Watch Local: Warner Bros. Stage 16

ABOUT THE SERIES:

The American Cinematheque is thrilled to pay tribute to the historic studio lots of Los Angeles, vital landmarks of Hollywood’s history, and to the individuals who built them, permanently etching their names to the city’s artistic legacy. We begin with one of the largest stages in the world, the iconic Stage 16 on the Warner Bros. lot in Burbank, California. Originally Stage 7, it was rebuilt in 1935, permitting the necessary space to film the iconic musical finale of CAIN AND MABEL, which required the ceiling to be raised by more than 30 feet. From Hollywood classics like WHO’S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF? and KEY LARGO to cult classics like ALTERED STATES and THE GOONIES, this Warner Bros. lot has set the stage for many generations’ favorite films. Even contemporary blockbusters like THE PERFECT STORM, which utilized the stage’s famous 2,000,000 gallon water tank, have found their cinematic homes within the walls that surround Stage 16. A cultural touchstone in remembering the city’s steadfast dedication to cinema, the history of Los Angeles and film history are forever intertwined.