Let’s Go Back Jack and Do it Again… There’s those old kids again they never stop climbing fences
Book signing at Sony – If MGM Guards could see us now. They are represented fondly in this book Maureen is holding.
I hear sirens , Hurry up and get this shot!
Huron Avenue, that’s my street, and all the kids who live on it know my new hobby… Trespassing MGM.
My helmets and ammo made a big impression. While playing Combat, I had a belt full of blank ammo shells and a fancy helmet. I had found the helmet in a building in German Village, when we first met.
Her backyard is France …1944. I was at war. While running through the neighbor’s yards, I met this girl while I was shooting other kids. Now, I just tolerate girls mind you. She is different. I think- I kind of fancy her,and her bombed out backyard!
I always thought she would have made a swell boy. Her name is Maureen. The prettiest girl around these parts, I find myself wanting to impress her. I want to show her around MGM, but I am torn. Jimmy and I have an alliance that girls do not belong there. They would slow us down and they scare too easily. Dare I say our first crush is MGM lot 2. I figure she will probably say “No” to trespassing anyway. I casually ask her if she would like to come with me. I offer fair warning: “I guess this is illegal.” She rubbed her hands together and said “Let’s Go.”
Understand, most of the boys are scared. The prettiest girl around is all in. That is, if she can climb.
Well this Saturday morning she strolled down to my house in comfortable pair of running shoes. We walk the tracks on the steel rails themselves, like a tight rope. When we arrive at the barb wire pole behind Grand Central station. I brief her. I fill her in on what to expect. We kick at the gravel alongside the rails. This is where the rubber meets the road, literally. If she climbs this successfully, it’s a good sign we will work out. She is dressed in cutoff jeans and a T shirt, not a whole lot of protective clothing. I am going to get a kick out of this!
” There you are, that’s the climb, I will go first, watch where I grab.” I say
I’m now inside as her pretty little head pops above the fence, followed by her pretty behind. The prettiest climb I have ever seen. Slow-motion, pretty, like a shampoo commercial. She jumps down and looks thrilled. I dampen her enthusiasm by letting her know she needs to do it faster … next time. Silently, I am Frigging impressed.
I first show her the trains. We sit in the plush but filthy seats and talk about things. We avoid sports and the army. We just talk about stuff. There is really nowhere we have to be…any set is cool. Somehow, I am relaxed. This is going well, this girl thing.
I feel brave and we cross the field to a building we named Boystown. We named it after seeing a movie that used it called- Girls Town. Jimmy and I changed it to Boystown, since we’re boys…
We find a bench on the bottom floor. I wanted to bring it up to the top of this building. We can sit and view the Tarzan lake from a nice high vantage point. She helps me get this bench up to the top of this 4-story maze. I couldn’t do it without her so she is already paying off.
She is covered with dust but she even looks prettier filthy. Plus, none of the guys smell this good. The first piece of furniture is in the new Penthouse fort we are building. The Red Bronco has come in, and does the the rounds, below us. We can see the main gate from here, that’s big. We know we are alone when the guard exits that main gate. Not sure when he comes back, but, he is gone now…we are alone.
Jane’s looking pretty good to me right now …up here, not wanted or being chased. She’s is an angle. She glows in this dim room. Sun beams direct themselves on her glittering blonde hair. Her blue eyes are silver. A strong attraction takes over. I release a Tarzan like yell projecting over her towards Tarzan Lake. It is powerful enough for the birds in the forest below to take flight…
I lead her down from this maze of a building. We run across a dirt road holding hands. So Romantic, we our overdressed for this party.
Then, we cross over the lake. on a tiny foot bridge. I have a row boat stashed with a couple of paddles, just above the pond edge in thick bushes. Aah, the perfect way to end this afternoon. We float around listening to a transistor radio playing 93 KHJ…Boss Top Thirty hits.
The Real, Don Steele. Charlie Tuna, Humble Harve and Robert W. Morgan spin classic vinyl on a classic lake. The prettiest girl I know framed by this exterior,
Jethro Tull’s hit song Bungle in the Jungle evokes a journey to the jungle. The lyrics take you across the green pond. You traverse under two bridges. Meanwhile, the sun slowly begins to sink into a blaze of orange blinding light.
This area is secluded and a guard would probably have to leave the vehicle to see us…that rarely happens. We even doze off as we sit low in the boat. Hazy sun reflects through the trees and off the water. The lake is the sky as clouds in the sky duplicate their image on the water, as do our faces. The lake is a giant mirror of its environment. A pair of ducks mingle around us, as does a bull frog. This lake is loaded with crawfish, minnows, and carp but more so than anything else- history!
This is like dream, this legendary place is my new backyard. And, I have a new friend to explore it with. We dock and step off into the jungle that is magical and gigantic. I step on a twig, as it snaps, a thousand birds took off like a Hitchcock movie.
That can work for us. I remind myself of this. If the birds suddenly take off, it’s a signal someone bad may be coming.
The only problem the lake has for us is that it is located in the middle of the lot. This means you have a long run from here to the fence if things go bad. Better off hiding, most likely. I am always thinking ways to keep ahead of my pursuers. Small stuff adds up. I’ll take any advantage I can.
We end our day hungry like typical teenagers, so climb out over an old green wood fence. Maureen is probably the dirtiest kid in town right now. Using lake water to clean up smeared dust and created mud. She looks like a native in war paint. and now she smells like an aquarium. There is just something magnetic about her…
We picked a spot not barbed to exit. Maureen has already earned an advanced climbing badge. I grade kids on my own set of expectations like an Iowa Test at school. swears she will someday pole vault this sharp obstacle.For now…she’s one pretty -pole dancer.
Donnie thinks he so tough…Guys are the biggest chickens! That fence is nothing…
She runs over to her apartment. “Wait till she looks in the mirror. Good-by Jane,” I salute. She looks like she exited a Hollywood Movie.
I thought to myself as I was going to bed…”Girls aren’t so bad after all!”
Maureen and nephew Chad… notice MGM in background…German village and China St.
Leon, you asked for more Maureen, who doesn’t. Try this on for size.
A typical day in the life in our private Disneyland…
Written and lived by Donnie Norden and Maureen Miller…
This story is in my Book Two-“The Uninvited Visitor”
A very special moment on the set of ...King Kong
All activity on the lot indicates to me Kong is close to ready. However, sneaking in Lot 1 is dangerous. The MGM guards all know me. They know I don’t belong on this set or lot…Period!
However, I need to see where we’re at, like some producer kid. It’s time to pay Little Italy a visit. But first, I’m getting a couple of donuts, one orange iced, the other, a Kong cream pie. It’s a specialty donut, in honor of the Great Ape, being dressed just across the street. This donut shop, as is this city itself, is all things Kong.
It’s across this street I’m headed next. I have my little bag of delights. I need to climb a fence. A billboard of Logan’s Run proudly displays itself there. Poor Farrah. She is getting shoe marks all over her face. Her skimpy outfit is marked too on her section of this advertisement board. It’s the only spot I can get over at… sorry Farrah!
First, I hold my breath and close my eyes. Then, I toss this tiny donut package over the sign. I hope it floats softly like a balloon, limiting damage.
23rd Century -Get in spot for MGM Lot 1
I’m next. After grabbing one hand hold, my tennis shoes slip and slide. They glide like a cartoon on this extra-large movie poster. My right hand barely clasps the top of the fence. My momentum buys me the extra inches to pull myself up to the top. Then I go over, reuniting with my tiny bag of donuts. I may have just landed in the 23rd Century.
Kong is getting the star treatment and looks like an actor getting finishing touches before hitting the set.
The fabricated tree area has been switched to a rubber hose forest. Miles of hoses or tubes have been cut. They fit inside this massive, formidable 40 ft object. It has been hibernating here for months. He would be just a rubber doll without these arteries for oil to activate all his digits and facial expressions.
Activity is taking place around me at a mesmerizing pace…I find myself in between pit covers, artificial trees, and pallets of rubber hoses towering above me. I appear like Johnny Quest, with donuts!
That’s a fancy car kicking up all that dust…
A long black Mercedes-Benz wheels onto the set. It sends up a cloud of dust as it suddenly stops. I realize the attention all shifts to a dapper man, dressed in attire fit for a producer. I lick orange frosting off my fingers. I stand behind some artificial trees to get a better view of this person of interest. This is him, I think to myself, it’s Dino…
Everybody stares at the car, waiting for the great man, the producer, to emerge. Even King Kong stares, impassive, his giant ape face frozen 40 feet above the car. After a couple of seconds, the producer, Dino De Laurentiis, bounces out of the car. There is no doubt that he does this for dramatic effect. He flounces with energy. He pays absolutely no attention to the rest of us on the set – about 50 people. Looking up, he locks eyes with King Kong. He is here to see the giant monkey. De Laurentiis doesn’t even glance at the maybe three dozen special effects people who are swarming over Kong. Several of them take up positions at big instrument consoles. Each console has a series of levers that control hydraulic valves within Kong.
Slowly, gradually, I hear the hum of electricity. Then the whoosh of valves. Kong is coming to life… Maybe. Dino De Laurentiis has come to see the beast move. And it better move and move well. The Hollywood Press has been hinting at problems with the giant hairy star of the movie. Rumors suggest that the whole movie is at risk. And that is no small risk. It’s 1976. The $30 million budget for King Kong makes it the most expensive film in history at this point. Many people in Los Angeles think De Laurentiis’ remake of the 1933 classic starring Fay Wray is a folly. They believe this because the original is such an iconic movie. Additionally, they think no movie should cost $30 million and depend so much on unproven, untried special effects.
Giant jungle robots, indeed. Many movie insiders in ultra-competitive Hollywood are happy. They take not-so-secret delight at the prospect of seeing De Laurentiis fall flat on his face. He is the flamboyant Italian interloper. De Laurentiis is moving to the United States. He had a career in Italy. His work focused on spaghetti Westerns and niche films like Barbarella. He also worked on derivative, knockoff spy and gangster movies. Some people think De Laurentiis is too big for his riding britches. Remaking King Kong could be his Icarus moment. It is the moment when he flies too close to the Hollywood sun.
De Laurentiis is looking less than cocky at this moment. He looks worried, his eyes never straying from Kong’s as he stands a few feet from his car, waiting. I’m enthralled, this is a very big moment in this film. He doesn’t speak. He doesn’t need to. Men scramble, levers are pulled, hums and wheezes and whooshes get louder. Is the big ape going to come alive for the big cheese?
Dino De Laurentiis…
Kong’s ears wiggle. There is a murmur on the set, but nobody shouts or cheers. Nobody says anything. Everyone is concentrating so much on the big robot that I can step out of my hiding place. I just turned 16. I am not supposed to be anywhere on this studio lot. I definitely should not be here on the tightly closed, high-security set of the biggest movie ever. This is happening during a critical special effects test. I am about half a football field away from De Laurentiis. I am next to the jungle scenery that has been my hiding place.
Kong blinks, slowly. This is promising. But the robot needs the capability to make much more complicated movements with its arms and legs. He must look real – and huge, and menacing – on the screen. If Kong moves like a robot, the movie will be not only a flop, but a laughingstock.
Slowly, Kong’s left arm rises, a little. He blinks again. His head turns left. His head turns right. His partially raised left hand is in a fist. Slowly, the ape’s massive fingers, the size of a real Gorilla’s legs, start to unfurl. I sneak a quick glance over at the Mercedes, and De Laurentiis is starting to smile.
Kong raises his left hand higher, so his hand is chest high, palm toward his chest. I suppose if you know how a 40-foot gorilla would move, the robot’s movements look pretty natural. Kong extends all four fingers and his thumb, so his palm is facing his chest. Amid more wheezes and whooshes and buzzes, slowly Kong folds his thumb in. Then his pointer finger, ring finger, and little finger. His middle finger remains extended.
King Kong is giving Dino De Laurentiis the bird.
Re-creation – photo.
The set erupts in cheers and shouts and laughter. I eat my cream filled Kong donut as Kong stares down, paralyzed. He passed his audition, barely… People clap, and so does De Laurentiis. With a cigar in his mouth, Dino flips the bird at his creation. He smiles as he exhales a plume of tobacco toward his leading man. This is the moment it’s become clear that the King Kong remake would become a mega-hit. This time it stars Jessica Lange in her first film role, along with Jeff Bridges. The film is released at the end of this year. I can feel it, all this hard work is culminated in this magical moment.
As fate would have it, after the exchange of gestures, everything is green-lighted to move to the backlot. The largest scenes yet remain to be filmed. Kong stands proudly with his finger extended over the Italy assembly area, I see everyone laughing and celebrating by smoking. The only one not smoking is me and Kong.
As the thrill of victory wears off, Dino leaves in a cloud of dust, excited as Dr. Frankenstein when his monster came to life before his eyes.
Kong stays in the same position, not contorting even for a moment to wave farewell. It turns out, this demo was like test driving a used car. Our hero has a hydraulic leak in the miles of rubber hose inside. This leak has depleted our star of the life blood. It’s needed to pump his massive joints. He’s not broken, just leaking oil. like some old used car.
Don’t worry-I’m hiding behind stacks of rubber Kong hydraulic tubing sitting on a sea of pallets…
Kong will maintain this posture until the leaking section is identified. It needs to be replaced. I’m not sure if Dino caught wind that Kong’s hand is stuck after he left the test range…
As we say in Little Italy…cambio olio -sprigati, sprigati, –Ti stiamo aspettando!
Welcome to Hollywood fellas, Winchell’s donuts is across the street, you still got a lot of work to do…
I better get out of here, Little Italy needs to cut up more rubber hose, Pronto!
“Welcome” from some of the most friendly stars in Hollywood.
It’s a Wild World- applies here.You may remember the Eagle that would take paper money from visitors hands and bring it back to the handler. That’s how we pay these guys…
Things to note; Three car Pink and White Glamour Trams, an open air Universal Amphitheater. and Castle Dracula towers above the theme park.
Lassie made this show famous. “He” had his own T.V series at Universal.
I was wrapping out a show one late Friday night. I ran into three escaped dogs on New York Street. They were taking their own guided tour. Because of predator dangers, I wrangled them up, put them in my vehicle, and security reunited them to their handlers.
Before it was an actor stage, we had a zoo.It was located behind Courthouse Square.
This guy is the biggest star and has been know to escape into the studio. He has a mind of his own.
Every Which Waybut Loose… describes my animal tale.
Who’s the bigger Ham here?I say Erik!
I saw this scene filmed…This is Culver Blvd, my street corner. Erik and his Kawasaki are on back a trailer, attached to a camera truck.
Get me outta here…
“I love donuts” this was how my boss was confronted… face to face.
These actors never strike or complain…
In my career at Universal, I saw a lot of things. Early on, I worked as a tram driver. On this particular morning, drivers and guides were notified. An Orangutan was on the loose somewhere on the backlot. Apparently, it escaped its cage, located just behind the famous Universal City sign overlooking the San Fernando Valley. But the tram tour must go on, “Keep your eyes open,” was the orders issued. A manhunt was on, an all points bulletin that affects the entire studio.
A Dragnet was taking place, but no need to panic the public, act like it’s part of the tour. Animal trainers scoured the lot with tranquilizer guns, because this “most wanted” could kill you bare handedly. Not that he would. He’s a friendly beast. He works around the public all day performing at The Animal Actors Stage. When not guest starring in some movie or T.V show.
As if King Kong was loose, undercover operations vehicles scoured the backlot. The theme park had to be cleared first, because the paying public had to be provided a safe haven. That sequence took place before the park opened. He could be anywhere, on our 473 acre movie studio.
I was one of the first tours to embark that summer morning. I drop off guests at the I Love Lucy stage for a taste of Movie Magic. Videos of Robert Wagner welcome you. I take my empty tram back towards tram dispatch to grab another load of customers. As I drive behind our original Property Department, I notice it is full of ancient Chinese vases. Night Gallery Pictures from Rod Serling’s T.V series also fill the department. I see commotion on the hillside above. Branches snap and foliage disturbs in a jungle type setting. This setting connects the lower lot to tours. He is swinging vine to vine, like in a Tarzan Movie.
Our featured star was just playing in his own rain forest, having escaped from a barred, dank cell. Who can blame him really, I sadly called in his location and he was instantly apprehended without incident. He even performed at his 11 A.M showtime in the popular stage of unemployed movie animals. This show is their back up gig when not in front of the cameras.
The 90’s have arrived quickly. I am now an electrician. I am part of all production taking place on the lot. A de-ja-vue is taking place, I’ve seen this movie before. An orangutan is once again on the loose, this time it’s 5 A.M, as employees are arriving for work. A misty mountain fog permeates the parking area above the collapsing bridge animation. I was driving up to pick up my boss, Tony G. He arrives an hour after my call time. He parks on a steep hillside. It’s pitch dark, and the fog does not help. Shadows are what you see, not employees. Tony gets out of his truck and places donuts and coffee on the roof of his vehicle. Seeing a figure coming his way, he mistakes the shadow as another employee from our shop.
He locks his truck when he realizes, this is not an electrician, it’s an Orangutan. Like a Hitchcock thriller, he is face to face with something that could ruin his day. Tony quickly jumps back inside the cab of his truck. He leaves a dozen donuts and a cup of coffee on his roof. The Animal Actor approaches Tony through his car window. Tony is very frightened at this point. He has entered…The Jungle Book.
Call it Gorilla’s in the Mist if you will since we are Universal Studios. The lead actor has the lead boss in a quandary. The goodies on his rooftop entice our Orangutan star, who apparently likes donuts. Now the ape is feeding itself in the bed of Tony’s truck. The coffee gets poured out on the windows as Tony gets an up close and personal early morning star treatment. Our star, now with a sugar buzz, decides to go from car to car, looking for more pastry. Employees notify security who contact the animal handlers, who were once again on the hunt.
As they arrive with a tranquilizer gun in hand, the ape is snapping car antenna’s. Not in a mood for negotiating…”shots fired”
Our star is apprehended and life goes on as usual in this land of…Movie Magic!
My friend and former boss passed away today, April 26, 2025. Tony Grillo, a great man with many accomplishments. He helped me get the right job for me. He takes with him many great stories so I share this one with you guys on a sad day. R.I.P Tony, from all the guys who worked for you and with you….
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.
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 todie” 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, TheUninvited 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
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 episodeof 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 timesmyself!
“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”
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 joboff 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 aboutMy 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.
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 TheScorpion 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.
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
A friend, Kenny Paes, sent me this colorized version of the Desilu Backlot. Stalag 13-upper right.Yes they are actively filming an episode of Hogan’s Heroes on this fly over…Notice crew parking and how trucks get positioned to hide things or just remain out of frame.Equipment most closest to set is usually most often is -a camera truck. Film needs to be constantly added for camera. It’s why were all here. I can break this picture down for days straight. This captures the lot I know best.
Hahaha-a security guard sits parked in his car when filming isn’t taking place. The “third” guard tower exists in this photo. Security is facing the Western Street. He can see any approach to Stalag 13, except if you climb in back in the heavy brush on the corner of Lucerne. That’s exactly the where my Mission Impossible exploration began on a Sunday night in 1972.
In this photo, you see snow. Ground level and hillside, this was heavy plaster molds with spiders living underneath. You could pick them up and move them. The rooftops were simply painted patches of snow. Neighborhood houses on Lucerne Avenue looked directly into Stalag 13. Only two guard towers existed when this shot was taken, a 3rd would be added at the very left side of the camp fence. It overlooked the backyard that contained a make up trailer used by the show. That trailer originally was built and used by Marion Davies. Three snow patches on right hand hill side our where the three tree stumps are located. A Tiger Tank is parked along the fence line by crew parking, that’s where it was stored. The guy who owns the house that connects to Stalag 13 has started it up, a diesel motor, and was arrested by Desilu security and C.C.P.D. That’s where the make up trailer sits, in his yard…still. I have the mirrors and items from antiquity that were hidden inside.
Residential neighborhoods surround this property on two streets. Lucerne and Higuera Streets. Ince Blvd takes you inside the lot. One other gated entrance exists farther down Higuera. Two roads to enter and exit-both are dirt, as is most of this backlot. The fences were chain link allowing easy view points. The Atlanta Train Depot is the first big large structure left of the camp and hillside I take you on in this story. That is the Gone With the Wind set.Gomer Pyle’s barracks can be seen upper right corner of backlot, La Ballona creek is the southern most boundary of this backlot.
Five complete barracks that have four walls is all we have here. Three others are partials as is Klink’s office. Power is fed by generators behind Klink’s office also. Those generators are mobile., I see a cable run from a barrack to the barb wire fences-another generator positioned there. The long piece of Transportation equipment appears to be a “honey wagon.” Portable mobile bathrooms. This backlot only had one bathroom facility, located off Higuera Street. That way it could tie into public sewers….12 stalls, 6 for men, 6 for women was all that this backlot had at its disposal. Located in between Mayberry and Stalag 13 on the infamous Desilu Dirt Highway. This lot was busy and not enough bathrooms existed, so shows utilized the same equipment used on location. The things we take for granted need planning on movie sets.
he last film here was not what you would think …The only part of the camp to survive in 1974 was the shed aside from Klink’s office. That became a tool shed for The Fortune Movie.
An adult movie finished of this Stalag- She Wolf of the S.S
The hill behind this discussion is how we first approach this liberated P.O.W Camp.
Fact-Klink’s office was just a front of a building, the backside was wide open and the view opposite the front door looked upon the Western Street towards the saloon.
Klink’s office is located behind that corner building with a German truck parked alongside.I had a fort in the saloon located on this street.
More facts–These rope cots came out of the P.O.W’s barracks. The set they are behind is a crossover set, used first by The Andy Griffith Show but also seen in Hogan’s Heroes. In the distance, an original Stalag 13 edifice, with a snow painted rooftop. ‘You gotta keep pushing snow when you’re really in sunny Southern California!”
Front side- this house pictured above.The tree stumps are hidden behind camouflage as is much of the house because…This is Mission Impossible. All the snow on ground and painted on roof had to be removed, then put back immediately.
“Sheriff Taylor” is being shot at as the State Police can’t believe their eyes- This is that set, in my picture I took from backside.. Pre Hogan and Gomer Pyle. You would see Camp Henderson after 1964 in background. With a sharp set of eyes, you can see this set in wide camp views, usually with a big wheeled, red- Fire fighting piece of equipment in background. Cross overs continue on this tight knit tiny backlot…Desilu is family, on the lot and on Television.
Colonel Crittendon on one set
Malcolm Merriweather on another , A Gentle Men’s Gentlemen just down the dirt road that attaches Mayberry with Stalag 13
If that guard tower could speak, Maureen and I’ would be embarrassed!
The Mayberry Highway dirt road-connects Stalag 13 to Andy Griffith’s Courthouse.All Desilu shows have one thing in common, this centralized bathroom in the middle of the backlot. Right side of picture, nestled into hill side. 6 stalls for men and 6 for women.Notice the painted snow on the rooftop, for Hogan’s Heroes, plaster snow comes into play the closer you get to Stalag 13. So many episodes utilize this road, this hillside was my portal to watch filming in the camp area.
John Dehner selling Elixir in Mayberry. Another Desilu cross over star. I had my own Elixir’s that we partaked in up in the Guard Towers of Stalag 13 and in the Taylor Residence where we had a fort upstairs
General von Platzen… Character
Cross overs…Hal Smith, Otis Cambell also known as “Hot Rod“
We loved this character and relived his character running around the Desilu lot…Everyone loves Elixers, even Desi Arnaz.
Put some Whiskey in your water, sugar in your Tea, what are all these crazy questions your asking me?
The people behind the making of all our favorite shows including Hogan’ Heroes. Three most famous D’s…Danny Thomas, Dan Cahn, Desi. Arnaz. Desilu is a union of these fine Gentlemen. The men behind the empire…Let’s not leave out the- The Desilu Queen . Picture courtesy Daniel Cahn, son of the legend.These are the brains to all your Desilu T.V shows, read the credits. If it says Desilu= Top quality!
We need a director and Bruce Bilson worked his way from a 1st A.D on Andy Griffith to directs several Hogan’s Heroes. The ultimate cross over, the man, the legend, I’m so honored to have talked with him! Maureen and I love this legend of a man, here with our first book- Hole in the Fence. If you need just one Director for all things Desilu and Paramount… this man captures what Hollywood was and shall ever be from the Golden Years of Hollywood.
.We start in 1964 for this read on Desilu History;
A Prisoner of war camp that was constructed in the tail end of 1964 for the very first episode of Hogan’s Heroes that was the only aired in a Black and White format. The pilot episode is titled “The Informer.” The series would begin at this time would run from 1965 to 1971. CBS pushed for color as this series was picked up.
Welcome to the Color Revolution as color console TV’s. This was as big of a culture as A.I is becoming today…60 years later. Viewing habits changed, making homes- mini theaters.
You could lay on shag carpets and eat T.V dinners off a tray parked in front of T.V sets. Some families demanded dining room participation but eventually, the talk at these table was as much about television shows as it was “what’s new with our family?”
My mom believed in family prayer at the dinner table. Going to a Catholic School, it seemed I prayed all day.” Lord- please provide me good television was my mantra and bless all the animals…Amen”
Prayers answered-not only did I receive that, I was steered divinely to places where these T.V shows were made. We were taught the Golden Rules of the Ten Commandments and luckily for me-“Trespassing wasn’t one of them.”
Trespassing isn’t a sin mother, she saw a passion in her son’s eyes at a time when television was taking off.
Stereo’s had built in record players and slots for 8 Tracks tape players to slide into, so much entertainment, you hated to have to go to school!…Columbia House had adds in magazines offering 8 records or tapes for a dollar. Once they hook you with that deal- expect a stack at your front door monthly, at a readjusted price. That describes the Home Front where we watched all are favorite shows and series in comfort and luxury, complete with a dog or two at your feet, and a 67 GTO parked out front.
I knew these studios existed, I could see MGM Lot 2 from my house, Desilu was a bike ride away. Imagine for a moment when I finally crossed the Blue Line and began living amongst these iconic sets. Reruns allowed me to relieve things filmed at these studios months, years and even decades before.
Over time- I would become in contact with almost every famous set in Hollywood, beyond Culver City and our neighborhood film factories.
Because of ‘Dogs on Duty” and there indeed were, it delayed my exploration of this famous Stalag. The night we finally entered Stalag 13, we were scared to death. I had very few volunteers to to go on this expedition.
We studied the camp from the big hill that looks down upon it. A calling to me was being transmitted from who I don’t know, finally on a Sunday Night the time had come to live on this sacred site. Sneaking through a yard of a city resident was the shortest path to this Stalag. At night it is pitch dark, factor that in to a place secured by vicious dogs.
Marion Davies to the rescue
First we had to climb a fence to get to the Desilu Fence, in between climbs, in someone’s yard, we hid behind a shed. This was a point of No Return. Like the Dirty Dozen at the chateau, we went over possibilities that might occur, gathering confidence needed for the next climb, we finish this planning behind a shed that 50 years later, I discovered this is Marion Davies make up trailer. This night- it was mission command post.
Like the P.O.W’s had to do, we are now sneaking into…Stalag 13. We are inside laying along side fake snow and deep grass, ready to retreat if need be. Still close to a fence to escape, our eyes become night vision goggles…or better described as a nest of owls. We carry cans of mace in case shit hits the fan in Stalag 13-with dogs on duty!
The coast seems clear- next-run like a bat out of hell to a guard tower located next to the red and white guard shack. We shut the main gate and latch it in an attempt have a barrier in case dogs show up. We are now living our own episode of this cancelled T.V show. Now-up a simple ladder, and we are looking down on this Luft Stalag. If Hogan could see us now, he would salute us. We came and conquered another landmark set.
Fast forward 1974
This perfectly conditioned camp was ours to enjoy. I felt like a teenage Producer, having a full backstage pass. I would thank God in my nightly prayers for providing me with the Super Powers needed to be a top notch trespasser. I owned Stalag 13.
All Things Must Pass
In an unexpected move, I arrived on the lot only to find the Stalag is being decommissioned. The Guard towers were relocated toward the fence we first climbed in on. The kennel and the dog house were no where in site. Only a shed next to Klink’s office was still left where it has been since 1964. Turns out this would be used as a tool shed for the production that is now taking away everyone’s favorite prison camp.
The series lasted 6 years and the Stalag itself- 9 years. I was in charge the last two. I had every set in Hollywood to work with but this one was far my favorite…a deserted Stalag.
It wasn’t built to last forever, the barracks had ho floors inside, just dirt. No foundation, they leaked heavy in rainy season with puddles building up inside, making everything muddy. Wood and rope cots were the only contents inside. This camp never was vandalized, trespassing hadn’t taken off inside yet.
No one knew the place was empty and yours for the taking. Guards patrolled in cars now and then, but not in a forceful high profile way like MGM. More like a farmer checking out his ranch.
In 1965, Hogan’s Heroes became a Top Ten Show in its first season. When the network pulled the plug 168 episodes later, its ranking was #39, but pulled 19.8 in ratings. Gomer Pyle shut its gate just through the eucalyptus trees that separate these camps the year before in 1969. Pyle’s ratings were extremely high, winning out over Hogan’s Heroes. Only once did Pyle fall to double digits, #10 in ’67, but #2 or #3 all five other seasons.
Bonanza rates as the all time powerhouse and filmed many episodes on our Western Street whose upstairs saloon I had a fort in with a working off-lot phone, I have called my mom from this saloon telling her “I”m Fine and am staying over at a friends house,” Pat did the same as we camped out in the backlot all night.
Desilu Television dominated T.V Ratings-Andy Griffith, Gomer Pyle, Batman, I Love Lucy, followed by Hogan’s Heroes. The Andy Griffith Show spun off to Mayberry R.F.D and that series took off, briefly. The Jim Nabors Show replaced Gomer Pyle, Hogan’s Heroes never finished back in the Top 10 after its initial season.
Star Trek, Batman, Andy Griffith, Gomer Pyle, Hogan’s Heroes, That Girl, and a collie named Lassie all had successful series overlapping each other using this backlot. The only fights they had were over prime time and slotting against other big hits. Star Trek was knocked down when slotted on Friday Night against Gomer Pyle.
As Jim Nabors became the king of this lot, Bob Crane guest starred on various series such as Love American Style, and two Disney features, Superdad and Gus. and even doing the Dinner Theater circuit. That is when he met his fate, in Scottsdale, Arizona, still a mysterious and unsolved mystery.
Rest in Peace– Colonel Hogan, your surrounded by fans still!
These three are also linked for eternity…Their graves look at each others…
What a gem this short interview is…amazing how fate plays out- Destiny!
Bob is laid to rest just across from Marilyn Monroe. Forever this close…
A film titled The Fortune is clearing out all things Stalag 13 for a large build on a southwest Bungalow type setting where much of this film is to be filmed. Warren Beatty is the star alongside Jack Nicholson. Jack would soon win an Academy Award for China Town following this effort. All you followers of Hogan’s Heroes will recognize the trees, grass burms, minus the fake plaster snow and all things the landscape minus the camp.
I was on this set all the time, looking down from hillsides that were used by our merry men. I actually needed to be rescued by this film crew when this hill caved in and I fell into it’s bowels. I didn’t realize this hill was partially fake and hollow inside.I found at the hard way because there was no escape with an extension ladder.
The Fortune rescues Donnie…
Fortunately, I was the only one captured inside this hillside that was part of Stalag 13, close to the tree stump, which I had already removed from the lot. I got to know the construction crew who built this new set and they showed up for the rescue. “Oh it’s you” was how I was greeted when my head appeared through the tall grass.
“Hi Guys -Thanks for showing up!”
Stuff from the camp…
Well I got the Pearl, this tree stump would continue on entertaining kids for about 5 years before collapsing from over use and oversized kids. The Stalag Barracks doors ended up in a yard close by, the same yard we hid in our first trespass. The black door handle on Klink’s office at this time had no significant value. Nothing in this camp was considered legendary- chew on that folks!
That’s the one consistent fact of life, this was just stuff no longer needed. I wanted a dog house and a guard tower of course, but I was able to rescue “The Stump”
That home on Lucerne can still be seen today, Chris the property owner says the fence had a gate connected to the Stalag and this show used Marion Davies 100 year old trailer for make up touch ups. The stars congregated in this very special yard that Desi Arnaz was part of including for this T.V series. Desi updated Marion’s 1925 music box to a modern Panatron system of entertainment where actors could be notified they are needed and their make up status. A sink to take make up off and a bar of soap last used by- Who Knows -sits along side my ancient mirrors from antiquity. Yes Marion Davies and myself are connected to Hollywood Forever. I’m truly an old soul that’s why I was picked to rescue this from demolition that is most certain for this corner.
The last series ever to utilize this room was Hogan’s Heroes. A personal gate separated this room with Stalag 13. This property, formally owned by R.K.O has green under-paint, everywhere, walls, sidewalks, etc. This room was locked shut after Hogan’s Heroes, with all the spirits still inside. I let them all out to live on forever.
Picture most -left -is where we first snuck in, the yellow streak represents Marion Davies 100 year old make -up trailer. That tiny backyard shed is where we first hid, in between fence climbing, it’s connected to Stalag with in own entry to and from camp.These screen grabs our from 1967, Mission Impossible.
In the pilot episode that started it all, General Burkhalter was a Colonel, not a General. I did not know until much later, Robert Clary was a P.O.W in WW2. I met him after the series in 1977, on the set of Fantasy Island. Yes- he was in a prison for that episode…Devil’s Island. His character Ipsy La Fan had to escape or rot forever in this jungle prison. Bert Convy also starred in this as a magician who could escape from anything. Together, they found freedom. I sat next to him in director chairs used by the cast and talked Desilu on the MGM backlot, I broke him the news that Stalag 13 was removed but softened the blow by telling him my tree stump rescue.
Decades later, here I am connecting dots in history. This kid trespasser is now a historian of sorts, based of boots on the ground experiences that stand up to…the test of time!
Hope you enjoyed my romping around with me. My book –The Uninvited Visitor-takes you to Desilu as a trespasser and we close the curtain on this wonderful backlot with never heard -real stories. Available on Amazon…
Phantom of the Backlots 