Tag Archives: Culver City
Aerial shot of Goldwyn Pictures triangular movie studios, Culver City, Los Angeles, circa early 1920s
In 1915, Thomas Ince partnered with D.W. Griffith and Mack Sennett to form The Triangle Motion Picture Company. It’s not hard to see where they got the name: the triangular shape of their studio lot bordered by Washington Blvd on … Continue reading
The Thalberg Building on the MGM studio lot shortly after it was completed in 1938, Culver City, Los Angeles
MGM’s wunderkind production, Irving Thalberg, (who is the subject of my novel, “The Heart of the Lion”) died on September 14, 1936. As a tribute to his unparalleled contribution to the studio, MGM named their new administration building after him. … Continue reading
Aerial shot of Lot Two of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer movie studios, Culver City, Los Angeles, 1949
In its heyday, the MGM studio lot in Culver City covered more than the triangular site that grew out of the old Triangle Film Corporation facilities. Across Overland Ave, MGM’s vast backlot sprawled across what was known as Lot Two. … Continue reading
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer studio Commissary menu, 1957
What to choose? What to choose?
Waterfront Street on the MGM backlot during the filming of “An American in Paris” (1951)
Spoiler alert: “An American in Paris” wasn’t actually filmed in Paris. It was filmed, of course, on the MGM backlot in Culver City. This production shot shows us what it actually looked like. Known as Waterfront Street, we can see … Continue reading
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer movie studio Lot One showing the back lot, Culver City, Los Angeles, 1932
In this glorious aerial shot, we’re treated to the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer studio’s Lot One showing the back lot where all that movie magic was shot. European castles, wild west streets, Anytown USA store fronts, and pirate ships, it was all there … Continue reading
Triangle Studios, 10202 West Washington Blvd, Culver City, Los Angeles, circa mid 1910s
Before it became the most famous movie studio in the world – Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer – the studio lot on Washington Blvd, Culver City was home to Triangle Film Corporation where the giants of the mid-1910s film industry, Thomas Ince, Mack Sennett, … Continue reading
Aerial view of the Goldwyn Studios (later MGM) in Culver City, California, 1918
This aerial shot of the Goldwyn Studios was taken in 1918, the year that Sam Goldwyn bought Triangle Studios on Washington Blvd in Culver City. We can see that it was a significant studio with many filming stages and lots … Continue reading
Dick Powell arrives at the old entrance to the MGM Studios, Washington Blvd, Culver City in his custom 1937 Ford
In this photo we’re treated the sight of Dick Powell driving through the entrance of MGM Studios with the iconic columns. My friend at the Petersen Automotive Museum tells me that it’s Powell because he recognized his custom-made 1937 Ford. … Continue reading
Hoosegow Cafe, 7732 Washington Blvd, Culver City, California, circa late 1920s
The word “hoosegow” was a popular slang term in the 1920s and 30s meaning “jail.” But why anybody thought a jail-themed café would make a fun night out is a mystery to me. But the owner of the Hoosegow Café … Continue reading