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The Best of Culver City’s Backlot Stories: Wally’s Gas Station

September 24, 2024 Phantom of the Backlot2 Comments

The last picture ever taken of this set. A set surrounded by dirt roads. Every show that came on this busy backlot had to pass by here. I will take your inside this set in this post. Very small but packed with history. Often this was the first set we would hide in briefly. It was 20 yards or so from the La Ballona creek. The creek was like a set and was when Thomas Ince was alive. The Army Core of Engineers paved the pristine tree lined location to control flooding in storms. MGM Lot 3 was down stream. When backlots flood, workers use row boats.

Wally’s filling station had a different location originally but was removed to build a bridge for Hogan’s Heroes. This new Wally’s is a Frisbee toss from and his future Barracks and Camp Henderson.

Not the same building. This is the original. Replaced to build a permanent set -The Bridge for Hogan’s Heroes. An episode of The Untouchables filmed at this original station. Night scene-Tommy Guns blazing- fire and explosions. The next day – had to erase all signs of carnage and mayhem for the simpler life in Mayberry. These two series used the backlot for 3 years – same time. Chicago/ Mayberry, Atlanta, Gotham City or just Superman’s Metropolis are cities once represented here. This is the most famous of all backlot ranches.

This set replaced Wally’s original Gas and Service station.

For perspective–Original Wally’s location, pictured on left, was replaced by Hogan’s Heroes Bridge. Picture on right highlighted-was Wally’s second location. Not moved-torn down. Rebuilt net to Camp Henderson. I’ve been chased along side the creek bed the entire length of the studio …and a bit beyond.

The gas station attendants on the let. Sheriff Taylor fueling up on right. Center is pre Gomer Pyle’s -Camp Henderson. Gomer would mover over one set-twenty yards as the crow flies-to his new home away from home and a set he would make famous for years to come.

This area would become-Camp Henderson. If you examine earlier trio of pictures-you can see reverse angle where Gomer has nozzle in his hands. Danny Thomas had bigger plans for Gomer-“his own series

Sunday- at the filling Station– “No reason to be in a hurry”

“JUST FIX IT!

“Your mileage may vary” – This sign was on this dirt road pictured left. I’m standing where the pumps would be for my color photo. Behind the eucalyptus trees that still exist today is the La Ballona Creek. Through those trees is where …”We’d Appear” Many adventures of mine start peeking through trees. You’re not trespassing until you reach dirt. You can run forever along that creek. Once, while getting ready to film something on the nearby western street, a guy in a suit of all things sees us- Jimmy is with me.

He starts chasing us…We cut through a village thinking he would stop but he didn’t. We continue running and slide down the embankment along side the creek. Certainly now he would stop-not the case. We are running as fast as we can and so is he. We are covering 40 acres of real estate, the longest stretch possible.

“Will this ever stop-who is this guy” like a Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid moment. Running scared and out of breath -pure adrenaline now-Jimmy is ahead of me, the suit guy is getting closer. Finally as we get to a bridge at the very East end of Culver City- he terminates his pursuit. I have never had a guard chase me that far- he is dressed to nice to be a guard. We will never know who this guy was -but talk about a run for your life! We decided not to go back inside that afternoon a face this Super Hero again. We were only in there for 5 minutes– but the chase lasted 10!…Buzz Kill

No more Wally- a new CEO. Goober. While Gomer films right across a tiny dirt road. So close, it has to be blocked, almost always by an oversized vehicle–Shazam, my own series …

Not the same Soda Machine that greeted us- seems to be standing on a furniture dolly. Fire extinguisher was missing but would later- turn out to be needed! A car or truck can be seen here parked over a pit used to change oil. Sitting in those chairs, you would be looking at Camp Henderson, beyond the gas pumps.

Behind that military box trucks is Gomer’s old filling station job. He becomes a Marine. He becomes as big a star as any of the actors on The Andy Griffith show. The ratings on this show were always top 10. You didn’t want to be slotted up against this show. Star Trek was knocked off the air when slotted on different channel -same time. Ronnie Schell-Duke Slater had nothing but love for Jim Nabors. Jim moved on to Variety shows. Everything he touched was gold.

Speaking of Gold – a shipment passed through here in a “top secret’ transport. A fantastic backlot episode.

Boot camp is rough but it’s an honor to serve our flag and this country. I trespassed with real Marines. They all tripped out being on a set of the most famous ‘Marine’ in Hollywood. This series motivated young men into service. Fittingly, Mr. Nabors is an honorary Marine- Full Corporal. When it was on the air- Vietnam was a live war, you could be drafted- for perspective of time. I loved Sargent Carter, he was the perfect fit to offset Gomer’s silly personality.

Add Ronnie Schell and Ted Bessel. You have a series that is as popular today. It is viewed more than in the past. The show wasn’t canceled because of low ratings. A purge took place of great T.V all over Hollywood. My biggest thrill was spending an afternoon at Camp Henderson with Ronnie Schell. He played out what it was like to be on this series.

He also described life in general at Desilu. We sat in his car exactly on the spot of the barracks. I watched his eyes glaze over as he looked around at what is now an industrial park. To think of the things he saw 60 years ago, it reflected on his face and in his soul. Who would have thought a trespassing kid would become a carrier of the TV Land Torch.

Did you know-this dog can talk?- Just ask Opie Taylor.

Trouble Makers…

In 1966, Goober went on vacation and the station never did better…In 1965 -Color T.V episodes begin…

In 1967, Goober held a raffle to pick up business–Aunt Bee-is a winner- “Oh Boy” says an excited Opie

***Pictures attach to the night of the gas station fire disaster***– Area where fire started King of Kings set. Built in 1927. In this picture, Andy Griffith wasn’t on the air. There was no gas station yet. It would be added on the left side very close to this set. Eucalyptus trees separated the two sets. I had a great fort in that village. Used in Harum Scarum, yes Elvis Presley was in my fort, before me…

The village that burned this night-Elvis is running up stairway-picture on right is in picture below. Behind that stairway is Goober’s filling station. Imagine Elvis visiting Mayberry -it happened in real life.

“What a Great Place for a fort!” says Elvis

“Check the tires-filler up please”… Elvis’s Trailer was parked here at Goobers in 1967 while filming Harum Scarum.

Time to go inside the filling station on a warm summer day…

When I first set foot here- the set dressing still existed although the series was over.

We start by climbing up an embankment in the La Ballona Creek. We stop at the summit and peek through eucalyptus trees. We aren’t trespassing yet, cross the dirt road in front of us and anything goes. Where the rubber of our tennis shoes meets the dirt roads once used in Gone with the Wind.

Jimmy and I’s options start here – Camp Henderson provides cover as does this tempting filling station. Refrigerated Soda Pop sits inside a red ice chest. We have gas pumps and of course we pretended to pump gas to invisible cars. A cigarette machine offers fine packs of tobacco. After all, this is fictitiously Carolina. Still, it is located in Culver City. The eucalyptus trees along the road leading up to pumps still stand as they did then. Living Monuments to a wonderful past. They stood tall over every episode.

Open the filling station door and what do you see, dirt on the floor, no floor boards exist. 5 people barely can squeeze in here conga line style. I know families with bigger closets than this station. Motor Oil can be bought and a rack greets you through the front window. Jimmy and I check out these empty quarts of lubricant quickly learning everything is fake. There is no gas in pumps. There is no STP Oil in cans wrapped generically. There is no air for tires. There is no cold soda pop on this summer day. There are no Mayberry Lucky Strike Cigarettes in the tobacco machine of fake cartons to take home to dad. Early lesson learned -nothing is real here-entirely illusions. Everything here is like a magic act-just smoke a mirrors- abracadabra !

It’s musty inside, no interior walls, the wood outer walls are what frames the inside, except with out paint. Filming has to always take place from doorway going outward, inside, no counters or cash registers. The big glass front window is covered with dust, it has been awhile since the windows have been cleaned. The other window is on the front door.Each window, looking outward views the pumps and beyond to-Camp Henderson. Cobwebs cover the ceiling.

You expect at any moment George Lindsey or Jim Nabors to walk by. Or perhaps Opie Taylor will ride up on his bike. Or maybe a car in need of repair, like “The Man in a Hurry.” That is a great episode that uses the entire backlot and actually drives home a point. “Slow your roll” be in the moment to get the riches of the Universe. Jimmy and I are two young boys…Not in a Hurry

All this is not negative, just factual. Nothing fancy greets you. Powerful images from all the years of filming here start dominating our brains. They spool out memories. Jimmy and I soak in past, rapid firing different scenes and episodes. This is an easy way to go back in time

In between the garage and station lies a pit for the attendant to stand in. This pit is used so car’s oil can be changed. Opie once jumped over this in a scene -so of course, we do to. To a kid – it seems like the thing to do. We watch reruns of this show everyday. This gas station always is used, but never this pit, maybe it was dug for one episode, we ponder. At night, take note of this-or you may fall in. We have chase games around here, this is a slick place to lose your pursuer, in a dark hole.

Just a couple weeks ago in a chase game, I was running as fast as I can. It was a pitch dark Saturday night. I was running from an older boy. He had to tag me to capture me. I was running down the sidewalk at full speed in downtown Mayberry. I was running from the Mayberry Hotel towards the courthouse. I hear a thump and an instant groan.’ My friend Mario was just a couple feet from my tail. He got plastered by a metal protruding sign holder extending from where Emmit’s Fix It Shop stands. I was lucky to have missed being the victim here. I didn’t see it-it has no sign on it, just a metal rod.

Mario lays on the pavement groaning in pain with a very long 9 iron cut across his forehead. He has a concussion, he takes awhile to come to his senses. Just a reminder, there are a “million ways to die” at this old studio ranch. On some nights, you experience several. Boys will be boys!

This set, as did most of this lot-died a fiery death. These stories are in my books, book two, The Uninvited Visitor, will put a fire hose in your hand.

The past meets the current on this corner…

One night after almost every set was destroyed in one way, shape, or form. We were riding around when we saw flames. We just walked out of a liquor store that served basically this studio. The location is next door to a famous bar. The bar is used often in film. It is across the street from a Chevron Station that served this studio on Ince Blvd. Located next to an Ice Company and Laundry Matte that served this studio. Costumes used in epic films get cleaned here. The Paramount Laundry is etched in cement above the door. Ice is used for several reasons. It can be bought in truckloads here. It can be shaved and used as ground snow. It can be used with fans to cool things down on hot. Non air conditioned stages need fans. I have found ice picks in dressing rooms that were once used by stars.

The Culver Hotel overlooks the iconic plantation building. Thomas Ince built it. It was the center of this ancient studio. Lucy and Desi Arnaz would occupy this office space in the TV years. Times were different back then. The business outside the fences provided some service or just an escape from filming. Stars can be found here walking public streets.

Studio Spirits Road…Desi drank at this most legendary bar that has a tunnel to the Culver Hotel, used in prohibition times. I saw “That Girl ” in a phone booth in the Chevron Station on Ince Blvd. There was a line waiting outside the phone booth’s glass folding door. She talks emphatically with her hands trying to describe things. A stack of tires and real motor stands next to the repair garage, next to this booth. The next closest gas station is Goobers. Real stuff, not fake stuff, like at Wally‘s, can be purchased here.

The sky is burning…

We exit this liquor store with bags of candy. I have a Mars Bar and Fritos. As we mount up prepared for a sugar high, the sky above is turning a bright orange. We figure right away… Desilu is on fire…again.

We quickly race down Ince Blvd and see a huge fire. The main gate is locked, the fire department can be heard responding, but are not here yet. As the fire department arrives, as they cut the lock on the main gate, they are responding to an inferno. Before they can pump water a large two section collapses before our eyes. Sparks fly skyward, some disappear forever while others land in dangerous high risk areas. Many citizens have followed the firemen inside, this isn’t the first fire off Lucerne, the side street closest by. Some residents here were on the street when “Atlanta” burned in 1938. I found this out much later in- Gone with the Wind.

The lot is scheduled for demolition, this is the last action ever on the backlot. A fire engine stations itself at Goober’s at the filling station and begins pumping water on the flames. The King of Kings Set, built in 1927 by Cecil B. DeMille, is next to collapse, as if being directed by the “Man Himself.”

The fire spreads to the gas station. It has water being pumped on it and never delivered even a gallon of gas. That too collapses. Fire Department is in contain mode, so burning embers do not light the Baldwin Hills that overlook this studio. Stray tiny fires from embers are quickly extinguished by Flashing Red Light landscape.

The filling station falls backwards and downwards spewing even more sparks as it disappears forever. No one here feels the connection I have with this simply constructed facade. This is as much a friend as it is a building. It’s like if my bedroom burned down. As spectacular as this is, the ramifications are-it will never be again !

The Day After…

Basically, the landscape is several different fires, earlier fires already destroyed the neighboring Western Street. Saloon has been gone for months. I lost my Harum Scarum Fort in this last fire. I have one fort left here in an isolated location. That’s why it still stands. A pond surrounds the front and rolling green vegetation keep risk down. That fort is also known as the Mayberry R.F.D House stands.

Mayberry R.F.D House– left -set standing “safely” at Desilu. My fort “where Elvis entered” is up that stairway-pictured right. Behind this set is Goober’s Filling Station. This building collapsed igniting America’s Favorite Filling Station.

Mayberry itself is a skeleton. The Church Fire destroyed that area months ago. It’s Ghostly here. Spirits are still here just because the sets are gone or in desperate need of …love!

This fire is almost fitting for a backlot best known for fires. This finally “if you will” is a Gone with the Wind moment. Fire made this backlot famous with the Burning of Atlanta in 1938, in 1976 fire concludes its part of history. All that remains is now ash.

Farewell my backlot, a blaze of glory has taken you to a better place. Until we meet again. I will watch all the reruns. It’s like I’m still that “Uninvited Visitor” who grew up in this place.

For this story and many more -Read my books available on Amazon.

A footnote -this was the last ever backlot fire in Culver City…In August, 1976, No sets remained. A dirt 40 acre lot blows away in clouds of dust as do tumbleweeds headed somewhere else. A final sound of …Silence

Written and lived by …Donnie Norden

The Rat Patrol -MGM TV

September 20, 2024 Phantom of the Backlot5 Comments

This was my lunchbox, on my trek to Saint Augustine School every day. In some ways, it was like being in a German Prison Camp. I would ride around the sidewalks outside the backlot. I looked inside through tiny holes in the fence to get my mojo on. Carrying a book bag stuffed with a Voit football inside, this lunchbox was hooked around my handle bars. At the main gate on Overland-often this transportation (pictured on this box) presented itself through a chain link fence. I would press this box against the fence that separated me from them, making my lunch pale “official” to this my favorite show. I Lived my Lunch Pail -very much battle tested!

!972–My favorite vantage point on the MGM Back-lot…The Steeple on Lot 2. After climbing barb wire and a razor fence below-we would hide in the trains below, like some Rat Patrol kids. When the coast seemed clear, we targeted this steeple. We did a perilous climb to the top. From there, you can see almost the entire back-lot and Culver City beyond.

The Trial by Fire Raid -1967–just below the church steeple-a battle is underway…This series lasted from 1966 to 1968. It overlapped with with Combat in 67/68. “Talk about endless gunfire,” the battles and sounds carried beyond the fences as if my street was under attack.

A nomadic village that was earlier liberated by the T.V series Combat. Depending on props and set dressing, we can turn this street into whatever is needed. The Three Musketeers starring Gene Kelly rode down these same cobblestone streets in 1948. In this picture-dirt covers the cobblestone. This isn’t Europe it’s somewhere in the Middle East. Dirt is set dressing on this street.

The plot thickens”… in the picture on the right-you can see the area we climb in. It is at the very back behind the foot soldier. We climbed a barb wire pole and carefully manipulated that white razor fence.

As Germans guard exterior-Sam Troy sneaks his way in-Actual train interior.

I have been in this train …at MGM Lot 3. This train was moved here from there. Pictured left on The Harvey Girls. On the right-same train. MGM Lot 2 had plush Pullmans to fit Grand Central Station. Lot 3 was a rustic train line. Lot 2 had some Box Cars also. Tracks do not connect to each lot. You were enclosed on Lot 3 like a Lionel Kid Train set up. No where to go-but in circles. Lot 2 connects to a real train line. This train had to be trucked over. Big Toys for Big Boys…

Twilight Zone–Lot 3-” Last stop-Willoughby”-“Yes that’s Willoughby, right outside.” Same train featured in this episode of the Rat Patrol has an illustrious past. The Rat Patrol filmed on Lot 3 all the time. But those tracks cross town were surrounded by Western Streets, so move it to Lot 2. This studio is the ultimate Toy Chest.

Pictured here -1970 World Famous MGM Auction.

This set was once used in classic film- The Band Wagon. Little did Fred Astaire know then all the war that would take place in the years to come. This is the one set that looked bombed out in one show then extremely opulent in the next. Planet of the Apes took over this depot in 1974. Apes on horses with guns followed these same jeep tire tracks. Young Frankenstein followed Planet of the Apes as an example of destroyed then a couple months later all fancied up. as it was for Gene Wilder and Madeline Kahn.

In this shootout with these two jeeps, very tight maneuvering is needed. The drivers must avoid crashing. It is a tight squeeze at high speed.

If you have a good eye-the two rows of Pullmans have been rearranged for this scene allowing for more space. there is a 3ft. drop from platform to tracks. The jeeps are moving fast. There is a possibility that you can roll this jeep. This can happen if a wheel goes over the edge even slightly. You don’t need a train engine to jockey train cars-a tractor can move these along the tracks.

Two jeeps-high speed- 50 caliber’s blazing.

Still pictures lack the intensity taking place. This was before I trespassed, I was 7. But we heard this battle from outside the fence that surrounds two sides of this depot. We weren’t sure if it was Combat or Rat Patrol- until we saw the jeeps racing by.

The truck parked behind this train is a “rigging truck” used by MGM Transportation. The studio has several military vehicles in their fleet.

MGM Transportation can double up in military shows. This rigging truck on the left side of the frame is part of a fleet.

The Fleet-Two generator trucks, where power originates on sets, parked alongside a modified jeep with a camera boom. then a couple cast busses and rigging/property trucks. The trailer would be make-up.

A lot of train tracks merge here, I’m standing on the line that enters and exists the backlot. The train gate was my most used entrance over the decade. Mostly because it was the closest to my house.

Culver Blvd-Overland intersection. This train passed MGM twice a day, at least. The Backlot 2 is fenced off area lined with trees.

That Luger is no match for what’s coming…

Take Cover!!!

I love this show…

“Let’s get out of here” says Troy–Well-I’ve said that a few times myself!

“Let’s get out of here.”..Donnie Norden style. A National Guard unit that was fortified with a tank was located directly across the street to all these battles.

Looking into this set from a helicopter…

MGM maps indicate where train tracks exist on both backlots. Lot 2, on the left. Lot 3 to our right. The Harvey Girls and Willoughby’s yellow train normally was on Lot 3. But for this episode of the Rat Patrol-it makes like a guest star.

An American Flag replaces a Swastika…A salute to our flag raised above the backlot.

A short painful story of my own…

So I have been on top of this arch, at night, which is a difficult climb, no stairway. A brief ladder gets you up the final 5 feet. But most of the climb is foot holds, reaching upwards between two walls. I was in a B.B Gun Fight.

The Marines have landed…

My older friends were in the Marines. Based out of Camp Pendleton, I often gave tours to Recon Rangers. Some times small groups, and sometimes large. This village was their favorite part of the tour. On one particular night, I wanted to impress my soldiers friends. We had 6 guys-4 Marines and my neighbor Danny. Crosman pistols and Daisy Rifles were our standard weapons.

I wanted a vantage point that overlooked this village to be a sniper. I took cover behind that plaster ornament on the right hand side, pitch dark, a 5 minute climb. I had never been on top of this arch. I was proud of myself as I caught my breath. Little did I know, I was in their cross hairs. My gun was cocked already- because that process makes noise. As I stuck my head out to pick off whoever becomes a target.

Just as this happens, I get shot in the head twice...a second apart. The B.B’s hurt, my head would have been blown off with live ammo. Two shots, two bulls -eyes. I yelled ‘ouch” I was so startled. When you get hit, you’re out of the game. Unless you’re wounded like your hand or something minor. As I climbed back down, not having fired a shot-I asked-“How did you know I was up there?” “Easy your head was a silhouette against the sky.” I had a new respect for guys I already looked up to. Two shots – two direct hits, that is extremely fine marksmanship.

I have a helmet from Combat but chose not to wear it. It would have saved me had I had it on. Even better than filming days-MGM War Games was our funnest things to do. These stories are in my books. Live your Lunch pale everybody...”Semper Fi”

Written and Lived by-Donnie Norden

Universal City Sign

September 17, 2024 Phantom of the BacklotLeave a comment

In better days -1964. Tour Promo-Actually 3 car trams in pink and white days, you could never maneuver 25 cars around turns nor pull all that weight, especially up hills. You would need multiple Power units. Only the lead car “power unit” has an engine. Like a long freight train, you would need several engines…

The Phantom lurking around Universal City…

The highest natural vantage point in the mainly faces outwards over the San Fernando Valley.

The sign no longer shines here welcoming guests…

Future Roller Coaster Ride-Fast and Furious

A train trolley took you to Victoria Station located just below the wonderful sign.

The mountain that would bare fruit of Universal City sign for decades above North Hollywood. The next closet big sign on a hilltop is two mountains south of here called Hollywood

3 car Pink and White Glamour Trams…Group about to board after visiting with the Robert Wagner and Lucille Ball video tapes. Our Old Property Department has the Movie Billboards attached. This tram will embark through there next…All Aboard-Watch your arms and legs as the gates slam shut.

Night Gallery pictures our the next thing guests will see.

My favorite Writer, Producer ever… Rod Serling. My friends and I would watch Twilight Zone reruns at the sets they were filmed at. The actual real color sets would be framed by the Black and White images off my battered old T.V. That dynamic was eerily cool.

Nostalgia at it’s Best…K-Mart and a new Monster attraction at Universal. The Saving Place meets the Haunted Place!

Your welcome inside…

A King and a Knight headed to…Castle Dracula

Michael Jackson fits right in…Universal was a favorite place for him, for it’;s haunted private tours and a facility for two videos, including his very last ever.

The Universal Amphitheater…One of the absolute best concert venues ever in Los Angeles. Right up there with The Greek, The Ford, and the Hollywood Bowl. Picture left, the original roofless Amphitheater, Picture right, the curtain is closed! I have witnessed everyone from David Bowie, Elton John- to Pope John Paul II. The 67 year old Pontiff was greeted by 6,000 admiring fans, a welcome worthy of –A Rockstar

Mr Tony Melendez is the most moving of all performances ever performed in this venue…A side bar to this visit included the Pontiff inside a Glamour Tram. It was taken off lot and was driven through Hollywood, by his security detail. Just one car, the power unit. Things we will never see again…

“Keep your hands off“- A monument that on a clear day can be seen from the famous Hollywood roadways to beaches off in the distance

The studios and the populace in the valley only could see the Universal City sign, this sign projects the opposite direction, over Hollywood and to the movie studios on the west end of town. The Universal City sign and this Grand Master fit together like Peanut Butter and Jelly. Welcome to Hollywood -Ladies and Gentlemen!

Turn the channel -Please

A Bad Hollywood rerun at Universal Studios continues…as NBC Universal cuts out more of its heart and soul that was built by MCA Universal to transform what was glorious studio into a children’s theme park. New Soundstages and Roller Coasters are replacing all things iconic on this 467 acre lot. Everyone who has time spent at this studio is still adjusting to The Mario Brothers Ride replacing Stage 28, the iconic Phantom of the Opera Stage and the opulent Opera House inside.

Carl Laemmle is rolling in his grave once again, along side Lew Wasserman, Boris Karloff, Bella Lugosi. also. I can picture these owners and their monsters running amok like a curse of the has been unleashed, Dracula’s castle has also been removed to fit in this Fast and Furious Roller Coaster project.

Even Animal spirits from the Animal Actor Stage, which was located just behind this iconic sign, have their dander up. I have some great stories involving escaped animals on the backlot, stay tuned for those…From a famous Orangutan on the lose (twice), to famous show dogs that escaped from the upper lot to wonder through the backlot on a busy Friday night. Three well groomed K-9’s showing up on a New York film set as if looking for a part.

Animal Actors are part of the history here, but no longer. That too has been removed. I sure have stories involving stars who can’t sign autographs, but prefer to lick you.

Things we all loved that have been removed for this theme park redesign. Included, the World Famous Universal Amphitheater, Stage 28-better known as the Phantom of the Opera stage, and now this iconic sign that identified this hilltop and the wonders sitting below it.

North Hollywood and the 101 Freeway all looked at this simple gem, inviting you inside from beyond the backdoor. The next biggest sign from here is the Hollywood Sign, which formerly said Hollywoodland. That one’s safe since- NBC can’t touch it.

Rather than being the bearer of bad news– I wish to be the spirit liaison of what is and what use to be. No expansion was bigger here than City Walk and i’s theaters, restaurants, and shops, that sprung up in what was a huge parking lot for tours, before structures were utilized. The barn in the center of 6 Points is the top of seniority set and that’s because it is real and existed even prior to Carl Laemmle.

That wonderful structure is it’s own history lesson in both film and practicality. Horses can be stored inside and were often. Westerns are rarely made anymore, especially in town. Universal still has the most original acreage and still standing sets, thanks largely to A Most Popular Tram Ride. We all owe these super long people movers our respect for keeping this lot strapped with cash, or it would be condo city as GE was eyeing to do.

Written and lived by…Donnie Norden

A Most Mysterious Location- Vasquez Rocks

September 13, 2024September 13, 2024 Phantom of the BacklotLeave a comment

Strange Space Craft are known to come and go from this desolate location that doubles as… The Outer Limits

The Zanti’s invade Vasquez Rocks

“What’s up there?”

“Welcome tiny visitors”…

This craft took off -To the MGM Backlot 3, and MGM Security- known for their shooting prowess- finished this job off on the Backlot. The Zanti Misfits-The Outer-limits

Folks are not always welcome…“People are Strange” applies here.

Who runs this place that has no clocks- just shifting sands to register time…

“Beam me up Scotty…NOW!

My favorite visitors have arrived…

No room for humans here…I wore that helmet at MGM. 1974 T.V series... I had long hair sticking out and a guard who hates me showed up and ran at me. I didn’t move because I had a pass. I also had on Ape hand gloves and a rifle. What a sight to see, crew was around corner having lunch and put on what actors took off to eat. I was more imposing than security. Only thing missing was my horse, which was tied up when this all took place. A great story in my first book- Hole in the Fence

Whose in charge here?

Cowboys and Aliens both roam around here…

We need more cowboys…

Gathering forces…

“We need the most Bad Ass Cowboys in these parts Lee- We’re under attack from Outer Space!“

This calls for a Singing Cowboy- Roy Rogers is on his way Maybe he can bring Peace– On location in “The Fall Guy”

“Just be careful and …I love You!“- My mom use to say that to me every time I walked out the front door.

The Battle for –Ayahuasca…Blazing Saddles 1974

I hear Hollywood is sending in troops..

“We can clean this up”…Says Andy Griffith to a young Jeff Bridges

This film (Hearts of the West) was also filmed on the MGM Backlot in 1975. The following year-Jeff Bridges would return to the MGM backlot for an extended stay on the Block Buster “King Kong” Lots to say on that in my second book – The Uninvited Visitor. Recommended reading unlike anything done on the subject.

“Captain Kirk is our friend out here, you remember that youngster !” says Andy Griffith.

Play dead if your out numbered…

Turns out–In pre historic days...”They made movies here!“-Used as Bedrock in The Flintstones.

Yabba -Dabba – Do... Your mileage may very!

Something called –The Flintstones…Talking about My Generation

(Bed Rock ) can be found at this location.

Blazing Saddles then and now…

Austin Powers – Dr. Evil’s Lair found it’s way to Vasquez Rocks

This film also used the Universal Backlot-New York Street became “London” for a few shots.

1931 -Dracula – picture left is a stage coach opening scene -to the right is a combo matte painting of castle and Vasquez Rocks. Stage Coach headed to castle in both pictures

Vasquez doubles as Tibet- this is my favorite picture of all things done here…Spooky Cool History..“.Lets slide out of here to 1996”

We have arrived in style 1996-“There’s Jerry, Sliding in !

Sliders was a Universal T.V Sci-Fi series broadcast from 1995-2000.. I went On-Location with this show and we filmed at Vasquez Rocks. I operated a Wind Machine, to blow dust in background of a tiny house put together out in the middle of ‘No where.” One of Hollywoods true gentlemen starred in this series, Mr Jerry O’ Connell. My picture with him is from another series that never aired, The Munsters. In the picture on the right, he is in costume as Herman Munster. After 2 weeks of shooting and a boat load of money to build interior/exterior versions of 1313 Mockingbird Lane, Universal had to pull the plug as Director Bryan Singer became entangled in serious legal problems. The concept of this remake was to make a sinister version of America’s Favorite Monster Family.

Location directions- I was a wind machine operator on the TV series- Sliders

We used 4 Ritter Fans a Full Throttle to create Tornadoes. Hot fun in the summertime. Running wind machines with Special Effects is the funnest aspect of my job.

This is a wind machine, better known as a Ritter Fan. Operated by electricians in unison with Special Effects. We control throttle and air speed. Effects tosses debris (leaves, dirt, trash etc) or water in front of the blades for rain storms. They are silent at low R.P.M’s so dialogue can coincide as wind blows on actors. The fan blades are wood and are as big as a propellor on a plane. Actors ‘I’ve Blown Wind Nn” -seriously- include Harrison Ford in the feature (Crystal Skulls), Tom Cruise in (War of the Worlds) and (Minority Report) and my two favorite Pirates, Johnny Depp and Orlando Bloom, and a ship load of crusty lads aboard – The Black Pearl. Subtle ocean breezes we can control. I want to salute Special Effects for all they do to create what’s needed, there is no such thing as ‘we can’t” -the sky is the limit. Welcome to My World, It’s fun place to be, and I can control the weather.

The World Famous Vasquez Rocks ;

Located in the high desert near Agua Dulce- this park features 932 acres of spectacular rock formations and is a favorite filming location for Hollywood. The history here began in Prehistoric times, so naturally- The Flintstones Production Company built the town of Bedrock on this site. The village is nestled under jagged sandstone rock formations. Estimated to have to been created 25 million years ago. The San Andreas Fault helped shape the rocks we see today.

Included in a long list film history include the 1931 classic Dracula, Blazing Saddles-1974, Austin Powers- The International Man of Mystery -1997.

The Name Vasquez Comes From;

In 1874-Tiburciuo Vasquez, one of California’s most notorious bandits, used these rocks to elude capture by law enforcement. That sounds like movie to me.

Two episodes of Bonanza were filmed here- first in 1964-(Between Heaven and Earth)-a perfect title to describe this area. Joe Cartwright, while climbing the rocks to see the terrain, loses his rifle in a crevice. He becomes reckless and embarrassed. Ben realizes something is wrong and gives him guidance.

In 1966, Bonaza returns in an episode “Ride the Wind.” Sounds like wind machine call to me. The plot- in a nutshell-The Pony Express comes to Virgina City and Little Joe decides to team up with them. That takes us to our Vasquez Rocks location. Indians harshly react to express riders invading their land.

I included a map in this post and I highly recommend visiting this special yet mysterious place with such deep history…

Written and Lived by…Donnie Norden.

Follow me back to 1976 in my most recent book …”The Uninvited Visitor.” Available on Amazon. The Book with King Kong on the Cover.

Discovering the Desilu Water Tower: A Backlot Mystery Unveiled

September 13, 2024 Phantom of the BacklotLeave a comment

The Desilu water tower and palm trees can be seen in the background

While watching your favorite movies or television shows, many of you with a keen eye have noticed things in the background, that just don’t belong. The Desilu water tower is no exception.

This cylindrical, 100,000 gallon water tower was built in 1927 by Thomas Ince. It towered over the studio like a guard tower of a prison camp. Movie Moguls that once occupied this studio from Ince, DeMille, RKO Pathe, Selznick and Desilu all proudly painted their studio name on this water tower which could be seen from miles away.

In Steven Bingen’s book “Hollywood’s Lost Backlot”, the water tower received its most exciting role in real life on October 17, 1964, when one Richard Ulroy, disgruntled and depressed because he could not find employment as a film editor, climbed to the top of the tank, apparently for the purpose of committing suicide. Culver City firefighters summoned to the lot spent several hours trying to convince Ulroy to come down. He finally did, after representatives of the local motion pictures editors’ union showed up to listen to his grievances.

I’ve always had a desire to sneak into the Main Lot and climb this water tower due to its proximity to the fence on Ince Blvd, and get an aerial picture of a different angle of the 40 Acre backlot. I’m still looking for a picture from that angle, similar to a picture taken from Vet’s Tower looking over MGM Lot 2, hopeful that someone else snapped it.

Rusted with holes and unable to store water for decades, the tower was finally removed and sent to the scrap yard in 1991. To this day, I still do a double take when I notice it’s not there.

If you know of any other movies or television shows which shows the water tower in the background, please post the pictures in the comments.

Written and Lived by Donnie Norden.

The water tower can be seen here in Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.

Tara with the water tower and the incinerator located on the main studio lot.

A scene from Batman showing the tower in the background.

A great shot of the water tower and the incinerator taken from a helicopter.

A great shot down Ince Blvd. with no painted logo on the tower

One of the earliest known pictures of the water tower with 40-acres backlot in the bottom right.

Same angle, years later showing the tower and the Quonset Huts from Camp Henderson.

The tower with the Selznick International Pictures logo on it in 1937, prior to Gone With the Wind.

1930’s picture of 40-acres and the water tower

Palm Trees and Desilu water tower can be seen here during the last season of Hogan’s Heroes.

Thanks for reading! For more backlot adventures, check out my books on Amazon. Phantom of the Backlots Presents: Uninvited Visitor https://a.co/d/eRTFLsy

The story behind BJ and the Bear and Universal Transportation…

September 3, 2024September 3, 2024 Phantom of the Backlot4 Comments

“One year ago”-My recent post involving the truck used in BJ and the Bear has taken an interesting twist. Due to the post involving the Kenworth big rig tractor used in this series, the current owner of the truck has contacted me. He lives in Australia, his name is Kraig. He sent me some pictures and gave me a history lesson update.

Kraig explains: I bought the tractor in 2005 from Universal. I’m trying to locate the whereabouts of the orange trailer that goes with it. Transportation boss Alan Mulano told me the trailers, both Knight Rider’s and BJ’s, were sold off in the year 2000. Stuntman Jack Gill verified that date as the last time he saw them. Shows that I know for sure used it are: Street Hawk, Knight Rider, a -Stallone movie, and Quantum Leap. There were two orange trailers, did they paint the other or sell it? …some of his questions.

Hopefully, some people reading this stuff will be able to connect the dots so we can reunite trailer with tractor, the rig is in the process of being shipped to Australia…. From the Backlot- to the Outback, hopefully we can reunite this combo for this wonderful gentleman and collector. I love Happy Endings, I’m thrilled my story is involved in a potential recovery!

One orange trailer, looked like the great pumpkin, it was so unique. It was on the lot in what seems like forever, constantly being used to haul freight, which is movie equipment. They left it orange, the only orange trailer on the lot. Trailers are handy and easily get painted, the other trailers in question could have easily been altered. My old transpo boss, Rick Finney, retired before me.

We are looking for – The Great Orange trailer so it can be reunited with its tractor in the land down under…

*Truck three- the one I jumped on board of.*.. *Like a retired horse in a pasture.*

If this cab could talk-lots of monkeying around took place inside here. Notice the Red Brake knob, lower right. That’s the knob the Bear wanted to pull, it would jacknife the truck. It was hard to get driving scenes done, Bear was a very playful chimp.

A rock star truck

*Mike Johnson found this original BJ and the Bear Aerodyne in Georgia back in 2007, where it sat in a field- Gone With the Wind style.*

*Truck three- back in business…The show only lasted three years but had three tractors.*

My fascination of picture cars started on the TV series Batman in 1966. I first saw it parked in front of the Desilu Plantation offices, and it was involved in a scene with The Joker and Catwoman, with Batman, Robin and Batgirl. Not only did I see the Batmobile, I saw a Catmobile and the Purple Motorbike driven by Batgirl. That inspired me to ride my bike around the studio property daily. I would see the Batmobile on the Desilu backlot through a chain link fence as it sped by down the dirt road we call the Mayberry Highway. I was hooked- at age six!

*The car I first fell in love with in 1966*

*I have a die-cast metal miniature that we would strap sparklers to the bottom to recreate the after burner, I took this hobby seriously.*

At MGM, I developed another transpo crush, for the Rat Patrol. Often, the desert squadron of yellow painted German vehicles along with the two jeeps would be parked at the main gate on Overland at MGM lot 2. I had a Rat Patrol lunch- pale and I would hold it against the fence to add realism to my afternoon lunch. I hated to go to school, but that’s another story.

I always felt security should use these jeeps instead of the Ford Bronco. The two transpo stars are parked across from Verona Square – Lot 2

*This is a screen grab of the convoy that gets destroyed -weekly!*

All this equipment was usually parked at the main gates on MGM lots 2 or 3.

Now, I will share many car photos and just caption each as best I remember, so here we go-enjoy the ride. Yes, I have passenger endorsements, pull the emergency cord if you get sick…

We didn’t always have this fine ride. I also drove a jeep with a camera platform on the front, used for those moving- rough shots on Airwolf. I used it to carry electrical equipment. It looked like something out of The Rat Patrol. The only thing missing was the 50 caliber machine gun. It was freezing in the morning and hot in the afternoon. Loaded with- Hard work!

*Co-pilot Thor, my dedicated helper, sniffing out the movie caterer. Training begins very young!*

*This post is in search of- **this trailer.** Original BJ and the Bear paint job.*

There’s that trailer, the orange vehicle parked at the wharf. My picture was taken from the paddleboat overlooking the Red Sea. Tales of the Golden Monkey set at opposite end of lake. A submarine coning tower is on a track below me. It follows trams to the Red Sea parting and fires two torpedoes. This iconic 40foot trailer has – if you notice- the tires are on pavement, not the wood dock. Our Fire Department mistakingly put the full weight of and engine on the wooden dock and it began to collapse. Fortunately, it was able to execute it’s way off – Like a scene from **Emergency!**

*The old rig and the new rig side by side…*

*You’re inside the cab of Bj and the Bear’s first big rig. Notice the CB radio, this is how you call- The Bandit…Turn up the Jerry Reed music!*

*I promised stars- here they are.*..”*I’m booked solid through the end of the year!”*

*Small scale picture cars- matchbox size*

*Big cameras, with small cities and cars…*

*Clarity Sheriff, Rock Hudson Circle, Colonial Street, Universal*

*Milk truck on the set of Streets of Fire. Original Brownstone street. Streets of Fire was a precursor to best describe the future of this area.*

The set of Oscar, directed by John Landis, two hours after I took this picture on the original Brownstone street at Universal, all this and more burned up. 23 beautifully restored 30’s cars were some of the victims.

*There is always “two” at least. “The show must go on”* *theory, even if the actor can’t.*

*This old car ended up all over the lot, like some regular everyday employee.*

*The Good Times have passed these cars by. The 80’s transpo department. That’s a shady looking DeLorean, I’d pull it over if I was a cop.*

*Teamsters have a great sense of humor, and such big toys…Notice the orange trailer in question in background.*

*Fred’s ride, the village of Bedrock was built at Vasquez Rocks, not at Universal.*

*Keep your eyes on the road…this pier cost a fortune to build.* *The Majestic*, *starring Jim Carrey*

*Shaquille O’Neal’s custom built Ferrari, it has to fit a 7′ tall Gentle Giant.*

*A boy named “Hudson”, and Jeff on a tank from the movie The Hulk*

*When a tank takes on a car, this happen*s.

*You tell me the show, I can’t remember, I think it was Marvel.*

Desperate Housewives crashed this engineless Mercedez Benz into our Red Sea lagoon. It was pushed by a truck and a female and male stunt team were inside. Being extremely light on the front end without its engine, the car flipped upside down as it became airborne toward the lake. Nervous seconds passed as other stuntmen hit the water, but both inside escaped out the window underwater. They could not use that take, this is the reshoot, this was the look they wanted.

*The Beaver House is a holding area on this all-night zombie shoot.*

*This police car is being lit on fire. A stunt Zombie human will be on the hood, a driver stuntman is also involved…Working title The Kitchen Sink. Columbia picture.*

You get about 25 seconds before you feel the burn through a fireproof gel that’s put on the stuntmen.

*Real car, real fire, being driven by one man inside, one on hood. “zombie” on fire.*

Put them out!…As this car turns the corner, fire equipment waits just out of view to put this gag out PRONTO. So you know, I love stunt folk! I remember saying to myself- “what did I just see,” I was totally blown away by this stunt. The show’s working title- The Kitchen Sink

*Get me out of here, this place is crazy!*

*Don’t sin- however tempting it may seem.*

*Not good!*–*Whats become of our country?*

This is from Kraig while on board a tram, he wants these trucks and trailers, Knight Rider rig on NY street. At the end of the street you can see black tarps above building. This was to create night time while day time. Streets of Fire paid to have this system installed. That is a tremendous film for the Universal Backlot. Back to the Future paid to take it all down. I was very surprised in that decision- we’re talking lots of money here, but it would have all burned down anyway.

*You could talk to Kitt at the entertainment center.* So tell me Kit” *What’s David really like?”*

Another picture from the tram on Kraig’s tour in December 28,1988. I was a tram driver then, my last year on Glamour trams. I could be the driver here, small world. The A-Team was huge, it had its own stunt show, preceding Miami Vice. The tram is at a cue light, waiting clearance for Battlestar Galactica. The Universal Amphitheater is in background, the tram garage is where this van is parked. It’s there for tour guides to have something to talk about while we wait. On concert nights, this area was red carpet crazy. This was the center of the universe on big concert show nights. I bet I hear from Chuck Martinez, the driver for the amphitheater, on this post. He should write a book. He had one of the best gigs going, this area took on a life of its own. Now, Harry Potter has a castle here. MCA- my original employer, stands for Music Corporation of America. We lost our soul!

Arctic expedition equipment. This is not for a movie, they fabricated this on the Sony Lot. It is part of an arctic expedition involving a former astronaut, Buzz Aldrin. That’s not Buzz- it’s a bigger version of Hudson

This section will carry men and instruments- this is a fascinating machine designed for the world’s harshest environment.

The Green Hornet car

*Hudson could be a Ghostbuster with his Bio-chemical degree from UC Davis. Lookout Ghosts, you’ve met your match.*

*Adam Sandler’s ride outside Happy Madison Productions*

*I save the best for last-the MGM Ford Bronco, parked at the main gate waiting on a flat tire repair.*

*In 1976, it was retired from being the vehicle of choice MGM used to chase kids off the backlot.* *Here pictured on Chips.*

*License FJPP, this is the same Red Bronco*…I have ran from this so often, scared to death. It was stealth, until security floors it. At night, certain guards drove with out headlights.” Don’t look back until your on top the fence-then you can -flip the Bird!”

*This is the jeep that terrorized us, minus its white roof, and a passenger seat. It became part of MGM’s transportation and went out on shows.*

Imagine my astonishment, here I am on Saturday night watching the best show on TV at the time, and I see the license FJPP. I quickly realize it’s my jeep, modified by a show that cuts up cars like a cube of butter and modifies them. No one has been the focus of the front end of this vehicle like me. These headlights have been on my rear end running full speed. I’ve experienced this scene, I had nightmares in the 70’s of this image and the sound of a maxed out engine, with an arm sticking out, packing a salt rock pistol.

Chips at MGM lot 2, each evening car wrecks would be dropped off from the location they were destroyed at, it’s how each day ended. This was a full time operation, one of the funner shows you could work on, as a teamster or stuntman, Good times!

Written and lived by Donnie Norden…

A Famous House on a Hill at Universal

August 23, 2024 Phantom of the Backlot4 Comments

A temporary landing spot for a house on the move…This is the highest hilltop this home would see, here for trams to see as they pass by to the Ice Tunnel. This is upper flatland area. I was trespassing on this photo expedition, circa -1982. Right before I was hired to drive –Glamour Trams!

Knight Rider paying a visit above the tree line…This second brief location of the Psycho House looked down on the Ice Tunnel, the last adventure on the Glamor Tram Tour.

Don’t go in there David! says Kit…

The Six Million Dollar Man has been all over this backlot…A dangerous –Wrong Turn.

Looking down on the Ice Tunnel–Inside the Ice Tunnel-I would stop inside, back up a bit thanks to the dummy rails keeping it from jackknifing, then speed up, people screamed in terror, only to finish with laughter. Occasionally someone would” throw up” this effect throws off your guidance senses and creates “Vertigo” Sometimes-even making you cough up your Prop Plaza Burger. Tour guides will tell ya “I gave the best tunnel.” If you experienced this while on a tram-I was your driver.

Murder She Wrote-Starring an old friend, Angela Lansbury. “I’m looking for a lost little Girl in tonight’s episode“

Lost in Cabot Cove…

Christy …Are you up there?

Help Me Angela, Please!

This house has much more history than just Psycho-here pictured in Captains and the Kings-miniseries

Wagon Train…

Notice the telephone pole at the very top of the Psycho House standing on top of the tree lined hilltop. A Spanish Style Home overlooks this haunted house and the entire Universal Lot. That home was owned by Tom Mix when he worked for Carl Laemmle, Universal’s Founder. That residence is on a private street just a few feet from the studio property line.

I took the color comparison in the early 70’s…

Close up backside-of Psycho House

In this LIFE cover- Our Little Mexico area and Six Points Texas are clearly in view. A wrangler is on a horse for one of our many westerns in the 1960’s. Amazingly, these streets and sets still exist. The Psycho House was relocated, and The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas moved from Stage 12 to this hilltop the Psycho House sat on. The benefit of the BLWH set was it was built complete with interior rooms, very practical and often used inside and outside.

On the “Life Cover” in previous picture-these buildings are in that picture and still in use…

The same street in the distance on the Life Cover. Dirt was paved over for trams, so dust doesn’t kick up on our guests. When needed, we just put dirt on top of the pavement.

Let’s go inside...Life Magazine. This is Laramie Street, it sits above Denver Street. Train tracks and depots are located behind and below that row of Eucalyptus Trees. All out of view but neighboring streets. Denver was often used in Alias Smith and Jones… The Universal Railroad was a line from 6 points to a depot in the Court of Miracles. A decent long run so trains could appear on the horizon and disappear. Denver Street no longer exists. The trees still do…

Nothing like having a helicopter. The same skies Airwolf prowled in my day…Both Warner Brothers and Universal have Western Streets named Laramie.

In the shadow of…The Psycho House… Showdown–1963. Same time as the pictorial. In 1963, The Psycho House was located where it was first constructed, overlooking Singapore Lake and our Western section of the backlot. Revue Television was renamed Universal Television in 1963.

Warner Brothers and the L.A. River off in the distance. The Psycho House is the house on the hill. All original at this time- 3 years after the film was made. The Barham Bridge crosses the river, Toluca Lake Golf Course is on the opposite side of river. It remains today, if it was a backlot-it would have been raised 50 years ago. Rule of thumb-Backlots are not needed but golf courses live forever.

Two Dressing Rooms with doors open, no air conditioning appears to be attached to trailer. That’s why doors our open. A horse is being delivered to set by a wrangler. A third trailer is parked at the Bates Motel. The cart is called a mule cart, now pulled by “tugs” motorized mules. We move props around with this equipment. The Psycho House Dome foremost. Interesting –A door exists for access top dome-a ladder and platform is how you get to this spot.

Laramie Street-A truck seems to be dropping of lighting equipment. A star trailer is parked at the Bates Motel and on the side angle of The Psycho House. Westerns were king still in the 1960’s on this lot.

Today’s Landscape -located higher up the hill. The final locale of this House Upon a Hill. The door to dome is open in this picture.

The lit window is where–Mother is reading my book!

Bates Motel -second location built for Psycho 2.

Vacancies exist…But you can never “check out!”

This a splendid vintage picture of a three car Pink and White Glamor tram beginning its climb up the hill that has a Haunted House looking down on it. That’s our featured house on the hill…The Psycho House Tours began in 1964 and this looks every bit of that era, the house has been altered with sides. In 1960, it appeared in Hitchcock’s film without sides, quickly aging the wooden structure due to our very hot summers on this lot. Jaws was not even a thing yet, that would come along in the 70’s. McHale’s Navy was in production at this time and PT 73 has been docked here in Singapore Lake. Later to become-Jaws Lake and Cabot Cove.

Same exact angle-still pre Jaws. The tram winds up the road, alongside this house on its journey to the upper flatlands wilderness area and the final animation …The Ice Tunnel.

“Laredo”, A Universal western series …The first show to go color with this house.

Emergency! –Psycho House original location above Singapore Lake. “I hope Mother is alright.” Thank goodness we have our own Fire Department. Squad 51 to the rescue.

Alfred Hitchcock Hour-1965

A Fabled History…

One of the first shows to use this home after the original Psycho movie was a short-lived TV series titled Thriller. Hosted by Boris Karloff. “The Purple Room” was the first to reuse it, just a month after Psycho was released in 1960. The following year, it was used in “An Attractive Family.” This narrative was about a family that was more homicidal than hospitable…

Wagon Train- “The Eleanor Culhane Story”
The Alfred Hitchcock Hour– In 1965, Alfred Hitchcock returned to this house for the episode “An Unlocked Window” The plot would develop as private nurses lock themselves inside the house to escape a serial killer.
Laredo- “The Small Chance Ghost.” 1967, A Universal Television series, was the first show to feature the house on color film. The house looks less terrorizing in color.
Night Gallery – “A Question of Fear.” Rod Serling would utilize the house in the series as the decade of the 70’s begins. In this episode, Leslie Neilsen gets more than he bargained for, to say the least.
Emergency!– The plot has John and Roy help an elderly woman get to safety as the home is threatened by a wildfire.
Captains and the Kings- The Psycho House got its first ever fancy makeover for this miniseries starring Richard Jordan as a rich Irish immigrant. Patty Duke, Robert Vaughn, and Jane Seymour costarred.

All this history took place in the exact location the house was originally built on. It was not until the early 80’s, when Universal began dramatically reshaping the backlot, that this house packed up and moved to an even higher elevation. A temporary stop over was above the ice tunnel, so tourists could see this iconic set before disappearing in a tunnel full of ice. I was not working there yet when I took the lead picture of this story. I was a trespasser for that special picture. It would only stay at this second location briefly as the studio prepared for the third and final landing spot. A log cabin was the closest neighbor and a quaint stream that feeds Falls Lake was part of the rustic landscape.

As time went on, the log cabin would move next to the ice tunnel and the Jurassic Park visitor center became the newest neighbor. Steven Spielberg would add another large set for War of the Worlds, starring Tom Cruise. That would involve a residential street with a 747-plane crash destroying most of the homes. Hidden just behind the crash is The Jurassic Park Visitor Center. Standing tall, proud, and newly refurbished is the most popular set in Hollywood-The Psycho House.

I did a nighttime visit under a full moon titled ‘I’ll leave a Light on for You” that reads well with this presentation.

https://phantomofthebacklots.com/2023/07/21/psycho-house-ill-leave-a-light-on-for-you/

Written and Lived by…Donnie Norden

“This is recommended reading” says Mother !

Thank all of you who chimed in with a review. It is much appreciated. Also, I’m very pleased to receive a review from author and historian Marc Wanamaker, whose work I have enjoyed for years. These books are the diaries I’ve kept. I jotted down each adventure after it was experienced. Sometimes in the middle of the night, I couldn’t go to sleep I had so much fun. Before computers and cell phones – never will there ever be a time like this again. Old time film making that took place over decades on Hollywood’s Greatest Backlots. Adventure awaits around every corner, Follow me-if you dare…

Golden Oaks Film Ranch

August 1, 2024 Phantom of the Backlot4 Comments

My stories always start like this…

Civil War -GWTW recreation…I can’t offer more-I wish I could. This pictorial is basically my pictures trespassing this lot circa 1982.W

“What a find this Ranch was- I took full advantage!”

If I remember correctly – this was a recreation of a Gone with the Wind scene. That would be Scarlett O’Hara…

Sound cart, sensitive equipment. Airplanes flying over have to be waited on. Especially if the time frame of show preceded aircraft, such as what’s being filmed here on this day.

Oak Trees dominate the landscape…

Lake Keezia-Little House on Prairie starring Michael Landon.

Big Sky Ranch in Simi Valley was the location most used… but this lake at Golden Oak Ranch was also a location.

Zorro took place here…

Same Bridge -Hazzard County. This lot was a frequent location in this series. Usually, scenes filmed here end up being mixed with The Burbank Studios Backlot.

John Schneider at Gold Oaks. This car usually is going high speed at this location.

Double vision…off to Golden Oaks we go!

You can never have enough action cars…

This show went through a lot of cars if you remember this hit T.V show.

Lunch is served -to a couple of trespassers…

Life is good here–maybe I’ll find some Gold!

Myself, my Sheltie- Grady-this dog caught frisbees par excellence.. Jimmy, my trespassing buddy for well over a decade took this photo. This day we added another studio to our resume.

There’s Gold in these hills.

March 9, 1842 Don Francisco Lopez became rich! Hence-Golden Oak Ranch

My history here started with a trespass in 1982

My pictures take you along with me on another trespass. I had no background information as we arrived at an open main gate. Lucky for us, filming was taking place, so traffic coming through the main gate was allowed. Just wave “hello” and don’t come to a complete stop. That’s how you trespass… in a car!

I’m 22 and my friend Jimmy and need a backlot fix. Having been to all the major studios, several times-Jimmy suggested “Let’s try Placerita Canyon, there’s a studio out that way.” We arrive in a VW Square back with a dog anxiously waiting in the backseat. With filming taking place, we feel right at home. Actors in civil war costumes provide atmosphere and a female, playing Scarlett O’Hara is wondering in a field. Within an hour of our arrival, lunch is served.

This is how this trespass begins on a ranch we have yet to explore. After a filling lunch, and a brief nap-we soldier on. Nothing is more fun than exploring sets for the first time. The only guard is at the main gate. We look old enough to be crew, and I doubt this ranch gets trespassed much-if ever.

Here are some facts about this place we had no idea of at the time we first visited. Walt DisneyProductions leased this land for the Mickey Mouse Club-“Adventures of Spin and Marty” in the 1950’s. The company bought the 315 acre ranch in 1959. More land was acquired and quickly, this movie ranch increased to 890 acres. That’s bigger than any studio or film ranch.

The gold found on this site started the California Gold Rush. A heliport exists here, two creeks, a waterfall, and several Western sets. In May 2013, Disney expanded with 6 new stages and offices. this site would be named Disney/ABC Studios, at The Ranch.

Desperate Housewives was a show on ABC that was a staple on Sunday nights for 8 years. All episodes were filmed at Universal Studios because Disney in Burbank did not have the capacity for this humongous T.V series. Often, they had 6 stages on the Universal Lot and an entire street on the backlot. This show had 2 sometimes 3 basecamps. It was the biggest thing going at Universal.

Because it’s Disney, tour guides were instructed not to mention it, Universal will not promote Disney. But they will cash their checks, this was the most expensive series on television for 8 years. So as trams passed by, the show stuck signs up promoting themselves “Desperate Housewives” as the guides remained silent on orders from upper ups.

Finally after year 8 completed, ABC /Disney Ranch built facilities took move the show to this ranch. They built another Wisteria Lane out at the Placerita location and the Golden Egg Universal that pumped extraordinary rental fees into their coffers dried up. Marc Cherry, the show creator, surprisingly pulled the plug on the series before ever filming at the ranch. The ratings were great, but he had some problems brewing with the girls. Nicollette Sheridan had a 20 million dollar lawsuit against him, pitting cast members against each other.

I lived that turmoil, I often received emergency calls to power up separate make rooms because the girls were having cat fights. The girls were jealous of perks others received, motor homes had to be top quality, every girl thought she was the rating draw. Oh what fun that series was. I have seen Ms. Sheridan pull up in a Ferrari, wearing practically nothing, go inside her make up tent, only to get into it with Teri Hatcher. No one was sure who the star was. Teri Hatcher was the big name, but Eva Longeria rose to stardom on this series.

Each year, heads got bigger and bigger finally pushing Marc Cherry to fold his hand and the anxiously awaited move to Golden Oaks Ranch never took place…

Written and Lived by…Donnie Norden

Universal Studios 1967 Fire

August 1, 2024 Phantom of the BacklotLeave a comment

Universal Studios European Village in the 1930’s era…Sets I would never get to explore.

1967- Sets affected that remained for decades more, include The Court of Miracles, buildings closest and not entirely engulfed and Spartacus Square. In this photo, a section of buildings on right of frame would remain standing. Paint, wood and stucco would repair the cosmetics as firefighters preserved the integrity of the stairway leading up to the structure itself.

The rooftops I’m on in this picture were built to replace the buildings devastated by the fire.the 1987 fire. This section burned twice, 67 and 87. Construction would start immediately after clean up. The buildings on the left -across the way are in pictures where fire department was battling the blaze. They saved the front side and that street was repaired. Spartacus-most distant- right side of frame avoided any damage. These rooftops pictured-have burned down twice.

Both sides of street burned below me, the cobblestone road is original as buildings went up in foot print of original.

You can see this building from rooftop pics-notice the gated columns. Building salvaged and repaired.

Same building in flames 40 years later…Dressed for- Monuments of Men. A George Clooney film 2014

Buildings in Spartacus Square that survived and were repaired. No longer do they exist, Sound Stages fill this area now.

This building survived and was repaired…Same courtyard, fire department is seen battling in 1967.

Universal color photos from Company 51, Our Emergency Fire Department on the lot.

Spartacus- not touched but as close as you can be. This photo is “Berlin” in Monuments of Men. 2014. Spartacus was torn down, deemed unsafe by the fire department.- I can vouch for that, we had electrical panels on the backside where we ran cables for lighting and transportation power, The floor caved in on me one evening carry a heavy load of electrical cables. Wolfgang Puck Food and Wine festivals used this section of the backlot for magnificent parties. All the food and wine you could handle, entertainment, fancy lighting and movie props, such as statues, sarcophagus’s, chariots, and harems. An annual huge event…some buildings deemed unsafe basically ended this event. Now, brand new stages stand in this area.

Spartacus Set survived as flames surrounded it. In the two New York Street fires I experienced, helicopters were key to saving the lot, especially the film vaults. The main focus was film storage and water dropping helicopters filled up “rapid fire” from our Red Sea. Our lake helped fight these fires.

Spartacus Set-The Long Building in right of frame with a dirt road behind it miraculously survived this event. Universal Studios hosted a party sponsored by Wolfgang Puck, annually, called an American Food and Wine Festival. Mood Lighting, Music, Set Decorations, Spirits and Gourmet Food awaited you. Often used for Basecamps, trailers and tents packed this square. No longer exists…

I would guess this is after the 67′ fire. Everything is exactly detailed as it was. every doorway had an electrical panel inside. Called shore power, we could handle large events here power wise, plus, we back it up with generators in case something gets over amped! The show must go on…

Replacements of what burned down…

“And on my side of the tram”…I did this a thousands times at least….Trams exiting the Parting of the Red Sea next will end up here…

My focus of amazement is not the fire itself, it’s the Showboat in the Black Lagoon. McHale’s Navy filmed in this quadrant of the backlot from 1962 to 1966. In fact, I see P.T. Boats next to a structure we called the Snow House. Fake snow was stored inside. The River Boat would be relocated for a Studio Tour highlight at the opposite end of this lake. The lagoon branches off the lake. This is also where The Parting of the Red Sea animation on your Glamour Tram Tour would be built. The sea would part and trams would drive through here on the way to European Street. That Showboat had 3 separate locations on this lake that I know of. It was not seaworthy when I explored it. This Showboat, Lagoon, and The Parting of the Red Sea no longer exist. The Lagoon became a Satellite Farm for large Satellite Dishes for NBC to broadcast live.

Everything with a gray roof pictured here is a rebuild. Fringe sets, farthest away survived fire.

Court of Miracles is about to become engulfed.

This alley still stands today- all this burned in 1967.

Cobblestone still remains from this fiery event. Castle from The Scorpion King.

This “Court of Miracles” area is often used for catering-tents, tables and a nearby catering truck circle the fountain. A nice place to eat!

It’s a miracle what this fountain has “lived” through…

Our fountain survived the fire, and sits in The Court of Miracles to this day. The most special “prop” on the backlot. It has four flying Lions, and has been used in everything from Monster Movies to Playboy shoots. This fountain has seen it all!

Court of Miracles fountain withstood this holocaust but this village burned. The building in background is the final stop of the Universal Train used in all our old westerns. The tracks continually do a slight curve to give impression they disappear into the frontier. I will take down those tracks in future post.

That’s where my beloved fountain was located in the 1967 Fire.

Every picture tells a story…Be Cautious and follow me, this is my home away from home!

Let’s begin in a blaze of fire-1967. Historic sets, chateaus, and villages, areas most utilized in classic Universal Monsters Films. Chew on that for a moment.

Strange Things Lurk Here

The staple of Universal Pictures, Monsters roamed freely here. It’s almost fitting these ghosts from the past disappeared in one flaming afternoon. Only they didn’t die, nothing really dies around here…it’s the very place I take you through today. Walk softly, trust your instincts, you’re in the footsteps,,, of Monsters.

Two stages still exist that were used in Boris Karloff and Bela Lugosi films-a third, Stage 28, the most haunted of all-has been removed- willingly by NBC Universal. Shame on them, you have unleashed a curse! Stage 12 and 27 remain as testament to studio origins.

Monsters are our Friends

Personally, I would have made Stage 28 the defacto museum of Universal history. The Paris Opera House was built inside and these walls from the Original Phantom of the Opera have been witness to all our history.

Better known as- The Glamour Tram. Celebrating 60 Years on the Backlot

Who Didn’t watch- The Munsters.

Even the Beatles watched them– then they all met in person when the Beatles played in Dodger Stadium in 1965. Unable to book hotels because of potential of being over run, Founder Lew Wasserman put them up here at Universal. If you do not know-MCA stands for Music Corporation of America. That’s who signed my paychecks -those three formidable letters. Monsters and Rock Stars united. A decade later Paul McCartney would return with new friends who love monsters…

Everyone loves our Monsters…

Even Steven Spielberg...This Frankenstein set is located inside Amblin Entertainment. Steven always uses our oldest biggest stages- where all our monster history took place on the front lot.

Let’s Tour the Backlot Sets used in these iconic films…

“All Aboard-I’ll Drive!”

No Smoking is the first rule you will hear from these pretty ladies. To build up enthusiasm, guides are provided “call sheets” to point out who and what we may run into on today’s tour. In 1967-these were the studio productions…

Tram Keeps a Rollin…

After a leisurely tour outside stages we enter the backlot. “All original streets back then.” The P.T. Boat 73- from McHale’s Navy still sits in the lagoon after the show was canceled,” points out our beautiful Glamour Tram Tour Guide. Let’s push on through the Red Sea- ‘Part the Waters Everybody.”

“My cue” to activate the genie that triggers a drain to lower the water level.

“Ahead you see trailers that are used as dressing rooms during filming.” says our expert sitting next to me.

Sometimes – the water level is higher than other times creating severe drag on these vehicles that carry 125 passengers. With wet tires and wet roadways from previous trams ahead of us-this can be a “spinning tire- 16 wheel battle.” On the other side is our Little Europe Set, Spartacus, and the Court of Miracles.

As Blood, Sweat and Tears would sing back then “Spinning Wheel got to go ’round.” No truer words here…I sang that in my head. High water level also sometimes snagged women’s purses if they were on the steel plated floor. Once that happened on my tram with cash spreading into lagoon. The Tour Guide warns you to not leave things on the floor before proceeding through-“So we’re covered-pay attention!”

What a difference a year makes, Red Sea Location – Right before the 1967 Fire McHale’s Navy was still on the air. Dry docked in photo on the right. The Creature from The Black Lagoon set became the Parting of the Red Sea for a rapidly and successfully developing Universal Studio Tour.

“Are those flames ahead ?”

Our vintage tour ends here in the first big Universal Backlot Fire. I saw three huge backlot fires in my career. Two on New York Street and one in our European street area featured today. That was quickly contained limiting damage, so fact is -this area burned again in 1987. It was contained to 4 structures and rebuilt very quickly.

History repeats itself around here…

Written and Lived by…Donnie Norden

Finding the Columns of Tara

June 29, 2024 Phantom of the Backlot7 Comments

A rare postcard I own showing the filming of Gone With the Wind. Notice the Main Lot studio water tower is seen peeking through the trees.

All that remains of the famous Backlots in Culver City are dirt, a few trees which bordered these backlots which escaped demolition and a fossil footprint which can be seen looking down from Baldwin Hills or Google Maps.

50 years later, I still walk these areas each morning with my dog Thora. My morning walk takes me down through the Studio Estates housing complex, formerly MGM Backlot #2; then down Ince Blvd to the Warehouses which were built over the 40-acre backlots.

I have a passion for Motion Picture Archeology, and I’ve always wondered “How much of these backlot sets are still buried underground? Was it easier to bury some of it than haul it away?

There are a number of pictures from 1976 which show the 40-acres backlot completely demolished and leveled out other than a pile of bricks and concrete. What sets would actually use real bricks, since most of these sets were never built to last?

The answer to this is simple. Wilbur Kurtz, who was hired on as an Artist and Historian during the production of Gone With the Wind states: The majority of Tara was built with composition board “the kind you find at Sears”. Only the brick columns and floor of the front porch were actually brick and mortar. Bingo!

You’ll see in the pictures of this post that the brick and concrete moldings, which I covered on a prior GWTW post, match up perfectly with the columns of Tara. Now, what I’d like to find out is… are the columns still buried there?

I’ve narrowed down the current location of the columns using before and after pictures, and call me crazy, but I for one, would love to rent an Excavator and dig up a section of the parking lot to see if they’re still there! Is anyone down for a dig?

Story written and lived by Donnie Norden

A 1939 Publicity still showing the real brick columns

Desi Arnez Life magazine, 1959. Tara is nearly see-through from decay in the background.

Here’s a great shot of the Tara brick columns in rubble taken in 1976. Notice the moulding is a match.

Another shot of the Tara columns with the Studio in the background. Same studio water tower in the 1st picture of this post.

An aerial shot of the backlot showing Tara (yellow arrow) and the A-frame house (red arrow) to line it up

That same A-frame house can be seen here in 1976 and today. The yellow arrow is our estimated Dig Point!

Vivien Leigh on the porch of Tara in 1939 and below her, the same angle in 1959 in decay.

Another angle of the Tara columns (B&W) taken toward Baldwin Hills, and the Tara location today.

David O. Selznick in deep thought wondering…. Should Donnie go there late at night and dig it up?

Ingrid Bergman in 1943 posing in front of Tara. Tara can be seen later in many movies and television shows.

David O. Selznick standing inside the Atlanta Depot. The majority of the sets he built on the 40-acre backlot remained in use for nearly 30 years.

Thanks for reading! For more backlot adventures, check out my newly released book on Amazon. Phantom of the Backlots Presents: Uninvited Visitor https://a.co/d/eRTFLsy

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