Screen Gem Saturdays: You Shouldn’t Go Home Again—Melrose Place

Beginning in 1992, “Melrose Place” didn’t really explode into the pop culture scene until Heather Locklear was added to the cast as the landlady from hell. Over the top in the writing and acting, this show still holds up well exactly as it was intended to: as a juicy over-the-top drama. How did the new version fare? Not so good. Starting without Locklear was an immediate (and huge) negative. Somehow, the writers brought back Laura Leighton, whose misguided character Sydney was killed by a car that ran her over on her wedding day in the original series. The explanation (in true Melrose-style) was fairly far-fetched. 20 years later though, new viewers didn’t really care about Sydney or remember who she was in the first place. Fans were first alerted to the cancellation by a “tweet” from series producer Darren Swimmer:

“Melrose Place: Thnx for the love, fans. Honestly, a season 2 looks like it ain't gonna happen. All signs say no, but no official word yet.”





“Melrose Place” is a 90’s time capsule that should only be revisited, not remade.

One of the cool things about living near Hollywood and Los Angeles is that so many locations that are "famous" because they have been used on movies and TV are right nearby. Much of what you see is shot on a soundstage, but the majority of exteriors are actual real-life buildings and homes. Most of Melrose Place took place on a soundstage, however the exterior of the apartment was a real building.





When you enter the courtyard, instead of a pool, there's merely concrete and plants. No point looking for floating dead bodies.



And here are the actual mailboxes from the building; but don't look for Heather Locklear/Amanda Woodward...her mail has been forwarded!



If you’re thirsty for a drink and want to go to Shooters, unfortunately, all you’ll find here nowadays is furniture:





See more TV/Movie photos at my main website.

1950’s BW Nature’s Wonderland Images

I love Technicolor, but for images that evoke the old Frontierland of the 1950’s, nothing packs a punch like black and white! The Rainbow Mountain Railroad is ready for another journey through Nature’s Wonderland:



These little guests are excited to ride on a real mule around Frontierland; to the left, you can see one of the Conestoga Wagons:



See more Disneyland Nature’s Wonderland photos at my main website.

Traveling Thursdays: Warner Brothers Studio

Although not quite as well-known as The Universal one, The Warner Brothers Studio Tour is still quite a bit of fun. It is somewhat less “staged” and a little more genuine. Whereas Universal has created a number of theme-park elements along the way, Warner Brothers pretty much offers a what-you-see-is-what-you-get experience.

I love seeing the backlot sets; there aren’t too many of them anymore. It’s great to see these buildings that have played a background part in many a classic movie.







One of the coolest things about Warners is that they have historic reference signage outside each Soundstage, telling you what has been filmed there. More than a few of my faves have been shot on Soundstage 6!



To think that James Dean & his monkey once hung out at Soundstage 6...



Wardrobe/costumes/props are on display from faves such as Friends:



Smallville & Gilmore Girls:



Harry Potter:



And the Scooby Doo van; where’s Shaggy?



And while you are in the hood, don’t forget to stop by the Brady house!



See more Hollywood photos at my main website.

Disneyland 1962, Pt. 5

Sure is taking a long time to get around Tom Sawyer’s Island, isn’t it? Today's post starts out in a blaze of glory, as we view the Burning Cabin. The sicko inside of me has to zoom in for a glory closeup of the settler with an arrow through his chest. Somebody needs to prune back the shrubs—I can’t see all the blood & gore!



The not-so-real Indian Settlement:



And if you peer through all the brush and branches, you can see guests enjoying a leisurely ride on the Pack Mule attraction:



By stitching together 2 shots, I was able to create this panoramic shot of Rainbow Ridge:



To finish up this series, I leave you with two dock shots from The Jungle Cruise:





See more Disneyland Rivers of America photos at my main website.

Disneyland 1962, Pt. 4

Moving in a little closer on Tom Sawyer Island, we can see Castle Rock, before it got all complicated with a bunch of doohickies and stuff (anybody know where the word doohickey came from?).



As The Mark Twain makes its way around the Rivers of America, we can see Fort Wilderness in all its original glory...



as well as the Indian Village...





...and an assortment of animals that would make excellent lawn ornaments. Forget pink flamingos, you’d be the envy of the neighborhood with a few of those in the front of your yard!





From yesterday’s post, here’s the requested closeup of the Columbia shot, although I think HBG2 will be disappointed as this gray shack seems to have nothing to do with the Haunted Mansion construction:



See more Disneyland Rivers of America photos at my main website.

Disneyland 1962, Pt. 3

Today’s 1962 photos are of Tom Sawyer Island, looking extremely undeveloped. PLENTY of room for a few condos or a strip mall, don’t you think?











See more Disneyland Tom Sawyer Island photos at my main website.

Disneyland 1962, Pt. 2

Join me as we spend the day in Storybook Land. If the cropping or quality of these images appears to be a little bit off, it’s because I tried to spare you from seeing the back of a bald man’s head. Bald spots and Storybook Land just do not mix, in my opinion!











See more Disneyland Storybook Land photos at my main website.