Tag Archives: Movie Studios

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

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RKO Radio Pictures Studios, Gower Street, Los Angeles, 1935

From the late 1920s to the late 1950, the movie studios at the northeast corner of Melrose Ave and Gower St were home to RKO Radio Pictures. It was hard to miss them if you were driving along Melrose—there was … Continue reading

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Aerial photo looking southeast across the Brunton Studios (later Paramount), Los Angeles, 1918

This rather stunning aerial photograph was taken looking southeast across the Brunton studios in 1918. Brunton, which later evolved into Paramount Studios, is the line of buildings in the center-left. Melrose Ave is running diagonally across the middle, which means … Continue reading

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Universal Studios, Universal City in the San Fernando Valley, Los Angeles, circa 1915

These days, Universal Studios covers approximately 415 acres, including the studio and the theme park. But back in the mid-1910s, when this photo was taken, this all there was when the Universal Film Manufacturing Company moved its first studio at … Continue reading

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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

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Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer studio Commissary menu, 1957

What to choose? What to choose?

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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

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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

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Universal Studios staff play in the snow Universal City, Los Angeles, 1916

Snow falls across Los Angeles so rarely that when it does, it’s newsworthy. It’s also worth stopping what you’re doing and go outside and play in the snow because it probably won’t last long. That’s what these seven people are … Continue reading

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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

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