ince, deceased on voyage. Charlie Chaplin-potential target of jealousy. Marion Davies and Randolph Hearst.

“Charlie…was it really indigestion that killed Mr Ince?” A report of blood was mentioned in the La Jolla medical facility that Mr. Ince was dropped off at after the fateful cruise. “Was that supposed to be you Charlie…Was Ince at the wrong place at the wrong time?

“My Make-Up Trailer would know”-these mirrors were privileged to experience what really happened aboard ship. History documents itself forever in mirrors. Belief is portals are created when mirror reflect other mirrors, as they do in Marion’s room from antiquity.

So let me get this correct Charlie, it was you-not Thomas Ince-that Randolph Hearst was perturbed with? Wasn’t the merger of Ince/ Cosmopolitan the entire point of the cruise? Rumors persist you and Marion had a thing going on…

Marion being serenaded by Charlie Chaplin
This was Marion’s very best friend. The highest grossing box office duo for eternity. The attraction between these two is part of the mystique of that famous 3-day cruise that changed motion picture history. What I have discovered in Culver City fuels this conception that things were going on behind the scenes involving Thomas Ince and Randolph Hearst. Cosmopolitan Productions and Thomas Ince Productions had an announcement to make on the return voyage…
Connecting Dots is what I do…

GWTW used Marion Davies’ trailer. Scarlett refers to the compound I discovered on Lucerne Avenue in Culver City as “Tara Next Door.” Quote “If you need me I’ll be at Tara Next Door!” Make up done for Vivien Leigh was done right behind The Tara Plantation. At the time GWTW was being filmed, Marion Davies, Clara Bow, The Little Rascals, and Fay Wray all connect to this tiny little Trailer. The first ever mobile star studded Make Up Trailer in Hollywood.

Follow the Yellow Brick Road-Judy Garland is also laid to rest here.

Marion’s neighbor, The Tower of Power.“Only the good die young” said Tyrone.
More neighbors…Mickey Rooney 1938-“Boystown”-same year as fan letter. My kind of kid!
“So Mickey, I had the coolest fort upstairs in the Andy Hardy house at MGM. And another fort in building we called Boystown. Your sets became my forts. We think of you all the time-I brought some mail…from 1938.”
Mickey Rooney fan mail from 1938. I found this in a desk on the backlot in MGM.
Cecilia is best know as Marian Hardy, the sister of Andy Hardy. Alabama Power Company top corner-crossed out.
Born in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada. She passed on in July of 1993 in Ventura California. In 1938, the time of this letter, she married actor Dick Baldwin.
“Ohh… Lonely Boy You”
“Stay Away from Her!”
Reflections of simpler times. Marion’s make up trailer had a koi pond right outside also.
Home for Eternity yet, I feel she’s in my house. Marion Davies’ crypt.
Family name Dovras-Marion Davies is incognito for eternity.
Knock, Knock, Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door…
Marion at the entrance of Hearst Castle
Always the Clown- Like Chaplin
Cool stuff like this ornate decoration- both trailer and tomb…
Entrance to Hearst Castle
The make-up trailer and the crypt she is buried in both have just one door to enter, like the Twilight Zone
“Welcome to my Life…come on in!“
My dog Thora visiting with Marion–she talks through this mirror, in the –Twilight Zone.
Marion’s room lit right up like no time passed by at all. The bulbs were all unscrewed but original and in a box inside her room. Different colors and frosts helped provide the tint most favorable. Blue and red bulbs were options.
Randolph Hearst is Mr. Statue, besides other things. She took a ‘fancy’ to his same art tastes. They had that in common.
Marion’s-Fan Mail Box or simply “Somebody just wanted out!”…beneath her crypt lies this protrusion. This is how I find treasure others miss or simply pass over. You gotta get your hands dirty to go back in time.

Across from this opulent crypt his a simple stone grave in a fancy location.

We shared a Make up trailer, a Movie Compound, and now are neighbors forever…A camera from 1933, on display at the Culver City Historical Society, was discovered in Marions’ trailer. In 1933-Marion had a new trailer. This original trailer location was a sling shot away from Skull Island and King Kong’s massive walls. Fay Wray had her make up done in this trailer, hence the camera. Continuity of make up…funny how things play out over time.

Marion Davies’ Make -Up trailer would be used by Fay Wray in 1933 for King Kong. Now they share the same cemetery, very close proximity.

My dog Thora was with me when we went inside Marion’s trailer on Lucerne Ave. We said “Open Sesame” and as the entry door opened, it revealed the secrets still hidden inside. As if this room wanted to be discovered by a caring figure, which I am.

Legendary Director Tony Scott, here directing Brigitte Nielsen in Beverly Hills Cop II is located at this plot. Expand and you will see his name in granite at the top, with his list of shows also carved in below his etched name. Victor, the gentleman pictured on the right, worked with Tony and still does for Ridley Scott. I have met both of these legends. Blade Runner is an all time favorite. 90 nights was the schedule for Blade Runner. Mostly all at Warner Brothers and many on New York Street. One of my all time favorite films. I was told that the affair Tony Scott had with Brigitte ended his marriage and Sylvester Stallone’s.

I was on that set-pictured here with our female star. Turmoil began here with the Scott family.

Your Mission, if you choose to accept it, is scale this impregnable fortress…. “I was here 50 years ago, scouting for a way in, it doesn’t exist. Mission Impossible best describes trespassing here.
New York Street peeks over the top of the fence above this graveyard...
A symbol of excellence…
Spirits in the Night..You don’t know what they can do to you...

My Third Book is finally completed. An anthology of the decade of the 70’s ‘Trespassing Adventures on all of Hollywood’s Backlots’

Pictures on covers: John Ritter rescuing a kid from a burning building in the last MGM Feature ever done on their historic backlot. Hero at Large 1979. A special thanks to the legendary Marc Wanamaker for his fine words. The Front Cover is picture I also took in 1977. Behind the Fireworks-in a Hot Air Balloon is Peter Frampton and The Bee Gees sailing above the MGM Backlot. They had to duck for cover and this scene was replaced by CGI cheesy replacement.

This is a must see color experience, you won’t be disappointed. I’m not trying to sell you a used car like Cal Worthington does, fact is my diary just kept getting better. I took more pictures of MGM than anyone ever. This color book presents my personal photos on every film set used by MGM in this era.

Included are never seen before tear down photos in 1980. This book will make you laugh, and make you cry. Some stories will scare you but you will come away wanting more, after you catch your breath anyway. The final chases and events at MGM are inside these magical covers…enough said… Roll Film!

We begin today’s adventure mingling through grave sights and tombstones from the distant past. In this haunted landscape-I appear…

The date, June, Friday the 13th, 2025. It could just as well be 1925, clocks aren’t needed here, the sands of time are just… Blowing in the Wind.

I discovered my Hole in the Fence at MGM’s legendary backlot 2. The first set I saw was a cemetery. My friend Jimmy and I were frightened. We hid behind tombstones. We even hid alongside a coffin with weeds growing out of it. Ironically, my studio life began in a cemetery. A big fancy studio stood beyond, like what is in front of me today.

I immediately cross paths with Paramount Security guards right off the bat…”How is that, why are they here?” I ask my dog. I approach a gentleman with the badge and Paramount baseball cap. I ask why he is stationed here? Stonework surrounds us with names and beginning and end dates chiseled on the surface… Eternity begins here.

His response was the Paramount lot is so busy that overflow parking is taking place in this cemetery. Satisfied with his response, I asked “do you know where Marion Davies‘ grave is?”

No one that works here could direct me and neither can Paramount security. However, I was informed that question gets asked frequently. I have my suspicion because of the Italian architecture. It has a flare of the Randolph Hearst. I’ve found it. It’s fancy as expected.

It’s not a crypt -it’s a condo.

I’ve seen this movie before. Marion plays hard to get, except for me. It could be 1972, when I first visited here. It could even be 1899 when these pearly metal gates first opened.

Just me and my hunting dog on a hazy sunny summer afternoon. We see tomb after tomb of movie legends. I have met many of them. Very surreal, yet pleasant. We all have to checkout and what better place than backside a movie studio.

My dog and I sit in the shade under a tree as the sun gets reflected in patterns. I’ve found tranquility. The grave that happens to be next to me says- June 13, my birthday. Inviting me inside, “I’m not ready, Thank you.” The Paramount Studio fortress overlooks this graveyard. My dog’s ears rise a bit crooked as we hear conversations on the studio side of this graveyard. Past, present, one doesn’t know...just voices.

The graves closest to the backlot are as old as the studio. I’ve been here several times before. I never came to star search. I was looking for a way in Paramount Studios. After all, I am the Phantom. But that never happened, it’s impossible or should I say Mission Impossible…Yes, that show was made on the other side of this blockade. It’s built like a prison. The walls are insurmountable and several stories high. The perfect design to prevent trespassing. I remained in denial. I went back and forth, seeing if I missed any way to get in. I don’t need much but…

I was given a tour by my friend Tim in 1974 who was often in the television series Happy Days. Then, in the 80’s, I got a driver job on the film 48 Hours with Nick Nolte and Eddie Murphy. I drove a San Francisco trolley from the Paramount lot to downtown L.A. It was supposed to be San Francisco. I have very little history here at this studio but certainly not for lack of trying.

In 1976, MGM became Paramount. Dino De Laurentiis took over Louis B. Mayer’s office and the work force was all things Paramount Pictures. Kong was too big to be contained at this tiny facility. I experienced Paramount under the grandeur that was MGM.

Memories cloak their selves with silence. Dead Men Tell No Tales around these parts. Silence is as powerful a tool as a jackhammer. Become in touch with frequencies and dimensions, they are everywhere, invisible, like electricity…soak it all in or you may miss a key road marker.

My googling leads me from Cecil B. DeMille and his family, past Don Adams tomb to Burt Reynolds. I visit each grave, and find myself connected here, almost eerily. I met these recent additions to Hollywood Forever on studio backlots. Hooper – I talked to him about stunts in real life. I also discussed them with Hal Needham. This happened while filming chariot races around the High Noon western street on the Columbia Ranch. Burt was wearing a cowboy hat that day, as he is now and for eternity.

I circle him in respect, I had no idea he was here. Close by, Don Adams’ grave is a tribute to Maxwell Smart. He is saying “Farewell” in his shoe phone. Heaven needed a good comic actor and took Agent 86 from us. I gave him a tour once at Universal. At the Flash Flood, the water jumped the retaining wall. It soaked my shoes as we all watched 10,000 gallons of recycled water reach its catch basin. Other than the 5 gallons that hit my floor pedals. My shoes got drenched. In all his wit, Don Adams, in Maxwell Smart’s voice, says, “I ruin more shoe phones that way!”

Here he is today, his gravestone forever will portray him calling the chief from his shoe. I love this guy. That series was shot close by at Sunset Bronson for four years prior to CBS. He belongs here-forever placing that call to CONTROL.

As I pass Tyrone Power, I’m suspicious of a crypt next to Mr. Power’s simple residence. The name doesn’t match, I carry on yet hear a ghost whisper… I’m drawn to this crypt like a magnet-very similar to the mysterious make up room of hers I discovered. Personal items belonging to her from as far back as the silent days. The truth is this 100-year-old horse drawn Make-up trailer would deteriorate quickly. It could become like a rotted old garden shed in just a blink of an eye. Marion’s spectacular room and all its movie history would disappear, as if it never existed. That was the fate until it called out to me, begging to be rescued. I discovered a photo that confirms who this was built for… A needle in a haystack possibility suddenly turned to 24k gold.

If that isn’t enough, it continued as a featured Make-up station for two of the biggest films ever made. These films were King Kong, released in 1933, and Gone With the Wind. Yes, the mirrors in this trailer are like the paintings Rod Serling stands in front of in Night Gallery. Laced with intrigue, you’re looking back to flapper days.

Mirrors are portals, and you feel her presence. Her original room continued to light up stars’ faces. This happened even after she moved to MGM in a new, fancier trailer. The same power that pulled me into the trailer was now magnetically tugging at me in this graveyard. Finally, after a short visit with Mickey Rooney I find the electronic clue to Ms. Marion. I leave Mickey after telling his nameplate, “I had a cool fort Mickey. It was in your Andy Hardy house in the 70’s. I grew up at MGM too…see ya Mickey”

Back to where I heard those ghost whispers- yes it’s Marion. Another obvious clue is the simple grave alongside. Charlie Chaplin’s mother, Hannah. Marion’s best friend, is buried alongside her there. His mom is located next to Marion’s crypt. Her death long preceded the building of Dorvas family crypt, meaning Marion specifically built hers alongside Ms. Chaplin. Charlie never made it, his grave in Switzerland was ransacked and he was held for ransom. How many dead people can claim a ransom, it’s usually reserved for the living. That’s immense Star Power.

Now that I’m in Marion’s resting place, I show respect and thank her for sharing this most amazing Hollywood relics still useable. I’m sure that’s the reason her spirit connected with mine, to preserve what’s left of this fabulous piece of history. My thoughts and exchanges with this legend are reciprocated through telepathy. We do this at my house too. My office- is her old Make-Up station. How cool is that!

She knows me. I think I am the most recurring face she sees now. We crossed paths in that backyard long ago. She wanted me to have this in my hands. I earned it; I won’t break up all the treasure inside it. I had my suspicions 50 years ago about that mysterious room.

Now her room, itself a star of a million magical moments of movie history, will forever be safe. Reflections of the way life uses to be stare back at the image that stands in front of it. They can also take you on a journey back in time, before sound in movies existed. Expressions ruled, they made you laugh, or cry. Silent films are like this cemetery, this place is one large silent movie. Horses not only pulled coffins around in a snapshot of history. They also hitched up movie trailers and went “On Location.”

Louis Armstrong..All Right, send us off with a little Jazz, Mr. Satchmo!

What a Wonderful World It Can Be

Written and lived by… Donnie Norden.

For a nominal fee…

Phantom of the Backlot2 Comments

What place in the world do you never want to visit? Why?

Stay out the hot sun and long lines and enjoy the comfort of favorite seat while operate one these tourist people movers.

This was a fun stage of my life

The Good, Bad , and Ugly

Of tourism.

Excitement, misery, Hollywood behind the scenes in the 80’s

We experience Knight Rider, The A Team , Miami Vice, Smokey and the Bandit.

Not all your guides get “satisfaction “

Some do – just ask Jack Wagner

The role model guides look up too

The Glamour Tram

Subscribe ….

All Aboard !

Kong Fabrication Area…

Phantom of the Backlot7 Comments
This upper torso is foam, and it was carved from large square blocks. The amount of foam being used is amazing. Every concept begins with foam. Foam is the base to make impressions. Once ready and carved, it gets assembled to a steel frame. This frame will hold all Kong’s body parts together. The trees, the mountains, detailed parts of the Great Wall all have foam somewhere inside the finished product.

Komo sambe kong kong!
Woo wooo woo
He lived in the jungle where he was born the king
His great strength made him lord of everything
No creature crossed his path and lived for long
His name, so legend tells us, was king kong
His height was never measured but was great
The jungle shook beneath his mighty weight
His arms were muscled, sturdy as a tree
His chest was thick and wide as it could be
Komo sambe, king kong

Jimmy Castor Bunch-1975

Perfect song to whistle while you work!

Sections 13/1/10/9 and 8 along with sound stages 27/28/29/30 are now assigned to Kong. Section 9 is where Kong forms are assembled for impressions for rubber skin covering. Impressions and molding are done here by effects artists.

We begin on an old corrugated steel fence:

There are the usual yet distinctive sounds that only kids like me quickly identify with. It’s the sound of tennis shoes climbing up a corrugated steel fence. It’s a quick pitter patter when performed by skilled climbers, and Danny and I are classified as such.

On the corner just beyond Overland Avenue, is a climbable old steel fence. With two climbers, it cuts the climbing time in half. It is located just across from Winchell’s Donuts on one corner. It is directly across from my financial institution, better known as Coast Savings. It’s a sidewalk and fence I have traversed back and forth to school my entire life. The other side of the fence here doubles as a storage area. This dirt area long ago had jungle villages and ship docks. They were removed decades ago. The last thing I saw filmed here was a helicopter take off. It was in the opening scene of The Phantom of Hollywood. That was three years ago, now big things are taking place in this same area.

This is how they carve the foam to make impressions for the rubber face.

We’re talking things that can be seen protruding above an area with a two-story fence. An orange figure can be seen towering above this old rusty, studio storage area. The MGM auction in 1970 staged out of this area, selling items of every size, shape and era. It’s the land time forgot. But this area is more significant now than it most likely ever was or could have been. Kong is being created back in this corner of the MGM main lot numbered ONE! Tiny holes tease us. We press our eyes against these portholes. We try to figure out what’s happening on the other side of this fence. Two holes occupied with one blue eye (mine) and one brown eye (Danny’s). Our torsos now block the afternoon sunlight rays from shining through these ancient studio fence protrusions.

Where did I park?

Eventually foam carvings will turn into a rubber, horse hair covered, mechanical robot. The amount of hydraulics needed is similar to a jumbo jet.

“I climbed in over at the Logan’s Run billboard,” I tell Danny. “It’s the old easy fence, no sharp edges, but we will use the push me- pull you method of entry.” Nothing more needs to be said. The temptation of seeing the front side of this giant head and shouldered orange creature is worth the simple risks. These risks could always come out of nowhere. We stop at the corner. We decide to buy some donuts at Winchell’s. The shop’s back door looks up at Kong. Its side door has a view of where we’re going to climb in. This is the official donut shop for all things Kong. I order my usual chocolate chip with sprinkles and an orange frosted donut.

I can see this figure as I select my donuts…

Satisfied, we exit this popular donut shop and cross the street to our front lot entry point. As we get to the billboard promoting Logan’s Run, we prepare to enter. With just one guy, this climb is complicated. You must find places to get a foothold. Hold the edge of the billboard with pictures of actors we met last year on Lot 2. Welcome to my world.

Danny and I take one last look at the intersection and the parking lot of the donut shop. The Culver City Police live at this donut shop. We don’t want to hit the fence with cops eating donuts and drinking coffee across the way. We time it just right. When the coast is clear, Danny cups his hands together. I put one shoe in the palm of his hand. He lifts me upwards, and I secure myself by standing on a fence cross brace. I can now reach down and pull Danny to the top by pulling on his left arm, like a rope. This process takes 10 seconds. We practiced this. We use this technique all the time on these old-style steel and wood fences.

With the sound of a double thump, we touch down inside MGM lot 1. We take cover behind the first things we see. These happen to be trees. Well, they’re going to be, now they’re just metal reinforced shapes in need of skin. Everything needs skin. Kong stands ever present, as if he’s the only head here that has spotted us. One arm is attached as a second foam arm is being put together like a large toy set. Cranes lift oversized parts, Danny and I joke, “Every crane operator in the world seems to work here now.” I had no idea how important cranes are to shows of this magnitude. After a brief cooling off, we sit between haunted looking trees and stage pit covers in this makeshift storage area. We can hear robust Italian dialects that seem to be leading this crusade. We feel safe because we were not seen climbing in. We sit on a pit cover and prop our legs on a foam log.

Foam log footstool…

As we stare upwards at the beast, our minds process what we see, and what we expected to see. He’s orange, like the donut I’m eating, and stiff, like he could blow over. The Italian voices below Kong have a table with various items. These are likely tech prints. Next to that is a coffee pot, along with donuts and water. We laugh as we realize, Winchell’s is going to make a mint off this show.

Some assembly required applies to this toy. We see forms and conclude this is a mold to make impressions. This isn’t the celebrity Kong that we see here. It’s just a stand-in used to fabricate the rubber skin. This rubber skin will be applied to the mechanical version of this same Ape. That version must be stationed somewhere else. This is where impressions are being made, like my dentist whose office is just down the street. With clarity now on what’s going on in this fabrication zone and this frontier/storage area we exit lot 1. Culver City’s skyline is changing rapidly. There are 40 ft apes, 60 ft walls that stretch from here to eternity, and large body parts strewn around. They are like puzzle pieces.

The backlot is even more active. We enter the backlot through a sharp fence. This fence folds like an accordion when nails are removed. Yes, we too have our own main gate. It’s concealed simply by turning a twisted nail that holds it shut. Because of this, it goes unnoticed.

Our gate is behind the Filmways Building. New York Street sprawls in every direction through the glass windows inside this old cartoon building. Danny and I take a break from Kong. We step away from all this preproduction activity. We relax in still plush seats in one of two theaters inside this building. Only a few refracted and stray sunlight rays illuminate the aisle. They lead to a row of luxurious seats where we recline.

This building will have a strategic value attached to it. It’s directly across from Kong fabrication that takes place across the public street named Overland.

Like we own the place, we sit comfortably and stare at a blank screen. It’s as silent as anywhere now on this lot. We imagine Tom and Jerry cartoons playing again, in the dark environment time forgot. We wonder if the last patrons ever to see screenings here knew what the future would hold. The ending credits that were last up on the screen were truly –The End. It’s been abandoned for years; the building has held up well. It has filing cabinets in most of the offices that wrap around the upstairs spaces. The basement contains the theaters. We feel like producers, whoever this Dino De Laurentiis guy is, we love him. Not only has he saved our backlot, but he’s also adding possibly the best chapter ever to its existence.

“Arrivederci to you… Mr. Italian producer guy! “

This dark theater stimulates our imagination. We just went to Laserium last week at the Griffith Park Observatory. Danny and I reconjure up some color trails still in our mind. We sink into these reclining seats. Danny provides the Greg Lake drums on the back of the seat in front of his. The song from ELP – Karn Evil 9 is captured in partial gray smoke effects. This is opposed to a laser light bombardment. Simple smoke exhaust from our lungs creates images, Danny creates sounds, as we immerse ourselves into full-tilt psychedelia.

You’ve got to see the show, it’s rock and roll.

No truer words have ever been spoken. MGM still delivers the goods, even over 50 years after these gates first opened!

Easter Egg Hunt at MGM

Phantom of the Backlot2 Comments

The final scene from MGM’s Easter Parade 1948. I have my own special Easter celebration on MGM Backlot 2.

Easter is when the difference between Catholic School and Public School is most noticeable. The days off don’t line up at all. Catholic kids wait for the resurrection before being cut loose with days off. Public School just calls it “spring break” no morals or scruples, just colored eggs and time-off. We pray- while they play!

But on Easter Sunday…all is forgiven. We all unite as one-under the guise of a good Peter Rabbit story. This is the time east meets west, all roads lead to God.

Jews, Catholics, Muslims, even Atheists, can come together as flowers start their magnificent blooms. Today, God, in his magic, created colored eggs and chocolate bunnies. These are for kids of every age and color to unite in this small, small world. It’s amazing what candy can do…it breaks down fences and barriers.

My Easter lasted three months last year. That’s when Jimmy and I finally finished finding all the eggs. Two stubborn faded hard-boiled guys stayed hidden until around the 4th of July. Their odor and decomposition finally gave them away. They were lodged inside the steel bumper of an old Rambler that my dad has parked in our long driveway…

Odor solved; it was beginning to affect our kitchen table breakfasts. “No mom, I don’t want any eggs today or ever again.”  We’ve been living off pancakes for over a month due to the foul effects of rotten eggs.

This year, my mom has encouraged me to do this elsewhere, like Jimmy’s house. She still wants to spend Saturday coloring a couple dozen fresh ones. Mom’s quite the artist. The rule this year is to hide them somewhere else.

I am walking home from Market Basket with 2 dozen eggs in tow. I also have a box full of chocolate marshmallow bunnies. I see Maureen as I turn the corner headed home for the decorating party. She is wearing a new Led Zeppelin t-shirt. We both attended the concert at the Fabulous Forum. However, we were not there together. We excitedly exchange notes: “My seats were terrible” she says, “My seats were great” I brag. “They sounded sloppy drunk” she complains but it was mind-blowing!” we agree. “What ya got there Donnie?”

“Oh yeah, eggs!” then I ask her, “do you want to sneak in MGM and hide these with me?” “You hide a dozen. I will hide a dozen at the same time. There’s no better place for a hard-boiled egg hunt than MGM.”

“Of course, what time?” she chimes. “Bright and early. I have to go to church about 11.” That was the one condition I had to agree to, to get this bag of Easter goodies.”

My mom loves MGM, if she didn’t walk with a crutch, she would come with us, I’m sure…bless her heart. In the spirit of living through her son, she has helped me decorate my eggs. We decorated them after MGM movie stars!

We are talking an Easter Parade of eggs, saluting MGM legends. Fred Astaire, Gene Kelly, Liz Taylor, Frank Sinatra, Ricardo Montalban, Roddy McDowall, Clark Gable, Judy Garland and Laurel and Hardy. MGM’s big hitters made up and ready for their 7am backlot call times.

A Bright Easter Morning – 7am

Maureen greets me on my porch, my parents are still asleep, we sit on the stairs admiring these hard-boiled legends. My mom should work for the MGM Art Department. Fantastic stuff, mom outdid herself on these hard-boiled entertainment legends!

We know these will end up being pulverized, that’s how most our egg hunts terminate, with a Battle Royale.

We load everything in a canvas bag with handles. It’s easy to run with, just in case a whiskered easter villain with a badge interrupts us. TWA has its logo stitched on each flapped side; it fits nicely on my shoulder. I feel like a pilot. Why not? We do have a jumbo jet inside the airplane hangar. It was used in the movie Skyjacked, starring Chuck Heston.

TWA meet MGM as 4 tennis shoes hit the ground at the same time at our Grand Central Train Station. We quickly occupy a seat in the Pullman train cars to get a feel for what’s up on the backlot. I expect zero security, or a courtesy Bronco drive through at best. Maybe the White Rabbit will run by, anything can happen here. We’ll tell him a hookah-smoking caterpillar has given us the call.

The sun enters through the train windows. These windows are caked with dust patterns on the east side compartments. It shines on the eggs we are looking over one last time…Nice, mom made a Louis B. Mayer egg, and it’s gold, with round glasses!

Maureen finds a special egg in her carton… Lassie… mom painted the dog!

We love all of Lassie’s shows. I should have brought my dog Pebbles with us, that’s all that’s missing here. This is like That’s Entertainment- hard boiled!

Ok, here’s the rules…Catholic kids always have to have rules, it’s the law.

“You hide yours here, in these trains…and inside the Grand Station,” as I gesture with my arms. I will go to the cemetery behind the Romeo and Juliet sets. Your hunt will be in the graveyard.”

“Sounds fun …get out of here!” as I am pushed out the side train door back onto the cement platform. “I’ll be back after I hide these guys, you have this entire train station to work with…see you in about 15 minutes!”

Twenty – minutes later, at the depot…

There are five trains at this depot. Each train has its own long aisle with rows of seats. The seats provide hiding places.

I find my first egg, sitting proudly like the head of a movie studio would. It’s the Golden Egg, with Louis B. Mayer on it. It is in between the arm rests separating two reclining seats. His glasses are facing forward, as if he’s ready to have his ticket punched… in the first-class section.

He is the first one to go back inside the egg carton. Maureen is upset I found that one so quickly. She said, “I think he wants out of this dusty train.” He would like to head back to his clean white office as I shut the lid on this mogul.

Peter Lawford has just been located, in an overhead compartment, he is yellow and hidden properly. The initials P.L. are on this egg in case we couldn’t recognize this member of the rat-pack. One of my mom’s heart throbs. This is so fun!

Maureen says there are a few outside also… I climb down the steel steps. I examine the exterior, underneath the carriage, the train’s massive wheels, the couplers, and the air hoses. It feels like a conductor doing his pre-trip inspection. As luck and hinting would have it, Fred Astaire has been spotted on the sprouting grass between the rails. This spot is where he filmed the Band Wagon and the classic song –By Myself.

Astaire… scene from the Band Wagon, but mom has drawn him in his more familiar top hat. (Grand Central Station MGM Backlot #2).

My Easter Egg Hunt location (Grand Central Station MGM Backlot #2).

Free Range Fred Egg

Roddy McDowall is hiding around here I’m told. That hint takes me to the doorway he walked through when we both met him on Planet of the Apes. As I walk through that same door today, his egg appears, it’s on the fence cross brace in plain sight. It says Roddy on one side and is died Purple. That is a perfect color for the Bookworm.

I met Roddy McDowall for my second time on this TV series in 1974. He greeted all the kids who were watching these scenes filmed at Grand Central Station. The series wanted an abandoned look, bringing in cement fragments. The station was used in Young Frankenstein right before this and was very fancy. Both Planet of the Apes and Young Frankenstein were 20th Century Fox renting the MGM backlot. This station would get fixed up nicely for The Fortune, this deterioration is set dressing. This would become fit for a Band Wagon, once again.

The hunt begins here, we climb in where these train tracks enter the backlot.

We’re leaving the Train Station and off to the cemetery! -There is a fence in this picture laying on the ground, white and dented, a car crashed through it. It was a traffic accident, not a stunt. Imagine crashing your car on the backlot. I’d keep driving around, leave out the main gate. The studio added a replacement fence. Funny enough, it was the side of a ship. It had port holes to look into the studio. That’s the story behind this picture. Look closely, the rear of the train has a guard getting out of the Red Bronco. They patrol this area knowing this is our favorite way in.

My partner in today’s story…This picture is from Maureen’s balcony seen here holding her nephew Shad, In the background is Lot 2. Yes, she had balcony MGM seating. We watched filming from her bedroom. So much fun…Notice the fence and you will see two-port holes. That’s the replacement to the fence-the side of a ship. Only in Hollywood…

MGM Lot 2 cemetery in its glory. Site of my original Hole in the Fence. When we entered, we were scared stiff, we crawled in the high grass along these tombstones. This cemetery was moved around to different locations. NY Street used it on Soylent Green. Also, The Phantom of the Backlot used these graves at Tarzan’s Lake. Then Young Frankenstein made a graveyard below the Girls Reform School I still call Boystown. These are Styrofoam. Some are wood.

These gravestones were used in “Young Frankenstein” and seen here in transit.

A picture I took of the location of the Lot 2 cemetery. I’m peeling apart Peter Lawford as we head over to the next set. I’m hungry… it’s always fun when you can eat game pieces. The cemetery relocated for more filming.

We are done on my part of the hunt, next it’s her turn!

An egg hunt in a haunted cemetery…

“OK girl,” I kept it simple; most are in this cemetery but two are at the pool, just sunning themselves.” She scans the field of retired souls, and now slowly walks apprehensively in search of…movie eggs. Cautiously, she touches the tops of the graves, like she’s knocking on a front door. She is warming up to this macabre environment. I bet no kids anywhere are having an Easter Morning quite like this… except maybe in Transylvania.

That’s good because I hid a white egg with Red Slippers on it- inside a coffin. This coffin has weeds growing out of the partially open lid. The egg just rolled under a wad of ancient and current spider webs. We will see if these slippers can be recovered. Otherwise, Boris the Spider is the new owner of these painted on Ruby Red Slippers.

She points to the sarcophagus, looking for some reaffirmation, I blankly stare back, “Open it!”

Knowing she hates spiders -her head turns as if she’s seen a Phantom, perhaps Lon Chaney. He lurked this lot in the silent era after all… Boldly she grabs the Judy egg. “It’s cracked”, she says. Then in one smooth move as I approach her, she throws it at me sidearm.

Bullseye! She’s good… she can turn a double-play, she’s that good. The cracked egg is now pulverized as I tumble backwards alongside someone less fortunate than me. From a horizontal position, I look up at the graves as the dust settles, I slowly lift myself back up. We both bust up, “keep hunting”-as I think-your time will come!

I left this simple. A six-year-old could do it. Most of these hard-boiled movie stars are now recovered, except the two “E’s”…Elvis and Esther. Esther sits balanced on the edge of her own diving board. Skateboards have replaced swimmers nowadays. Maureen examines this blue egg with Esther on it. We agree to let her roll off the diving board. This will be her final plunge. We will leave her in the pool for eternity… Elvis, with your collar and fancy hair, you just stay seated in that metal lawn chair.

We sit next to King’s egg and talk. Just Maureen, me, and an egg painted with hair, glasses, and a collar. We decide to leave him be, “Happy Easter Elvis, if you get hungry, my mom’s having a buffet, around 2-ish”

Written and lived by… Maureen Miller and Donnie Norden