Rediscovering Hollywood’s Forgotten Film Sets through Urban Exploration

Hollywood has always been known for its iconic film sets that have captured the imagination of moviegoers and cinephiles alike. Many of these sets have become iconic landmarks, serving as a testament to the creativity and artistry of filmmakers.

However, not all sets are created equal, and some have been forgotten over time. This is where urban exploration comes in – it allows us to rediscover these once-famous film locations that have since fallen into disrepair or obscurity.

One such location is the former set of “Gone with the Wind,” which was filmed on an expansive plantation in California’s San Fernando Valley. The set was used to recreate Tara, the family home of Scarlett O’Hara, and was so massive that it included multiple buildings, including a church and a store.

After filming wrapped up in 1939, the set fell into disrepair and eventually burned down in a fire caused by arsonists in 1957. However, parts of the original foundation can still be seen today if you know where to look.

Another forgotten film set belongs to Charlie Chaplin’s classic comedy “City Lights.” The set was built entirely on studio lots back in 1931 but proved so realistic that people began mistaking it for an actual city street!

The facade featured several storefronts with real operating businesses inside them; however, after filming ended, they were abandoned and left to decay. Today only remnants remain as most parts were demolished due to safety concerns.

Next up is Warner Bros.’ legendary horror film “House of Wax,” starring Vincent Price. The titular house itself served as one of Hollywood’s most famous haunted houses until it was destroyed by fire in 1963.

Interestingly enough though much rumored at first no cast or crew member died during production nor while visiting this particular site thereafter.

Moving away from horror to adventure we find ourselves exploring Tarzan’s jungle home from MGM Studios’ series based on the famous character. Located in the Santa Monica Mountains, this set was initially built in 1918 and used for various Tarzan films over the years.

The jungle set consisted of real trees and vines, waterfalls, and even a massive treehouse that served as Tarzan’s home. In its prime, it was a popular tourist attraction; however, after falling into disrepair, it was demolished in 1960.

Another forgotten film location is Universal Studios’ “Psycho” house. This iconic structure was constructed entirely on studio lots back in 1959 and is still considered one of the most famous horror movie locations ever made.

Despite being made out of plywood and fake bricks to keep costs low during filming, visitors were often scared by its eerie presence long after production wrapped up. Today, only remnants remain on display at Universal Studios Hollywood – but they are enough to send chills down your spine if you’re brave enough to visit!

Speaking of horror sets let’s take a look at another legendary one- William Friedkin’s “The Exorcist”. The infamous Georgetown townhouse from which Regan MacNeil (Linda Blair) uttered some of cinema’s most terrifying lines is located in Washington D.C.

This particular site has gained infamy due to reports that strange occurrences happened around it or while visiting such as this piece featured on The Washington Post.

While many other film sets have been abandoned or destroyed over time we can still experience them through urban exploration. Of course before attempting any kind of exploration make sure to read up on safety guidelines & regulations beforehand.

One such forgotten location is James Cameron’s underwater epic “The Abyss.” The film’s primary set pieces were constructed inside a massive tank housed within an abandoned nuclear power plant near Gaffney, South Carolina.

The facility had previously been used by Duke Energy for cooling purposes before being decommissioned; thus giving Cameron all he needed for his ambitious project. It has since been converted into a logistics center, but some of the original structures remain visible from a distance.

Finally, we have the iconic set of “The Wizard of Oz,” which was filmed on MGM’s massive studio lot back in 1939. The Yellow Brick Road and Emerald City were both constructed out of papier-mâché and plywood.

While most parts of the set were destroyed over time as part of various productions at the site, some remnants can still be found today if you know where to look.

In conclusion, Hollywood is filled with iconic film locations that have left an indelible mark on popular culture. However, there are also many forgotten sets that deserve recognition for their contributions to cinema history.

Through urban exploration and research we can uncover these hidden gems and rediscover the magic they once brought to our favorite films.