“‘May I have your attention please,’ said the musical voice of the tour guide from the front of the tram. ‘My name is Judy Marquette, she said, ‘and we’re going to take you on a tour of Universal City.'”

Tourists on the studio tour tram. Order #00109487

On August 19, 1964, Valley Times staff writer Vic Pollard and staff photographer Steve Young covered the recent promotion of the Universal Studios tram tours, which offered visitors from all over the United States a look at the studio’s back lot. Pollard and Young rode along with 65 tourists in the coral and white, three-car tram to get a behind the scenes view of motion picture and television production.

Five guided tours were offered to typically 350 visitors per day. Photography was encouraged. Special sets from popular TV shows were on display, accompanied by signs listing the correct camera settings so guests could be sure to get a good picture. All for the admission price of $2.50 for adults and $1.25 for children!

Today in Valley History… Gags spark neighborhood fun

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This photo by George Brich ran July 29, 1960 with the caption:  Coming home to find Christmas lights strung all over the house isn’t unusual for certain Granada Hills neighborhood which thrives on practical jokes. Here, Mrs. Betty Williams, right background, enlists aid of neighbors Mrs. Larry Wallen and Dick Strahm to help her undo latest gag pulled on them in retaliation against gag they pulled in retaliation against gag – et cetera, et cetera, et cetera.

“Christmas in July” was also a popular theme for social and civic events, as seen in this photo from  July 16, 1959.

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 Mmes. H. J. Matchett, Ray Thelan, Warren Boughton and Harold Hennessy (from left)  prepare for the annual “Christimas in July” fundraising activity sponsored by the Encino Republican Women’s Club, which featured booths selling white elephant and Christmas trinkets. 

Summer is officially here! Let’s take a look at some images showing how Valleyites beat the heat by taking a dip in the pool.

According to the caption in this photo, in 1961 there were 24,835 pools in the San Fernando Valley, with approximately 4,000 being added each year.

Photograph caption dated September 30, 1961 reads, “Typical of the relaxed outdoor living in the San Fernando Valley is this scene around the backyard swimming pool. Children enjoy the fun under watchful eye of grownups. Thousands of these relaxation spots dot the Valley and more are being built each year.” Order# 00082908

The entertainment section of the Valley Times featured a story on October 30, 1963 covering a tour of the back lot of Universal Pictures where many classic movies like “Psycho”, “All Quiet on the Western Front” and “Sparticus” were filmed. The photos were shot by staff photographer Gordon Dean.

This is an aerial view of the 300 – acre lot bordered by the Los Angeles river, Barham Boulevard and the Hollywood Freeway. The panorama is a composite of four images:

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Here’s a closer look at some of the sets that served as backgrounds for some of Universal’s classic films and television shows.

The Valley Times often featured stories about the paper’s operations and staff. Here are some images from a photo essay that ran on July 19, 1960 showing how the Valley Times covered the Democratic National Convention in Los Angeles.

Photographer Larry Paulson, Order #00109127

“In the news room – This is a section in the newsroom of the main office of the Valley Times [which was located at 11109 Magnolia Boulevard, North Hollywood] where convention news was prepared for the day’s editions. Copy arrived in an unending stream from all the sources of this newspaper shown on this page, supplemented by Associated Press, United Press International and City News Service. Executive editor Jackson Berger, standing at left, checks stories with managing editor Almer Isackson, seated. City editor Ade Banks, right, processes stories from staff members, which are handed to John Hoggatt, news editor, second from right, for layout on convention pages.”

Meanwhile at the Los Angeles Sports Arena…

Photographer Gordon Dean, Order #00109129

“Lady Bird ‘sings’ – Valley Times reporter Dave Holland interviews Lady Bird Johnson, wife of Democratic vice presidential nominee, Sen. Lyndon B. Johnson, for personal story of the wife of one of the major contending candidates.”

“Valley Times staff writer Joyce Lambeau takes time out from her duties as convention Golden Girl hostess to buttonhole Sam Rayburn, speaker of the House, and quiz him on his candidate, Texas Sen. Lyndon B. Johnson.”

Photographer Gordon Dean, Order #0010934

“Valley Times reporter Jack Langguth, center, questions colorful Michigan Gov. G. Mennen ‘Soapy’ Williams on his ideas of Democratic convention progress. Photographer George Brich, left, records scene on film. Michigan governor led anti-Lyndon Johnson movement.”  

Photographer Jon Woods, Order #00109137

“Gordon Dean, right, chief Valley Times photographer, checks camera with photographer Jon Woods to make sure equipment is ready for fast-breaking story on convention floor.”

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“Political writer John McDonald pounds out analysis of convention news. Besides complete news coverage and colorful sidelights, Valley Times featured interpretations of important events.” 

Photographer Jon Woods, Order#00109132

“Marr McGaffin, of the Valley Times convention bureau, makes final check on his story before teletype operator Vonna Bairston transmits story out of bureau at convention headquarters, transmitting news immediately after it broke.” 

Photographer Jon Woods, Order#00109136

To view more from this series and the Valley Times, visit the Photo Collection at lapl.org