Universal Studios

Let's take another trip to the original Universal Studios, and take a gander at some scenes from the old backlot tour.

This first image gives a great sense of the art of illusion in movies; with just a bit of extra set dressing (some garbage, for instance!), this would be a very convincing street in Old New York, full of speakeasies, punch-drunk boxers, mobsters with tommyguns, and kids playing stickball. The level of architectural detail reminds me (in a way) of Disneyland's Main Street, which was designed and built by people with years of movie making experience.


You won't find a real stagecoach ride at Universal Studios; instead they had this stationary coach placed in front of a rotating painted canvas. This trick was probably used back in the days of the silent pictures, but it seems that even movies from the 30's were using rear-projection. Still, it's a fun photo op, and an old-fashioned counterpart to this version.


I'm guessing we're supposed to be in Central America, or maybe South America (those arches and red tiles) - - some tropical location, at any rate. I can already feel the humid air, hear the cries of howler monkeys, and the buzz of mosquitos. In fact, I might actually have malaria, that's how good this scene looks. Let's find the local cantina and have a glass of mezcal!