Tag: beer-drinking-in-mayberry

Colt 45 Malt Liquor-1975 Desilu

Phantom of the Backlot2 Comments

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.

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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…

“Gitty Up, It’s time for some…Malt Liquor!”

Written and Lived by…Donnie Norden