Phantom of the Backlots Presents: Hole in the Fence

All of the stories in this book were written and lived by me, Donnie Norden. I was lucky enough to grow up in the "Heart of Screenland", which is how Culver City identifies itself. My plan is to chronicle and share my stories from this magical time. My true adventure diary- growing up on the MGM and Desilu backlots. Come trespass with me if you dare, through these enchanting, iconic landscapes. Go where cameras don’t show you. It’s dangerous for sure. You’ll need to climb – very rapidly. You could get chased by Security or Guard dogs or arrested or hurt. Still want to come? Once inside you will never want to leave.My pals and I were soldiers in WWII villages, cowboys on the dusty streets of Tombstone, and pirates on the Bounty. On the rare occasions when it rained, we danced in Gene Kelly’s footsteps in Singin’ in the Rain. From that first time I poked my 10-year-old head through a hole in the tall fence surrounding the MGM backlot near my house in Culver City, I became intrigued, maybe obsessed. I began a coming-of-age journey through the studio backlots and through movies and TV shows past and present – the history, the romance, the fantasy, and how it all looked real, because it was real.I’ll take you from sidewalks used in Singing in the Rain to Atlanta, where Gone With the Wind was filmed. We will hang out in Andy Griffith’s house, the Walton’s house and Andy Hardy’s house. We’ll watch as filming takes place on films and TV shows of the 70's from our staked out hidden birds-eye view locations. I’ll even take you inside the tree stump used in Hogan’s Heroes. We’ll visit other studios as well like Warner’s and Disney.During this decade-long period of trespassing, my success at eluding the guards caused MGM Studios to hire additional guards, known as “Studio Police”, to catch me… “The Phantom,” as I came to be known!This is not only my story, it’s also the story of a major chapter in Hollywood history – the demise of the traditional, powerful studio system. As I explored them, the lots were literally being sold out from under the moviemakers – and me – as takeover specialists swept in like vultures, picked the studios clean for quick investments, and then spit out the bare bones. But it all started that one otherwise ordinary day when a tree fell and created a gap big enough for a boy to get through and pull in his bicycle behind him. This story is told entirely through the eyes of trespassers. All events happened, this is a Rolling Stone E-Ticket Ride, the decade of the 70’s. Once inside, I’ll help you out as best I can-no guarantees. So, put on a good pair of running shoes and let’s go through my Hole in the Fence-shall we? Read more