William Holden shooting a scene in “The Turning Point” (1952) at 157 S. Main Street, downtown Los Angeles, 1951

William Holden shooting a scene in "The Turning Point" (1952) at 157 S. Main Street, downtown Los Angeles, 1951In late 1951, when William Holden was shooting “The Turning Point,” Paramount could have built a grimy, dilapidated, ramshackle set. But why bother when Main Street in downtown had already deteriorated to exactly the seedy setting they needed. This is a production shot at 157 S. Main Street, located down the street from City Hall. Note that Holden’s scene partner is standing on a quarter apple box to make him look taller. Usually it’s the hero who would stand on something to make him look more heroic.

This is a color shot of that block taken around the same time.

157 South Main Street, downtown Los Angeles in color

And this is what that block looks like these days. This image is from May 2019:

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One response to “William Holden shooting a scene in “The Turning Point” (1952) at 157 S. Main Street, downtown Los Angeles, 1951”

  1. Rich Ramsey says:

    I wonder what was playing on the television in the early ’50s at the 141 Club
    and what would a afternoon having a few drinks at the two dive bars or a room at the White Star later been like. Downtown L.A. already past its heyday?

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