Raleigh Studios (Los Angeles, California)

USA / California / West Hollywood / Los Angeles, California / Melrose Avenue, 5300
 film/video production studio/facility, television studio
Raleigh Studios
5300 Melrose Avenue
Hollywood, CA 90038-3147
www.raleighstudios.com/

As the country's longest continuously operating studio of its type, Raleigh Studios has played a central role in creating and supporting the modern entertainment industry. Over the years, the studio has thrived because of its commitment to providing the highest levels of studio service and the most advanced production technology.

In 1915, the studio commenced operations as Adolph Zukor's Famous Players Film Company Studios, with a Mary Pickford production, one of the first features to be filmed on this historic Hollywood lot. The lot was 40 acres in size and ran along Melrose between Bronson and Western.

Although the silent era was still in full swing, an early owner, William Clune, had the vision to build one of the world's first sound stages, complete with a glass top so light could enter without disrupting sound recording. This kind of innovation has marked Raleigh Studios throughout its history.

The studio passed through a number of hands and operated under several different names during its colorful history. Some of the industry's most influential leaders have called the lot home, including Douglas Fairbanks (ca 1925), Lillian and Dorothy Gish, Walt Disney, Bette Davis (the cult classic Whatever Happened to Baby Jane? was filmed here), and Jim Henson and the Henson companies.

As television swept the industry in the 1950s and 1960s, many of the original film studios faded. On the Raleigh Studios lot, however, television was not viewed as a threat, but rather as an opportunity. The studio adapted to the new technology of television shoots and became a popular venue for top television producers. Some of television's most famous early shows and pilots were filmed at the studio, including Superman, Gunsmoke, and Perry Mason. Among the names this lot used during this period were Producers Studios and California Studios.

An early name for this studio was Paralta (dates unknown) prior to moving across the street to what is now Paramount.

Today Raleigh is part of the Hackman Group of studio properties (they own the studio though the real estate it sits on is still owned by Raleigh Enterprises). Sister studios include the Cuvier Studios, Radford Studio Center, Television City, MBS Media Center, and Sliver Cup (NYC), among others.

Currently, Netflix is a major tenant on the lot, occupying several stages and buildings.
Nearby cities:
Coordinates:   34°4'58"N   118°18'58"W

Comments

  • Excellent history of one of Hollywood's most stories rental lots!
  • is this where they film AFV
  • AFV is currently filmed at Prospect Studios at 4151 Prospect St. That is northeast of this location 2 or 3 miles. Prior to that it was shot at CBS Studio Center in Studio City. Raleigh Studios has no audience rated stages, to my knowledge.
This article was last modified 3 years ago