Paramount Studios, 1970: Let’s Film on the Studio Today

One sub-niche of 1960s and 1970s television is the show that demonstrates the studio backlot for what it is. It’s a fascinating snapshot into the state of the backlot at that moment, with little embellishment.

The Brady Bunch ends up at a mysterious ghost town with a menacing prospector. Tumbleweeds tumble. But it’s patently obvious that it’s the studio backlot. Paramount Stage 5 nearly bordered the Western street. While scripts and planning happened well in advance, it’s tempting to imagine a discussion on the order of: “Hey, let’s film on the street today, kids.” These photos are from the “Mission: Impossible” TV series, Season 6, Episode 2, “Encore.” MI was a heavy user of the Paramount backlot and surrounding areas. This episode shows McFadden Street, the (real) guardhouse just outside of the Western street fence, a gate that I believe fronts (the real) Gower Street, and the Western street itself.

Paramount Studios, Mission: Impossible, Season 6, Episode 2 “Encore”
Facing Van Ness – Paramount Studios, Mission: Impossible, Season 6, Episode 2 “Encore”
Paramount Studios, Mission: Impossible “Encore” Season 6, Episode 2

Paramount Studios, Mission: Impossible “Encore” Season 6, Episode 2
Majestic Studios, Mission: Impossible “Encore” Season 6, Episode 2

 

 

By Lee Wallender

Deception, influence, fakes, illusions, themed environments, simulations, secret places, secret infrastructure, imagined places, dreamscapes, movie sets and props, evasions, camouflage, studio backlots, miniatures.

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