When you have Erich von Stroheim in charge of (and starring in) your picture, you can kiss all financial responsibility goodbye and hope it’s a hit when it’s finally released. That’s what Irving Thalberg and Universal Studios had to do during the 11-month shoot—practically all of 1920—when von Stroheim was filming “Foolish Wives” (1922). The story was set in Monte Carlo, so he had the casino recreated in exquisite (and/or excruciating, depending on who you were) detail. I would imagine that driving past the Universal back lot, this would have made such an amazing sight, surely more than one or two motorists stopped to take it in. Personally, I would have jumped the fence taken a closer look.
7 responses to “The Monte Carlo set built for Erich von Stroheim’s “Foolish Wives” on the Universal Studios backlot, Universal City, California, circa 1920”
If I’ve got the right von Stroheim film, think the height of silent film fiscal irresponsibility. Not only the sets, but every aspect of the production was “over the top” unbridled extravagance. To the degree that even the chorus girls had to have hand made silk and lace undergarments, something that wouldn’t even be seen! Believe disgusted management erected billboard with lightbulbs indicating cumulative cost overruns, updated daily!
Thalberg, to cease production, eventually took away the cameras — studio property after all. Stroheim’s original version ran 8 hours, and of course, without any shred of evidence to support the claim, it was a “masterpiece”. Whatever you say, Erich.
This site would probably be located on the now-situated Cahuenga Blvd just before you go up over the hill on the way to Hollywood? The Oakwood Apts would be about a quarter mile to the right of this locatoin and a little east. If ever there could be a incredible “reality” show”– that was REALLY reality– it would be a show that followed some Hollywood hopefuls who moved from Peoria and lived in the Oakwood to “make it big” and recorded the trials/prostitution, in their quest, with secretly recorded auditions/interviews with the utter filth “talent” predators that populate Hollyweird. You couldn’t legally do it, but it would be very eye-opening. There was a a TV show (2009-2013) called “Big Time Rush” that followed the exploits of a 4 male teens from Duluth, Minnesota (same latitude as Moscow…) who lived at the Cahuenga Oakwood and were trying to “make it big” in Hollyweird with their boyband/rock band. Unbelievably, it really took shots at the
corrupt/venal culture of Hollyweird and even featured their manager, (a barely disguised, exploitative Jewish agent), and was actually a fairly unsparing/insightful
look into the culture of grasping, mercenary “stage moms” who would do almost anything to see their kids accepted into the Sodom & Gomorrah of Hollywood… pretty much since its inception… and the show was quite funny, too.
Ah! Some things never change. There will always been people willing to sell their souls for fame and glory…and then learn a little too late that it’s not really worth it if you’re just in it for the fame and attention.
When you have Erich von Stroheim in charge of (and starring in) your picture, you can kiss all financial responsibility goodbye and hope it’s a hit when it’s finally released. That’s what Irving Thalberg and Universal Studios had to do during the 11-month shoot—practically all of 1920—when von Stroheim was filming “Foolish Wives” (1922). The story was set in Monte Carlo, so he had the casino recreated in exquisite (and/or excruciating, depending on who you were) detail. I would imagine that driving past the Universal back lot, this would have made such an amazing sight, surely more than one or two motorists stopped to take it in. Personally, I would have jumped the fence taken a closer look.
If I’ve got the right von Stroheim film, think the height of silent film fiscal irresponsibility. Not only the sets, but every aspect of the production was “over the top” unbridled extravagance. To the degree that even the chorus girls had to have hand made silk and lace undergarments, something that wouldn’t even be seen! Believe disgusted management erected billboard with lightbulbs indicating cumulative cost overruns, updated daily!
The sets do look magnificent; but for 6 million dollars (adjusted for inflation) they really ought to.
Yes, that’s the one. But most von Stroheim pictures were like that. It’s no wonder they shut him down!
Thalberg, to cease production, eventually took away the cameras — studio property after all. Stroheim’s original version ran 8 hours, and of course, without any shred of evidence to support the claim, it was a “masterpiece”. Whatever you say, Erich.
This site would probably be located on the now-situated Cahuenga Blvd just before you go up over the hill on the way to Hollywood? The Oakwood Apts would be about a quarter mile to the right of this locatoin and a little east. If ever there could be a incredible “reality” show”– that was REALLY reality– it would be a show that followed some Hollywood hopefuls who moved from Peoria and lived in the Oakwood to “make it big” and recorded the trials/prostitution, in their quest, with secretly recorded auditions/interviews with the utter filth “talent” predators that populate Hollyweird. You couldn’t legally do it, but it would be very eye-opening. There was a a TV show (2009-2013) called “Big Time Rush” that followed the exploits of a 4 male teens from Duluth, Minnesota (same latitude as Moscow…) who lived at the Cahuenga Oakwood and were trying to “make it big” in Hollyweird with their boyband/rock band. Unbelievably, it really took shots at the
corrupt/venal culture of Hollyweird and even featured their manager, (a barely disguised, exploitative Jewish agent), and was actually a fairly unsparing/insightful
look into the culture of grasping, mercenary “stage moms” who would do almost anything to see their kids accepted into the Sodom & Gomorrah of Hollywood… pretty much since its inception… and the show was quite funny, too.
Ah! Some things never change. There will always been people willing to sell their souls for fame and glory…and then learn a little too late that it’s not really worth it if you’re just in it for the fame and attention.
I should have added to my comment… “grimly funny.”