Category Archives: Culver City

Time Travelers: Uncovering Old LA in Keaton Comedies

Posted on July 18, 2020 by John Bengtson

Criterion’s The Cameraman Blu-ray is loaded with extras, including Oscar-nominated Daniel Raim’s 2020 documentary Time Travelers: Uncovering Old LA in Keaton Comedies, revealing newly discovered connections between Keaton’s MGM debut and the earliest films of his career. Raim’s recent works … Continue reading →

Posted in Buster Keaton, Culver City, The Cameraman | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Arbuckle and Keaton Filmed in Culver City Years Before Laurel and Hardy

Posted on May 23, 2020 by John Bengtson

Harold Lloyd and Snub Pollard filmed comedies for producer Hal Roach at the Bradbury Mansion Rolin Studio, on Court Hill in downtown Los Angeles, for years before Roach opened his new studio in Culver City in 1920. (Read how they … Continue reading →

Posted in Buster Keaton, Culver City, Laurel and Hardy | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Happy “Roaring Twenties” New Year at Keaton’s Bungalow

Posted on January 7, 2020 by John Bengtson

Happy New Year everyone! For some reason 2020 and its prior century silent-era counterpart resonate with me more so than 2019-1919 ever did. The Roaring Twenties are with us again. This widely viewed classic photo of Buster making his 1929 … Continue reading →

Posted in Buster Keaton, Culver City, Keaton Studio | Tagged , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Buster Keaton’s Scarecrow Adobe

Posted on December 4, 2019 by John Bengtson

I’m delighted to host guest blogger Jeffrey Castel de Oro’s amazing post regarding the early California history appearing in Buster Keaton’s The Scarecrow. A friend for 20 years, Jeff has contributed many significant locations and photographs to all of my … Continue reading →

Posted in Buster Keaton, Culver City, The Scarecrow | Tagged , , , , , , | 21 Comments

Keaton’s Bungalow Outside MGM

Posted on November 11, 2018 by John Bengtson

When Buster Keaton joined MGM in 1928, he rented a bungalow near, but off site from, the MGM campus, infuriating studio head Louis B. Mayer, as Keaton was (one of) the only star(s) to rent space off of the lot. … Continue reading →

Posted in Buster Keaton, Culver City, Keaton Studio | Tagged , , , , , , | 10 Comments

Buster Keaton’s Kennel on the MGM lot

Posted on September 23, 2018 by John Bengtson

As one of MGM’s biggest stars, Buster Keaton once had a private bungalow dressing room on the studio lot, jokingly dubbed “Keaton’s Kennel.” A reader correctly wrote long ago that the Kennel stood along the north side of the lot, … Continue reading →

Posted in Buster Keaton, Culver City, Keaton Studio | Tagged , , , , , , , | 12 Comments

From Roach’s to Roaches – Stan & Ollie Meet Starsky & Hutch

Posted on April 1, 2018 by John Bengtson

Guest blogger Jim Dallape, creator with Robert Winslow of the remarkable Hal Roach Studios Backlot Tour, reports how TV’s Starsky & Hutch and Charlie’s Angles filmed in the same places as Laurel & Hardy and other Roach stars. Take it … Continue reading →

Posted in Charley Chase, Culver City, Hal Roach Studios, Laurel and Hardy | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 12 Comments

How Laurel & Hardy Filmed Perfect Day – New Discoveries

Posted on March 21, 2015 by John Bengtson

Built in 1925, this charming bungalow at 3120 Vera Avenue near Culver City appearing in the 1929 comedy Perfect Day is one of the most popular and easily recognizable of all Laurel & Hardy film locations. Author Randy Skretvedt reports … Continue reading →

Posted in Culver City, Hal Roach Studios, Laurel and Hardy, Oliver Hardy, Stan Laurel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 18 Comments

Mid City Views – How Hal Roach’s Taxi Boys filmed Taxi for Two

Posted on January 18, 2015 by John Bengtson

The 1932 Hal Roach Studio comedy Taxi for Two provides a fascinating glimpse of early Washington Blvd., and the mid-city neighborhood that sprung up south of Hollywood halfway between Culver City and downtown Los Angeles. Directed by Del Lord, one … Continue reading →

Posted in Culver City, Hal Roach Studios | Tagged , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

Laurel & Hardy Hit The Skids

Posted on January 26, 2014 by John Bengtson

During their ride home from the hospital in County Hospital (1932), Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy (well, their stunt doubles) skid at a wide intersection beside a Gothic-windowed auto garage.  The zig-zag detailing remains on the garage wall. This unusual … Continue reading →

Posted in Culver City, Laurel and Hardy | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments