Denver Street

Although it's often overshadowed by Six Points Texas, Denver Street has seen a considerable amount of action over the years. In the first days of Universal City, Carl Laemmle invited members of the public to sit on bleachers on the hill overlooking Denver Street (currently the site of Elm Street, formerly Laramie Street) to watch silent films being made. In the later years of the tour, there was a wild west shoot-out enacted for every passing tram. See below for the script. The area between Denver Street and Park Lake used to be the site of the Tower of London set, but this was replaced in 1989 with the Earthquake attraction.

The street is built on 7/8 scale to make the characters seem larger than life. Like many movie sets, foam rubber and plastic takes the place of brick and stone. During shooting, glass windows were replaced with "candy glass" or sugar glass which could be easily made on the backlot, and broke into harmless soft-edged chunks.

The tram goes down this street whenever production work is not happening in the area.
Photo by Phillip Donnelly, March 2006

Photos by theStudioTour.com, April 2006
View towards Denver Street from Little Europe	Closer version of the view towards Denver Street	From the other side of Earthquake
Rear of the building at the end of Denver Street	Midway down Denver Street you can see the now stationary Runaway Train.

Denver Street in March 2003, photo by Doug Bull (Flickr site)

For a few years, there was a live western shootout in Denver Street for every passing tram.

NEW: Script for Studio Tour Shootout (1999)

The colorful history of the studio began on this street, with Carl Laemmle, the studio's founder, supervising the production of over 200 movies each year. Later, great westerns like Destry with Audie Murphy, and The Spoilers with John Wayne filmed here setting the tone for many western movies to follow.

(When you reach the middle of Denver Street continue with the following lines.)

This street was actually modelled after a turn of the century gold rush town. In fact, just around the corner we'll be able to see the set of an old abandoned gold mine...

(This should be timed so you're mentioning the gold mine set as the tram reaches the middle of Denver Street. NOTE: It is important to deliver the "abandoned gold mine" line, as it is the cue for the BAD GUY to begin the show.)

(BAD GUY fires his gun)

BAD GUY
I don't think you'll be going to that gold mine if you know what's good for you. Now what do we have here... this here is the biggest horseless carriage I ever did see! Alright everybody, get your wallets and jewelry out, this is a stick up!

(BAD GUY fires second shot in the air)

GOOD GUY
(appearing at the Saloon door)
Who's making all that racket? You're interrupting my poker game.

BAD GUY
Well partner, I'm robbing these nice folks and I don't appreciate this interruption.

GOOD GUY
Clanton, I thought I told you to stay outta my town.

(He begins moving into showdown position; hand near gun)

BAD GUY
Well I'm not quite done with this town yet. There's still gold to be had and I'm gonna be the one havin' it.

(Theme from "THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY" plays as they face off for the showdown. They draw and fire, the GOOD GUY hits the BAD GUY in the shoulder. The BAD GUY yells in pain and runs off, escaping into the Tack and Feed store)

GOOD GUY
Well folks, I don't think you'll have any more trouble here, you can just keep moving through our lovely town.

(He stretches with his pistol overhead)

(Guide responds)

Thanks Sheriff, we really appreciate your help.

(BAD GUY appears on the balcony of the Tack and Feed store)

Look out Sheriff!

BAD GUY
(overlapping)

Sheriff!

(He aims at the GOOD GUY. The GOOD GUY gets startled and the gun over his head goes off and hits the BAD GUY. The BAD GUY stumbles and falls into the hay bales in front of the store.)

GOOD GUY
Um well, as I was saying, I don't think you'll have any more trouble here. You're safe to move on your way. Enjoy your day here at Universal Studios Hollywood!

(Guide tags encounter)

How about a hand for the Sheriff and the Bad Guy. Nice job, guys!

On screen:

• Barn appeared as the home of Francis the Talking Mule
• Destry
• The Spoilers
• Voyagers! (1982)

This courtyard exists at the end of Denver Street nearest Jaws.
Photo © Universal Studios

Tower of London set can be seen to the left of Denver Street. This area is now occupied by Earthquake.
From "Inside Universal Studios", 1978

See also the Tower of London set page

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