Tom and Greg interview Donnie Norden and we let him talk about his new book “Hole in the Fence” All about his true adventure diary- growing up on the MGM and Desilu backlots. We also attempt to ask a few questions along the way. Buckle up for a great Hollywood back lot story.
Hole in the Fence
By: Donnie Norden
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!
Podcast music:
Intro and ending music Kamihamiha! – Alien Warfare Stems by Kamihamiha (c) copyright 2020 Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial (3.0) license. http://dig.ccmixter.org/files/Kamihamiha/60882
extra music
https://pixabay.com/
per Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial (3.0) license.
Podcast ©2022 King Dyro Productions
What an entertaining podcast. This is better than an audio version of your book! I plan to listen to it again the next time I’m stuck in traffic on the 405.
Mike.
We are so glad you enjoyed listening to our interview with Donnie Norden. We plan another interview in the next few months and will of course get many more stories of his youthful Hollywood adventures. Send in any questions you want us to ask and we will add it to the next interview.
-Greg
Greg , it was my pleasure. Next time , wear a helmet. My jacket is full of ammo. Combat raised me , like some orphan .
I took over their war torn village, we had BB gun fights after watching reruns involving lot 2 . We died exactly where soldiers were killed in the episode s we would recreate .
It was my pleasure, duck/here comes a grenade!
Donnie when you wrote I worked at Gilboy, did you really do that? I did that years ago. It was an amazing business. I wondered who still worked there. Norma
Norma,
I will pass your question on to Donnie
-Greg
Norma – From Donnie
You wouldn’t recognize that building.
Progressive remodel.
They filmed a movie there if you remember,
“Fade to Black “
1980 …
Thanks Mike, it’s an interesting dynamic to hear the author (me) get so excited. The kid in me escapes into my old stories.
Much appreciated, stay tuned to this radio station – 93 KHJ
For seventies podcasts !
Fun interview! Lots of enthusiasm exhibited here by Donnie Norden. Book is a really fun ride. Adventure, nostalgia and it feels like you’re right there too as history on the backlot unfolds itself. New listener to the podcast. Enjoy it:)
Thank you, Maureen! Can’t tell you how enthralled we were to listen to Donnie as he reeled off story after story about his Hollywood adventures. I myself wish I had had a safe room on the backlot of any of the great studios in their heyday… More to come from Donnie! We loved having him on.
– Tom