Did ‘ya Guess It?

Holy Bat Sightings, Batman!  Our second Location, Location, Location? may have been diabolically recognizable! The answer to this week’s location challenge is Gotham City Police Headquarters from the 1960’s television series, “Batman”.

The person who correctly guessed the location first and won this week’s Blu-ray prize of Steve Martin’s 2003 comedy, Bringing Down the House, was Sally B. of Chicago, Illinois.  Congratulations, Sally!

Let’s take a look at the NOW and THEN picture and a bit of information about the location …

The Embassy Courthouse facade located at Warner Bros. Studios in Burbank, CA

This location that will forever be linked to justice for all good citizens is none other than the Embassy Courthouse set façade which is located on the famed Warner Bros. Studios backlot in Burbank, California.  It has been in countless productions throughout the years and remains virtually unchanged from its prominent starring role in the “Batman” television series which ran for three seasons from 1966-1968.

The first season of “Batman” used the backlot sets at Warner Bros. quite often for scenes of the Batmobile racing through Gotham or for scenes of criminal activities perpetrated by the Joker, Penguin, Riddler and Catwoman, among other villains.  The establishing shot of Batman and Robin pulling up to Gotham City’s Police Headquarters to speak with Commissioner Gordon was filmed in the first season and used repeatedly throughout the series as stock footage, making it the one production that features the WB Embassy Courthouse the most.

This location can be viewed in person if you’re in the Burbank area and are able to take advantage of the comprehensive Warner Bros. Studios VIP tour.  Warner Bros. takes great pride in preserving their historic backlot.  Sets ranging from the Embassy Courthouse to original facades dating all the way back to Casablanca can still be viewed today.

Keep tuning in to Beyond the Marquee for the next Location, Location Location? Challenge!

Here are a few more pictures of Then & Now showing the amazing preservation of this historic set on the WB backlot. These images are taken from the “Batman” television series, Episode 6 – Batman Gets Riled.

Embassy Courthouse doorway – unchanged except for a new coat of paint and the missing Gotham City sign.

Embassy Square located at Warner Bros. Studios

This window was used by Batman and Robin to climb the side of the building. Except for a missing metal bar today, it remains the same.

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There are three things that matter in filmmaking and television:

Location, Location, Location.

As part of a fun series here on Beyond the Marquee, I will be choosing random filming locations from some famous (and not so famous) film and television productions throughout the years. They will be posted here for our viewers to take a guess as to what movie or TV show the location was used.

The location as it looks NOW will be posted on Monday and on Wednesday, I will post the answer and THEN picture identifying the location as it was seen on the large or small screen. Some entries may be very easy to guess, others may be difficult and sometimes I may give a clue that will help point you in the right direction.

Feel free to state your guess in the comments section below! Occasionally, we might even offer a prize to the first person who guesses correctly!

Kevin Stern can be reached at: kstern129@gmail.com