This was the home of The Great Houdinis, the 1976 television biopic starring Paul Michael Glaser and Sally Struthers. In two scenes, this was shown as the exterior of Houdini's famous brownstone at 278 W 113th Street in Harlem. The first is at the start of the film when Bess experiences her spooky Halloween night. The second was at the end of the film when Arthur Ford (Bill Bixby) comes to visit Bess with his message from Mama. Today it has a somewhat different facade than in 1976. The interiors of 278 were all shot on the nearby Stage 4.
New York Street used to connect to the larger Hello Dolly set where the scene in which Harry and Bess ride in a horse drawn carriage and spot Queen Victoria's dress in a shop window was filmed. The Hello Dolly set stood for many years and was even visible from the street (Pico). Today it is long gone.
For a full rundown of all The Great Houdinis filming locations at the Fox studio and around Los Angeles, check out my post from 2011: MAKING 'THE GREAT HOUDINIS'.
UPDATE: I only just now realized that The Great Houdinis shot on the New York street exactly 40 years ago to the very week that I visited and took the above photo. Believe.
Related:
When I saw TGH when it first aired, I hadn't seen a photo of 278. When I eventually did, I recalled how closely the film had matched it. Granted, rows of N.Y. brownstones resemble each other fairly closely.
ReplyDeleteBoth Houdini '53 and TGHS do a nice job of showing that Houdini lived in a Brownstone. Don't recall if they ever show the exterior of 278 in the '98 movie. The Houdini miniseries not only doesn't have him in a brownstone, but has him in Brooklyn for some reason! Don't get me started...
DeleteWhen I used to work at FOX in the 80's I loved always driving down Dolly Street.
ReplyDeleteIt's a great lot, and it hasn't changed all that much. I love the old stages with the Fox Movietone logos on them. From 1927, I believe? I was telling Michael Weston about these as we were leaving. I bet it was fun to work there in the '80s. Overrun with cats then, wasn't it?
DeleteWarner Brothers has and the most cared and protected cats.
ReplyDeleteI only now just realized that The Great Houdinis shot on the New York street exactly 40 years ago to the very week that I visited and took the above photo.
ReplyDelete