LA/Studio tours

[luvgoing2disney]

OK, I know this is not a strictly DLR question, but I thought it might get more responses from this section.

We're big WDW fans but are now planning our second DLR. The last trip was just a 2 day layover on the way to Hawaii, so we did not have time to do anything but DLR. This trip we're gong to Knott's Berry Farm and I want to go to LA to tour some studios, maybe go to a show taping, etc. In particular, I want to take a tour that at least rides by the Culver Studios, to get a picture of the main building. I collect "Gone With the Wind" memorabilia, and want to see what was the Selznick lot where GWTW was filmed. I understand that tours are not available for Culver, but do any of you know of any tour that will go by that lot? We will not have a car or even a rental, so we'll be at the mercy of touring companies.

Thanks

 

[blackjackdelta]

Worked at the MGM/Culver City studios as a grunt when I was a kid, used to watch the TV show "Combat" being filmed and some others. It would be fun to go back.

Jack

 

[luvgoing2disney]

Jack,

If you saw "Combat" being filmed there, then you probably saw some of the GWTW sets that were still standing. Some had been dismantled in the late 50's, most notably Tara, but most of the others were still around, although the appearance was changed. For example, (and I know I'm getting WAY off DLR stuff) the house next to the Taylor house in The Andy Griffith Show was Aunt Pittypat's house in GWTW, and later used as the Haunted House in one episode.

 

[perlster]

I hope you weren't planning on seeing Tara.

You can also go inside, or least take a photo of the Culver Hotel - onetime home of the Munchkins.

(I'm just about a mile away from it. I've got some MGM memories myself ...)

 

[blackjackdelta]

Jack,

If you saw "Combat" being filmed there, then you probably saw some of the GWTW sets that were still standing. Some had been dismantled in the late 50's, most notably Tara, but most of the others were still around, although the appearance was changed. For example, (and I know I'm getting WAY off DLR stuff) the house next to the Taylor house in The Andy Griffith Show was Aunt Pittypat's house in GWTW, and later used as the Haunted House in one episode.

I lived in an apt on Durango, was 16 at the time, spent 3 summers working there and at a sound studio on Sunset called "Sunset Studios" run by a guy named Ted Keep. Since my uncle was a producer/cinematographer/immagineer for Disney had the opportunity to meet many people who worked at the Studios. Jim Nabors, Brian Keith, Vic Morrow, (Had lunch with Haley Mills and Uncle Walt a couple of times) and a zillion other folks who worked there and throughout the business. I may have to drive over to CC and see my Aunt and go by the studios when I am there(hopefully) in August.

Have not thought about this for many, many years.

Jack

 

[luvgoing2disney]

I hope you weren't planning on seeing Tara.

You can also go inside, or least take a photo of the Culver Hotel - onetime home of the Munchkins.

(I'm just about a mile away from it. I've got some MGM memories myself ...)

LOL The only way I could see Tara would get in a time machine and be transported to pre-1959. The facade, or rather what was left of it, was dismantled and shipped to Atlanta to be reconstructed as "The World's Most Famous Mansion." The estate of Margaret Mitchell, author of GWTW, objected (don't think they were getting a cut) and I think filed a lawsuit to prevent the reconstruction. It sat around in a warehouse in Atlanta for years, changed ownership a couple of times, and was finally sold in 3" sections to film fans. The actual door to the set of Tara, did survive and can be seen at the Margaret Mitchell House in Atlanta.

 

[luvgoing2disney]

I lived in an apt on Durango, was 16 at the time, spent 3 summers working there and at a sound studio on Sunset called "Sunset Studios" run by a guy named Ted Keep. Since my uncle was a producer/cinematographer/immagineer for Disney had the opportunity to meet many people who worked at the Studios. Jim Nabors, Brian Keith, Vic Morrow, (Had lunch with Haley Mills and Uncle Walt a couple of times) and a zillion other folks who worked there and throughout the business. I may have to drive over to CC and see my Aunt and go by the studios when I am there(hopefully) in August.

Have not thought about this for many, many years.

Jack

Do you have any pictures of you and Walt that you could post? Those would be fun to see---and what great memories you must have of those days!

 

[lcasa]

You mention show tapings- a warning: we tried to see the 'New Adventures of Old Christine' just before Christmas but didn't read the "ticket"s we got closely enough. They said to be there an hour ahead - so 4 for a 5 taping - but it turned out we were too late since a ticket doesn't guarantee you get in! The studio held 180 and we were at 140 - but the cast/crew gets to invite all they want ( and we arrived at 4)

So get there WAY early! I just googled tv taping tickets to find a site with the free tickets.