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You’ll know these houses and high schools. The settings Hollywood has just lost

By Garry Maddox

As well as destroying thousands of homes and taking at least seven lives, the Los Angeles fires have wiped out some notable Hollywood landmarks, including the filming locations for well-known movies and TV shows.

While there had been earlier fears the Hollywood Hills fire would affect such famed spots as Hollywood Bowl, the TCL Chinese Theatre and the Dolby Theatre, they have not been damaged.

Top left: Living room inside Will Rogers’ ranch house. Top right: Living room after the fire. Left middle: Exterior of ranch home. Bottom row: Exterior of the stables before and after the fire.

Top left: Living room inside Will Rogers’ ranch house. Top right: Living room after the fire. Left middle: Exterior of ranch home. Bottom row: Exterior of the stables before and after the fire.Credit: California State Parks

But among the buildings either damaged or destroyed is Palisades Charter High School, which normally has 3000 students. It has been a filming location for the 1970s horror movie Carrie, the Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis movie Freaky Friday, the Kirsten Dunst film Crazy/Beautiful, Havoc, starring Anne Hathaway, TV series Teen Wolf and American Vandal, and the music video for Olivia Rodrigo’s good 4 u.

The Palisades fire also destroyed Hollywood star, newspaper columnist and radio personality Will Rogers’ Western Ranch House. Set on 75 hectares overlooking the Pacific Ocean, it had 31 rooms, corrals, a stable, riding ring, roping arena, polo field, golf course and hiking trails.

Palisades Charter High School after the fire. It was a filming location for the 1970s horror movie Carrie, the Lindsay Lohan-Jamie Lee Curtis film Freaky Friday, and the music video for Olivia Rodrigo’s good 4 u.

Palisades Charter High School after the fire. It was a filming location for the 1970s horror movie Carrie, the Lindsay Lohan-Jamie Lee Curtis film Freaky Friday, and the music video for Olivia Rodrigo’s good 4 u.Credit: Los Angeles Times via Getty Images

Rogers, whose more than 70 films spanned both the silent and “talkies” eras, would ride horses and practise roping at the ranch. He died in 1935. After his widow, Betty Rogers, gave the property to the state, it became a state park that featured in the Barbra Streisand film Funny Lady.

The Palisades fire also destroyed the Topanga Ranch Motel, an uninhabited 30-room motel built by publisher William Randolph Hearst that had been due for restoration. It has featured in the TV series Mannix and Remington Steele as well as the Judd Nelson-Ally Sheedy movie Blue City and Bridget Fonda movie Leather Jackets.

Palisades Charter High School and (top) how it looked in Freaky Friday.

Palisades Charter High School and (top) how it looked in Freaky Friday.

“California State Parks mourns the loss of these treasured natural and cultural resources, and our hearts go out to everyone impacted by the devastating fires in the Los Angeles area,” California State Parks director Armando Quintero said.

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The Seafood Shack across the street from Topanga Beach State Park, which has featured in such shows as Man v Food, The Chew and 24, also burnt to the ground. In an Instagram post, owners Teddy and Andy Leonard wrote that they hoped the state parks would let them rebuild after the fires.

The fire aftermath of the historic Topanga Ranch Motel (top and bottom right);  the Topanga Ranch Motel before the Palisades fire (bottom left).

The fire aftermath of the historic Topanga Ranch Motel (top and bottom right); the Topanga Ranch Motel before the Palisades fire (bottom left). Credit: California State Parks

The Altadena mansion that has featured in hit comedy Hacks burnt down in the Altadena fire.

The pink Spanish colonial revival home, introduced as Deborah Vance’s (Jean Smart) “side mansion”, has been a filming location since the 1921 Max Linder film Seven Years Bad Luck. Other TV series to shoot there include Knots Landing, Ratched and Palm Royale.

The Altadena mansion used in the hit TV show Hacks.

The Altadena mansion used in the hit TV show Hacks.Credit: Screen grab

Deadline reported there were also serious concerns for the nearby Crank house where Matilda, Scream 2 and Catch Me If You Can were filmed, the house Step Brothers was shot at, and mansions that have been used for Risky Business and This Is Us, among others.

with AP

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Original URL: https://www.smh.com.au/link/follow-20170101-p5l3c8