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But of the three CBS studios in the region, this one offers the least to the casual sightseer. There are no public tours, no live tapings, and this broadcasting complex is not open to the public. It is, however, notable from an historic standpoint. Columbia Square was built back in 1938 as a CBS radio studio, on the former site of the venerable Nestor Film Company, the very first movie studio ever built in Hollywood - which dated back to 1910. Nestor was swallowed up a year later by Universal. (However, Nestor didn't shoot the first movie ever filmed in Hollywood, - that honor goes to Biograph Studios and its 1910 film titled "In Old California".) TV didn't exist in 1938, and radio was incredibly important in people's lives at the time. Columbia Square's Streamline Moderne building was considered the largest and most cutting-edge favcility in the country. It contained eight different studios, and housed very L.A.'s first radio station, KNX. Some of the most
popular national programs on radio back in the 40's and 50's Long lines of eager fans wrapped around the studio back in its heyday, waiting to get in to watch live broadcasts, and to see CBS stars like Eddie Cantor, Al Jolson, Steve Allen, Stu Erwin, Jack Oakie, Jeanette MacDonald, Orson Welles, Red Skelton, Gene Autry, Jackie Gleason, Rosemary Clooney, Ed Wynn and others. James Dean was an usher here. Later, the very first pilot episode for the classic "I Love Lucy" was filmed here. But unfortunately,
there is little for the public to do or see today at this facility. If
you're interested in seeing some part of the CBS network, you would be
better off trying out for "The Price is Right" over at
CBS Television City (near
Farmers Market), or getting tickets to a live taping at CBS
Studio Center in the Valley.
[ You can see photos from the history of Columbia Square at:
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