feel free to embiggen the photos
Monday, November 13, 2017
Universal Studios - Los Angeles
A while back we went to Universal Studios in the Los Angeles area. Not really my cup of tea, but I was determined to make the best of it. I actually did have a pretty good time. Didn't like waiting in lines though. Since then I've seen several of these "sets" in movies, TV shows, and commercials. Most of this post is black & white. The old time scenes seemed to lend themselves to it. I would love to be able to walk around these places, instead of driving through on a tour. That is all I have to say, hope you enjoy the photos.
My favorite part was seeing street after street of buildings, residential areas, etc. All of them only facades, to use as scenery and sets.
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Great shots in black and white. Amazed you got so many without people in them.
ReplyDeleteThe Universal Studios in Florida is pretty cool.
I wasn't easy avoiding getting folks around me in the photos. I did have to crop some body parts out though.
DeleteI recognized the 40s set for a time travel episode of Star Trek
ReplyDeleteThat was one of the first ones I recognized. That was a pretty cool episode and I loved the period costumes.
DeleteWe have been there a couple of times, Universal is better than some of the other parks in my opinion, like you I'd like to be able to walk those movie sets, a lot were familiar to me on the tour but I just couldn't place them.
ReplyDeleteNice shots Pat, the black and white came out really good.
I'm not very good at waiting in long lines, and the line for the tours was REALLY long. I'd pay a good price to get a private tour. Not sure if they even have them. Thanks Jimmy!
DeleteOh my gosh Pat, made me smile with your words but you have to admit it's quite fascinating to see these complete sets. I have to admit it fascinates me just how much is real and how much is make believe in movies :)
ReplyDeleteOh yes, I will freely admit that fact! I'm going to find out about the private tours (if they have them).
DeleteYes it would be nice just to wander around and have a look. I like the B&W photos!
ReplyDeleteThanks Marleen! I didn't see anybody just walking around out there taking photos. I'd love to wander around also.
DeleteThose are wonderful photos Pat and it looks like an amazing place!
ReplyDeleteThanks Brian! Most of it was pretty amazing. Including how many people that were there on a weekday.
DeleteNice pics, haven't been there, maybe it's possible in the future. In one of the last pics, the Mexican cantina, I expected to see Antonio Banderas walking out with a guitar case.....
ReplyDeleteThey really did a good job on those old adobe buildings. They also had a flash flood come down that street that was kind of scary. Thanks Mike!
Delete...an interesting walk back in time. I like the Art Deco theater in the second shot.
ReplyDeleteIt was interesting Tom. I wonder if there is any interiors, or it is all facades?
DeleteSome of these spots feel very familiar, so I've no doubt seen them in movies or television.
ReplyDeleteYep, there is no doubt that you have seen a lot of them before.
DeleteYep! Haven't been there in years...and it's just a hop, skip, and a jump away from us!
ReplyDeleteThis was my first time. For us, it's a hop, skip, jump, and snail down the freeway.
DeleteBeen there, done that, more than once (with the kids). Fun for what it is.
ReplyDeleteI think the only way I'd go again, is if I could get a private tour (on foot) through all those buildings. I would have liked the whole thing much better if you didn't have to wait in line for everything.
DeleteHave never been there --and probably will never go there... Like you, it's not my cup of tea... It's like when friends say they are going to Vegas... I say WHY???? I'd much rather be out in NATURE somewhere... Oh Well. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Betsy
I'm with you on this place, but I don't mind going to Las Vegas once or twice a year. Usually when we are on our way to somewhere else. I like to play cards, and there is a TON of great restaurants there.
DeleteI visited in 1983, when my son was four years old (probably the best age to lap up this kind of bullshit). Me? I can't remember a single thing about the visit.
ReplyDeleteEven if you did remember it Dennis, it has totally changed since then. Maybe Jaws is still there, but nothing else.
Deleteyep, no rocks for you there :PPPP
ReplyDeleteHA! You are right about that DEZ. Well, I actually did see some fake ones.
DeleteI went to the Universal Studios theme park in LA a few years ago, and had a great time. We went on a bus tour through some of the sets, I remember seeing the Town Hall in Back to the Future, and also being underground when there was an earthquake at a subway station. And of course being terrified by Jaws coming up through the water. Went on lots of other rides, saw a Waterworld show, met the Blues Brothers. It was a fun day.
ReplyDeleteOh yeah! I forgot about the earthquake while underground! They certainly put a lot of work into that place. I didn't hate it, but would have liked it much more if it wasn't so crowded.
DeleteGreat photos. I've never been on one of these studio tours. But I have to say, the photos are eerie. It would seem strange to see all these "empty streets". No one living there, shopping there, etc. Just make-believe buildings.
ReplyDeleteEven though I was sitting in a tour tram, it was kind of eerie. I'd LOVE to walk through there by myself, with a camera. I'd bet that would really feel eerie!
DeleteAlways love your photos, but this was a very cool change of pace.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Tim! This really is a change of pace for me. My wife makes me do stuff like this once in a while. If I do them, then she is willing to spend time with me out in the boonies.
DeleteI'd say it was worth the wait (easy for me to say, I don't like lines)
ReplyDeleteYou are correct Wayne. I don't like lines either, but it ended up being well worth it.
DeleteUniversal Studios is finally a place where I have been in Southern Cal! Actually, I like it much better than Disney - I'm not a "rides" person:) Also it may have to do with being part of the Christmas choir singing Christmas carols a few times (don't know if they still do that), so when practicing the music you go to the side of the workers which is all gray!
ReplyDeleteHope you're doing well (and being healthy). thanks for sharing with All Seasons - appreciate your effort to keep in contact!
Oh yeah! I like it better than Disneyland also.
DeleteI am well, healthy, and doing what I love to do. Thanks Jeannette!
Hello, I took a tour of Universal years ago and I do not remember all these scenes. But that was back in 1983, a long time ago. I remember the shark scene and the earthquake. Great B&W photos. Thanks for sharing your visit. Have a great day!
ReplyDeleteI'm sure most, if not all of the attractions from 1983 are gone. Thanks Eileen, you have a great day also.
DeleteI've never been there but I do love seeing your b&w images. The sets look so real and I'm sure I seen some in the old movies from the 40s and 50s. It is weird seeing no people but great for taking photos. You can just imagine the people hanging our the windows in those tenements and kids playing in the streets. Wonderful to see in photos, thanks for sharing, Pat.
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful rest of the week.
Thanks Bill! I was amazed at how real it all looked. Since I've seen these sets, I see them all the time in movies and TV. My pleasure! You have a great week as well.
DeleteWonderful coverage. You reminded me of my visit to the place long ago.
ReplyDeleteThanks Rajesh!
DeleteGreat shots! Looks so real... but how did you manage to take shots without people in them?
ReplyDeleteTo be honest Fiona, I had to crop a few heads out of a few of the photos.
DeleteIt is remarkable to think that these are all fake! Nice shot by the way.
ReplyDeleteCheers - Stewart M - Melbourne
They are real Stewart! Real fakes....
DeleteThanks! Cheers to you as well.
Wow! That is so cool. I had no idea that some of the scenes I recognize here are really just sets. Well done and beautiful in black and white!
ReplyDeleteI'm right there with you. Now it seems that I see them all the time. Thanks so much Robin.
Deletethere was a lot of old ones too. Some is disturbing.
ReplyDeleteI think your choise of bw was good :)
I agree, some it is a bit creepy looking.
DeleteIt seemed perfect for B&W. thanks!
Hi Pat. Great job making the best of the situation. Wouldn't be my cup of tea either. Love the old facade shots and the totally empty streets and sidewalks. Kind of eerie looking!
ReplyDeleteThanks Pete! I agree, it is kind of eerie looking.
DeleteExcellent photos! Yes, black and white was the perfect choice. The last time I went to Universal Studios Jaws was all the rage. :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks James! Jaws is still there. It seems so dated now though.
DeleteI always loved Universal Studios, but the lines are getting outrageous.
ReplyDeleteThat last picture intrigues me. Is that Universal?
Be well, dear friend.
I don't know about back in the day, but when I was there the lines were huge.
DeleteThe last photo is from Universal. They went up and down between levels of the place. I think there is now three levels. Thanks Robyn! Hope you have a great weekend.
Pat, being someone who is a HUGE movie buff (especially old movies) I enjoyed this post SO MUCH!!!!!! And I love how you shot most of them in black and white because it really brought out the "vintage feel" in them. I don't know whether you knew this, but I was an actor for many years (stage not film) and worked at Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida. In fact, I opened it (in 1990) and worked there for a few years.
ReplyDeleteFANTASTIC photographs! I could swear that I've seen some of these locations in many classic movies I've seen. Isn't it something how studio backlot exteriors are not even used anymore? Everything is shot on location now. LOVE the picture of gas station and Breckman's Backery. And OMG...the one of the plane engine in front of the house, brilliant!
Thanks a lot for sharing this post, my friend. REALLY enjoyed!
Thanks so much Ron, I'm glad you enjoyed it. I did not know you were an actor Ron. that is cool! Since I've been there I recognize these facades in so many movies, TV shows, and commercials. I'm not sure why, but I didn't include the street that was used in Desperate Housewives, and a million other things. The plane engine is only a small part of that set. It also contains a "crashed" airliner. I recognized in a couple of things. One was War of the Worlds (the Tom Cruise version).
ReplyDeleteIt is always great when a person has low expectations and it turns out better than expected. So often it's the reverse. Plus, a photo safari keeps a person busy. I know it works for me. Sometimes, I have to remind myself to put the camera down. Or, there are the times I'm just too darn tired to take photos.
ReplyDeleteI agree Sharon. My wife often talks me into doing things I don't want to, but then have a good time. Everywhere I go is a potential "photo safari." Whenever I feel like not taking a camera, I usually end up regretting it.
ReplyDeleteAh some good shots there. Imagine how many movies have been shot on those streets? The actors.. the directors... I screened 'It happened one night' in the nursing home I worked at today. Great old film. Same type of people though. Egomaniacs. Alcoholics. Creative geniuses. The lot.
ReplyDeleteMemories for me of being there in 89.
Cheers Pat.
By the way that Capra movie saved Columbia from going bankrupt. It was a surprise hit.
You are right Anthony, besides the sets, there is so much other history that took place in those settings. Have a great weekend.
DeleteImpressive photos (as always!). Someone made a great job out of creating these facades, but somehow I would have preferred them "whole" :-)
ReplyDeleteThank so much Rune! I agree with you, but I'm sure it was budget issue.
DeleteHave a Happy Thanksgiving Day with your family and friends, enjoy the turkey dinner if you are having one.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for the good wishes. The same to you, your family, and friends.
DeleteI'm hungry already! Can't wait to eat.
We had our Thanksgiving back in October, when the weather was much nicer!
DeleteIt was hot on Thanksgiving here. In the mid 90's!
DeleteIt’s fun to do the tourist bit once in a while. You know it will at the very least make you appreciate nature and quiet even more after. And obviously your visit turned out even much better than that. (We just returned from a very touristy and untypical for us bit of travel ...also with good results, better than I expected)...
ReplyDeleteI agree with you Sallie. I think these places make us appreciate nature even more. Looking forward to seeing photos from your "untypical" trip.
DeleteI am not sure that I could photograph all these interesting buildings in a nice way like you did. I would probably gave up on photographing them and would just look.
ReplyDeleteWhen I reached the photographs of all abandoned houses I became so excited. Love these photographs.
All the best to you, Pat.
Thanks so much Kaya! All the best to you as well.
DeleteI'm sure you would do just fine in this place.
I would probably take photos of ALL that I could see and then search every movie I watch to see if any of the buildings were in them!! What a fun time.
ReplyDeleteMe too Betty! Since I was there, I've seen so many of these things on TV, or in movies. I didn't think it was going to be fun, but it was.
DeleteWow Pat! I love these pictures in black and white. It makes it look like an old ghost town that's been abandoned. You did a great job, as always.
ReplyDeleteHi Amanda! Thanks so much. I agree, it does look like an abandoned city.
Delete