Save Pickfair Studios! Update And Protest Info!

Written By: Ken Hulsey

Today there will be a protest at Pickfair Studios. I encourage all who live in the vicinity to attend. All week I have been posting links as well as articles and even a blog article written by Kenneth Lee Hulsey and myself about the impending fate of this legendary and historically relevant movie studio. It is easy to discuss how much we all love movies, but with most things it is much harder to prove what they really mean to us. I realize we are spread all over the country as well as the world and most who would attend just cannot...but those who live in the vicinity....please, please attend! I would like to express my appreciation to all of those who signed the petition! Thank you very much! - Terri Pressley

As Terri mentioned above earlier this week I posted an article about the impending destruction of Pickfair Studios one of Hollywood's earliest and most iconic movie studios where such classics as "Some Like It Hot", "Guys and Dolls" and even "Star Wars" were filmed. Now since that time I got a chance to drive by the location, snap a couple of photographs and survey the area a bit. As it has been noted by other writers covering this story the art deco design of the structures in question are just amazing to look at and without a doubt there are many dilapidated and graffiti covered structures nearby that could and should be leveled to improve the general appeal of the neighborhood. So why level a iconic Hollywood location and historical landmark? The answer there is very simple, location, location, location, the plot of land, now known as "The Lot" is directly across the street from a modern shopping complex with a Target and a Bevmo.

Without wanting to seem like I support the idea of leveling this piece of Hollywood history I can understand CIM's desire for wanting to build another set of high end stores so close to an existing shopping complex to a point. It makes business sense. Well, at least on the outset it would seem that way. One could see that if the location was either abandoned or was not economically viable but that is not the case here at all. Pickfair Studios as it stands today is still a very active location with movie and television productions using it's numerous buildings for filming right now. On the day I stopped by people and cars were going in and out as if it was still a major Hollywood studio (as my photos will attest) and casual look through the fence revealed that indeed there is still a lot of activity going on inside those walls.

So what can be done? Well I have a simple idea that would solve this problem if CIM would listen. Turn the studio property into a museum ... or sell it to someone or some entity who wanted to do so, as well as keep it an active studio then buy up some of the run down properties across La Brea on the other side of the existing shopping complex and build there.

To expand on my thoughts. I have always wanted to open a Hollywood film museum and this would be the perfect local for such a project. The bulk of the studio could remain open for filming and selected structures could house the exhibits. Money could be generated through film projects, museum admission and a gift shop / online store.

To simple to work right?

Here is the info on a protest that will be happening today outside "The Lot":

Protest CIM at Pickfair 4/1/2012!

We are currently planning a protest at the Pickfair Lot for the morning of Sunday the 1st of April….or as the City of West Hollywood will be declaring “Kardashian Day” (NO FOOLIN!)

Meeting Place: Right off Santa Monica Blvd at Formosa where the offices are located. Say THE LOT in big letters. Allison Anders will be in attendance to lead all supporters.


Time: 1pm PST

Parking: The Target center has parking for $1.50 an hour, free with validation. There is also street parking that should be unencumbered for a Sunday

BRING YOUR FRIENDS AND ALL PRESS!!!

What You Can Do

*Bring video cameras and phone cameras to film the events

*Make protest signs out of big paper and wooden sticks. Suggested slogans: Mary we care, SAVE PICKFAIR. ITS OUR HERITAGE SAVE PICKFAIR. CIM WE’RE WATCHING YOU SAVE PICKFAIR. HONK IF YOU SUPPORT PRESERVING PICKFAIR STUDIOS!

*Be respectful, courteous and law abiding.

What is Pickfair Day? On Friday 3/30/12 West Hollywood Daily reported the city council of West Hollywood had decreed it officially ‘Kardashian Day’ in honor of the reality TV stars opening a store in the city limits. We have decided to rename the day for something that matters: Pickfair Day. Help us trend on twitter by tweeting comments with the hashtag #PickfairDay and #PickfairDayProtest. - From http://savethepickfairstudio.wordpress.com

See Also: Iconic Hollywood Studio To Be Demolished Unless Fans Step In!

Kardashian Day?!!! Are you friggin kidding me! After your done protesting at Pickfair go to the street and protest that to!

Iconic Hollywood Studio To Be Demolished Unless Fans Step In!

Written By: Terri Pressley / Ken Hulsey

Does it seem feasible that the city of West Hollywood would condone the demolition of a historical landmark?

The idea that a city that normally prides itself on the preservation of of historic structures would turn a blind eye when a developer plans to bulldoze a complex that houses one of Hollywood's earliest and most acclaimed studios seems on the outside to be preposterous, but that is exactly what is about to happen.

At the heart of a growing controversy in the land where dreams are created as fast as they are destroyed is the famed Pickford-Fairbanks Studios where such movies as Some Like It Hot, The Thief of Bagdad, Guys and Dolls, and even select scenes from Star Wars (Episode 4: A New Hope) were filmed.



“This is a sacrilege – do the greedy people threatening this not have any pride in the history of Hollywood? Do they not have any respect and pride for the founders of motion pictures, Douglas Fairbanks Sr. and Mary Pickford ? The Save Pickford-Fairbanks studios must stop this from happening – it is obliterating history and the legacy that Douglas Fairbanks Sr. and Mary Pickford left.” — Daphne Fairbanks

The City of West Hollywood and the CIM Group have plans to demolish the legendary Pickfair Studios, founded in 1919 by Charlie Chaplin, D.W. Griffith, Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks. Together they formed the first major independent film studio, United Artist. All four of these historic and revolutionary filmmakers spent the remainder of their careers (with a brief exception for Chaplin) making their films with UA. To accommodate their filmmaking, they built the Pickford-Fairbanks studio on Santa Monica Boulevard at the corner of Santa Monica and Formosa, the former Jesse Hampton Studio lot. In addition to silent film classics like Son of the Sheik, Sparrows, and Thief of Bagdad, films like Wuthering Heights (1939), Guys and Dolls, Some Like It Hot (1959), and West Side Story (1959) were also shot there. When George Lucas returned from England, he reshot some of the original Star War scenes at the Pickfair Studio. The Pickfair Studio saw the likes of not only those greats but stars including Rudolph Valentino, Marilyn Monroe, Clark Gable, Frank Sinatra, Myrna Loy, Natalie Wood, Marlon Brando, Susan Hayward, Greer Garson, Jack Lemmon, Danny Kaye, Eddie Cantor and Laurence Olivier making some of their most memorable films on the historic lot. This studio, located at Highland and Santa Monica on the border of West Hollywood, CA, stands...but not for much longer.


In the early 50s, against Pickford's will (Griffith and Fairbanks were by then deceased), the studio and company were sold. It passed hands several times before being purchased by Sky Partners in 1999 and renaming it’ The Lot’. Since then Sky Partners has been doing all they can to facilitate the demolition of the historic studio. Skye has sold to CIM Group who plans to raze all historic buildings, with of course, the approval of the West Hollywood City Council. Even though these are historical buildings and legally protected as such, the Los Angeles City Council does not care. Land is valuable in this big and overcrowded town; and they want it. As of April 2012 CIM plans to destroy all the historic buildings. It is history they mean to destroy film lovers, we must band together and let them know that we will not stand by idly; they should not be allowed to destroy film history without a fight.

Sign the online petition - Save Pickfair Studios!

There is a growing online movement to save the studio being pushed forward through blogs, classic movie groups and websites. Though this movement is gaining steam very quickly it may not be enough to beat the clock before CIM can move forward with their plans. As it stands now the once iconic studio will begin to be demolished as soon as the first week of April. That's why things need to move and move as fast as possible or one of Hollywood's historic sites will be no more!

How can you help? Well you need to make your voice heard by contacting the powers behind this travesty. Who should you contact? Well we have a list for you:

CIM Group

http://www.cimgroup.com/

6922 Hollywood Blvd. 9th Floor Los Angeles, CA 90028

P.323.860.4900

F.323.860.4901

Karen Diehl

Casey & Sayre

11835 W. Olympic Blvd.

Suite 1285

Los Angeles, CA 90064

p 310.473.8090

f 310.473.8291

kdiehl@cswpr.com

Bill Mendel

Mendel Communications

1841 Broadway

Suite 1009

New York, NY 10023

p 212.397.1030

f 212.974.0705

bill@mendelcommunications.com

City of West Hollywood City Council

8300 Santa Monica Boulevard

Hours of Operation: Mon-Thurs 8am - 6pm; Fridays 8am - 5pm.

Telephone: (323) 848-6400 (323) 848-6400

Phone: (323) 848-6460

Email: ccouncil@weho.org

Mayor John J Duran: jduran@weho.org

Mayor Elect Jefferey Prang: jprang@weho.org

Councilmember John D’Amico: jdamico@weho.org

John Heilmen: jheilman@weho.org

Councilmember Abby Land: aland@weho.org

Sr Planner Contreras: fcontreras@weho.org

Sr Planner Degrazia: ddegrazia@weho.org

The Monstrous Movie Photos & Quotes Of The Day: Star Wars: Where Science Meets Imagination

Photos And Story By: Ken Hulsey

On Saturday I had the pleasure of attending the "Star Wars: Where Science Meets Imagination" exhibit at the Discovery Science Center in Santa Ana, Ca. For those of you unfamiliar with this traveling exhibit that has been moving from city to city across America for the better part of a decade it is a rather amazing collection of props, models and costumes from all six "Star Wars" films.

As expected I ran around the exhibit taking all kinds of photographs and spent an absurd amount of time starring glossy-eyed at the collection of items I have seen on screen over a godzillion times. I was amazed by both the amount of work and detail that went into some items and the sheer simplicity of others.

I will get more into some of that in a follow-up article.

Today I have opted not to get into discussing the numerous number of vehicle and spaceship models, which were my favorite part of the exhibit, but to instead focus on the character costumes ... and okay a couple of miniatures.

Over the decades since the "Star Wars" film series began way back in 1977 volumes and volumes of information has been published in books and on websites about the origins and history of these props and costumes so I think going into depth on each one would be overkill to the umpteenth degree.

In other words you know the details already just enjoy the damn photographs!

Okay, now that's out of the way.

What I have chosen to do is combine a photograph piece with a movie quote piece in hopes of creating something that will be enjoyable for you ....

(for the photo above)

"Sir, my first job was programming binary loadlifters – very similar to your vaporators in most respects."

―C-3PO (Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope)

"Hey, steady girl. What's the matter? You smell something?"

- Luke Skywalker (Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back)

"That's 'cause droids don't pull people's arms out of their sockets when they lose. Wookiees are known to do that"

- Han Solo (Star Wars: Episode IV - a New Hope)

"Ready are you? What know you of ready? For eight hundred years have I trained Jedi. My own counsel will I keep on who is to be trained. A Jedi must have the deepest commitment, the most serious mind. This one a long time have I watched. All his life has he looked away... to the future, to the horizon. Never his mind on where he was. Hmm? What he was doing. Hmph. Adventure. Heh. Excitement. Heh. A Jedi craves not these things. You are reckless. "

- Yoda (Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back)

"Echo station three-t-eight. We've spotted imperial walkers."

- Sergeant Major Trey Callum (Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back)


"A droid of some kind. I didn't hit it that hard. It must've had a self-destruct."

- Han Solo (Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back)


"Echo 3 to Echo 7, Han old buddy, do you read me?"

- Luke Skywalker (Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back)


"Stop that ship, blast'em"

- Stormtroopers (Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope)


"Commander, tear this ship apart until you find those plans! And bring me all passengers, I want them ALIVE!"

- Darth Vader (Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope)


"Sandpeople always ride single file to hide their numbers."

- Obi-Wan Kenobi (Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope)


"Excuse me, sir but that R2 unit is in prime condition, a real bargain."

- C-3PO (Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope)

As I mentioned above the exhibit itself was amazing though the admission price was a bit steep, $25 per person - that's $15 to get into the Science Center then another $10 to get into the SW exhibit (double dipping are we?), which overall was worth it to get a chance to see these items up close.

The Star Wars: Where Science Meets Imagination exhibit will run through April 15th 2012 at the Discovery Science Center (That big-ass cube off the 5 freeway) in Santa Ana, Ca - Website

The Monstrous Movie Quote Of The Day: Han Solo (Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope 1977)

- Han Solo: Uh, everything's under control. Situation normal.
Voice: What happened?
Han Solo: Uh, we had a slight weapons malfunction, but uh... everything's perfectly all right now. We're fine. We're all fine here now, thank you. How are you?
Voice: We're sending a squad up.
Han Solo: Uh, uh... negative, negative. We had a reactor leak here now. Give us a few minutes to lock it down. Large leak, very dangerous.
Voice: Who is this? What's your operating number?
Han Solo: Uh...
(Han shoots the intercom)
Han Solo: Boring conversation, anyway. LUKE, WE'RE GONNA HAVE COMPANY!

- Han Solo (Harrison Ford)(Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope)(1977)

Of Pissed Off Ewoks, Killer Kong And Alien Anatomy

Written By: Ken Hulsey
Source: Dread Central / Tumblr

Thanks to Uncle Creepy over at Dread Central I have new artist that I really dig named Brad McGinty. Not only is he a very talented artist he is quite the humorist as well. His blog on Tumblr reveals that his grandfather was driven to the bottle by a failed greeting card business that he started after WWII with a Japanese artist he shot in combat. Seems that no one likes to see Santa Claus referred to as "American Christmas Devil"... who knew?

McGinty's work ranges from pissed off ewoks and Alien anatomy cross-sections to some really great monster art.

It may not have worked for grandpa but if the younger McGinty went into the card business ... well you all would be getting his Valentine's Day cards in the mail come February.


Check out McGinty's work over at Tumblr - HERE

Creature From The Black Lagoon And Star Wars Figures On A Shelf ... Is It Art?

Written By: Ken Hulsey
Source: Tanya Bonakdar Gallery

Okay, I am probably the last guy on Earth that should be writing a piece about modern art. Honestly, the whole thing escapes me. All it looks like to me is stuff any five-year-old could make displayed in a way that's supposed to make some kind of statement about something thought provoking.

Case in point is a new exhibit at the Tanya Bonakdar Gallery in New York by Haim Steinbach entitled "Creature". The main inspiration for the series of works on display was a "Creature From The Black Lagoon" action figure which Steinbach turned into a piece of modern art by placing it on a long white shelf angled across the corner of a room. Does it make sense to me? No. Do I like the subject matter? Absolutely! Who doesn't like the Creature? On top of that I like alot of the stuff Steinbach has arranged on shelves, a giant Stormtrooper and a Darth Vader action figure from Star Wars, nude female sculptures and the kind of nic-nacs my mother-in-law buys at yard sales.

All fine stuff ..... stuff you would find on a shelf in just about any house in America. But, I ask you ... is it art?

Well, I guess so and after delving into this article I have come to realize that it is just Americana and pop culture simplified.

Ah alas I guess Steinbach has gotten to me.

Star Wars Blu-ray Deleted Scenes Trailer

Written By: Ken Hulsey
Source: Lisa Dullard / Youtube

Many years ago I wrote an article for the original Monster Island News about the infamous deleted scenes from "Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope". At that time the footage that was allocated to the cutting room floor had been seen very rarely and was mysteriously absent from both DVD and VHS releases of the original Star Wars trilogy. Likewise similar content from "The Empire Strikes Back" and "Return of the Jedi" had also been left out. These scenes included, but were not limited to, Biggs talking with Luke in Anchorhead, Wampas running amok in the Rebel Base on Hoth, and a Tatooine sandstorm in Jedi.

Now, after so many years, Lucasfilm has changed their mind about keeping these lost treasures ... well, "lost" .... and will include them in the upcoming Blu-ray release of the trilogy.

As a precursor to that Lucasfilm has put together a sweet little teaser with some of the scenes I mentioned to get all of us Star Wars nerds jazzed up and ready to empty our wallets at the local video store.

Here is an excerpt from my original article:

(Luke and Biggs from A New Hope)

The scene starts with a close up of Luke as he jumps from his landspeeder and climbs the stairs to the power station. Once inside we get our first look at Luke's friends. Fixer is seated behind a table with Camie on his lap. They are both asleep. Luke tosses something at them upon entering to wake them. Camie sits up with a attitude at being awoke. Lukes walks past them upon seeing his old friend Biggs has returned . Deek and Windy, two fellow farm boys are playing a type of mechanically-assisted pool with Biggs. Luke then remembers the battle he had just seen and urges them all outside. Deek and Windy don't want to leave their game.

Deek: Not again, forget it!
Windy: (angry at Biggs) Will you come back here and play the game?
Fixer: (Still waking up) What's all the noise about?
Camie: Looks like Wormie's caught too much sun.

They all exit the station and climb to the platform that surrounds the generator room. They all begin to survey the sky. Biggs soon decides that there is nothing really to see. Camie grabs the binoculars from Luke to see for herself. Luke protests and Fixer attempts to start to protect her. While Camie scans the sky Biggs gives Luke some advice.

Biggs: I tell you Luke, the Rebellion's a long way away from here. This planet? A big hunk of nothing.
Fixer: (not really caring about the space battle and not being able to take his eyes off Camie) I doubt the Empire would Evan fight to save the system.
They all head back into the station and Camie carelessly tosses Luke back his binoculars causing him to almost drop them.
Luke: Hey! Will you watch it?"
The scene ends with Luke alone outside looking at the sky as if he really saw anything.

The final sequence of the lost footage is a conversation between Biggs and Luke as they exit the power station. The two are holding cups of what is refereed to as "Malt Brew." It is at this point Biggs tells Luke of his secret plan to leave the Academy and join the Rebellion. Luke is over-whelmed by the news and left almost speechless. Luke admits that he has canceled his application to the Academy to help Uncle Owen with his farm. It is easy to see why Luke looks up to Biggs because he is living the life that he can only dream of. The two part with a handshake and Biggs leaves to find his destiny while Luke can only watch and yearn for a life of adventure.

113 Rare Star Wars Photos Posted Online

Written By: Ken Hulsey

Source: Imgur.com

A whole ton of rare "Star Wars" images have just been posted on the Imgur.com website. The images range from publicity images that were never used, screen grabs from scenes that never made it into the original trilogy, to candid behind the scenes shots. A New Hope, Empire and Jedi are all equally represented here although most of the shots seem to be of Carrie Fisher (Princess Leia) who, from these shots, looks like she took every available moment to lay down on the set.

A good deal of the photos have been published in magazines, online and even on trading cards but a few of them I have honestly never seen before.

I wish that I could give credit to whoever put together this great collection of photographs but no name was listed with the gallery.

I have posted 20 of my favorites here:

To see the rest of the collection go HERE.

See Also: Star Wars Episode IV - Imperial TIE Fighter Replica / Sexy Star Wars Burlesque Vixen Courtney Cruz Talks! / Vintage STAR WARS TV Adds Sold Everything! / Star Wars - Death Star Trash Compactor Bookends /Star Wars - Commander Cody - Order 66 Cold Cast Statue Star Wars Legacy - Darth Talon Statue Sculpture Star Wars - R2-D2 Interactive Astromech Droid Star Wars - Boba Fett Evolution - Paper Giclee Print Star Wars - Deluxe AT-AT Vehicle - Playset / Star Wars - Slave Leia In Her Metal Bikini - Mini Bust/ George Lucas Moving Forward With STAR WARS 3D Films / Star Wars - 4 Piece Glass Set / Star Wars - Chewbacca Jumbo Vintage Kenner Action Figure / Star Wars - Scout Trooper Collector Helmet / The 100 Greatest Monsters From Movies And Television #61 - #70/ Hey! Don't Molest The Princess! Especially If She Is A Celebrity / Is The STAR WARS Television Series Dead? / The Latest Issue Of STAR WARS INSIDER Free Online / Star Wars - A New Hope - Full Size Wall Mural / Star Wars - Boba Fett Bust / Bank / Star Wars - Slave Leia In Her Metal Bikini - Mini Bust / Star Wars Deluxe AT-AT Vehicle / Star Wars News - TomTom GPS, More Robot Chicken And Darth Vader Banned From Conventions /Star Wars - Death Trooper / Zombie Stormtrooper Bust / New STAR WARS TV And Movie Series To Be UNLEASHED? / Darth Vader Had Emotional Problems ...... Ya Think? / An Idea That Is Way Overdue - Star Wars Themed Lingerie! / Spaceballs (1987)(MGM) / Lucas Begins Casting The Star Wars TV Series / Hey! Remember Mark, The Yoda Puppet Costs More Than You Do! / Can You Believe Someone Dropped $10,000 On Star Wars Collectibles?!! / EE Exclusive Star Wars Holiday Edition Jawas Action Figures / Darth Vader Invades Japan / Star Wars R2-D2 Interactive Astromech Droid / Star Wars Exclusive Ecliptic Evader TIE Fighter With Hobbie