One afternoon, we were coming home in the family station wagon. Batman was filming out front on the porch of this administration building. This is exactly what I saw that afternoon. I hung out the side car window, like a puppy dog ready to jump!
Notice the angle of the two biggest stages. They are facing towards the sunrise. Windows line the upper portion for maximum sunlight penetration. The design was simply to maximize sunlight illumination inside as the sun traverses east to west. Interestingly, these stages were moved to conform to the neighborhood sprouting up alongside. No longer in need of chasing sun light. Inside stage with natural sunlight peering through upper glass windows. Artificial lighting from electrical distress creates intense heat on stage, depending on amount and size of equipment.
Air Conditioning must be factored into stage design, to keep actors make up from running. Interestingly, an ice company was directly across from the main gate, large blocks of ice helped cool down interiors.
Ice picks were found stored inside Marion Davies make up trailer… Ice was King! Marion Davies was to be the first occupant to use this area connected to all utilities. They include power, sewer, and water. I once used Adam West as an alias. A security guard stopped me and some friends visiting the set of Al Capone. Bruce Lee had already been taken or written down by another kid.
Thomas Ince built this iconic Colonnade prior to building another studio just down the road a bit. This was largely thanks to the wealth of Marcus Lowe. It is identical to the stages Thomas Ince built at his other lot.
