Kaufman Astoria Studios facts for kids
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Paramount Studios Complex
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Kaufman Astoria Studios
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| Location | 35th Ave., 35th, 36th, and 37th Sts., Astoria, Queens, New York City |
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| Area | 5 acres (2 ha) |
| Built | 1921 |
| Architect | Multiple |
| NRHP reference No. | 78001897 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | November 14, 1978 |
The Kaufman Astoria Studios is a famous film studio located in the Astoria neighborhood of Queens in New York City. It was built in 1920 for a company called Famous Players–Lasky. They chose this spot because it was close to Manhattan's Theater District, where many actors and writers worked. In 1982, a real estate developer named George S. Kaufman took over the property. He renamed it Kaufman Astoria Studios.
This studio is special because it has New York City's only backlot. A backlot is an outdoor area used for filming, like a giant outdoor set. This one opened in December 2013. The studio property is also a national historic district. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978, meaning it's an important historical place.
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History of the Studios
Early Years: 20th Century
The studio was first built in 1920 for Famous Players–Lasky. They wanted a place to make movies near the Broadway theater district. Many movies and short films were made here between 1920 and 1933. Famous comedians like W. C. Fields filmed their silent movies here.
The first Sherlock Holmes sound film, The Return of Sherlock Holmes (1929), was also made at this studio. The first two films starring the funny Marx Brothers, The Cocoanuts (1929) and Animal Crackers (1930), were also shot here.
In its early years, the studio was known as the Paramount Studio. Paramount Pictures used it a lot for short films. These often featured stage and radio stars from New York. Performers like Burns and Allen, Eddie Cantor, and Ethel Merman worked here.
In 1932, Paramount Pictures moved all its studio work to California. After that, independent filmmakers used the Astoria location. Famous tango singer Carlos Gardel filmed all his American movies at Astoria Studios. Actress Gloria Swanson also mentioned making many of her pictures here since 1923. In 1938, ...One Third of a Nation... was the last major movie filmed there for a while.
From 1942 to 1971, the United States Army Signal Corps took over the studio. They used it to make training films for the Army. One famous series they made was The Big Picture, which was shown on TV.
In 1975, the studio opened again for filming with the movie Thieves. In 1978, the property became a national historic district. This means it's protected because of its important history. In 1982, George S. Kaufman bought the studio and gave it its current name.
Modern Times: 21st Century
Kaufman Astoria Studios has seven sound stages. These are special rooms built for filming with great sound control. One of them is the new Stage K.
In 2008, something fun happened at the studio. Martin P. Robinson, who plays characters like Mr. Snuffleupagus on Sesame Street, got married there! He married Annie Evans, a writer for the show. The wedding took place on the set of 123 Sesame Street.
On December 3, 2013, a large outdoor filming area called a backlot was officially opened. It covers about 34,800 square feet. This is the only studio backlot in New York City. In 2014, the studio announced plans to build another new sound stage.
In 2020, Kaufman Astoria Studios shared plans for a big project around the studio. It's called Innovation QNS. This project aims to build new homes, shops, restaurants, and creative spaces. The plan was approved in 2022, but construction has faced some delays.
Famous Productions Filmed Here
Movies and TV Shows
Many well-known movies have been filmed at Kaufman Astoria Studios. These include the musicals Hair and The Wiz. Other movies like Goodfellas, The Money Pit, and Carlito's Way were also made here. In 1984, The Jacksons filmed their music video "Torture" at the studio. Parts of the TV mini-series Angels in America (2002) were also shot here. Later films like The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3 (2009) and Arthur (2011) also used the studios.
The studio is also famous for many TV shows. Sesame Street has been filmed here for a long time. Other shows include Succession, Orange Is The New Black, Bear in the Big Blue House, and Between the Lions. Game shows like Where in the World Is Carmen Sandiego and Where in Time is Carmen Sandiego? were also filmed here.
Other projects include Judge Judy, Power of 10, Law & Order, and Spin City. Even Mariah Carey's MTV Unplugged was recorded at the studios. A local sports radio station, WFAN, was also based here for a while.
Performers' Hall of Fame
If you walk through the studio, you'll see the walls covered with signed pictures. These are from all the famous performers who have worked there. Some of these stars include Milton Berle, Frank Sinatra, The Marx Brothers, Ginger Rogers, George Burns, Lena Horne, Ethel Merman, Paul Robeson, Lillian Gish, Gloria Swanson, and Diana Ross. It's like a mini-museum of entertainment history!
