The Industry In Our Backyard

Wendy Horowitz, Librarian, Photo Collection,
A close-up shot is lined up by the director and cameraman during a Maverick shoot on the Warner Bros. lot in Burbank, [1961]. Valley Times Collection
A close-up shot is lined up by the director and cameraman during a Maverick shoot on the Warner Bros. lot in Burbank, [1961]. Valley Times Collection

In January 1947, KTLA Channel 5, Los Angeles's first commercial television station, aired its first broadcast, and the Herald Express newspaper was there to report the milestone event. Since then, despite its phenomenal growth into one of the most successful and influential industries in the world, television continued to remain local news in Los Angeles, and local papers like the Herald and the Valley Times covered its productions & workforce on back lots, sound stages, location shoots and even sidewalks.

Camera operators, sound technicians, and even the animal trainers shared pages with the stars, accompanied by captions that detailed the process of producing a show, as well as promoting the new additions to the prime-time lineup. Reporters were granted access to rehearsals, press conferences, location shoots and newsrooms, and their readers were treated to an insider's view of their favorite programs on the set, and a glimpse into the advanced technology that became more sophisticated with each passing year.

Compiled from the archives of the Herald Examiner and the Valley Times collections, the following images provide a look at the mutually beneficial relationship between the industry that employed millions and entertained the world, and the city, with its temperate climate and proximity to mountains, beaches, suburbs and urban locations, that helped it thrive.

The Industry In Our Backyard: Television Production in Los Angeles 1940s - 1980s is currently on exhibit at Central Library's History Department through July 15. The companion catalog, with over 140 images not seen since they first ran in the newspapers, is available in The Library Store as well as on Amazon.

Hilton Tupman and Klaus Landsberg look at a TV camera

Klaus Landsberg, director TV station KTLA, watches telecast sponsor Hilton Tupman peering into the camera, shortly before the station's inaugural broadcast in 1947. Herald Examiner Collection

Red Rowe, host of Panorama Pacific, gets the "times running out" signal from KNXT stage manager Buddy Morriso

Red Rowe, host of Panorama Pacific, gets the "times running out" signal from KNXT stage manager Buddy Morrison, during an interview with singer Joanne Gilbert, [1952]. Herald Examiner Collection

March 23, 1953, in the Los Angeles Federal Building, with KECA-TV crew and Herald Express reporters in attendance

The House Un-American Activities Committee opened a new Communist infiltration hearing on March 23, 1953, in the Los Angeles Federal Building, with KECA-TV crew and Herald Express reporters in attendance. Herald Examiner Collection

The film editing department at ABC Television Center where reels of commercials are spliced into programs by the station editor

The film editing department at ABC Television Center where reels of commercials are spliced into programs by the station editor, [1952]. Herald Examiner Collection

Republic Studios guard Leo Lotito greets actor Howard Duff as he arrives for work on his TV show "Mr. Adams and Eve"

Republic Studios guard Leo Lotito greets actor Howard Duff as he arrives for work on his TV show "Mr. Adams and Eve"

Anchors Jerry Dunphy and Christine Lund on the set of the KABC Channel 7 Eyewitness News

Anchors Jerry Dunphy and Christine Lund on the set of the KABC Channel 7 Eyewitness News, [1985]. Herald Examiner Collection

Actress Tyne Daly waits with costars for the director to call places

Production crew sets up the next scene on the Cagney & Lacey set, made to look like an NYPD precinct. Actress Tyne Daly, as Mary Beth Lacey, waits with costars for the director to call places, [1984]. Herald Examiner Collection

Alan Alda, at the podium, addresses production crew, reporters and guests at the wrap party at 20th Century Fox studios

Following the last taping of the series M*A*S*H*, Alan Alda, at the podium, addresses production crew, reporters and guests at the wrap party at 20th Century Fox studios, [1983]. Herald Examiner Collection

 


 

 

 

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