Batman at the Chateau Marmont

As a kid, the 1966 “Batman” TV series was one of my favorites; as an adult, its appeal has only increased as I now appreciate even more the nuanced performances by Adam West and Burt Ward. Amidst the absurdity of the guest stars, the scripts, and the costumes, those two played the characters as if they were grounded in reality. Brilliant! It was a no-brainer during my recent illness that while relegated to the couch I would pull out my “Batman” blu-ray set and indulge in a little nostalgia. While doing so I noticed a few interesting details in the episode that originally aired on January 20, 1965 titled “The Penguin’s a Jinx.” Leslie Parrish has a bit role as a bored movie star, Dawn Robbins, who wishes something exciting would happen in her dull life.



Where is she staying while in Gotham City? Naturally at the Pelican Arms Hotel!



Batman & Robin race to save her from being kidnapped by the Penguin. As they pull up in the Batmobile, you can see a large billboard in the background.



What’s this? Holy Governess, Batman! It’s a poster for “The Sound of Music!”



Much of the 1966 TV series was shot on the 20th Century-Fox backlot. The studio owed a lot to that blockbuster musical; even a few years back when I visited Fox, they were still paying homage to the Julie Andrews movie with this mural on the side of one of their parking lots:



Back to Batman…as the camera shows an exterior shot of the Pelican Arms Hotel and Dawn’s penthouse apartment, viewers see...what’s this? Holy Hollywood, Batman, it’s the Chateau Marmont!



Who knew there was a Gotham City connection to my favorite hotel?



See more “Batman” photos at my main website.

Temple Tuesday: Shirley at Sea

From the publicity still of Shirley’s 1936 film “Captain January”:

NO MINIATURES HERE — These two boats, an act duplicate of a coast guard cruiser and a heavy fishing smack, were moved onto a specially constructed tank, holding thousands of tons of water to film sea sequences in Darryl F. Zanuck’s new production “Captain January” in which Shirley Temple is the star with Guy Kibbee, Buddy Ebsen, Slim Summerville and June Lang in supporting parts.

Zooming in, you can see little Shirley...or is it? Something about the face doesn’t look right, meaning it could be Mary Lou Isleib, Shirley’s stand-in. Hard to tell though; since it’s a long-exposure night shot, that could be what makes the face seem a little off.



In this closeup, you can see screen-meanie Sara Haden, who plays the truant officer hell-bent on making Shirley a ward of the state.



Here’s one of the scenes where Haden threatens to take Shirley away from her guardians, played by Slim Summerville and Guy Kibbee.



Don’t fret folks; it’s a Shirley movie. Just look at this still from the finale; do you actually think Haden was victorious?!?



See more Shirley photos at my main website.

Temple Tuesday: Uncle Billy’s Party

In a continuation AND twist on yesterday’s Movie-Studio post, today we enter the inner sanctum of 20th Century Fox, with a vintage May 1936 of Bill Robinson’s 58th birthday party. The location is a small room off of the Fox Commissary. Today it is known as the “Shirley Temple Private Dining Room.” On Bill’s left is his second wife, Fannie. Shirley’s mother, Gertrude, is seated next to her. On Bill’s right is Shirley herself. George Temple, Shirley’s father, is barely visible two seats down. At first I thought the gentleman leaning back was Jean Hersholt, but let’s just say I wouldn't bet the house on it. Especially since Melissa, aka “The Colonel,” voted "nay." Only one other person I can positively identify, and that’s the gentleman with a mustache on the left side of the photo, second in: Anthony Ugrin, Fox still photographer. Anyone able to identify the others?



I was able to see this room myself last April and it looks very much the same:



The dress Shirley wore to Uncle Billy’s party is known as the Emblem Dress and was worn in “Poor Little Rich Girl”:



See more Shirley Temple photos at my main website.

Palooza Pt. 3: Fresh Off The Boat

Get ready to enter Fox Studios soundstage 88/14. Huh? No idea here...I didn't ask, and the Tour Guide didn't tell. Maybe a case of Gemini or split personality. Either way, get a load of the films that were shot on this historic soundstage!



Although currently on hiatus, the TV show "Fresh Off The Boat" is filmed here and the sets have been covered in plastic to keep them as pristine as possible.



As our amazing Tour Guide explained, earthquakes can cause plaster and other matter to fall onto the set and make a mess. Thus...the plastic covers.



The kid's bedroom:



The details really are incredible:



The family restaurant is definitely closed!



We got to wander the halls of Eddie's school:



Up above the sets you see all of the lighting, cameras, etc.:





HAD to get the red light:



We got to see the Photo Archive as well as the Props Department, where many historic props are being well-cared for and preserved. Unfortunately, no photos were allowed so you'll just have to take my word for it.



And that concludes our tour of the Fox Studios lot, other than what we saw as we wandered back to our cars at the parking lot.









I couldn't resist a photo op with Shirley. Thanks for the shot, Tonya!



See more Fox Studios photos at my main website.

Palooza Pt. 2: The Fox Tour

Looks like everyone followed directions and is in single file ready for the Fox Studios Tour! I really have to hand it to Fox; the historic buildings practically gleamed. It was fantastic to see all of the architectural details still intact and lovingly cared for.





The original studio gate and guard booth, where Shirley Temple and her Mother once entered the lot:



The one somewhat sad point of the tour was seeing what was originally Shirley's bungalow/dressing room. Before:



And after:



Could it really be the same building? Unfortunately, yes. Time truly marches on. Moving on...

The carpentry area was impressive, and according to our amazing guide, everything is done with sustainability in mind.



Lots of choices in wood trims and details. Sure beats Home Depot!



Upstairs near the costume/wardrobe department was a wonderful display of some of the more famous Fox outfits, such as these that Kate Winslet wore in "Titanic":





"Mrs. Doubtfire"'s sweater:



A Betty Grable worn dress from 1948's "When My Baby Smiles":



Back in daylight, we entered New York City. Well...not quite, but here it's referred to as New York Street. On the West Coast, it's probably the closest you're going to get to the Big Apple:



The Bruno Mars Uptown Funk video was shot here, complete with Palm Trees in the background. Oops.





Where bad Tour-goers are placed:



When we come back tomorrow, we'll enter an actual Soundstage and see the sets for a TV show!



See more Fox Studios photos at my main website.