header image

[Sign Up Now] to Receive Our FREE Daily SCVTV-SCVNews Digest by E-Mail

Inside
Weather


 
Calendar
Today in
S.C.V. History
September 20
1954 - C-46 cargo plane crashes at Saugus Drunk Farm; Civil Air Patrol chaplains parachute to safety [story]
chaplains


Now and Then in the SCV | Commentary by Darryl Manzer
| Friday, Oct 23, 2015

darrylmanzer0215During the time I was executive director at Heritage Junction Historic Park, we hosted a number of commercial and student film projects. For the most part, the production companies left the locations they used in better condition than when they started filming. Except for some fake “dirt” used in front of the old Saugus Train Station. It might never come off completely.

We had to watch the folks doing the filming to make sure they made good on any damage done to the interior and exterior of buildings and grounds. Hey, the SCV Historical Society got a nice garden out of the process.

The production companies were super folks, but I cannot help but think that had they been less supervised, the results would have been much different. This appears to be what is happening in Mentryville.

The film production companies using Mentryville are no different. They pay large sums of money to film in the old town. Most of that money is spent elsewhere. I sure don’t see it restoring the old village.

It isn’t the fault of the folks making the films that they are not supervised to the degree we did so at Heritage Junction.

photo-2-copy-3Which explains the “plastering” work in the southeast corner bedroom upstairs in the Pico Cottage (my old room). Heaps of plaster applied with a small garden spade and painted a hideous array of blue and green and black, plus a helping of pure ugliness.

How about the one wall where the plaster is missing and the lath is shoved in and broken? I know it wasn’t like that two years ago. What happened to the contracts that state only certain walls can be used in such a manner? Original plaster and wall portions are to be left intact. Other places now have sheetrock with holes and nails in them. I suppose the holes in the lath-and-plaster wall just sort of “happened.”

I’ll bet all of us would like to know where the money from filming in Pico Canyon went. I am a little tired of hearing how “poor” the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority is when they have offices in the former Malibu-area home of Barbra Streisand and another office in Beverly Hills. How about they sell those places and use the money for offices more in keeping with their mission? How many millions of dollars could be brought in from such a sale? There are plenty of modular buildings in use by schools districts, so why can’t the MRCA use the same? If they are good enough for our kids, they have to be good enough for an agency of the state of California.

1It is a fact that the MRCA couldn’t care less about the historical buildings it has in its inventory on the park properties it controls. That is most obvious in Mentryville. I used to write that the MRCA was good with parks and trails but didn’t take care of historical buildings. When I see the use of herbicides as weed abatement and trails carved into the soft clay side of the hill next to the Felton School, I question their very stewardship of the land.

You can go to Mentryville today and see the results of the weed control. There is a pepper tree behind the Pico Cottage that is now half dead, and should heavy rains come as predicted, the hill behind the house has been graded in such a way that a mudslide is almost guaranteed.

Growing up in the Santa Clarita Valley, I know what film companies do and don’t do. Most of the time they are some of the most responsible protectors of land and buildings you’d ever want to associate with. Then there are those other times … when they aren’t supervised because the MRCA is just taking the money.

I know my last commentary on the subject may have been a little harsh to some of my readers who obviously work in the studios. But ever since about 1922, there has been someone filming there. All we ask is that they work harder to leave only footprints. And if they want supervision, I’ll do it just so the MRCA knows how it should be done.

Those are the fair and honest facts in the matter, folks. But I cannot forget, it was once the home of my parents and me, back in a time when I was the only kid in Mentryville.

 

 

Darryl Manzer grew up in the Pico Canyon oil town of Mentryville in the 1960s and attended Hart High School. After a career in the U.S. Navy he returned to live in the Santa Clarita Valley. He can be reached at dmanzer@scvhistory.com. His older commentaries are archived at DManzer.com; his newer commentaries can be accessed [here]. Watch his walking tour of Mentryville [here].

 

 

Comment On This Story
COMMENT POLICY: We welcome comments from individuals and businesses. All comments are moderated. Comments are subject to rejection if they are vulgar, combative, or in poor taste.
REAL NAMES ONLY: All posters must use their real individual or business name. This applies equally to Twitter account holders who use a nickname.

3 Comments

  1. Danny Davey says:

    Every location should have a location representative chosen by the facility, their specific job is what you are asking for, they monitor the work and protect location from damage. Put it in the contract and make sure there is a certificate of liability insurance and a property insurance.

  2. C. Harris says:

    AGAIN a “request for public records” on the monies collected by MRCA
    should be DEMANDED by the Friends of Mentryville!!! That should include the filming companies, when they were on site and what they paid. We the public have a right to know where the money was placed, certainly NOT in the up-keep of Mentryville.
    City Council of Santa Clarita just approved Big $ to have MRCA patrol their Open Space, hun? With their track record…?

  3. Cathy says:

    Sounds like the MRC doesn’t have a very complete contract for filming. Since they are a government agency, you should be able to get a copy of the rental agreement the studios use when they rent the property. The location company or the MRC should have a paid site rep there to protect the property as stated in the above comment. If they don’t hire somebody, maybe you should volunteer to protect this historic site.

Leave a Comment


Opinion Section Policy
All opinions and ideas are welcome. Factually inaccurate, libelous, defamatory, profane or hateful statements are not. Your words must be your own. All commentary is subject to editing for legibility. There is no length limit, but the shorter, the better the odds of people reading it. "Local" SCV-related topics are preferred. Send commentary to: LETTERS (at) SCVNEWS.COM. Author's full name, community name, phone number and e-mail address are required. Phone numbers and e-mail addresses are not published except at author's request. Acknowledgment of submission does not guarantee publication.
Read More From...
RECENT COMMENTARY
Thursday, Sep 19, 2024
As my wife, Virginia, and I stroll through our magnificent city, we admire the beautiful paseos and the expansive open spaces, but what really catches our eye, is the diverse works of art at every turn.
Friday, Sep 13, 2024
As a father of three, I understand firsthand the importance of guiding our children through open communication and keeping them engaged in extracurricular activities and sports to foster their growth.
Thursday, Sep 12, 2024
You may have noticed that things look a little different around our city. Maybe you noticed the motion sensor lights at our parks, or the solar panels being installed in city parking lots.
Wednesday, Sep 11, 2024
California State  Sen. Scott Wilk (R-Santa Clarita) is urging residents to prepare an emergency evacuation plan as the Line Fire, Bridge Fire and several other wildfires continue to pose a serious threat to High Desert and foothill communities.
Wednesday, Sep 11, 2024
As we approach the November 2024 elections, the importance of informed voting cannot be overstated. The choices we make at the ballot box will shape the future of our city, state and nation. Yet, in an era where soundbites often substitute for substantive discussion, how can voters truly grasp the complexities of the issues at hand?
Friday, Sep 6, 2024
As scorching triple-digit temperatures engulf Los Angeles County throughout the weekend and excessive heat warnings have been issued for many communities in Los Angeles County’s Fifth District, I urge residents to do their part to lessen the threat of wildfires.

Latest Additions to SCVNews.com
1954 - C-46 cargo plane crashes at Saugus Drunk Farm; Civil Air Patrol chaplains parachute to safety [story]
chaplains
The College of the Canyons Aerospace and Science Team has received a $300,000 grant from NASA’s Mentoring and Opportunities in STEM with Academic Institutions for Community Success program.
COC Receives $300,000 NASA Grant to Expand Student Access to STEM Fields
Bring along a furry friend to the Santa Clarita Child & Family Center's Purple Walk Domestic Violence Awareness 5K on Saturday, Oct. 5 from 8-11 a.m. at the Center’s main facility 21545 Centre Pointe Parkway, Santa Clarita, CA 91350.
Oct. 5: 5K Purple Walk Dogs Against Domestic Violence
Written and directed by Braddon Mendelson, produced by Heather Mendelson, and co-produced by Olive Branch Theatricals and Noisivision Studios, "Provenance" will take stage at the The MAIN, 24266 Main Street, Santa Clarita, CA 91321, Friday through Sunday, Sept. 27-29.
Sept. 27-29: Braddon Mendelson to Present ‘Provenance’ at The MAIN
The Master's women's volleyball team opened Great Southwest Athletic Conference play on the road in Prescott, Ariz. on Wednesday, Sept. 18, defeating the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Eagles in straight sets 28-26, 25-22, 25-18.
TMU Women’s Volleyball Opens Conference Play with Road Win
College of the Canyons freshman Sahya Kitabatake shot a two-under-par round of 70 to tie for medalist honors while helping the Cougars place fourth at the Western State Conference tournament at Sterling Hills Golf Club in Camarillo on Monday, Sept. 16.
Kitabatake Medals, Canyons Women Take Fourth at Sterling Hills Golf Club
One of the city of Santa Clarita community’s most cherished parks, David March Park is set to expand, Thursday, Sept. 26, at 10 a.m., 28310 North Via Joyce Drive, Santa Clarita, CA 91350 with a groundbreaking ceremony.
Sept. 26: Community Invited to David March Park Expansion Groundbreaking
SRD Straightening Reigns, a therapeutic organization offering equine assisted psychotherapy, has been awarded $278,870 from the California State budget to improve mental health services.
California Awards $278,870 in Funding to SRD Straightening Reins
The Santa Clarita Community College District Board of Trustees appointed Carlos Guerrero to fill the board seat in Area 5, effective immediately, at its special Wednesday, Sept. 18 meeting.
COC Board of Trustees Appoints Carlos Guerrero to Area 5 Seat
California Institute of the Arts alums Alyssa Dressman Lehner and Clara Plestis captured Emmy Awards at the 76th Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards.
Two Calartians Win 2024 Creative Arts Emmy Awards
Valencia High School's Choir will hold a fall concert, "Broadway, Movies & Media" at 7 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 26 at 7 p.m. and Friday, Sept. 27, 7 p.m. at the Saugus High School Theatre, 21900 Centurion Way, Santa Clarita, CA 91350.
Sept. 26-27: Valencia High Choir Presents Fall Concert ‘Broadway, Movies & Media’
As my wife, Virginia, and I stroll through our magnificent city, we admire the beautiful paseos and the expansive open spaces, but what really catches our eye, is the diverse works of art at every turn.
Bill Miranda | Santa Clarita Arts, a Journey Through Creativity
The California Department of Public Health is encouraging all Californians to get vaccinated this season to protect themselves and loved ones from respiratory viruses.
CDPH: Stay Up to Date on Vaccines
The Friends of Santa Clarita Public Library in collaboration with Santa Clarita Valley Libraries will have a silent Book Auction beginning at 9 a.m. Monday, Sept. 30, through 10 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 7.
Sept. 30: Public Libraries to Host Silent Book Auctions
1863 - Gen. Edward F. Beale loans money to A.A. Hudson and Oliver P. Robbins to erect toll house in Newhall Pass [story]
toll house
The Counties of Los Angeles and San Bernardino today announced the opening of multiple joint Local Assistance Centers to assist residents impacted by the Bridge and Line Fires.
Joint Assistance Centers Open for Residents Impacted by Bridge, Line Fires
Valencia Gynecology Associates, owned by longtime Santa Clarita Valley OB-GYN physician Don Nishiguchi, MD, has joined the Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital network. 
Valencia Gynecology Assoc. Joins Henry Mayo Network
JCI Santa Clarita is proud to announce the upcoming Veteran’s Resource Fair, scheduled to take place on Sept. 21 at William S. Hart Park. 
Sept. 21: JCI Invites All Veterans to Upcoming Resource Fair
A "friendies" field tournament  is being  hosted by the Saugus Instrumental Music program, with support from Valencia High, later this month. 
Sept. 21: All Valley Showcase Comes to Valencia High
Public, member-supported 88.5 FM The SoCal Sound, Southern California’s leading Triple-A (adult album alternative) format radio station has announced the lineup for its inaugural “Year-End Bash” taking place on Saturday, Dec. 7.
Dec. 7: CSUN Owned 88.5-FM The SoCal Sound Announces “Year End Bash” Lineup featuring Ben Gibbard
The Master's University cross-country teams continued their successful 2024 campaigns with strong finishes at the BIOLA Invitational on Friday, Sept. 13 at Craig Regional Park in Fullerton, Calif.
TMU Women Win, Men Place Second at XC Invitational
Sheriff’s Department Announces New Law Enforcement Gang Policy
LASD Announces New Policy on Law Enforcement Gangs
The biology department at California State University, Northridge has stayed committed to promoting STEM research carried out by K-12 students and teachers in the Los Angeles Unified School District.
CSUN Student Research Journal Celebrates 28 Years of Inspiring Scientific Imagination
Did you know the SCVEDC has an interactive, online tool that provides themed virtual tours of the amazing features the community has to offer? 
SCVEDC Offers Virtual Business Tours of the Santa Clarita Valley
SCVNews.com