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Linkage
’40 Acres is the misnomer that was given to what was actually about 29 acres of land in Culver City, California, first used as a movie studio backlot in 1926 by Cecil DeMille, after he leased the property from Italian immigrate Achille Casserini (on March 22, 1926). DeMille’s production company utilized the backlot for numerous silent films, including The King of Kings (1927), for which a large Jerusalem temple and town were constructed, The Fighting Eagle (1927), The Forbidden Woman (1927) and The Godless Girl (1929), DeMille’s last silent, and for which a large reform school set was built on the lot.
‘In 1928, DeMille’s Culver City studio and backlot were acquired by RKO Pictures, whose films which employed the backlot included Bird of Paradise (1932) and the 1933 classic, King Kong. In 1937, David Selznick acquired the property in a long-term lease, and used the backlot to re-create a Civil War-era Atlanta for his 1939 epic Gone With The Wind (after filming the burning of numerous leftover sets on the lot, including the “King Kong” gate, to depict the burning of Atlanta in the film).
‘Under a variety of owners over the next two decades, the backlot appeared in dozens of films, and by the early 1950’s, the lot began to appear in television productions, including The Adventures of Superman. Pictured above in an aerial view from 1963, the backlot had recently changed ownership to Desilu Studios. For the next ten years, the backlot would provide outdoor locales for Desilu’s own television productions, as well as for series produced by others.
‘Some of the notable series filmed on 40 Acres included Hogan’s Heroes, Batman, Mission: Impossible, The Untouchables, Star Trek, Gomer Pyle, and The Andy Griffith Show for which the streets of Atlanta constructed for Gone With The Wind served as the town of “Mayberry.” Paramount Pictures eventually bought out Desilu, and in 1968, sold off the Culver City studio facilities. As the studio continued to change hands, the “40 Acres” backlot fell out of use and into disrepair in the early 1970’s, and in 1976 it was bulldozed and the land was sold to industry.’ — Retroweb.com
1972
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Then and Now:
40 ACRES BACKLOT FLY OVER (1957)
40 Acre Backlot Today
Bonanza
Land of the Giants
Gone with the Wind
Forbidden Woman
Leave It to Beaver
Ilsa, She Wolf of the SS
The Three Musketeers
Switchblade Sisters
Vigilante Force
Miracle of the Bells
Attack!
The Wild Wild West
Fighting Eagle
The Godless Girl
Gomer Pyle
King Kong
The King of Kings
My Three Sons
All Quiet on the Western Front
Around the World in 80 Days
The Set Up
The Real McCoys
Tarzan
Verboten
Mayberry RFD
The Untouchables
The Story of GI Joe
The Monkees
The Vampire Bat
Mission: Impossible
The Andy Griffith Show
The Black Room
Hogan’s Heroes
The Adventures of Superman
Star Trek
Alfred Hitchcock’s Rebecca
Batman
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p.s. Hey. ** Dominik, Hi!!! Happy to nudge. The clown ride … I think I missed that one. I’ll google. Thanks, yeah, I’m happy to find a publisher who’ll put it out so quickly. I don’t know exactly when yet, but I will soon. Having dipped into Japanese porn for for a long time, I’ve always been interested in why, at least in the ‘gay’ ones, the bottoms almost always act and make sounds like they’re terrified and think they’re being killed when the tops even just masturbate them much less fuck them, while always being hard as rocks the whole time. There does seem to be some kind of general fetish for faux-unwillingness in sexual fantasy there, or it’s awfully common. So, yeah, the Yaoi thing would seem to be part of that? Love given the seemingly simple task of making ‘Godzilla x Kong’, which I’m seeing at 4 pm today, fun, G. ** PL, Yeah, right in my lap and face too. Just to finish the story, the bus driver picked up the corpse, continued on to the front of the bus, opened the door, threw the corpse out onto the side of the road and then closed the door and drove on like nothing unusual had happened. Right, Kylie’s cool, I forgot her. I’m sure the Madonna show will be fun. I feel like I’ve seen almost the whole thng via all the video clips people continually share. I’m interested in hip-hop and do listen to some, but it’s a not genre I’m immediately drawn to, mostly because I’m largely into experimental music. I like Playboy Carti quite a lot. Ha ha, Xavier Dolan, yeah, that makes sense. I think the movie that made me most want to throw hand grenades at the movie screen while I was watching it is Lars von Trier’s ‘Dancer in the Dark’. His haircut, ha ha, nice. See you too! ** Matt N., Hi. Yeah, I sometimes forget to refresh the comments page before I launch the p.s./post and miss things. Ha ha, interesting about your dislike of the self-consciously weak. Kind of a nice potential character building detail maybe. I do procrastinate, but not about creative stuff, just dreaded life stuff. I always really like when I get to be friends with very attractive people. In some ways, I think I’m always studying everything for my work, or it feels like I am. I’m very interested by how attractive people’s identity and how they deal with people and the world is heavily shaped by the fact that people are almost always partly or even fully interested in them because of their looks, and how they can’t really take credit for that aspect of them other than from their abilities to groom and maintain that attractiveness. Many of the attractive people with whom I’ve been friends have been the most deeply insecure people I’ve known, I think in some significant part due to how that interest in them is not something they’ve actively achieved. I find that fascinating. And also I think longing is a super interesting state to work with creatively, so I’m fine with exploring that state rather than physically exploring the people who inspired it, if that makes any sense. I’ll get the Kim album, cool, thanks. No, I never talked with Madonna. I did see her around a little in East Village clubs and things, but she had a posse around even back then. Enjoy her show, which I think has to be super interesting no matter what. ** _Black_Acrylic, Hi. That ‘Ripley’ show sure is divisive. All I read is either people raving about it or saying it’s complete crap. Let me know what you and mom think once you’re fully into it. ** Misanthrope, The closest thing I can relate to is my two stints of quitting cigarettes. My brain was toast and useless re: writing for more than six months each time. Never again, I hope. Dude, you have to get obsessive and prioritising about your writing if you really want to finish them. Well, you don’t ‘have to’, but it sure helps. ** Harper, Hi, Harper. Oh, shit, I hope you feel much better ASAP. But very happy birthday belatedly! Yeah, see the doc. I hate seeing docs, and I always wait until I’m worried Im dying before I stop thinking my body will take care of the problem itself. What did the doc say? Getting through ‘Mason and Dixon’ is an achievement. I should say I love that novel. Man, yeah, I hope you feel better today or pronto. ** Steve, No, I haven’t tried out the new Charli album yet. Is it up to speed? You’re sick too. Man, do what it takes to upright yourself, which, of course, you will. ** Uday, Even not being a Star Wars guy, I can very clearly see the big drop off starting with ‘Phantom Menace’. I only really like the early Patti Smith, the first single and ‘Horses’. After that, I kind of lose interest. I did meet her very early. I tried to set up a gig for her to play at my college in the early-mid 70s. She said yes for way little money, but my college wouldn’t go for it. I made her a Rimbaud t-shirt and sent it to her for being so willing. Then I met her the first time she played in LA at the Whisky A-Go-Go. She was really nice. ** Bill, Hi. Well, pray tell about ‘Ripley’. Honestly, it’s been a while since I’ve seen such extremely polarised opinions on something. And being an essentially no TV guy, I’m sure I’ll never watch it. I’ve been curious about ‘Late Night with the Devil’. On a more mainstream level, I think I’m going to go see ‘The First Omen’ this week. Too many people have said it’s surprisingly fun. ** Okay. I love movie backlots almost as much as I love amusement parks, or I did, since they’re all almost completely destroyed and gone now. In the early 80s I lived a few blocks from where ’40 Acres’ had been, and it always intrigued/ haunted me partly for that reason. Anyway, so I decided to restore this old post about it for you (and me). Of interest? See you tomorrow.
Now available in North America 
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Hi, Dennis. That driver is crazy. I like Carti’s songs too, and I think he’s very charming as well. I started to listening Sonic Youth’s albums chronologically yesterday. I know you like them, I always liked them too but I just know the most famous songs. I’ve been meaning to ask you — what are your opinions on Michael Jackson’s case? Do you think he’s guilty?
I joked with my brother that you must think we are the same people and I’m just a made up person like in ‘The Sluts’. Has it crossed your mind? Haha.
Anyways, it’s great to talk with you. Hopefully next time I’ll have something more interesting to say other than my thrill for pop culture.
Hi Dennis,
Hope everything’s well. How are you doing with the book/movie? This might be rude or imposing, but I was wondering if I could send you something I’ve been writing. I don’t think I’ll ‘do’ anything with it, but it would be very cool to me to know that you have it and might scroll through it from time to time.
Thanks, xx
e
I think these empty lots must be more interesting than the films and TV shows that were shot there. Definitely keep their sparkle, in my opinion.
Mum and I watched the 1st episode of Ripley this morning, and I think you can safely put us both in the “love it” camp. Andrew Scott puts in a great performance as the titular conman. The whole thing looks like an 80s Bruce Weber fashion shoot, which is 100% alright by me anyway.
Hi. It is a longtime dream to go there and I probably won’t if I don’t get a little rich so I like this post. I live vicariously through any info. I remember you liking the Los Angeles plays itself documentary. That was very good watch I have seen two times. Some of the picture links are dead Is it on my end? I will check from the laptop
Charli album is not out yet but the main single and two songs were released after all good show hope for the album. I have soft spot for her covid era album How I’m feeling now. Makes me think of centuries of bed downtime and starting to be alive little by little after. I will try and see her live again later this year. I am big Kylie fan, her last album was so good! I was very happy to learn she already prepares the next one
I was very happy to read your short stories collection will be published soon. I am curious to read
Hello from walk to Chania old port
Today I was listening hidden gems from Fever album Your Love, Love affair… and the misunderstood Dancefloor That was an era. Also Light years is forever great. Butterfly is my song. Speaking of, my love for butterflies came back. I had a blue butterfly sighting some days ago I wonder what it means :’)
Always drawn to Ocean / pool combo due to the album cover of Light years! If you see my notes I have as motif the words Ocean pool together because of it Love from Crete
I really enjoyed “Ripley” due to its slow pace and very good acting. I have seen five of the eight episodes so far. I never watch more than one episode if it’s a series. I can’t stand watching more than two episodes at a time. I like the pacing of a TV show as if it was on CBS/NBC/ABC. I’m old-school in that manner. But on the current Ripley, it’s interesting that the viewer can watch his mistakes as he does bad things. It’s almost documentary-like, except the cinematography is very beautiful. So there is a pretense in the mix, but I have always liked pretense in popular programming. An excellent series.
Hi!!
I think the Prater ride was called, imaginatively, The Clown.
After everything you’ve been through with the birth of “Room Temperature,” a swift and successful book-publishing experience is much deserved, I’d say! I’m super excited!
Mh, that’s really interesting! I haven’t seen much Japanese porn, so I wasn’t aware of this… yeah, let’s call it faux-unwillingness fetish. Only in yaoi. I think I could name a total of one yaoi manga series, off the top of my head, that shows a relationship that doesn’t start out with the bottom being kind of abused into love. Because they *are* always horny, and they always fall in love with the top as well (if they aren’t already in love with him from the get-go). Very curious.
How was “Godzilla x Kong”?
Love never making a single successful nature documentary because he always saves that one dying baby monkey, Od.
Hi Dennis,
Well, I *usually* (there’s been 3 or 4 years since the last time I fell in love) start from your perspective, but – naturally – I lose the control when things turn to passion. But thanks for your input, the platonic thing isn’t sounding that bad today. Amazing post, btw. I love studio lots… I wish I was rich enough to construct a small one. I like locations and all, but the space, lighting and sound control of studios is just too nice. Do you like Hollywood Babylon (never read it, didn’t find a good copy while searching)? A posse! Hahahah. .. well, she has that reputation, but I won’t lie, I’m a sick Madonna fan. What’s the thing you want to film the most after this last project of yours?
The last time I drove around Culver City was to see these crazy buildings by Eric Owen Moss. But next time I’m there, I’ll go by 40 Acres as well.
I was inclined to shy away from First Omen. Let me know what you think, Dennis.
Bill
I feel a bit better, but today’s still rough.
Why do you think the psychological withdrawal from cigarettes lasts so long? Is it nicotine re-wiring your brain, or do you strongly associate cigarettes with your ability to write? (Probably both, I’d guess.) Pioneerworks ran an interesting series of articles about the effects of Adderall, including its impact upon writing.
Without “Vroom Vroom” and her mixtapes, Charli would’ve become a one-hit wonder (even though her label hated them). But she’s slowly climbed her way to the vicinity of the mainstream again (a bit too much, with her last album). That’s an unusual path. Out of the three singles from her new album, “Von dutch” is very good. At least on an initial listen, the others are too repetitive for my taste.
Hi Dennis. So, I saw the doctor and she measured my breathing and checked my throat and ears… and… and… apparently it’s stress. Well, I do have an infection but due to everything going on, my body couldn’t really fight it, or at least that’s how it seems right now. I’ll just have to take painkillers and hope it blows over soon. I think I’m getting better though. I was paranoid that she was going to ask me if I was a smoker. I haven’t been able to smoke for a damn month because I’ve had this thing, so maybe I could have lied and said I quit. There’s that quote from ‘By grand central station I sat down and wept’, ‘I have learned to smoke because I need something to hold on to’ (which Morrissey re-appropriated in ‘what she said’). Well, I need something to hold on to for sure. I’ve been down all the avenues of non-inhaled nicotine consumption and still nothing compares to cigarettes. Disposable vapes are being banned in the UK and I don’t care. Only fourteen year olds are hit hard by that news.
And yeah, I loved ‘Mason and Dixon’. I still haven’t articulated a lot of my thoughts about it which means that it’s had an effect on me. When I’m reading something and I feel like I ‘get the gist’ before I’ve even finished it, I’ll probably forget it. I’m on a big Pynchon kick right now. It’s funny, I remember being a kid and reading him and then a couple of years later thinking in retrospect that he was probably not as great as I remembered, and now returning to him I’m thinking, oh yeah this guy can write.
I can’t think of specific examples but I’ve sometimes heard about backlot mistakes that show up in movies, like say (my made-up hypothetical example) elephants from a circus movie visible in the distance in the Martian landscape of a sci-fi movie. Must’ve been quite the logistical challenge.
I guess you’re talking about attractive people who you know are used to turning lots of heads? When I’m into someone I rarely trust my estimate of how attractive they are in general. I enjoy simmering feelings of longing and have had a good run with them lately, though in most cases it either boils over or fizzles out.
Hi Dennis,
Well, I *usually* (there’s been 3 or 4 years since the last time I fell in love) start from your perspective, but – naturally – I lose the control when things turn to passion. But thanks for your input, the platonic thing isn’t sounding that bad today. Amazing post, btw. I love studio lots… I wish I was rich enough to construct a small one. I like locations and all, but the space, lighting and sound control of studios is just too nice. Do you like Hollywood Babylon (never read it, didn’t find a good copy while searching)? A posse! Hahahah. .. well, she has that reputation, but I won’t lie, I’m a sick Madonna fan. What’s the thing you want to film the most after this last project of yours?