We can’t use jeeps in this mission-stealth is required. Escape will be by hijacking German transportation.
Today’s Mission involves infiltrating Verona Square, a war torn village used in every MGM War T.V Series in the decade of the 1960’s.
This balcony dates back to…Romeo and Juliet, the 1936 MGM Classic, Directed by George Cukor. I had a fort inside the ledge Christopher George happens to be firing from. My special friend Maureen and I spent a Valentines Day Night under the moonlight right here.
“I’ll be right there darling- I have a grappling hook in my pants”
“I got it from here, Moffitt-yes -she is worth …the trouble!”
1967 Verona Square, the oldest section of MGM Lot 2, and the closet set to my house.
This picture is Verona Square, the site of today’s mission. Picture taken from Maureen’s front porch area, she lived even closer than me to this magical kingdom. We became a perfect fit-like say… Bonnie and Clyde.
1936- Romeo and Juliet set under construction.
Before Jeeps with 50 caliber machine guns, battles were fought like this…
The things these ancient plaster faces have seen. So much history, so much war. George Cukor was the first director to film here, Gene Levitt was the last-Fantasy Island pilot in 1977. But, prior to that in the 60’s, he ripped this town up in COMBAT! -In 1973, Gene Directed a must have MGM movie of the week, using all my stuff, so you know MGM Security called me-The Phantom two years before this film was filmed.
Recurring faces in history….
I met this T.V Phantom, also directed at this set by….my director hero-Gene Levitt.
Heads up …Trespassers!
From Verona Square to …Joppa Square-right across from each other.
The chase is on…
Our Hero’s steal their escape vehicle.
MGM Art Department, my collection given to me by- MGM.
“They Met in Bombay”-1941. MGM Art Department classic photo.
Location in Spain- the chase continues-filmed months apart.
Mission Accomplished…1967
I WAS A KID SOLDIER
A simple nostalgic romp through the MGM Backlot 2. As a kid, I could not get enough of W.W 2. Luckily, that war was often fought right behind my house. I heard every round ever fired, I was too young to trespass but this soundtrack influenced my life going forward. I rode my bike to school and stared through every hole in the old green fences that barely contained what was taking place open the other side of the old green barbed wire fence.
The holes became my T.V, I could not wait for each episode to to “AIR” on T.V. Combat was my soul, best series ever made. As the sands of time spilled out of the hour glass, war had high ratings!
Hit series after hit series carried on for 10 years, The Rat Patrol, Garrison’s Gorillas, and Jericho continued the backlot assault longer than W.W 2 took place. MGM was my history book and I’m forever grateful, Before VHS tapes were engineered, I would try to screen grab with my Polaroid camera. Very poor quality turned me into an artist, I would sketch, diligently images from my mind onto paper, often at school. I sat in the back of the class and appeared to be taking notes.
When that alarm bell rang I was first out the door, like a fire alarm went off. I had to get home to a place called…MGM.
Written and lived by…Donnie Norden
Phantom of the Backlots 