A stealthy, sleek feline wants to have it’s way with this Caped Crusader
A Caged Bat fighting a Big Cat –on T.V no-less. A chemistry exists between this gorgeous, graceful feline and this debonaircrime fighter in the battle of- TIGHT FITTING COSTUMES.
Catwoman is no- push over-she plays very hard to get!-Don’t let her purring fool you!
She can lick you – to DEATH. Not a bad way to go I suppose…
The Line is -“Come and Get Me Batman.” Lorenzo Semple Jr. would go on to write – King Kong 2–1976. Wardrobe and make up time on this backroad with a quick script read…
“Come and Get Me- BATMAN“
Same muddy road
A Feline Car fit for the most seductive villain ever created-A Jaguar Commercial if I ever saw one.
A Feral cat has just arrived…
Hissing and hawing is a backlot warning…
“I’ve picked up your cat nip scent-CATWOMAM…Wanna race cars?”
Like a fine wine, every feline quality still presents itself gracefully as if – time skipped over her.“HANDS OFF BATMAN!”
Cats really live in this stranger than life Animal Kingdom.
“HOLY ALLEY CAT -BATMAN–A FUR BALL FACTORY!”
“We’ll mine the other backroad, that will – fix him.”
Two dirt roads surround Gotham City- this one runs alongside the creek- these 6 photos put you there.
“Don’t jump CATWOMAN-Your cat claw nails can’t dig in to this granite. One final “Cats Meow.”
Batman-this cat just came out of no-where…can we keep it
August 14,1972This filmed grossed 130 Million Dollars
Mr. Chuck Norris gets a knee to the groin.Don’t shake hands with Kato…
The Infamous Bruce Lee Manifesto…Upstairs in the 2nd story unit- lived Bruce Lee while playing Kato in the Green Hornet Series. Desilu, now Amazon Studios, is located behind the backyard of this home. I was riding by one afternoon not long ago, when I saw a couple moving in that unit upstairs. I had to stop and ask-“Do you know the history of this place ?” They said “No.” “Bruce Lee lived here in the mid 1960’s” I could barely contain myself as I stood inside in what was his living room. They sat stunned,- imagine your in a sacred zone, imagine worse- that you may have never known that without this Mysterious Minstrel who just happened to be passing by…
Back unit of this triplex-picture match-Bruce lived in the front building.
“Study Hard ” was how he greeted kids on their way to school on Van Buren Street in Culver City, where he lived while filming this T.V Series.
“O.K- I’m warmed up- Bring it On ! “says Lew Alcindor…. Like a Cobra strike, what style and grace.
Push play for Classic T.V – Remember this episode when the masks all met on a Bat Rope ?
When Crime Fighters Unite
The Green Hornet filmed in 1966-67, Produced by William Dozier, who also produced Batman. Van Williams starred as publisher Britt Reid and Bruce Lee as martial arts expert – Kato. A 26 episode ABC Series. This series was canceled after only 1 year. Batman was the craze in the mid -1960’s, this show suffered low ratings and was thought to be to serious compared to the wild, free flowing Batman series.
Batman had star power, big guest stars and many beautiful women. You wanted to be in the Batman craze, and the list of villains was brilliant. Every episode was fresh and colorful. The Green Hornet was dark, like those Batman features made when this series franchised into something bigger than life.
Batman screamed 1960’s- A cultural phenomenon. The reruns take you back to a time when making a hit series was flat out…Too Much Fun. The chemistry between Catwoman-Julie Newmar and Bruce Wayne’s character was very appealing. Call it – Dynamic, “Robin you can go home now, you have homework to do” says the mature crusader.
Born Julia Chalene Newmeyer, she was my favorite villain, a trained dancer of ballet and Spanish dance, you had to wonder if their was romance between these two…
Save Me -Batman!
Batman Canceled
Ratings started to decline and production cost went upwards. The skits became stale by the 3rd season and Yvonne Craig, BatGirl, was brought in to boost ratings. A very expensive show to produce with cutting edge color technology and high -profile guest villains who commanded large salaries.
Season 4 …Almost
NBC was interested in picking up this series ABC no longer wanted , but before the deal was finalized, in true Hollywood form, the expensive sets – including the BatCave-interior were demolished to clear space on the studio lot at 20th Century Fox. NBC backed out rather than pay hundreds of thousands of dollars to rebuild all of what was needed. This show became wildly successful once again in syndication, and future generations to this day often visit the BatCave exterior for nostalgic reference.
The Bat CaveLocation: “The signal is coming from Culver City-Robin”– Bronson Cave, a must visit for T.V buffs.
“We have a problem at old Bioscope Studios …Robin, put on your safety boots, hooves are needed in that wild silent movie ranch.”
Main Lot on Ince Blvd, Stock Units is The Allen Warehouse. Set Walls get reused and stored inside.
Ince Blvd, Desilu Studio Entrances
Bioscope is a word used to describe early film projectors -silent films.“Villains hide inside these dilapidated buildings and False Fronts”…says Robin!
False Face is hiding somewhere in these false fronts…
No Trespassing Desilu Studios…“Gomer Pyle must be filming at Desilu / Paramount today Batman.” says an excited Caped Crusader.
“Keep an eye out in these False Fronts -Robin,” barks Batman.
“Is that the Rail Depot from Gone with the Wind Batman?”…”Indeed Robin, You know your Bioscope History I see” says the older crusader.
Base Camp for this episode with crew taking it all in.Batman’s Trailer – Gray -complete with a license plate for towing to locations, 3 back sliding windows and an air conditioner on the roof. Parked in area also used for Mayberry R.F.D. Sam’s Farm House is on the front side of trailer.
“They have fallen into my trap ” says this masked villain.
“Batman How do you track him so well ?” says yellow cape to the purple cape. “Just follow the dust- Robin!” “He’s hiding in these False Fronts with his False Faces-Batman”
“THAT”S STALAG 13 BATMAN !”
“I SEE NOTHING !”
Has the Dynamic Duo been obliterated ? Or– was this an inflatable Batmobile?A False Car tricks a False Face.
“Cut through these false fronts…it’s a short cut.”
Cut through here…This really does cut from Western Street to the Middle East Sets built for King of Kings in 1927.
“He could be hiding inside any of these old False Walls and fake props” yells The Boy Wonder
Up those stairs, I had a fort, decorated with props from Stalag 13.
A Devious Villain indeed…
Reinforcements-Chief O’Hara arrives to see a toasted Bat Car Frame. But wait, is that really Chief O’Hara ?
“What do we do now BATMAN?”
“Holy Mole Richardson Arc Lights Batman”… as old as Gotham City itself!
“Stretch this rope from Gone With the Wind across the road from the movie light to this tree -Robin.” “This backlot has more tricks up it’s sleeve than my utility belt!”-says a determined Batman.
“There is no where left to hide on this ranch False Face-Give yourself up!”
“False Batman – I can lose myself in the old west!”
“Rustlers ay-I’ll help you guys out”…says this lone Cowboy.
“Holy Horse Crap-this cowboy is False Face!”
Can’t fool Batman, especially at a saloon…
“You could help Robin ! “
When I took this photo in 1973, I was picturing this Batman episode filmed on this same spot… Batman Ambrosia never wears off.
One final toss-through a window no-less…
“Confounded Caped Crusader!”
Commissioner Gordon is right handed-yet he’s holding his handkerchief with his left hand- Batman suspects the Chief.
“Lucky the sheriff didn’t catch ya…he hangs criminals”
“One villain at a time” is how this haunted studio backlot operates, luckily law enforcement includes – Sheriff Taylor, Elliott Ness, Superman, and The Green Hornet.
The old west return to being refuge to neighboring kids who just happen to have a fort upstairs in this building. It even has a phone to that calls “Off Lot.” Visitors Welcome…
Conclusion:
Folks- this is the best episode ever using this backlot. Any series ever, this is Golden Age Hollywood stuff! Nowhere else will you see so much Desilu backlot.
This series screams-The Sixties…
It jumps of the screen, colors like comic book pages. It made you go buy a ” Color T.V,” The T.V revolution is in full force, every twisted turn in this episode winds through iconic television exterior sets. Never will you cut through buildings like this again, exactly as I used to operate here-.inside False Fronts. I stalked BATMAN, first on my Schwinn bicycle from outside the fences-looking in, wearing garments such as a cape and mask, bought with (a million-Blue Chip Stamps)...what a bargain.
Yes I saw the Caped Crusader, they sped by kicking up a trail of dust as I melted into the studio fence. Like a dream coming true-I had -Bat Goose Bumps as my heart fluttered. Little did I know in 1967, much more Batman was ahead for me.
My Bat Evolution
In the mid-Eighty’s, I worked on the first 3 features made by Warner Brothers using Universal’s backlot. Sure, these were super high budgeted features with villains such as Danny DeVito as the Penguin and Arnold Schwarzenegger as Mr. Freeze. Sets built both on stage and on the backlot made the original look like a kids imagination. These were more evil and ruthless, yet rich in flavor.
As the days and nights of filming took place, talking to the crew working this film, my past meets my future. I was the only person on this modern film version with the direct link to the past when Bruce Wayne was Adam West and every episode was two-parts must see T.V.
All Things BATMAN- June 13,1966 My 6th Birthday. The Caped Crusader was there on my T-Shirt I refused to take off., ever. Soon after this party, I would see the dynamic duo actually film a few segments in real life-Living Color.60 years of Batmobiles, Capes, Masks and Villains – that’ s are so cool – you would like to meet each onepersonally, I never expected the candles to still be burning in 2026.
We start with a Mission Briefing, inside this KVWV truck located at the Paramount Studios lumber storage and mill.
The Big Black Vehicle arrives…
The briefing involves election fraud in Mexico. In this swank 1966 apartment, the record player is disabled as we browse the folders on I.M.F personnel needed for infiltration.
“Cinnamon”is perfect for this assignment and “every” mission period.
We have our small yet tactical force. “Rollin Hand” is a code name we used. It describes how we rolled our “Doobies” on the backlots…
This Mission starts in Mexico, look behind the curtains, this is Mayberry…
Behind this ‘False Front” is the Mayberry Post Office. A Police Station, for this episode. Directly across the street, where camera is, is Andy Griffith’s Courthouse.The backlot uses several disguises in this Golden Age classic. Several Mayberry and Gone With the Wind facades will be altered. T.A.G.S was still shooting this street almost daily, so these set decorations and modifications required “striking.” This backlot was as busy as anywhere in Hollywood. T.V was never as good as this era.
Our I.M.F Force has arrived…
We need a free and honest election…Liberation !
Window set dressing…often-this kind of stuff ends up in my forts. Winston Churchill is a perfect trespasser motivational influence! We would sneak up to these widow displays from the back entrances and remove set decorations. Right after a scene was filmed and before set decorations could retrieve their items.
On the set of Roger Corman’s “CAPONE,” an entire tobacco shop was relocated upstairs in my fort. This included cigars and brier pipes relocated to the Mayberry R.F.D House set. This happened after a gangster was shot from a passing car band was blasted through the picture window. That story in full detail can be found in Book One titled…”Bootleggers, Tommy Guns and L.S.D”…Hole in the Fence–Book One.
This election…is rigged!
A day of reckoning -I.M.F in Volkswagon- Election fixer in dark glasses.
Downtown, Mayberrywas built to be Atlanta in 1938. When television was born, this Main Street was disguised as any Metropolis in the world. Paint, cars, signs, and costumes can transform your mind. Production wants you to experience different places, all within the comforts of the studio.
Long before Mexico, this street was used as Atlanta in …Gone With the Wind
Lets unpack this picture...The West End of Atlanta/Mayberry. The Desilu Watertower overlooks the backlot. He pictured above the Atlanta train depot, still standing in 1966. False fronts were installed to block the view of this iconic depot used in GWTW.
There were two theaters in Mayberry. On the corner on the left side, you can see a marquis. An alleyway, not shown, separates the theater from Main Street.
This is that corner, minus the train depot. My picture taken in 1972. The single one story row of buildings that blocked this view of the depot is no longer standing. I took this photo after they had been removed. This is where the pavement begins on this dirt backlot. It was dirt for Gone With the Wind. No backlot in history used so little cement.
Same corner in…Gone With the Wind
Mayberry became the next identifier on this main street. The Untouchables branded it as Chicago, Metropolis in Superman, Gotham City in Batman and Berlin in Hogan’s Heroes.
Election interference…”I was pushed off the road!“
This crash was where the theater alongside the Mayberry Hotel stood. Donkeys are first responders.Concerned voters assist with election ballots inside ambulance.
Meanwhile, in the nearby jungle“We need some gas- Cinnamon”
“I need a smoke Rollin!“I have seen this gas station before…
Wally’s “Gasolina” Station
This famous turn into Goober’s Gas Station
Goober’s filling station. This dirt road parallels the La Ballona Creek. Gomer Pyle films across the way…
If only I had some music to unwind-says Cinnamon…Mission Accomplished!
To the left of this jeep is the filling station. Music for a successful “Mission Accomplished.”
Final thoughts;
I thought I would share my version of Mission Impossible dating back to 1966. These screen grabs, combined with my photos and personal experiences paint at picture of a wonderful era of television. As God would lay out my future, I worked on the first feature of the same name with Tom Cruise. Paramount rented the Universal -“SKY” backdrop and water basin for some stunts and inserts.
Paramount owned Desilu when this T.V series was in production. Hogan’s Heroes was also a regular Paramount location on the 40 Acre backlot. These streets were like revolving doors, different shows, every day-non stop. Crime had no chance with all the capped Super Heroes and detectives roaming these streets.
I Spy, The Green Hornet, and Batman followed Superman and the Untouchables. Sheriff Taylor also patrolled this street with Barney through much of this 60’s decade. It was originally designed as Atlanta in GWTW.
I rode my bike here in the late 60’s. I came just to look through the fence. I was in search of all these- “Heroes.”
The marvel of television allowed me to watch episodes then go relive scenes where they were filmed. Basically, “I lived my T.V set.” Even my parents were amazed by this passion burning inside me. We would sit and watch television together and I would have my own stories…like a real life Opie Taylor. I put a fort upstairs in the Andy Griffith house.
My folks saw the Hogan’s Heroes tree stump effect become my own personnel hide out. That big bulky item moved in and out of my bedroom to various locations around my house. Everyone wanted to go -“under the lid.” My house had signs with bullet holes nailed to it. I even had a working Barbers Pole that would spin and light up when plugged in.
I was quite the sight. I could be seen towing tree stumps, various props of all sizes, spears, bows and arrows, etc. I had weapons ranging from rifles to ray guns. I brought B.B guns to play inside Combat sets. I fought real Marines from Camp Pendleton. I gave tours of Camp Henderson to these same soldiers. Gomer Pyle, Jim Nabors- was a recruiter and recruitment soared.
Most kids carried school books, but I carried props. I even had bushels of King Kong horse fir, so much I attached it to my dog. That was quite the monster looking creature. My dogs trespassed at times with me. I wasn’t like all the other kids, needless to say.
It’s fun being the “Black Sheep.” I never wanted these times to stop and they never did. My life evolved into living this lifestyle everyday. 35- Universal working years later, I feel a need keep and hand down my history. I did not realize then I was living in the Golden Age. I thought things would never disappear. But disappear they did.
Thankfully, I took notes, no matter what time of night I came home. I gobbled up discarded “call sheets” and have taken more studio pictures than anyone alive. MGM blessed me with hundreds of Art Department pictures. I became a legend long before I worked at these studios. Everyone knew me, or about me-at MGM. I had an endless supply of blank ammo shells, what kid has that?
Not bad for a trespassing kid who even snagged the studio “Trespassers List” from a guard shack. I knew 50 percent- of the captured folks!
I thank all of you. You like to return to that marvelous era I specialize in capturing. This era is called- The Phantom of the Backlots. I always knew I was experiencing “special things.” A salute-from me to you…
Written and lived by…Donnie Norden
But wait-There’s More…Glamour Tramis back up and running. Come take a tour with me. This site on WordPress reads like a book. You must scroll to the beginning for “cast of characters & training exercises.” Otherwise, your just lost on the tram route, which is really fun anyways…
Real life Tram Tours with Donnie Norden, you too may be on my celebrity list of “miscasts.“
More adventure stories now on sale at Amazon. Follow The Phantom in his escapades back in time…
As always…Boots on the ground stories–Written and Lived by…Donnie Norden
Phantom of the Backlots 