Jan 25, 2022

Charlie Chaplin Studios / Jim Henson Company

Located on N. La Brea Avenue in Hollywood, California you'll find the former studio of actor, director, and all around film legend, Charlie Chaplin. It was constructed in 1917 and amazingly has survived all these years. After Chaplin sold the property in 1953 it would eventually become home to A&M Records for several decades before the Jim Henson Company purchased the lot in 2000 - hence Kermit the Frog in Chaplin's tramp costume above the studio gate.

Charlie Chaplin Studios Jim Henson Company Hollywood


Many of Chaplin's classic films were shot at this location, including The Kid (1921), The Gold Rush (1925), City Lights (1931), Modern Times (1936), and The Great Dictator (1940). Next to the front gate you can see Chaplin's signature and footprints in the cement - dated Jan. 21, 1918, which marked the official opening of the studio. 

Chaplin sold the property in 1953 after permanently leaving the United States in 1952. He only returned once after that to accept his honorary Academy Award in 1972. While in Los Angeles the elderly Chaplin briefly visited his former studio one last time.

Charlie Chaplin Studios Jim Henson Company Hollywood

Charlie Chaplin Studios Jim Henson Company Hollywood

My fascination with Chaplin goes back to when I was a teenager. I read biographies about him and during film school I went out of my way to see his all of his films and early reels. When I learned that his studio was still standing in Hollywood after my last visit to Los Angeles, I added it to my to-do list. It took a few years to get back, but seeing it in person - and subsequently reading up on all of the history surrounding it - was a really inspiring experience.

The fact that it's now home to the Jim Henson Company seems equally fitting. It's like a combination of my childhood and film school selves all merged into one location. Or, another way of looking at it, a real life depiction of what much of the walls in my film school dorms were plastered with - classic films, kitschy childhood nostalgia, and Hollywood themed ambitions.

Charlie Chaplin Studios Jim Henson Company Hollywood

Charlie Chaplin Studios Jim Henson Company Hollywood

Charlie Chaplin Studios Jim Henson Company Hollywood

Charlie Chaplin Studios Jim Henson Company Hollywood

Charlie Chaplin Studios Jim Henson Company Hollywood

Charlie Chaplin Studios Jim Henson Company Hollywood

Charlie Chaplin Studios Jim Henson Company Hollywood

Charlie Chaplin Studios Jim Henson Company Hollywood

Charlie Chaplin Studios Jim Henson Company Hollywood

Charlie Chaplin Studios Jim Henson Company Hollywood

Charlie Chaplin Studios Jim Henson Company Hollywood

Charlie Chaplin Studios Jim Henson Company Hollywood

Charlie Chaplin Studios Jim Henson Company Hollywood

Charlie Chaplin Studios Jim Henson Company Hollywood

Charlie Chaplin Studios Jim Henson Company Hollywood

Charlie Chaplin Studios Jim Henson Company Hollywood

Charlie Chaplin Studios Jim Henson Company Hollywood

Charlie Chaplin Studios Jim Henson Company Hollywood

Charlie Chaplin Studios Jim Henson Company Hollywood

Charlie Chaplin Studios Jim Henson Company Hollywood


 

Jan 23, 2022

Palisades Tahoe Ski Resort in Olympic Valley, California

As one of the largest ski areas in the United States today, Palisades Tahoe (formerly Squaw Valley) in Olympic Valley, California rose to prominence as the host of the 1960 Winter Olympics. Growing into a premier ski resort (one of 18 around Lake Tahoe) in the decades that followed, the legacy of the Olympics is still very apparent in this picturesque part of Northern California. 

Palisades Tahoe Olympic Valley California




Palisades Tahoe Olympic Valley California

Palisades Tahoe Olympic Valley California

Palisades Tahoe Olympic Valley California

Palisades Tahoe Olympic Valley California

Palisades Tahoe Olympic Valley California

Palisades Tahoe Olympic Valley California

Palisades Tahoe Olympic Valley California

Palisades Tahoe Olympic Valley California

Palisades Tahoe Olympic Valley California

Palisades Tahoe Olympic Valley California

Palisades Tahoe Olympic Valley California

Palisades Tahoe Olympic Valley California

Palisades Tahoe Olympic Valley California

Palisades Tahoe Olympic Valley California

Palisades Tahoe Olympic Valley California

Palisades Tahoe Olympic Valley California

Palisades Tahoe Olympic Valley California

Palisades Tahoe Olympic Valley California

Palisades Tahoe Olympic Valley California

Palisades Tahoe Olympic Valley California

Palisades Tahoe Olympic Valley California

Palisades Tahoe Olympic Valley California

Palisades Tahoe Olympic Valley California

Palisades Tahoe Olympic Valley California

Palisades Tahoe Olympic Valley California

Palisades Tahoe Olympic Valley California

Palisades Tahoe Olympic Valley California

Palisades Tahoe Olympic Valley California

Palisades Tahoe Olympic Valley California

Palisades Tahoe Olympic Valley California

Palisades Tahoe Olympic Valley California


Jan 20, 2022

About That Documentary I Mentioned ...

As my final announcement of 2021 I shared that my latest documentary proposal had been greenlit with plans to move into production in early 2022. With things continuing to progress I wanted to share a few more updates about what the project is actually about.



Inspired by my love of vintage films and the cinematic experience - specifically, going to the movie theatre - this new documentary is all about cinemas. Highlighting the evolution of the theatre going experience and showcased through the rise and fall of some largely forgotten movie houses, this new documentary tells the story of how the oldest purpose-built cinema in all of Canada ended up (in of all places) my hometown - Medicine Hat, Alberta.

Locals are sure to recognize names like the Monarch, Towne, and Gemini, but what makes this story unique is how much hasn't been widely told - particularly regarding the 110+ year history of a single screen cinema on main street that is actually older than every major Hollywood studio. Perhaps most amazing, it's still here!

There's a lot to unpack, but I'm really excited to bring this story to life in this new feature documentary in the months ahead.

Here's where I could use some help ... 

Did you, a family member, or friend ever work at a movie theatre in the Medicine Hat area? 

I'd love to connect with anyone who has stories to share about what your time was like at the Monarch, Towne, drive-ins, etc. I'm deep in research these days and have already coordinated with the Friends of the Monarch, local archives, and City - what's missing is you!  

If you have any pictures or souvenirs from these venues from over the years it would also be a massive help as (not surprisingly) a lot of these places were not documented. Thank you in advance.

Lots more to come as this ramps up! ðŸŽ¥ðŸ˜‰ Please get in touch if you have anything to share that you think may be of interest. Cheers!