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.

Palooza Pt. 1: The Fox Lot

The 90th Anniversary of Shirley Temple's birthday caused a celebration of epic proportions for the group of people who flock to Southern California annually for what has been dubbed "Shirley Palooza." If it sounds nutty, well...you'll just have to go with it for the next few posts. I was hooked as a young tot the first time I saw her dancing on a milk white piano and have continued to be a fan. As most of my trips to LA do, this one began at the Chateau Marmont. It was my third time to stay in Room 33...and I wasn't going to complain about it. I had one night to get some rest before the action-packed itinerary for Palooza began. Unfortunately, a loud industry party going on in the courtyard did not cooperate with those plans. Still, it's the Chateau. Who cares. It's all good.



The next morning I journeyed to Century City for my first ever tour of the Fox Studios lot where Shirley filmed all her classic movies. I was excited beyond belief, but still had to stop to photograph the St. Timothy Catholic Church down the street from the Studio.



When I have a camera in hand, there are lots of "squirrel" moments.



Back to Fox. Our designated meeting place was the Fox Studios restaurant, which was once called the Café de Paris because it was built on the site of one of the semi-permanent sets, a French restaurant.



Note the rooster detail which still exists from the original Café entrance which is now the Studio Retail Shop:



This art deco styled mural from the interior of the restaurant was unveiled in 1935 and includes a portrait of Shirley.





Before:



After:





Service was good here and so was the food, as the group exchanged stories of their travel to arrive in Hollywood that day.



Portraits of famous Fox stars were strategically placed throughout the building:



One of the rooms has been dubbed the Shirley room, with walls covered in shots of the Child Star herself.



A group shot was necessary; one of the few times Melissa (aka "The Colonel" of the gang) would willingly allow a photo of herself.



Is everyone ready for the lot tour to begin?



Line up in single file and be sure to return tomorrow for more!

See more Fox Studios photos at my main website.