Tag Archives: Movie Studios
Up-and-coming actress, Marilyn Monroe, poses in the quaint village backlot set at 20th Century-Fox movie studios, Los Angeles, 1947
In 1947, Marilyn Monroe was just an unknown-but-hopeful contract player at 20th Century-Fox when she posed for this photograph. It was so early in her career, she wasn’t even blonde yet! But it does give us an idea of what … Continue reading
Aerial photo of the old RKO studios rebranded as Desilu Studios Inc, Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, circa late 1950s
After Howard Hughes had bought, mismanaged, and bankrupted RKO studios on Melrose Ave, Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz’s company bought it and rebranded it Desilu Studios Inc. That transaction happened in late 1957, so this aerial shot was probably taken … Continue reading
Aerial photo of the mammoth outdoor set for “The Thief of Bagdad” at the Pickford-Fairbanks studios, south of Santa Monica Blvd, West Hollywood, 1923
In order to film “The Thief of Bagdad” Douglas Fairbanks bought several acres of land behind the Pickford-Fairbanks Studios south of Santa Monica Blvd in West Hollywood, which he co-owned with his wife, Mary Pickford. They needed that land for … Continue reading
The Film Daily Year Book of Motion Pictures 1939 (detailing 1938)
I recently acquired a copy of the the Film Daily Year Book of Motion Pictures for 1939. Their year books were thick, hard-bound bricks of books that detailed what everything, everyone, every studio, every contract player was doing. Very comprehensive! … Continue reading
Aerial photo of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer movie studios backlot No. 2, Culver City, Los Angeles, circa 1950s
Back in the 1950s, when this aerial photo was taken, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer was still a force to be reckoned with in the film industry, but its peak was behind it. Starting 1947, its competitors, Paramount, Warner and 20th Century-Fox, started to … Continue reading
Aerial view of the Tara mansion from “Gone With The Wind” on the Desilu Forty Acres backlot, Culver City, summer 1958
The exterior set for Tara, the mansion from “Gone With The Wind,” was built in 1938 (principal photography began on January 29, 1939) and yet it was still standing 20 years later, when this aerial photo (I assume that dark … Continue reading
Aerial photo of the RKO movie studios ranch in Encino, San Fernando Valley, Los Angeles, circa early 1950s
During Hollywood’s heyday, the movie studios had large ranches in the San Fernando Valley, where land was still cheap. It gave them lots of room to create expansive backlot sets. In this aerial shot, we’re looking at RKO’s ranch in … Continue reading
A Chrysler (probably Imperial) is parked at the Paramount Pictures studio gate, Marathon St, Los Angeles, circa late 1940s
These days, Paramount Pictures faces Melrose Ave, but back when this photo was taken, it the front of the studio was a block north on Marathon St. I doubt anyone could park their car directly out front of the famous … Continue reading
Let’s visit the exhibit – “Meet The Stars: 100 Years of MGM Studios and the Golden Age of Hollywood”
I thought I’d share some photos with you that I took this past weekend at the Hollywood Heritage Museum. It’s located opposite the Hollywood Bowl and is housed in the same barn that Cecil B. DeMille rented when he and … Continue reading
RKO Pathé Studios, 9336 Washington Blvd, Culver City, Los Angeles, circa early 1930s
The movie studio at 9336 Washington Blvd in Culver City has changed through many hands and been known as many things over the years. In 1927, Cecil B. DeMille sold his interest in a film company known as Pathé, which … Continue reading