Welcome back to part 2 of my September 1969 journey back to Universal Studios in Hollywood. Excuse me…Universal INTERNATIONAL Studios! If you haven’t ordered a copy of Stack’s Liberty Ranch Volume 3, which covers Universal Studios, Lion Country Safari, Buffalo Ranch, and Jungleland AND was designed by yours truly, what are you waiting for? Head over to the Stack’s Liberty Ranch website to get your copy NOW before they sell out!
These shots are from my collection (you’ll have to buy the book to see the incredible Stack’s Liberty Ranch collection) and start off with that pain in the rump lady wearing the wide brimmed hat. GET OUT OF THE WAY! YOU’RE BLOCKING MY VIEW!
The backlots featured just about every type of terrain and architecture that one could need for a movie.
This old riverboat looks like it has seen better days.
The area below is known as the Court of Miracles, dating back, to Lon Chaney’s “The Miracle Man” (1919). By the time this 1969 images was taken, the area had to be rebuilt due to a 1967 fire.
A fantastic overview:
The detailed view below shows Prop Plaza; great for guest photos:
It’s fun to take a peak at the backs of buildings, which guests aren’t supposed to see:
Another view of the backlot from above:
Zooming in you can see the “Back to the Future” courthouse:
There are plenty of photo opps at Universal Studios; in this one, I especially love the wayfinding signage that covers not only restrooms, but Marineland, the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, and Knotts Berry Farm. I wonder if those were paid advertisements?
The Wild West Stunt shows were always a popular draw.
Don’t worry, folks. It’s all movie magic!
Care to see an animal show?
A closeup of the original stage used for the performing birds:
Bob Hastings, star of the TV sitcom “McHale’s Navy,” was a frequent visitor to the park, graciously posing with guests for photo ops:
That’s the end of this tour! Don’t forget to pick up your copy of Stack’s Liberty Ranch Volume 3 at the Stack’s Liberty Ranch website.
Looks like the association of Universal Studios' Court of Miracles with "The Miracle Man" (1919) is all over the Internet, but wasn't this set built for "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" (1923)? "The Miracle Man" (1919), Chaney's breakout hit, was a Paramount feature made prior to him signing with Universal. I believe it was set in small town America, not small village Europe. Oh well, I guess we'd have to go back in time before all known prints of "The Miracle Man" were lost to history to know for sure . . . *shrug*
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DeleteGreat pictures, and a great story as always. I will never forget that old west stunt show, it was slightly better than Knott's Berry Farm just for that little elevator that made somebody sink down into quicksand. Also, I will always remember that stunt show for appearing in the Dawn Adams movie Get Smart, the Nude Bomb. What I'm really impressed by though is that shot from the patio table with the umbrella looking down into the valley. It almost looks like the only thing not stopping you is the curb. I do see a small chain link fence further down the hill but really, you couldn't do a thing like that today. Guess should be running up and down that hill climbing the trees and doing every horrible thing. That picture, taken at a time when people still knew not to run through the landscaping. I just purchased a copy of Ken's book. Thank you for letting us know about this wonderful gym.
DeleteWhat wonderful images. I suppose today's audiences would find this version of the studio tour a bit "too tame and boring" - but it still packed a wallop - and looked what it turned into-!
ReplyDeleteBoy, what a gyp - that wayfinding signage lists the number of miles to those faraway attractions - rather than the number of steps-! Come-on, now - how many steps is it to Marineland-??
That opening shot has a lovely 1956 Buick, possibly in Harvest Yellow with a Tahiti Coral top. Behind it is a 1959 Ford.
Anonymous - I'm not a Universal nut, so yes…I relied on google for info on the European Street/Court of Miracles. Yes, I do know it was used in Hunchback (probably what it is most famous for), but since google mentioned Miracle Man which predates Hunchback…well, there you go. And as you probably are aware, just because a film was released by one studio, doesn't mean the sets/lot from another studio weren't used. And I'm sure you're also already aware of this, but Chaney did make movies for Universal before Miracle Man, too. End of *shrug*
ReplyDeleteRemember taking the tour on a family vacation where Bob Hastings introduced the western stunt show. There was an LP of Hastings in a gift shop; not sure if he did standup or sang. I remember that the sound stages included a living room set from Hitchcock's "Topaz" to demonstrate lighting and weather effects (rain on the windows), plus a display of props, costumes and a castle from the theatrical version of "Pufnstuf".
ReplyDeleteI had a souvenir magazine/program, misplaced but remembered. In my pre-digital youth it was the first time I saw photos of Rathbone and Bruce as Sherlock Holmes and Watson (I didn't know there were ANY movies of Sherlock), stills from serials including Buck Rogers and Green Hornet, and a heap of Universal Monsters. Among the latter was a pitiful fellow identified as the Gill Man. Only decades later did I learn he was actually the Creature from the Black Lagoon, streamlined by a misguided scientist in the final sequel.
Now that I've consumed tons of Universal Bs -- Monsters, Sherlock, serials, Don Knotts vehicles, etc. -- I probably would have recognized a lot more of the backlot from those years. Somewhere near that Court of Miracles is the European Street that figured in so many potboilers, representing everything from a gloomy village in Old Transylvania to lively seaside community in modern (1940s) England.
Dave - I have been reading your blog for years, but have never commented on any posts prior to this Universal-related post. I am sincerely honored that you replied! I'm not a big Universal history buff either, but I am a big fan of Lon Chaney. I guess I figured my Disney nerdliness does not make me unique in the realm of Daveland fans, but maybe my Chaney nerdliness does. ;-)
ReplyDeleteAnonymous - Please let me know when you find the London After Midnight print! But seriously…Chaney is a legend.
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