Hollywood Flashback: A Century Ago, Fire Destroyed Inceville, the Studio by the Sea

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As a devoted admirer, I’ve witnessed how Southern California has bravely battled against destructive wildfires over time. Two of its most devastating infernos – the Palisades and Eaton fires – have left indelible marks in its history. Interestingly, more than a century ago, a chain of fires transformed what is now known as the Palisades into Inceville, one of the pioneering film studios.

The studio known as Inceville was initially established in 1912 by Thomas Ince, a prominent figure in the silent film era who served as both a producer and director. Situated where Sunset Boulevard now meets the Pacific Coast Highway, the expansive grounds covered approximately 18,000 acres and accommodated around 700 individuals. This studio was instrumental in the production of numerous Western films, with Ince contributing significantly to the genre’s popularity.

Inceville played a pivotal role in shaping the film industry by establishing the star system and defining distinct roles for directors, screenwriters, and editors. In a 1961 essay for THR, writer Allan Hersholt reminisced about his father, Jean Hersholt, who secured his first acting role at Inceville in 1915. Hersholt described the studio as a bustling town that emerged like a gold rush settlement, approximately 15 miles from the heart of Hollywood. He recalled it was a three-mile walk from the final trolley stop and housed an array of individuals such as actors William S. Hart, H.B. Warner, Louise Glaum, Charles Ray, along with a group of native Americans, numerous horses, several directors, various cattle, and one producer.

1916 saw the fire-damaged town of Inceville, where the highly flammable nitrate film was commonly used, prompting filmmaker Thomas H. Ince to relocate his production headquarters. Real estate tycoon Harry Culver played a role in this move, persuading Ince to establish his operations in Culver City. Ince then joined forces with partners D.W. Griffith and Mack Sennett to inaugurate the innovative Triangle Studios in 1916. Goldwyn Pictures later acquired it in 1918, before it eventually became part of the Sony Pictures studio complex.

In 1916, Ince parted ways with Western star Hart by selling him Inceville. Unfortunately, another blaze struck the studio in 1922, causing significant damage that left it in a state of disrepair for many years after.

Following a short stint with Adolph Zukor’s Paramount-Artcraft Pictures, I then established my own studio in Culver City, called Ince Studios, which operated from 1919 to 1924. Unfortunately, my life was tragically cut short when I passed away in November 1924 due to a heart attack, after falling ill on William Randolph Hearst’s yacht during my 44th birthday celebration, surrounded by friends like Charlie Chaplin. The circumstances surrounding my death have remained shrouded in mystery and were the center of Peter Bogdanovich’s 2001 film titled The Cat’s Meow, which proposes that Hearst may have accidentally shot me in a fit of jealousy over rumors of an affair between Chaplin and actress Marion Davies.

However, Ince’s cinematic legacy persists. Three of his films were deemed significant enough for preservation by the National Film Registry, such as the 1916 masterpiece Civilization. Notably, timeless classics like Gone With the Wind and Rebecca were filmed at the studio he established, which is now known as Ince Studios. Remarkably, in 2017, Amazon purchased this property, situated along what is presently named Ince Boulevard.

You can find this tale in the January 17th edition of The Hollywood Reporter magazine. Consider subscribing to stay updated!

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2025-01-19 22:24