"Leave it to Beaver" at Universal City

[retronaut]

Guess what is finally coming to DVD!!!

http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Leave-Beaver-Season-3-and-The-Complete-Series/13258

[Mayfield History Center]

Is anyone else amused that the DVD series will be released in 'June'?

-M

[frenchjr25]

Now if they could get "Still The Beaver" and "The New Leave It To Beaver". It was a quality show and there are more then enough episodes to put into reruns.

I am a big supporter of releasing all series related material on DVD, even if they are not owned by the same company.

This includes all of the Munster's (movie, TV movies, and 2nd series). All of All In The Family (the original series, Archie Bunker's Place, Gloria, and the reunions). And more.

[retronaut]

A new map has been added to the Leave it to Beaver / Universal site,
documenting some of the filming locations beyond Colonial Street, including
Circle Drive, Courthouse Square and Industrial Street. The new map appears about 2/3 of the way down the page, immediately following the text "we now return to Universal City..."

http://www.retroweb.com/universal_leave ... eaver.html

(Note: I have labelled "Vinyl Alley" and "Vinegar Alley" on this map based on what I consider a reasonable interpretation of the 1966 set inventory proof data sheets.)

[abckrueger]

Hello Everyone.

Retronaut, very nice job on the Beaver site. You picked up several key scenes (Dabney House / Metzger's Field), that I had wondered about. A member of the cast had told me that they never filmed on location. I would have to disagree because there was the episode when Wally purchased his first car, I believe the dealership scene was on location. Also, when Beaver and Gilbert caddied, I suspect that was filmed on the golf course behind the studios (other side of the canal).

I have had the pleasure of knowing Hugh Beamont's wife, Kathy. She is in her upper 80's and lives in the area. I asked her if she ever went to the set of Leave It To Beaver and to my surprise she said, No! She is very sharp at her age and recently wrote her memories in a book called, The Mother of Me, where she shared some personal insights about family and Hugh.

My question to all of you is do you think there is ever going to be a possibility of coming up with behind the scenes photos of the Beaver show being shot on the soundstage? The sets of the Beaver home on the soundstage (at Universal) seem to be a mystery as far as having any behind the scenes photos showing how the home was constructed in the soundstage. I suspect Universal has a collection but would not release them except for a fee, and family members of the cast have some great behind the scenes photos tucked away in their private albums.

Thanks for listening and keep up the great work!

abckrueger

[universalstonecutter]

Clearly part of it was used in the Psycho house.
. My guess is that the highlighted area was moved and then put back.

The tower is exactly the same.

The on the Revue Studios Blueprint lists the stock unit used from the Harvey House on River Road. The Blue print on also displays details the stock unit names from the river road house - Namely the Harvey House.



Frankcesso Nigro on Frickr has posted more images of the Harvey House with the tower removed.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/universals ... otostream/

at one time a large portion of the backlot was a storage area for sections of sets (Stock Units -walls, doors ,stairs etc ).
The backot has been cleaned up since this 1962 life image.

In the above image we can see the "Cafe Building dating back to 1914" surounded bu stock unit in 1993.
The kramer square area on the right was the site of the first silent stage on the back Ranch.
Fire safety is the reason universal stop stock piling section of the sound stage sets.- Fire problem for studio backlots - this includes Warner Bothers.

[retronaut]

I wanted to let everyone know that images on the web site "Leave it to Beaver on Universal City's Colonial Street and Beyond" have now been upgraded from DVD source, with greatly improved quality. Also, several new images have been added, including images from episodes for which source material was not previously available:

http://www.retroweb.com/universal_leave ... eaver.html

Sample:



Also, on the site, all images are now clickable for higher resolution...for example:

[thestudiotour_admin]

Just came across a patent on Google Patents for a property development that uses the design of movie / TV properties to create actual living accommodation. They use the Cleaver House as an example....
http://www.google.com/patents?id=cxKrAA ... os&f=false

It's been around a while - not sure if this is part of planning for the new accommodation that may be coming to Universal at some point in the future.

Jon

[johntrim040851]

Just came across a patent on Google Patents for a property development that uses the design of movie / TV properties to create actual living accommodation. They use the Cleaver House as an example....
http://www.google.com/patents?id=cxKrAA ... os&f=false

It's been around a while - not sure if this is part of planning for the new accommodation that may be coming to Universal at some point in the future.

Jon

I always have had it in the back of my mind that if I ever hit it big on the lottery I would hire an architect to draw up plans an build a replica of the Cleaver house to live in. Kind of like those people did in Texas with the Munster house, but with out the tours and parties. I figured that an architect could draw plans from video and pictures based on know standard door and window sizes and scale it from there. Of course the second floor would have to be a guess as far as the room layout but I think it would be cool to have an interiour designer try and furnish it with period pieces.

[universalstonecutter]

Best wishes
I always have had it in the back of my mind that if I ever hit it big on the lottery I would hire an architect to draw up plans an build a replica of the Cleaver house to live in.

New attractions HHN- Munsters retail Store - as a full house - a street of old movie houses acess from the Upper lot stairway
I wish they would rebuilt the entire house with interiors for HHN ands for a premanent Attraction in the Upper Lot hill side - with a retail stores on the back side selling Universal Monster collectables
videos and costumes for the kids.

I would Like to see the Psycho House with interiors seen from the elevator stairway - also open on HHN special attraction. Tey have space on the hill side next to the walkway to build a street of houses South of the King Kong attraction.

Blueprint from the art Department
http://www.flickr.com/photos/universals ... 018814246/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/universals ... 177374751/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/universals ... 206103420/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/universals ... 206104034/

"it would be cool to have an interior designer try and furnish it with period pieces."
Pictures from Video down load and save for reference
http://www.flickr.com/photos/universals ... 205494439/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/universals ... 206089148/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/universals ... 205489737/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/universals ... 206063024/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/universals ... 206061472/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/universals ... 203738402/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/universals ... 203139445/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/universals ... 203689348/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/universals ... 203649442/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/universals ... 206084836/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/universals ... 562786721/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/universals ... 562786573/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/universals ... 562786421/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/universals ... 562786143/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/universals ... 562786025/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/universals ... 562783559/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/universals ... 562783407/

Universal Operations should consider this as 1915 HHN IOOth aniversary project - more retail stores that look like old sets on the front and stores on the back
walk on the sets - see the old props -