Hollywood Locations!

Another update with an exciting find that I've been after since the inception of this project - the rocky desert terrain used for the western film shoot sequence in "Hollywood Follies." I'd always assumed it was the Alabama Hills in Lone Pine, an area frequently used in productions dating back to the silent era. However, after finding out that one scene in particular with the burning cabin was filmed east of Lancaster at "Club Ed" I had a feeling that from a production standpoint it only made sense that the other scenes were done nearby.  

Finally, by using the mountains in the Angeles National Forest to the south, I was able to approximate an area where this could be. As luck would have it by visiting in early spring there was even enough snow up there to match the appearance in the show. This scene in particular always threw me because it so closely resembles the snow-capped Eastern Sierras behind Alabama Hills. 

Address: 

15945 E Ave Q, Lake Los Angeles, CA 93591

What I found is that ALL of these scenes were shot on a private movie ranch called Blayney Ranch, which lies just to the south of Club Ed, closer to the ever-popular "Four Aces" set (which I guarantee you've seen in at least one music video or low-budget horror film). Unfortunately the entire area is off-limits to the public but from the road I was able to pinpoint several rock features that can be seen in the show. 

The scene where the inebriated actor has to be propped up against the set wall was shot on the far south end of the lot, just off E. Avenue Q. From the road you can see the rock formations visible behind them in the doorway. 

GPS Coordinates (approx.): 

34.58779432805843, -117.85257082313134

These same distinctive formations (located to the east of the above location) can be seen later during the stunts montage, as a rider on horseback flies around the bend after the runaway wagon. 

GPS Coordinates (approx.):

34.59081473214447, -117.8485634587133

It is just beyond this rockpile on the north side where Indy makes his acting debut and where the duel scene takes place. If you're looking at the location from the road, they are facing back toward you. 

GPS Coordinates (approx.):

34.591707175024084, -117.84821898384543

The last location was actually filmed alongside Avenue Q, as John Ford and the camera crew drive back and forth on the shoulder of the road filming Indy's chase with the runaway wagon. This is right along the fenceline of the property. They used some trick photography here, as the reverse angle was also shot in the same direction looking at the very same rockpile, but with the truck going the opposite direction. Judging by the angle, it is approximately right where the entrance gate to the property is now. 

GPS Coordinates: 

34.58734016152671, -117.8493103646899

I would love the chance to get in and explore this site some more, now that I know definitively that shooting took place here there are certainly many more scenes to track down!