Tag Archives: Aerial photographs
Aerial view of Hollywoodland in the Hollywood hills, circa 1930
In this aerial view from around 1930, we’re treated to a rare glimpse of what the Hollywoodland development looked like during its first decade. The famous sign (which we can see in the background) went up in 1923 to help … Continue reading
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Tagged Aerial photographs, Hollywood Hills, Hollywood Sign, Hollywoodland
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Ariel shot of Grauman’s Chinese Theater, Hollywood Blvd, 1927
Most shots of Grauman’s Chinese Theatre are taken at street level, which is understandable because that’s where the eye candy is. This one gives us a bird’s-eye perspective, which shows us what the area looked like beyond the world-famous forecourt. … Continue reading
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Tagged Aerial photographs, Grauman's Chinese Theater, Hollywood, Hollywood Blvd, Theaters
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Color postcard of Universal Studios, Universal City, Los Angeles, 1928
We can see that back in 1928, when this image was captured, Universal Studios was still surrounded by the citrus orchards that used to blanket the entire San Fernando Valley. These days, the studio grounds probably cover most of the … Continue reading
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Tagged Aerial photographs, Color photo, Movie Studios, San Fernando Valley, Universal Studios
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Looking east from Canon Drive toward the Beverly Hills City Hall, Beverly Hills, 1933
In 1932, the city of Beverly Hills built its city hall. And not just any city hall, but according to the Los Angeles Times the largest and most expensive city hall of any municipality its size in the country. It … Continue reading
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Tagged Aerial photographs, Beverly Hills, Beverly Hills City Hall
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The 3,800-foot-long Rainbow Pier in Long Beach, California
The aptly named Rainbow Pier in Long Beach, California was actually a breakwater. Opening in 1931, the pier extended a quarter of a mile into the Pacific and was so wide with that vehicles could drive along it. For more … Continue reading
Aerial photograph of the Culver Studios, 9336 W. Washington Blvd, Culver City, California, circa 1925
The Culver Studios in Culver City has a long history starting with Thomas Ince in the 1910s, followed by Cecil B. DeMille, RKO, David O. Selznick, Howard Hughes, and later Desilu. Its most well-known feature is the sprawling mansion that … Continue reading
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Tagged Aerial photographs, Culver City, David O. Selznick, Movie Studios
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Aerial shot of the NBC Studios at Sunset and Vine, Hollywood, circa mid 1950s
Nearly all shots of Sunset Boulevard and Vine Street in Hollywood focus on the NBC radio (and later television) studios on the northeast corner. But this aerial shot shows us how big those studios were. They covered the whole block … Continue reading
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Tagged Aerial photographs, Hollywood, NBC Radio / Television, Radio, Sunset Blvd
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Aerial view of the “Thief of Bagdad” set at the Pickford-Fairbanks Studios, Santa Monica Boulevard, Hollywood, 1923
Back in 1923, when Douglas Fairbanks was making “The Thief of Bagdad” (1924) at the Pickford-Fairbanks Studios at Santa Monica Blvd and Formosa Ave, the locals were treated to the splendid sight of the movie’s enormous Arabian set. Given the … Continue reading
Aerial shot of First National / Warner Bros. Studios soundstage with sign to Mines Airfield, 1928
At first glance of this aerial shot of First National / Warner Bros. Studios, I wondered what mines are in LA? And why would Warners paint a huge sign on top of one of their soundstages pointing to one? But … Continue reading
Construction of Sleeping Beauty’s castle, Disneyland, circa late 1954
I almost didn’t want to post this photo because a part of me wants to think that magic fairy dust built Sleeping Beauty’s castle at Disneyland in one sparkling cinematic moment. But no. Real men sitting on real scaffolding put … Continue reading
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Tagged Aerial photographs, Anaheim, Disney, Disneyland, Themeparks
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