Paramount Ranch, filming location for Westworld's HBO and countless movies, Burns to the Ground



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Paramount Ranch in Southern California after being destroyed by fire on November 9, 2018
Photo: AP

Paramount Ranch has been the scene of many movies and television shows over the past 90 years, including HBO, westernworld sci-fi. But this story has unfortunately turned to ashes in the last 24 hours, submerged by the flames of the Woolsey Forest Fire, which is now devastating southern California.

The Paramount Ranch and its "western" fake city were the location of everything from television shows such as Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman to the classic 1932 horror film, The Island of Lost Souls, to some some of the best films ever made, like the 1941 film, Preston Sturges. filming Sullivan's travels. The site is now managed by the National Parks Service and is a popular destination for hiking. The NPS was the first to announce the news yesterday on Twitter that he had been destroyed.

The "before" pictures give you an idea of ​​what it looked like before the fire came to destroy everything:

Paramount Ranch before the fire
Photo: National Parks Service

One of the most interesting aspects of Paramount Ranch is that, if it was a public park, everyone could walk around and explore, provided a movie or TV show was not filmed That day. And many people have done so, considering its proximity to Los Angeles.

According to the photos taken yesterday by the Associated Press, it appears that the only two buildings still standing are the false church and the false station. As you can see in the photo below, stopping the train on the far right seems largely unhurt.

Paramount Ranch in Southern California after being destroyed by fire on November 9, 2018
Photo: AP

HBO yesterday released a statement on the location and its role in the development of Westworld.

"Paramount Ranch was one of the places used during seasons one and two of Westworld, in addition to the main venue located at Melody Ranch in Santa Clarita," said an HBO representative to the Hollywood Reporter in a statement.

"Westworld is not yet in production and, as the area has been evacuated, we do not yet know the extent of the damage to the remaining structures. More importantly, our thoughts are with all those affected by these horrific fires. "

Paramount Ranch Friday (left) and a screenshot of Westworld, shot in the same place during seasons 1 and 2
Photo: AP / HBO

An old photo from the Associated Press shows what the Paramount Ranch looked like in 1998, when it was used for filming television shows such as Dr. Quinn's Medicine Woman.

A group of campers walks through the deserted streets of downtown Western Town at Paramount Ranch in Agoura Hills, California on Wednesday, July 8, 1998.
Photo: AP

The history of Paramount Ranch dates back to 1927, when Paramount Pictures first purchased 2,700 hectares in what is now Agoura Hills, California, in order to have enough free space to shoot movies. If you've seen an old western town on television or in movies in the last century, chances are it's been shot at Paramount Ranch. But the country was not reserved for westerns. The rolling hills could play pretty much anywhere in the world, from the terrifying jungle to colonial New England.

The National Parks Service explains on its website:

From 1957 to 1980, the ranch changed owners several times, but the cinema continued. After purchasing a portion of the original Paramount property in 1980, the National Park Service revitalized the former film ranch. From 1992 to 1997, Paramount Ranch was used as a backdrop for the TV show Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman. Whether you're watching a shoot or exploring the region, experience the drama and grandeur of the Santa Monica Mountains.

Before 1957, countless films were shot on the site, especially if they needed outdoor settings with vast, rustic hills. Unfortunately, most of this story has been turned into a smoldering heap.

Paramount Ranch in Southern California after being destroyed by fire on November 9, 2018
Photo: AP

Below you will find a partial list of films that have used Paramount Ranch as their location over the years.

  • The last outlawed (1927)
  • The mysterious Dr. Fu Manchu (1929)
  • The four feathers (1929)
  • The Santa Fe Trail (1930)
  • Million Dollar Legs (1932)
  • Horse feathers (1932)
  • Love me tonight (1932)
  • Shanghai Express (1932)
  • It's a gift (1934)
  • The last outpost (1935)
  • Nothing sacred (1937)
  • Tropical holidays (1938)
  • Beautiful Gesture (1939)
  • Remember the night (1940)
  • Caught in the rough (1941)
  • Sullivan's Travels (1941)
  • Ball of Fire (1942)
  • We are so proud of our salvation (1943)
  • Miracle of Morgan's Creek (1944)
  • Hello Conquering Hero (1944)
  • The lonely trail (1955)
  • The love bug (1968)
  • Death Race 2000 (1975)
  • High Riders (1978)
  • Reds (1981)
  • Breath of the past (1999)
  • Van Helsing (2003)
  • The Lake House (2006)
  • American Sniper (2014)
  • Tomahawk bone (2015)

RIP Paramount Ranch. You have been an important part of our shared cultural history and we will miss you.

Woolsey's fire burns to Paramount Ranch on November 9, 2018 in Agoura Hills, California.
Photo: Getty Images
[Variety and Hollywood Reporter]

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