Phantom Stage 28

[ChrisStockslager]

I thought I'd say hello! I'm Chris. I'm a 21-year-old music student studying opera at Westminster College in SLC, UT, and besides music, classic film is my greatest passion. I love films pre-1940 and have a particular soft spot for musicals and a huge soft spot for horror from that era back. My favorite actor is Lon Chaney Sr., and I believe that's a bout it. Haha.

So, question:

Any news regarding Universal's Stage 28 from POTO? I remember hearing that there was some small effort made at restoring it a while ago, but heard nothing. I have a few questions, that if anyone can answer, I'd be most happy:

1. It's not still in use, correct?
2. If it is, anything recent it's been used for (I think I remember hearing about the first Muppet Movie theatre scenes being filmed there)?
3. What's its condition -- does it need to be restored?
4. Why isn't it on the Universal Studios tour anymore?
5. How easy would it be to actually get to go inside and see it (not breaking in, but properly doing so)?

P.S. -- Also, how do I upload a profile picture on here?

[Donald Binks]

I was on an "Universal" tour about two years back now - and like you - always wanted to see the remains of the "Opera" set which are still there. I was told then that the studio was still in use and that it was even in use at the time of my tour - so unfortunately I couldn't go in.

[ChrisStockslager]

Funny -- I heard it was "too unstable" to film on anymore. I'm glad they're still using it! Talk about craftsmanship -- how would any structure made of plaster made now last 90 years? It wouldn't!

[dede]

I visited the stage back in the 90s and it was being used mainly for blue screen work. The boxes were around the sides of the stage which is why I guess they have been saved, they don't get in the way of anything else. I assume the stage is still used for blue screen work.

[David Alp]

I am going on holiday to Florida in July. And we are going to Universal Studio's. Dumb question, but is that the same Universal Studio's as where Stage 28 is? Or are there 2 Universal Studios? One in Florida, and the other in Los Angeles? I am from the UK you see???

[ChrisStockslager]

I am going on holiday to Florida in July. And we are going to Universal Studio's. Dumb question, but is that the same Universal Studio's as where Stage 28 is? Or are there 2 Universal Studios? One in Florida, and the other in Los Angeles? I am from the UK you see???

The one I'm talking about is in Universal City, California. I believe the Universal Studios in Florida is just a park with no movie-making.

[fwtep]

Here it is in 1993 when it was one of the stages for Amblin's seaQuest DSV. This is the bridge of the seaQuest from the outside. It's sitting where the theater stage would have been. My "office" was in the theater box near the bottom right of the picture. Some day I'll find and scan some of the other shots I took.

[Donald Binks]

That's terrific fwtep!

It's always amazed me why that set is still there! Of course most people who would be taken inside on a tour would have no idea what it represented.

[fwtep]

Thanks. I spent several days a week in there for a year and a half and I'm being absolutely serious when I say that every single one of those days, without fail, I said to myself "This is incredible. I can not believe I'm standing here" or words to that effect. Every day. And two of our other stages (16 and 17, if I recall but I could be wrong) were the old Abbot & Costello stages (well, them and a zillion other stars).

[Donald Binks]

I'd be looking up at one of those boxes and seeing Norman Kerry there with John Sainpolis - or maybe I'd look up and point to the ceiling and exclaim "Behold! She sings to bring down the chandelier!" - That would cause the fellow tour members to have me carted off to a lunatic asylum.

[westegg]

As a kid in 1967 I went on the Universal tour but don't recall seeing that stage. I did see an authentic Creature of the Black Lagoon mask hanging on a wall, though. The tram had to shut down at one point because a Phyllis Diller comedy was being filmed nearby. I'm sure it played at the best drive-ins.

I had slightly more memorable experiences at MGM!

[ChrisStockslager]

As a kid in 1967 I went on the Universal tour but don't recall seeing that stage. I did see an authentic Creature of the Black Lagoon mask hanging on a wall, though. The tram had to shut down at one point because a Phyllis Diller comedy was being filmed nearby. I'm sure it played at the best drive-ins.

I had slightly more memorable experiences at MGM!

Aaaaaand what were those memorable experiences at MGM? Dish, dish!

[westegg]

Well, I swiped some plastic snow from the set of ICE STATION ZEBRA. It was where a submarine had emerged from the ice. Also, our group stumbled across the filming of WILD IN THE STREETS, where Shelley Winters was loitering. She confided to us that she was unhappy with her celery diet.

Speaking of food, at the MGM commissary I had the best roast beef and apple pie in my life. As a bonus I saw the back of Milton Berle walking away from us when exiting the commissary. I also saw an action scene being filmed of the TV show RAT PATROL--I was nonplussed to see gunfire that made no sound. The magic of post dubbing was revealed.

I should also mention a visit to Disney studios. I witnessed a dubbing session for THE HAPPIEST MILLIONAIRE, and a scene for a Disney show being filmed--a Disneyland segment in which a Disney guide and Captain Hook stood before a blue screen. I saw the episode the following year.

Actually, there was one interesting followup with Universal. I read their guidebook and even at age eleven I spotted lots of errors! In my scrawly handwriting I wrote Universal a letter from my motel room. Not long after Universal actually answered, saying I was spot on with my corrections! I still have the letter, though I lost track of that plastic snow in recent times.

[Tracy]

I work at Universal and can confirm that the stage is still being used. There is seldom need for the opera set but it's there if the occasion arises. The opera set takes up less than a quarter of the size of the sound stage and production uses the rest of the open stage area for filming. I watched Fred Astaire film a scene of his last film "Ghost Story" on the stage. I often walk friends who come to visit at the studio, over to the stage. If it's unlocked I always take them in to stand among Hollywood history.

Tracy

[westegg]

Lucky visitors!

[ChrisStockslager]

I work at Universal and can confirm that the stage is still being used. There is seldom need for the opera set but it's there if the occasion arises. The opera set takes up less than a quarter of the size of the sound stage and production uses the rest of the open stage area for filming. I watched Fred Astaire film a scene of his last film "Ghost Story" on the stage. I often walk friends who come to visit at the studio, over to the stage. If it's unlocked I always take them in to stand among Hollywood history.

Tracy

So if I'm ever in Universal, can you take me there too so I can tear up and drool over that Hollywood history, please?

..Like, seriously?

On another note, what do you do at Universal? Sounds like a very cool job, whatever it is! Did you get to meet Astaire? He was known for being VERY shy but a lovely man.

[earlytalkiebuffRob]

Mention of a Phyllis Diller movie reminded me of seeing a film (or part of one) in the late 1960s (I would have been about 11) of which all I could remember was a lot of comic business in front of a plain backdrop. Through the magic of YouTube I looked up DID YOU HEAR THE ONE ABOUT THE TRAVELLING SALESLADY? (1968), and mystery solved!

Was that the one being filmed, do you remember?

[westegg]

I'm virtually certain that was the one being filmed. The tram had to turn off its motor during the filming.

I can't recall one distinguished movie being produced at Universal while there, though THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE was in relase and the title song was heard on the radio.

[earlytalkiebuffRob]

Yes, I was of an age when cinema-going was a habit and one had no idea how the pictures got up there on the screen. Reading a (terrible) write-up a few years later made me think it was that movie, but alas, it never came my way again. Perhaps if I saw it all the way through again it would explain why I had no inkling of the idea of a film crew or director! Possibly after a day or so Mr Weis was in the sanatorium suffering from nervous exhaustion...

[Gregbert]

I work at Universal and can confirm that the stage is still being used. There is seldom need for the opera set but it's there if the occasion arises. The opera set takes up less than a quarter of the size of the sound stage and production uses the rest of the open stage area for filming. I watched Fred Astaire film a scene of his last film "Ghost Story" on the stage. I often walk friends who come to visit at the studio, over to the stage. If it's unlocked I always take them in to stand among Hollywood history.

Tracy

Tracy, just a quick question or open to anyone who knows. Is the Phantom set that still stands in Stage 28 protected? What I mean by that is no director or production have the right to remove the set or break it up due to needing the space or anything?

I sort of recall hearing that the house used for Father Knows Best (?) was bulldozed or heavily damage to make it look like tornado damage for an episode of Desperate Housewives and I just wanted to know if the Phantom set is completely safe. Of course, I know there is no such thing as completely safe.

Take care,
Greg

[sepiatone]

Funny -- I heard it was "too unstable" to film on anymore. I'm glad they're still using it! Talk about craftsmanship -- how would any structure made of plaster made now last 90 years? It wouldn't!

more amazing how did it last especially through earthquakes, tremors etc.?

[Tracy]

"Tracy, just a quick question or open to anyone who knows. Is the Phantom set that still stands in Stage 28 protected? What I mean by that is no director or production have the right to remove the set or break it up due to needing the space or anything?" (from Greg)

While I am in no position to make any promises, I am almost certain that its a respected historic set. While they may use it from time to time, I doubt any production would be allowed to destroy it for a "needed" scene. I have worked her for 36 years and its been used but kept intact the entire time. The stage is very large and the opera set only takes up just one nook area of the stage. Its more common that other filming is going on in the stage, ignoring the opera set. Its a rarity the set is used, but it does happen. I will try to go down tomorrow and take current photos to show everyone how it looks as of today.

Tracy

[fwtep]

more amazing how did it last especially through earthquakes, tremors etc.?

The Northridge quake (January 1994) happened while I was there. Well, it was 4:30 Sunday morning, so I wasn't actually on the set at the time. It stood just fine, and I don't recall seeing any damage at all, even to our sets even though the general area around the studio had lots of damage. But Roy Scheider refused to go back to work until they removed all the asbestos so the crew had a little extra time off.

They really knew how to build things back when that stage was built!

[Gregbert]

While I am in no position to make any promises, I am almost certain that its a respected historic set. While they may use it from time to time, I doubt any production would be allowed to destroy it for a "needed" scene. I have worked her for 36 years and its been used but kept intact the entire time. The stage is very large and the opera set only takes up just one nook area of the stage. Its more common that other filming is going on in the stage, ignoring the opera set. Its a rarity the set is used, but it does happen. I will try to go down tomorrow and take current photos to show everyone how it looks as of today.

Tracy

Very cool! Thanks for the response!

[Tracy]

Here is a link that will take you to 5 photos that I took today (June 12, 2014) on the Phantom set. I also did a close up to show that the set is in remarkably great shape. You can see workers are also using the other part of the soundstage, as is the norm. Hope you enjoy seeing recent photos of a historic Hollywood set!

Tracy

http://valentinoforever.blogspot.com/20 ... 4-set.html" target="_blank" target="_blank

[NotSoSilent]

Wow, thank you for sharing!

[Donald Binks]

Thanks for posting Tracy! I had never realised it was so large and so intact! It does make one wonder why it has been retained all these years...?

[Rick Lanham]

Great pictures, thanks!

Rick

[rudyfan]

I often walk friends who come to visit at the studio, over to the stage. If it's unlocked I always take them in to stand among Hollywood history.

Tracy

Well, harrumph! You've never taken ME!

[westegg]

I'd faint with awe walking into that place.