Universal Studios, June 1987

After an annoying computer glitch, I have been doing my best to recover, eating weak tea with plain toast and taking long naps on the divan. Meanwhile, today's 1987 scans from Universal Studios have been sitting in a folder for a long, long time, and it seemed like it was finally time to use them (while I try to make up for lost time rescanning other stuff). 

As some of you know, Universal Studios (in Hollywood) has an "upper lot" and a "lower lot". The lower lot has most of the actual backlot sets, as you can see in this view. Toward the top of the image you can see the 101 Freeway, and some of the beautiful L.A. River (all concrete thanks to the Army Corps of Engineers) to the extreme top left, and just above the River is Warner Bros. Studios. There are what appear to be medieval structures, city streets, and more, but I don't have a clear idea of what's what, unfortunately. Modern maps are not much help since the lot seems to catch fire every ten or fifteen years.

In the lower right(ish) we can see the back of some of the buildings on Colonial Street (later "Wisteria Lane"), including what was once the Munster home. I don't know why, but I'm always intrigued by those apartments so close to the studio, though I am sure that living there is probably pretty ordinary. Mr. T hardly ever stops by.

Just beyond the backlot structures is part of Lakeside Golf Club, where you can hit golf balls into the hazards just like I do. "Bingo! Right in the middle of the sand trap!" (Polite clapping from nearby golfers). 

It's a bummer that this one is a little bit blurry - the Glamor Tram is about to head into the thrilling Battlestar Galactica "Battle of Galactica" attraction, which I experienced, but barely remember. According to thestudiotour.com, This high-technology attraction featured animatronics and live actors in a spectacular laser battle. The ride building replaced the short-lived Rockslide attraction, and was replaced in 1992 by the foundations of the Back to the Future (now The Simpsons) show building.

The Battle of Galactica was the first themed attraction to feature audio-animatronic characters outside a Disney park, and was the first dark ride to combine sophisticated animatronics and lasers with live actors. My main memory is of a Cylon splitting right down the middle as if chopped by a samurai sword.

I'm afraid I don't know anything about this next picture - but it has to be one of many variations on an  attraction that Universal Studios had over the years, in which an audience member (or two) could star in their very own movie scene. Presumably that blue screen became a star field (or a moonscape?) behind the astronaut. The lucky participant probably got a VHS tape of their scene to take home and show to the relatives.

It's a post-apocalyptic city scene! When the sun goes down, the vampires (who are sleeping inside the buildings) will come out to eat us. Or, they can just use those overhead tarps to make an artificial night!

Marty! It's the courthouse in Courthouse Square, only two years after "Back to the Future" made it one of the more famous landmarks on the Universal lot. Of course all buildings are constantly being redressed for new productions; the triangular pediment is missing here, probably stolen by darn teenagers who need haircuts.

This part of the backlot is dressed as a little Chinatown, I guess. Maybe Matlock had to go into the big city! Yeah, probably not. I had no idea that the tram tour would be X-rated, but now that I can see some underwear hanging on the lines, I am duly shocked.

I hope you have enjoyed your visit to Universal Studios.