THE LOT - A FILM STUDIO WITH SOME REAL HISTORY BEHIND IT

Throughout the years, the land located on the corner of Santa Monica Boulevard and North Formosa Avenue, in West Hollywood, California, has gone from becoming a prestigious film studio owned by two legendary actors, Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks, to becoming the United Artists Studio, then the Samuel Goldwyn Studio, until Warner Brothers purchased this Hollywood location in 1980 and eventually sold it to a private studio in 1999. But don't worry, film fans, as we won't forget about The Lot (as it's been called)! Not when so many great cinematic masterpieces were recorded here, such as...





Robin Hood (1922)

The grand castle seen in the 1922 version of 'Robin Hood' was reputed to have been the largest set built during Hollywood's silent era (partly designed by Frank Lloyd Wright's son, Frank Lloyd Wright Jr.). It was also the first film to have a gala premiere, which was held at Grauman's Egyptian Theater in Hollywood.


City Lights (1931)

According to legend, Charlie Chaplin shot a scene in the silent classic, 'City Lights', a total of 342 times. It was the scene where his character, the Tramp, bought a flower from a blind flower girl, which gave him some problems because he couldn't find a plausible way of showing the blind flower girl that the Tramp was wealthy. But then it struck him, Slam! The closing of a car door followed by the scent of a rich cologne could resolve his dilemma.


Gone with the Wind (1939)

At the end of the 1939 historical epic, 'Gone with the Wind', Clark Gable's character turns to Vivien Leigh's character and famously says to her, 'Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn'. But believe it or not, Clark's closing line was actually scrutinized by the Hays Office before the film's release. Some of their alternate suggestions included, 'Frankly, my dear, I just don't care', 'It makes my gorge rise', 'My indifference is boundless', 'I don't give a hoot', and 'Nothing could interest me less'. But thankfully, the film's producer, David O. Selznick, managed to make the 'damn' stick by proving that it made sense within the story's historical context.


Guys and Dolls (1955)

When Paramount attempted to buy the rights to make the silver screen version of 'Guys and Dolls' (it was originally a stageplay), they planned to assemble a completely different cast compared to those who were eventually hired. They wanted Clark Gable to play Sky Masterson (not Marlon Brando), Bob Hope to play Nathan Detroit (not Frank Sinatra), Jane Russell to play Sergeant Sarah Brown (not Jean Simmons), and Betty Grable to play Miss Adelaide (not Vivian Blaine). But Samuel Goldwyn Productions beat Paramount to the punch and the rest is now history.


Some Like It Hot (1959)

Upon its original release (circa 1959), 'Some Like It Hot' was banned in Kansas, America, because at the time those in charge thought that the cross-dressing featured in the film was 'too disturbing' for the locals. They didn't like the seduction scene between Marilyn Monroe and Tony Curtis either. In the scene, Marilyn's character attempts to 'cure' the frigid nature of Tony's character by kissing him passionately on the lips (an act, they say, depicting a 'heterosexual conquest').

Booking.com

Today, The Lot, Pickfair Studio, United Artists Studio, Samuel Goldwyn Studio, or whatever else you might like to call this famous Hollywood location, is owned by a company that's made some notable alterations. Where once stood legendary actors performing in classic films, now stands a selection of buildings plus quite a few cars. Here 👆, take a look for yourself 👀, by paying close attention to the embedded interactive map.