In 1935, the struggling Fox Film studios merged with Twentieth Century Pictures and created Twentieth Century-Fox on Pico Blvd in Century City. (And also gave us the world’s most famous fanfare.) Previously, the studio lot was known as “Fox Hills Studio” whose name was taken from the owner, William Fox and the nearby suburb, Cheviot Hills. William Fox opened this studio lot in 1923 but by the time this photo was taken circa late 1920s, Fox Films’ greatest successes were behind them and William Fox was on the verge of losing most of his fortune in the stock market crash. I don’t know what’s going on in this photo but it looks like a bunch of chauffeurs are gathered on the right, which would explain what a solitary motorcycle is double parked along Pico Blvd. (My thanks to David Ginsburg for helping me piece together this history.)
Michael T says: “This looks like dedication day October 1928. The Santa Monica Blvd side of the lot, where Avenue of Stars now intersects. Became a now-vanished back entrance to the 20th Century Fox lot.”
And here’s a shot of the rear of the backlot sets:
The lead car looks like it says “Grand Marshal” on the windshield. Perhaps a parade?
Oh wow, I didn’t even notice that. Well spotted, J!
Photos show the large sign at this southwest corner would read “Fox over Movietine over Fox Film Studio” with a cupola and windows added to the tower…all of which makes me wonder why this appears so different. Was it earthquake damage, cosmetic changes, or is this a different spot? The 3 or 4 open top cars all may have windshield signs reading “Police Dept.”, which would explain the group of flatfeet mulling about the roadway. (And they may be studio cops rather than city forces?). As to the purported backlot shot…where are these nearby hills in aerial photos? A bit puzzling.