Pickfair Studios: In the way of 'progress'

Hollywood Heritage is hell bent on saving the historic structures that still stand in Los Angeles. Unfortunately even though these buildings are legally PROTECTED as historical buildings, the Los Angeles City Council doesn't really care...they get in bed with contractors who want to put up a whole bunch of ugly skyscrapers and secretly and ILLEGALLY demolish these protected buildings (in technicality anything could be demolished; but time is supposed to be given when a building is protected). Its not that they just 'want' to...they already have...several times over.

Trust me that annoys me enough as the old buildings weren't only specially historically but they were also quite beautiful; but what really gets me is when it comes to important studios, homes, and theatres...all of which are now mostly under some private company control who don't know the history and don't care. Land is valuable in this big and overcrowded town; and they want it. Even if they have to destroy what is already there. Go ask Pia Ziadora (the Paris Hilton of her day)...who destroyed Pickfair the mansion a few decades ago. Pickfair...the second White House. Destroyed by what is essentially Paris Hilton. Hopefully someday karma will give them a taste of their own medicine.

However one neat Pickfair related thing still stands (as of now): Pickford-Fairbanks Studios. Doug and Mary bought it in 1919 for their filming needs. It was renamed 'United Artists Studio' in 1928 and still owned by the duo. Films such as Sparrows, Robin Hood, The Taming of the Shrew, and The Thief of Baghdad were all filmed there. I've also heard that The Eagle was filmed there though I cant recall the source. Not unlikely since Valentino was with UA when he filmed it in 1926.

Douglas died, Joseph Schneck left, thus leaving Mary and Samuel Goldwyn as the owners. They kinda hated each other and in 1940 when Sam left UA he renamed it 'Samuel Goldwyn Studios' which pissed Mary off. In 1955 the studio went up for sale and Goldwyn outbid Mary; thus becoming the sole owner of the property. Poor Mary... This newsreel is from that sell; and shows construction beginning for the 'new' Goldwyn Studio. Interesting perspective.

The Studio stayed under his control until 1980 when it became "Warner Hollywood Studios". They owned it until 1999 when a indie private film company bought it and gave it the horrid name "The Lot"...until now. CIM Group bought the studio; and planned to raze most of the original structures from when it was Pickford-Fairbanks/UA Studio and put up ugly glass boxes that clashed with the gorgeous Spanish motif of the Studio.

Hollywood Heritage met with CIM principal Shaul Kuba and expressed their concerns. They showed him old pictures and asked that respect be kept for the old structures; while incorporating them into new designs (thus honoring the old; but still making progress).

The good news is FOR NOW CIM has agreed to relook at the project and they removed the plans to razz the oldest parts of the studio. They also did away with the glass boxes, and said the construction will be done in phases so maybe they can keep an eye on CIM.

Unfortunately Robert Nudelmen was the main guy here for Hollywood Heritage. He worked above and beyond to save historical structures and worked closely with the developers and council. Sadly he passed away unexpectedly a few months ago leaving a major gap in the Heritage's preservation work; since as they put it 'he did the work of 20 men'.

I took some pictures of the Studio last week. You have no clue how MASSIVE this thing is. Even compared to other studios. I had no clue it was in danger until the Heritage told me. I may have to raise hell...because its a gorgeous studio and destroying it is akin to destroying Charlie's studio (which is down the road).