Doubtless, Raleigh Enterprises Heliport has a story to tell, intertwined with the grand narrative of Hollywood itself. Today, we’re not just looking at a helipad. We’re looking at a piece of history. The story of Raleigh Enterprises Heliport begins with the story of Raleigh Studios.
Raleigh Studios stands at the corner of Van Ness and Melrose. It is directly across from Paramount Pictures. Its history is deeply rooted in the creation of the entertainment industry. Raleigh Studios is the longest continuously operating studio in the United States.
Adolf Zukor founded Famous Players in 1912. He partnered with the Frohman Brothers. In 1915, they established Famous Players Fiction Studios at 5300 Melrose Avenue. This was on the former farm of W.B. Brown. Their first feature was A Girl From Yesterday. Mary Pickford starred in it. Allan Dwan directed. Zukor teamed up with Jesse Lasky to create Paramount soon after.
Later in 1915, William H. Clune acquired the Raleigh lot. Clune was a Los Angeles theater owner. He used profits from D.W. Griffith’s film Birth of a Nation. The first film shot there was Ramona. The Clune family owned the studio until 1979. Raleigh Enterprises then acquired it. Throughout those 64 years, the studio operated under different names. These included Paralta Studios, Douglas Fairbanks Studios, and United Studios. Tec Art Studios and California Studios were also names used.
Raleigh Studios has always been innovative. In the silent era, an owner built one of the first soundstages. It had a glass top for natural light. This eliminated ambient noise. Walt and Roy Disney started Walt Disney/RCA-Protophone on the lot in 1928.
Many influential figures called Raleigh Studios home. Douglas Fairbanks, Lillian and Dorothy Gish, and Walt Disney were among them. Bette Davis filmed Whatever Happened to Baby Jane? there. Jim Henson and the Henson Companies also worked at the studio. A Star Is Born 1937 and In the Heat of the Night were filmed at the studio.
When television rose to prominence, Raleigh Studios adapted. It became a popular venue for television producers. Early shows like Superman, Gunsmoke, and Perry Mason were filmed here. Death Valley Days and Have Gun Will Travel were also shot at Raleigh Studios. More recently, Ugly Betty and Castle have been filmed on the lot.
Without George Rosenthal, the studio might have become a big box store. Rosenthal founded Raleigh Enterprises in 1955. In 1979, Raleigh Enterprises acquired the Clune lot. It was then operating as Producer’s Studios. The executives saw a need for a high-quality independent production facility. In the 1980s, Raleigh invested $40 million. They renovated historic buildings. They constructed new support facilities and offices.
Raleigh expanded globally. In 1998, it helped build Raleigh Studios Manhattan Beach. In 2006, Raleigh Studios managed Playa Vista Studios. Raleigh Studios also worked on projects in Atlanta, Budapest, and China.
In 2004, Raleigh added Hollywood Rentals to its portfolio. Hollywood Rentals is a major lighting and grip equipment provider.
Today, Raleigh Studios focuses on its Hollywood lot. It enhances its eleven-acre complex. The goal is to remain the premiere independent production facility. Raleigh Studios is committed to assisting leaders in entertainment. This commitment has remained constant through many changes.
As we stand here near the Raleigh Enterprises Heliport, consider the countless stories created within these walls. The helipad itself symbolizes access to this world of creativity. It’s a reminder of the constant innovation. It ensures that Raleigh Studios remains a vital part of Hollywood’s past, present, and future.