We can’t use jeeps in this mission-stealth is required. Escape will be by hijacking German transportation.
Today’s Mission involves infiltrating Verona Square, a war torn village used in every MGM War T.V Series in the decade of the 1960’s.
This balcony dates back to…Romeo and Juliet, the 1936 MGM Classic, Directed by George Cukor. I had a fort inside the ledge Christopher George happens to be firing from. My special friend Maureen and I spent a Valentines Day Night under the moonlight right here.
“I’ll be right there darling- I have a grappling hook in my pants”
“I got it from here, Moffitt-yes -she is worth …the trouble!”
1967 Verona Square, the oldest section of MGM Lot 2, and the closet set to my house.
This picture is Verona Square, the site of today’s mission. Picture taken from Maureen’s front porch area, she lived even closer than me to this magical kingdom. We became a perfect fit-like say… Bonnie and Clyde.
1936- Romeo and Juliet set under construction.
Before Jeeps with 50 caliber machine guns, battles were fought like this…
The things these ancient plaster faces have seen. So much history, so much war. George Cukor was the first director to film here, Gene Levitt was the last-Fantasy Island pilot in 1977. But, prior to that in the 60’s, he ripped this town up in COMBAT! -In 1973, Gene Directed a must have MGM movie of the week, using all my stuff, so you know MGM Security called me-The Phantom two years before this film was filmed.
Recurring faces in history….
I met this T.V Phantom, also directed at this set by….my director hero-Gene Levitt.
Heads up …Trespassers!
From Verona Square to …Joppa Square-right across from each other.
The chase is on…
Our Hero’s steal their escape vehicle.
MGM Art Department, my collection given to me by- MGM.
“They Met in Bombay”-1941. MGM Art Department classic photo.
Location in Spain- the chase continues-filmed months apart.
Mission Accomplished…1967
I WAS A KID SOLDIER
A simple nostalgic romp through the MGM Backlot 2. As a kid, I could not get enough of W.W 2. Luckily, that war was often fought right behind my house. I heard every round ever fired, I was too young to trespass but this soundtrack influenced my life going forward. I rode my bike to school and stared through every hole in the old green fences that barely contained what was taking place open the other side of the old green barbed wire fence.
The holes became my T.V, I could not wait for each episode to to “AIR” on T.V. Combat was my soul, best series ever made. As the sands of time spilled out of the hour glass, war had high ratings!
Hit series after hit series carried on for 10 years, The Rat Patrol, Garrison’s Gorillas, and Jericho continued the backlot assault longer than W.W 2 took place. MGM was my history book and I’m forever grateful, Before VHS tapes were engineered, I would try to screen grab with my Polaroid camera. Very poor quality turned me into an artist, I would sketch, diligently images from my mind onto paper, often at school. I sat in the back of the class and appeared to be taking notes.
When that alarm bell rang I was first out the door, like a fire alarm went off. I had to get home to a place called…MGM.
In the Heart of Mayberry- this set was built for a 70’s Miller Malt Liquor commercial. Ironically today, their logo jingle is based off- 50 years ago. Great 50 year old stories, this is my story
This Hotel is next to the Mayberry Hotel at 40 Acres. Main 4 way intersection, center of town.
S
This is really going on -real collapse -real humans in fall zone. Stuntmen get replaced by stars as dust settles…Old fashion film making like Buster Keaton or Hal Roach would do!
“This must be Urban Renewal” toasts Redd Foxx. Colt 45 is named after Baltimore Colt running back Jerry Hill who wore number 45.
Drink hard, play harder!…The true Colt 45
This picture is from behind behind the buildings in this commercial.
Opie is where backside of mock up hotel stands.
Mayberry-where drinking is a crime. No longer in 1975…
Gomer Pyle scene exactly where this drink is served!I never met a Marine who doesn’t like drinking.
This guy looks thirsty..15 years to early is this- Man in a Hurry.
If your standing here-YOUR TOO CLOSE
Everybody wants to see this beer commercial…
“This planet drinks”..says Captain Kirk
The view on left before ‘Urban Development’ – set on right built in this intersection…
Beer commercials, cigars-cigarettes, big fancy cars commercials, and soft porn films all found their way on to this lot in the mid 1970’s. The backlot reflected the culture.
The two story building at the end of this street is my location. I am trespassing, 4 P.M ish. I saw this set and then a guard, he didn’t see me so I went upstairs. Im behind camera which has the same angle for this “one -take shot.” Security looked like Sheriff John, he had a cowboy hat, a badge, and a rope. He walked around lassoing everything he sees. I have to watch out for him because I do not want to miss this scene. Redd Foxx-is right below in a Limo. The front door of Hotel faces south to Baldwin Hills.
I took this picture 1976, the last year of the 40 Acres Backlot. This is exactly where this Colt 45 Hotel stood…
My Dad often had some of these cans in our home refrigerator. Naturally a few ended up here at the Desilu Ranch. Miller Beer and I could do great commercials….VIntage of course. My dad was an actor in Bar Fly. He pretended to be drinking…even got in a fight with Frank Stallone in an ally behind the bar. His credit depicts “Man in ally” My mom hated it but dad loved it. Paid to drink and hang out with Faye Dunaway. Filmed at the Culver City Bar closet to this set.
ONE TAKE –Then a Toast
All the preparation is complete, this set took a week to build and another week to “dress” the set and familiarize effects and stunt folks with all the moving parts. This building is built to collapse, Not straight down, it must tip. Actors “stunt people” could get hurt if things do not go as planned. This is old time film making going on here. The final go overs are being checked as this shot is to be captured in daylight, of which has about a hour left to it.
I just got home from school and am not sure I will make it here in time. As soon as I hit the lot I run down the backroads along the creek and climb upstairs in a building looking straight at the one that has only – less than an hour left to stand. A grandfather clock is added as the interior is finishing being dressed.
These are actually two sets. The exterior is engineered to be a collapsible front on wheels. Set two is the stationary interior of this hotel. The Art Department is finally finished now the front of this hotel is rolled and positioned exactly to the square inch where it needs to be to collapse safely. This integration is slow and methodical. Inside upstairs, the stunt people load in. This is too dangerous for actors, they won’t be seen till the dust settles.
Anticipation increases as every final detail is checked and rechecked. A guard is active on this set. He’s a character with a badge, cowboy hat and a rope. He hangs out by REDD FOXX as we all watch from almost the exact spot.
Countdown 3,2,1
A building is collapsing before my eyes, this 7 second moment seems like an eternity. People disappear and reappear in a cloud of dust. They got their shot, actors are inserted at doorway entrance as if they survived this. REDD says “SO THIS MUST BE URBAN RENEWAL” as he toasts to Pabst Blue Ribbon.
The real toast belongs to Special Effects, this was so perfect, when I get older I want to be in Special Effects, For now, I’m a trespasser looking down at a collapsed building, a famous T.V Star, and sheriff with really wild roping skills who looks like he stepped out of a western film. I hope there’s a Colt 45 in the fridge for when I get home…
In the movie business, there is no such words as TWO BIG…
We will explore this iconic building. Scenic artists created canvas paintings large enough to change the view out of the living room. They could even cover your house completely. Anywhere and everywhere, pick your era, it probably is rolled up inside here. The creations made here are museum quality, and J.C Backings operated out of this iconic building from 1972 until recent. The building and the Art Department itself date much farther back. Basically, this place is the museum of movie backdrops.
The building itself is so iconic it has doubled as an exterior film set. In Somebody Up There Likes Me, it is part of a prison. In Soylent Green, it is hidden in a matte painting of future New York.
The elevator that greets you as you walk inside this structure is fit for a king. A king from the thirties named Irving Thalberg. In the 1950’s, his personal elevator moved from the Thalberg Building. Louie B Mayer resided there. It found its way to this iconic facility. It does more than just take artists up to the painting platform, it’s more like a Time Machine.
The fact the vendor J.C Backings has relocated has created rumor’s this building may be torn down. It has outlived it’s usefulness if there is such a thing. CGI can green screen images where paintings once occupied window and patio spaces, along with rolling vista’s.
This building is designed to capture all the natural light the sun has to offer. I will take you on the roof as to show you the concept capturing sky light through clever engineering. This place is a palace few outside the studio know or appreciate.
If indeed Sony does remove this iconic building, Hollywood needs to salvage Irving’s Thalberg’s elevator. This building in it’s entirety should be a Hollywood Museum.
This scenic backdrops still get rented and are part of J.C ‘s stockpile of history that sits silently, collecting dust. Many canvas paintings have been rolled up for decades from the looks of things. The Sony Tour refuses to walk you inside even though the tour starts right outside. They should at least allow you to poke your head inside. You should at least look up at this uniquely designed art house. At least, let folks see this elevator.
Today, I will take the liberty to show you around the MGM Scenic Art Building…
Irving Thalberg’s elevator!The upstairs exit The coolest elevator I’ve been in since Blade Runner at the Bradbury Building. My pictures don’t do it justice, this is a thing of beauty.The West entrance to the scenic art building…The entry as you walk inside the Scenic Art DepartmentThis not look like much but, there is a ton of engineering involved here. To get these massive canvas’s to become a picture easel. Old artist’s would teach “hands on” to the next generations of artists. This place was integral to the Motion Picture Industry. A Quote from Arnold Gillespie,Art Director, Head of Special Effects. 1924-1965. The True Wizard of MGM.Grasp this depth best needed by these artists.
Let’s take this opportunity to access the roof…
Even the roof is slotted and glass. Painting can be done at night and lighting used on sets helps light these backdrops inside this department. In the day time, existing day- light is sufficient.The studio water tank for filming actors swimming while the camera never gets wet…This was removed a few years back. It sat at the base of the side of the Art Building that has all the windows.This area doubled as a prison in Paul Newman’s- Somebody Up There Like’s MeThe bottom of this picture is the live half. The top is a matte painting. This scene took place on Lot 1 below the scenic art building. Soylent Green 1972The scenic art building in a matte painting in Air Raid WardensThe Overland Gate expansion. This picture is taken from upstairs in the Filmways building across the street. It is the Sony Studio’s west entrance today. It was still MGM when this was taken. It is a construction entrance only at that time. The right side of the photograph has an edge of the scenic building. The movie sign above the studio, left of the water tank has the title… Why Would I Lie ?Hopefully, The Clock never strikes Mid-night at this legendary Scenic Artist Facility that almost secretly ignores time…
The “paraphernalia” used in today’s adventure. Bamboo grows along the studio fence on Van Buren Street. A 10 foot high chain link fence is a less than formidable separation. It stands between my friend’s apartment building, carport, and these iconic stages.
The herbal product imported from Thailand that is easy to come by at Public School. You don’t have to go to Thailand, Primo is the word best describing this very tasty and exotic import. Tastes like flavorful dark, rich coffee when smoked in a Bong. Bold, relaxing, and extremely intoxicating…
We start this story on the Main Lot of Laird Studios. We still call it Desilu, since that’s the name it was for most my childhood. In picture 3, top row, you can see my friend’s apartment building-bottom right of frame…yellowish building.
It is on Van Buren, the property line separates the main lot from his apartment complex. This was a popular destination amongst “stoners” since top quality ‘smoke and hallucinogenics” can be obtained. Like a neighborhood “7-11” minus the Slurpees. Run by long haired teenage entrepreneurs named David and Steve. They join me and best Pal “Pat Rich” on all that takes place in today’s story.
Before we head to the backlot where Stalag 13 is located, we go up into the ancient dressing rooms. These rooms overlook Van Buren Street. Bruce Lee lived in a Duplex right below this- no longer existing stage. Amazon Studios casualties include many legendary stages. That’s not -progress.
My hero- not Batman anymore-Catwoman
Here is the rooftop of the soundstage in we are exploring today in a Batman episode. Dressing rooms built on the exterior of these stages. This is the only lot I have seen with stages that have dressing rooms attached to the top. They are accessed by long stairways. Don Kirshner films his legendary rock and roll video concerts here. Often our neighborhood pals would be used as fillers for audience. I saw Elvin Bishop do a taping of “Fooled around and fell in Love” his hit song.
Under that rooftop-this storage area is discovered ...
This beaten up TV is eerily similar in every way. It looks just like the set I’d sneak on the MGM Backlot to watch Twilight Zone. I also used it to watch Combat episodes. A TV you can run with usually ends up looking like this.
This was backlot entertainment…Sadly this cassette player fell to its death on the MGM backlot in the church steeple in Combat Village. A song was playing by Led Zeppelin-Kashmir. It’s a long fall. The music was heard during the fall, before impact crashing down on cobblestones, 4 stories below. Needless to say- all my portable electronic stuff had really fun lives. Tonight’s recordings feature this recently released comedy album that everyone in school listens to…
We arrive at The 40 Acre backlot for uninhibited “fun and Games.” Just four teenage Stoner Boys. We have a bamboo bong, Ty Stick, matchbooks from a local bar “Sarna’s,” and a Panasonic tape deck. I record songs and albums on cassette tapes for studio parties.
Where comedy and rock music combine- in the Guard Tower at Stalag 13. “Take another hit, of fresh air and California Sunshine” Quick Silver Messenger Service gets this guard tower party started! This is how our brains functioned this day…
These photos were taken by me in the grassy hill right above the tree stump, overlooking the camp in 1974. The rigid pipe is for the sprinkler system. We would turn it on and lay in hammocks we put up on top of the hill overlooking the Stalag. Sadly, I was going in to specifically photo expose this Stalag when before my eyes, it was being removed.
They weren’t tearing down the lot. A show titled The Fortune was about to build a village. The show starred Warren Beatty and Jack Nicholson. They only left the utility shed pictured with a snow painted roof. Foreground in last picture are some rope cots and other props stashed behind this house below us. The camp stood until 1974. That’s when I liberated the stump with help from Pat. When entered for the first time late 1972, the camp was perfectly in tact. A native plant you see in the top 3 photos actually is like sandpaper. Finesse is required at this point. When you cut through it, it can scar you up. What doesn’t around here?
From the Front Lot to the Backlot-we double dip this afternoonand evening…Summer 1973
We start our journey “Dazed and Confused”
Pat and I peddle our bikes to an Apartment Complex built behind Desilu Studios. It is best known to kids for what can “be had” from tenants inside units. Two friends live here-Steve and David. Long hair, very popular hippie types, Public School friends.
David shows us his Bong Business. From Bamboo shoots that separate the Desilu Main lot and his parking complex-Pat and I are impressed by his craftsmanship. Airtight with wax inside for sealing and water-proofing this smoking device. They are known to be the best Bongs in Culver City. I’m equally as interested at the main lot behind this free growing bamboo. The conversation shifts from Bongs to trespassing.
Pat and I are told that these brothers often trespass starting from this high fence blocked by bamboo. They then go up into the ancient dressing rooms built along the backside of these soundstages. They point upwards to stages looking down on us where we stand on delineated-painted parking stalls on blacktop. Since Laird became owner, backlot security, more specifically the “Guard Dogs” no longer exist on the backlot. It’s become a “Teenage-Wasteland” that more often than not is completely uninhabited by adults.
These brothers offer us a tour of the front lot dressing rooms. They assure us it’s almost completely safe. They also share some exploits from their life along this fenced property. These two brothers have more history trespassing this front lot than anyone else I know. We shy away from front lot trespassing. The consequences are severe, like a visit to jail. Also, hiding places are few and far between. But-not wanting to be…”Chickens,” Pat and I accept their invitation with one lone stipulation “we carry no contraband.”
This is advanced trespassing when you sneak around soundstages. No distractions needed-bring your “A game”
We climb the fence using bamboo like Koala Bears. We squeeze in between and step on the chutes, like a ladder built by nature. An easy refreshing climb from a bamboo jungle to a concrete, secured jungle. All paraphernalia is left at their house because lots of things can go wrong here. We hug the interior fence line and reach a stairway. The stairway ascends upward to a long walkway. The walkway is in front of all these rooms I have been looking at for many years. I have never attempted to occupy these rooms.
This is so exciting not knowing what’s inside and the adrenaline is more powerful than any drug at this moment. I choose a random room and turn the ornate glass handle to enter…open sesame.
Inside, we are greeted by a musty smelling vacancy that suffered extreme water damage. A smelly couch with room enough to change costumes and mirrors for make-up to be put on the actors. Tiny bathrooms finish the room off. The last stars to be up here had to be long ago. Wood stuff is rotted and the smell gets to ya. The floor has tiles with black and white patterns. We now see before our very eyes something we have been wondering about. We try other door handles that do not even have locks. We enter several other dressing rooms. These rooms all have their own stories-if they speak.
We go back down one of two stairways up top here. We mosey into what was a soundstage. Now it is a stock unit storage area. Props and walls, every studio has storage like this. There is activity on the lot and we are forced to hide as we hear voices. We are tucked away in an obsolete corner surrounded by set walls kept for storage. A hole in broken drywall allows us to peek inside a mysterious room, but not big enough to fit through. What we see is film cans, tiny thin ones with Lucy stamped on them. We don’t see any door attached to this room. Access is maybe from the front where we would most likely be seen. Well, we got our fill and answered several questions on what we have been looking at for several years. We backtrack back to the fence we entered to now exit to head down Van Buren to the backlot.
March on Starship Troopers…
Now we are soldiered up. We are carrying a bong and a Panasonic tape deck for some backlot partying. We choose Stalag 13 as our destination of choice. I was just here a week ago and I still have a “hickey” on my neck, from Maureen. It’s fading like those joke shop tattoos we buy on Main Street. But, this is real-done by a real hot girl.
As we enter, we pass down Western Street. So far, we are the only folks on this backlot. We slowly walk up Western Street and I push play on my cassette deck. “Cisco Kid” by the band War begins to set the mood. It’s as if this song is written for this street. We pass a saloon as the lyrics “Poncho drinks the Wine” is versed. I’m already high and we haven’t partaken in our session yet.
We arrive at Stalag 13, around the corner from Western Street. In minutes, we are in a guard tower. I was just making out in the guard tower last week with Maureen. Today, its all boys as we situate one boy for each of the four interior walls of this guard tower. Our feet connect center stage like spokes on a wheel. We break out the contraband. Before I turn back on the music and comedy, I casually flip the hair off my neck. This exposes hickey for all to see. Boys will be boys
We talk and spark up, we start with “hot girls” as a topic. Susan Dey of the Partridge Family seems to be a topic that gets beat around the most. Peggy Lipton of the Mod Squad is also often discussed. We all agree Linc has a pretty cool Afro. You don’t see “AFROS” on TV, but you do on city streets.
We too are a Mod Squad…
Just the mentioning of all our female actress’s practically ignites our red covered booklets of Sarna’s matches. My pop brings these home almost daily, from a bar right across from the studio.
The bubbling sound of a “Bong at work” intersects with deep conversation. This conversation is sophisticated, as only 13-year-old stoners can deliver. We cover everything from Pro Football and the undefeated Miami Dolphins to the World Champion Oakland Athletics. We also cover Vietnam, a place none of us want to end up. “Our Thai Stick comes from that region.Soldiers smoke this,” I point out as I suck on my bamboo peace pipe. “It’s called the Golden Triangle” as I burn my finger talking too long. Last week- I was sucking on Maureen’s neck up here. Today, she’s been replaced by a piece of bamboo and a stick of Thai.
Must be explained: The object of taking a bong hit is to consume the entire hit. This includes the herb loaded in the chamber. When this successfully takes place, the bubbling sound turns into a hissing sound. This is usually simultaneously followed by coughing. Then a large smoke plume often appears, and possibly death...just kidding.
As my lungs clear up in this Stalag 13 guard tower, I tell Dave and Steve a bong story. The story involves Pat and took place in my backyard. “I have several cartridges of blank ammo I got from MGM- left over from Combat. Pat was coming over to my house. I wanted to greet him with a bamboo bong hit. We never use cheap plastic reproductions. As he walks through my back gate, I greet him with my peace pipe. “I got one ready for ya,” I hand him a lighter and bong and step back. He does not know below the herb-in the chamber is gunpowder from Combat. So I’m not exactly sure what will happen next.
“Ignition” at the spark of the match. A massive flame engulfs his face. It was a blinding flash that disappeared as fast as it ignited. Pat has a goat styled beard growth that was smoldering, after the flame flashed out. He couldn’t see briefly. That didn’t stop him from trying to punch me out. Blindly, his swings miss their target as he smolders. I never laughed so hard. Pat at this moment, as when this happened, sees no humor in this story. Once again, he kicks me with those stupid boots he always wears.
He may need counseling, this event really seems to bother him.
We are sitting cross legged on the floor, our heads still remain below the frameless, glassless windows overlooking the Stalag. We can’t be seen, the tops of our heads are below wood framing. But I’m sure at times can be heard- a long ways away. The more we pass the bong the higher each of us gets. Faces change shapes as the effects of being stoned are happening before our eyes. “Take another hit-of fresh air”
We all do Sergeant Schultz impressions …”I see nothing but colors” is my anecdote as each stoner does his own Sgt Schultz. The beauty here is we go home and watch the reruns on T.V, at home- it’s like this series is still going on. In our lives it is. David does a solo verse of a song titled Sweet Leaf by Black Sabbath.
David says he ran into Tom Laughlin, better known in these parts as “Billy Jack”
He continues, ‘We were skateboarding down Ince Blvd. He passed by us on a motorbike and waved.’ “Interesting,” I exclaim! “Every set on this backlot has Billy Jack written inside it, you know.” I elaborate on his story. “Someone has an obsession for “One Tin Soldier” around here.” I continue “I’m glad Billy isn’t security around here, then again, he’d work with us. “
Cheech and Chong take stage in this guard tower. Sister Mary Elephant opens the comedic part of this deep mind journey. Pat and I find anything to do with nuns extra funny since we both served a long sentence at St. Augustine’s. We were both kicked out before 8 th grade. We were told, as were our parents, we have been seen trespassing out of MGM. We were spotted by a station wagon full of nuns, of all things.
The final straw was attaching a strange boy to a rope attached to the school flagpole. We buckled his belt to the rope reserved for flags. They then hoisted him upwards. The school had lots to explaining to the parents and we were told to get our education elsewhere. That leads us to where we’re at now…elsewhere it is!
After spilling the Bong water, a necessary component in Bonging, “we- cotton-mouthed long hair freaky people,” call it a day. We have been laughing non-stop for what seems like days, as for now, we’re just really thirsty…
Written and lived by…Donnie Norden. R.I.P. Patrick Rich you are missed.
These pictures show the east end of Lot 3 and give the scope of just how large this backlot is. As a kid exploring, you could get lost in this vast expanse.That’s a good thing!MGM had its own stables since its horses were in demand, as were elephants. To create the illusion of African elephants, large prosthetic ears were attached to Asian elephants. This allowed extra mileage out of the beautiful creatures that were maintained here. Tarzan required African elephants…welcome to Hollywood!Movie stars are being pampered below. Credits include Tarzan. There is no other place in the world I would like to live as an elephant than MGM lot 3. Heck, that applies for us kids too…
Is this a zoo, what century are we? What goes on inside this poorly fenced Adventureland? Airplanes from World War 2 lie in a field of sagebrush, as if they were shot down. Not by gunfire, but by low TV ratings. MGM has something for everyone.These backlots draw inspiration for writers like Edgar Rice Burroughs, Ray Bradbury, and the genius- Rod Serling;
In a cement flood control channel…we appear.
A trampled, rusted old barb wire fence allows easy entry, inviting any and all who dare inside its boundaries. It looks like a herd of animals hastily exited here before us. An abandoned barn sits vacant as if life stopped abruptly, not long ago. The unmistakable scent horses and hay stacks makes us think some Mustangs might still be hiding out.
Next to the barn on what could be some French farmland, bombers lay in ruins. B-17’s sit empty, void of crew, in deafening silence. Jimmy and I wonder most quietly, but each thinking the same things. Silence is how you first react to amazing things. That awe while processing the images, the abandoned and lonely landscape. Objects can be identified by unique smells. This is the opening credits for our own… Twilight Zone
We boys in my neighborhood play Army all the time…and here we stand where it looks like a great air battle liberated this farmland. It’s as if we’re dreaming. We climb and crawl into one of the fuselage doors that parachutists begin or end their missions jumping out of. Machine gun turrets, or little glass bubbles line the plane and are just the right size for kids our age.
This was a flying fortress…as we look out a window and down the wing, the propellers gently turn in the wind. It’s as if they are trying to fire up these old engines. The smooth skinned young flight crew has arrived. School teaches us history, but this place is history-we have the class room to ourselves!
12 O’Clock High has a property tag on one of these fuselages. This indicates how long ago this has been lying here. That series was made by 20th Century Fox, but MGM Lot 3 is a Disneylandwith weapons. Swastikas painted on the cockpit might as well represent T.V shows these bombers finished their distinguished service on this MGM Backlot.
Across from this airplane graveyard sits MGM Lot 3, a 67-acre wonderland with exterior sets ranging from multiple western streets; a lake that goes on and on that’s wrapped by a jungle nestled below rolling hills packed with oil wells. The sounds and smells of the petroleum industry seem part of this lot as Standard Oil Company has a large oil field just beyond the studio fences.
You see these oil derricks often in the background of loosely framed exterior shots in many TV reruns. A huge painted sky stands out as the most distinguishing set of all. It is massive, the painted backdrop alters itself like a chameleon, depending on the sun light. New Orleans and France also represent themselves here. There are winding tree lined dirt roads that appear to go on forever. Hyder Simpson and his old hunting dog RIP have been seen wondering down this eternity lane.
Continue if you dare do so…
One side of the fence is magical, the other side is reality… and far too serious. But you must dare yourself to visit the magic. It is forbidden. Trespassing is what the studio calls it.
Well what fun is life without risk? I was born ready, nothing ventured, nothing gained. This land calls out to Jimmy and I…
Holes in the fence happen…naturally and artificially. Climbing is easy when you’re a kid, so getting in is easy. The rush begins immediately. Generally, you hide…every chance you can. Slow and steady. No clocks here. These lots have movie production prepping or shooting, all the time. Night and day. But weekends are generally just a guard and a big empty lot. Plus, kids get weekends off from school also, so it’s a perfect match.
MGM does not use dogs. Lot 3 should be patrolled by dogs. It is almost twice the size of all the other backlots. But thankfully they do not. They leave it up to old men who take turns driving a jeep that packs a salt rock gun inside it…. Yes, you can be shot here!
First, they have to find you in this labyrinth of hiding places. That’s why we pick and choose the paths most isolated and off the beaten trail. There are false fronts, everywhere, it’s a world of trickery and illusions.
Hiding behind the sets…and in many cases, in the sets, is the key to successfully avoiding unwanted meetings in security. This sounds intimidating because it is. Most people shy away, honoring the NoTrespassing requests posted along the fences. Especially as you hear accounts from older kid trespassers who have been…shot at!
Lack of challenges puts security in auto-pilot mode. We even see them nap, often… I told you they should go with dogs!
I recognize equipment that was on Lot 2…now at Lot 3. The backlot world is interchangeable with many moving parts, literally. The Rat Patrol moves their squad back and forth down Overland, the public street that connects these lots, depending on what village or train station they are attacking. Combat did the same, as did Garrison’s Gorillas, starring Ron Harper.
Combat was canceled in 1967, but the crew jumped on to The Rat Patrol, then Garrison’s Gorillas. More quality war TV.
The Rat Patrol, starring Christopher George, followed that ill-fated but really cool TV show and had a bit more success. , A.D Flowers expertly does special effects for all these shows. Constantly blowing things up…safely!
I have a Combat board game we play on Copperfield Street, in an upstairs that still has large holes from a German Panzer Tank and a Rat Patrol lunch box that has been inside the equipment that is painted on its tin exterior. I live for this stuff. I play with games inspired by shows exactly where they were filmed. Reruns take us backwards to war torn ravaged sets. Shell casings from a machine gun nest lay on the floor, beneath our tennis shoes as we …roll the dice for our next battle.
I have eaten peanut butter and jelly sandwiches out of my Rat Patrol lunch box…inside the real German half-track from the Rat Patrol series. And I drank my Kool-Aid out of my Rat Patrol thermos. Gomer Pyle is my Desilu lunch pale. I buy my lunch pails because they- come to life!
I have yet to be chased here, at Lot 3…and don’t want to. I have run into trespassers who warned us this happens here…getting shot at, that is. It hurts badly, the salt rock-I’m told.We have no doubts about that. On the film Soylent Green, a chase occurred with Bronco Bob Coleman in the notorious Red Jeep. The loudest gun shots I ever heard as I ran off with handfuls of Soylent Green. We put our lives on the line for dyed green loafs of stale bread.
“Being hit” by blast of rock requires soaking in a tub to recover.We try to avoid that, at all costs. Your choices are… keep a lot of distance, cut and run like a jack rabbit and crisscross…so they can’t aim straight. Doorways are your friends, but don’t get in a building where you’re trapped. Wordsto live by.
Jimmy, my best pal, and I, are like a modern Lewis and Clark. We deal with the same harsh but rustic surroundings. They dealt with Indians. We deal with guards. Both will scalp ya. But just like them, we successfully map this wild frontier. We can make fake storms here, I see snow in storage bungalows. Dirty, dusty decades old snowflakes are overflowing from box after box. MGM Lot 2 also has a snow room.
In fact, this is where you would film Lewis and Clark. Anything you can imagine can happen here. It’s where the right side of your brain can enjoy itself. Creative time and space for your mind to expand. Not the dribble you get brainwashed with at school. We sneak in comic books from these war T.V series. We are our own cartoon book.
Lot 3 could be a train museum. A real steam engine pulls passengers half way around the Lot. The Harvey Girls, starring Judy Garland, capture this in the song “On the Atchison, Topeka & the Santa Fe.” This defining number sang by Judy herself, capture for eternity what backlots are about. History goes backwards here, but it’s captured on film for us to enjoy today. I get goosebumps when I see scenes and productions that used my old sets.
“Willoughby, next stop is Willoughby,” shouts the conductor. That is a Twilight Zone episode, starring James Daly. In this episode, shot at our little train station at Lot 3, James succumbs to the corporate grind and dreams of of this backlot town, called Willoughby. He wants only to live the simple life that exists inside these fences. This train stops at Willoughby!
That episode describes how wonderful my life is becoming. I live in Willoughby!
Inside these studio fences is an unmistakable sense of history. You feel it, see it, it exists.Pure Magic!
I am catching on, that inside these fences is a time machine of history—created where I am standing. One side of the fence is the harsh reality of school, responsibility, and expectations to succeed. But inside these fences, time merges…not a care in the world.
Time you learn to appreciate stuff not taught in school: a special time that you hopenever disappears.
The Harvey Girls on MGM Lot 3
This Church Steeple has been center stage of some of the best battles ever captured on film.
Just inside the main gate, this village greets you…
A calm body of water fit for Gondolas.
This Ghost Town is famous for Magic Dust. Sprinkle some on yourself and the Hangman’s Knot will come untied. “That’s what she is…she’s Magic!”
The jail cell is the Art Department Picture picture of North Side of Ghost Town.
Rance McGrew showed up to work on this street famous for saloons -in shiny Cadillac Convertible
Call my Agent Please
Lee Marvin arrives by horse here at Fort Canby in a lot 3 Dust Storm in – The Grave
Fort Scott also appeared as Dachau in Deaths-Head Revisited
Cloudy Street…
It’s easy to get lost in here, a huge lake is on the other side of these trees…We have a paddle boat, none of the other kids have one!
The Cotton Blossom was sold at the MGM Auction in 1970 and ended up in a theme park in Missouri.
The Cotton Blossom found a new home closer to the Mississippi River. It survived much longer than the MGM studios backlot did.
Jupiters Darling set– The Baldwin Hills and a Eucalyptus road still stand beyond Raintree. Old, rusty barbed wire still hangs from original MGM fence poles. The tennis courts are now built in this corner of the former backlot.
This picture from MGM’s Art Department is amazing. Baldwin Hills Oil Fields, Standard Oil owned this area back then, and those wonderful old derricks stand out. Oil production preceded film production starting in 1924. Oil is still being pumped out of the ground here. Filming stopped as clocks hit …1970. Oil and film combine on this backlot production filmed next to the fake rock formation set. This castle was removed before I had a chance to actually see it in person.The Fake Rocks was the first set we would hide in, this was the section we snuck in at. A four foot, chain link, barb wire topped fence was your physical barrier. We could see inside clearly and could be seen just as clear. Those rocks have platforms to stand on or kneel.
This beats school any day of the week
Palm trees were mostly fabricated that you see in the background. Made of molding and composite materials. They get moved around where needed. There was a storage area where they laid horizontally. They were moved by mobile cranes. Notice in this exact angle above, none exist…They are props in an adult toy chest.
In fact, we have all kinds of ships, from the Bounty, to Tom Sawyer canoes
So, put on your tennis shoes, and grab your fishing pole, we got a huge lake inside…are you coming?
Everything you could possibly imagine has taken place right here…follow me!
Written and lived by Donnie Norden…
Donnie here...Checkout my other WordPress site, The Glamour Tram. Real life stories from behind the wheel of of this 16 tire contraption. If you rode a tram in the 80’s, I may have been your driver. Please Subscribe on WordPress…All Aboard–The Glamour Tram…
Phantom of the Backlots 