On Location: California's T.V. Land - Part I
By Arthur Handy

From Happy Days, Charlie's Angels, and Gilligan's Island, to Emergency, Dragnet and Three’s Company, California has played home to some of America’s favorite T.V families. For years we have welcomed them into our homes, and into our lives. Let’s return the hospitality by taking a tour to their house. So hold on, don’t change that dial, we’re going On Location to T.V. Land.

Remember the Cunningham’s home from the 1970's TV sitcom series “HAPPY DAYS" where Richie, Joanie, Mr. C, Marion, and the Fonz lived? Well, the Cunningham’s are all grown up now but you can visit the old happy house at 565 N. Cahuenga Avenue, in Hollywood, CA.
It’s "THE BRADY BUNCH" house of course. The Brady's fictitious address on the show was 4222 Clinton Way, and their phone number for the Brady house was 555-6161, but you probably didn't know that you could visit the Brady’s at 11222 Dilling Street (on the south side of the street), in Studio City. Now hold on. Alice won’t be there cooking her famous meat loaf and the old house may not look exactly the same - the trees have grown and there’s a white fence to keep you tourists from peeking in the windows. Also, FYI, for the show, the "Brady" producers temporarily installed a fake window on the roof to make the split-level home appear to be full two stories. By the way, which Brady did you have a crush on?
Hey Skipper, maybe we should only go on a two-hour tour today? Too late little buddy! The "S.S. Minnow" sailed off from Hawaii to "GILLIGAN'S ISLAND" on that infamous "three-hour tour". Actually, the harbor scene in the opening credits was shot in east Long Beach, CA., at the Alamitos Bay marina. The art department added a few palm trees to make it look more like Hawaii. The island in the opening shot is Coconut Island in Kaneohe Bay, Oahu, HI. The pilot was shot on Hawaii's Garden Isle, Kauai, but the actual series was filmed at CBS Studios on the back lot, where they built a lagoon right next to the Hollywood 101 Freeway. The "S.S. Minnow" was actually named after Newton Minow, the chairman on the FCC in 1961.
Look up in the Sky! It’s a Bird! It’s a plane! No it’s the Los Angeles City Hall located at 200 N. Spring Street in downtown Los Angeles. Does it look familiar? In the "SUPERMAN" TV series (starring George Reeves), it was the "Daily Planet" building (the newsroom was supposed to be on the 18th floor). You may also remember that same city hall's image embossed on Joe Friday's police badge (#714) in "DRAGNET" starring Jack Webb.
Squad 51 starts an I.V. with D.5. W. T.K.O. and transport as soon as possible!   "EMERGENCY!" was a Jack Web produced 70’s show about the men of Los Angeles County Fire Dept. "Station 51" and its paramedics, 'John Gage' & 'Roy Desoto', who responded to emergencies, guided by the staff of "Rampart hospital." Station 51….KMG365! The real fire station used in the series is Station 127, located at 2049 E. 223rd Street (just east of Wilmington Avenue), in the city of Carson, California. "Rampart General Hospital” was actually Harbor General Hospital, now known as the Harbor UCLA Medical Center, which is located on the outskirts of Carson (about four miles west of Station 127), at 1000 West Carson Street, in Torrance, CA. Dr. Brackett and Early and head nurse Dix Mcall have all since retired.
Come and knock on our door….. The ABC Show "THREE'S COMPANY,” trio were frolicking on a boardwalk and riding bumper-cars at the Santa Monica Pier. Where is the famous Roper Apartment house, Apartment 201 and the Regal Beagle? Well it’s supposed to be in the Santa Monica - Venice beach area. You can go looking for it, and good luck in your journey finding it.
Once upon a time, there were three little girls…. From 1976 to 1981, the nation was enthralled by the adventures of Farrah, Kate & Jaclyn in TV's "CHARLIE'S ANGELS." The real Angels trio of beautiful detectives worked for "Townsend Investigations". “Good Morning, Angels”, “Good Morning, Charlie”. The headquarters for the Townsend agency is at the southwest corner of Robertson Blvd and Clifton Way, in Beverly Hills, just north of Wilshire Blvd. The exact address is 189 Robertson Blvd. We may never have seen 'Charlie', but we saw this building a lot. The modest, brick building has changed a little over the years - the owner expanded the windows in front. And like the building, the Angels changed to include Tanya Roberts, Shelly Hack and Cheryl Ladd. By the way, Shelly and Cheryl just celebrated their birthdays in July 6th and July 12. Happy birthday you two.
Stay tuned in next month for On Location: T.V. LAND Part II