Introduction
This month we're looking at an episode of the popular 1970s TV cop show CHiPs, plus three comedy short films from the 1920s and 1930s.
Starting off, we look at Ponch and Jon from CHiPs involved in a chase through the streets of downtown Culver City, California. Then, it's back to 1925 and the Our Gang / The Little Rascals movie The Love Bug with a funny scene where Joe Cobb negotiates a kiss from Peggy Ahern.
We then check out the 1936 Charley Chase movie, On The Wrong Trek, with a cameo appearance by Laurel and Hardy!
And finally, a fascinating look at the Los Angeles seaside neighborhood of Venice Beach in 1921 courtesy of the Buster Keaton comedy short The High Sign.
CHiPs - Return of the Turks (1978)
The Plot
Two men ram 22(!) cars on the highway and refuse to stop when Ponch and Jon chase them through the streets of downtown Culver City, California.
The Decline Culver City, California
At the time this chase scene was filmed, downtown Culver City was in steep decline. Many of the storefronts along the streets are showing their age (by this time 50+ years old) and the overall vibe is "seedy" and "gloomy." Even the landmark Culver Hotel - by this time converted to low-rent apartments - is looking old and tired.
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CHiPs - Return Of The Turks - Filming Locations - Quick Preview Video
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CHiPs - Return Of The Turks - Filming Locations Then and Now - Complete Documentary Video
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Our Gang / The Little Rascals - The Love Bug (1925)
The Plot
Cupid's arrow has struck Farina, Joe and Mickey!
A Famous Bench As Filming Location
There's quite a bit of on location filming in this one, with the bulk of it in the Palms neighborhood on the Westside of Los Angeles. This particular Quick Preview Video excerpt focuses on a scene where Joe is trying to woo Peggy Ahern on a picturesque bench under a tree. This filming location - complete with bench - appeared in quite a few of the Our Gang / The Little Rascals movies from the 1920s and early 1930s.
Sadly, the tree, bench and charm of this spot are all long gone.
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Our Gang / The Little Rascals - The Love Bug - Filming Locations - Quick Preview Video
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The Little Rascals - The Love Bug - Complete Filming Locations Video
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Charley Chase - On The Wrong Trek (1936)
The Plot
Hen-pecked Charley is on a driving vacation with his wife and mother-in-law.
A Cameo Appearance By A Famous Comedy Duo
We take a look at a scene from On The Wrong Trek where the vacationers encounter two hitchhikers. Charley's mother-in-law says that they should offer them a ride because they have "kind faces." Charley says they look like "a couple of horse thieves!" The two hitchhikers are... Laurel and Hardy!
The scene was filmed at Hillsboro Avenue and South Robertson Blvd in Los Angeles, which just happened to be the entrance to the Hal Roach Studios (which produced this movie) ranch. In the almost 90 years since this movie filmed there, the ranch and surrounding area has been fully developed and today is part of the Beverlywood neighborhood.
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Charley Chase - On The Wrong Trek - Filming Locations - Quick Preview Video
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Charley Chase - On The Wrong Trek - Filming Locations Then and Now - Complete Documentary Video
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Buster Keaton - The High Sign (1921)
The Plot
Buster is hired by a gang to assassinate a rival and... is hired by the target to be his personal body guard!
Buster Keaton Filming On Location At Southern California Beach Towns
This comedy short movie filmed all along the Los Angeles area coast, including:
- Moonstone Beach in the town of Redondo Beach
- A carousel at the Pike Amusement Park in Long Beach
- The Ocean Front Walk and Speedway in Venice Beach
This Quick Preview Video focuses on the scenes in Venice Beach.
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Click the link below to watch some quick excerpts from the full Filming Locations Then and Now documentary video:
Buster Keaton - The High Sign - Filming Locations - Quick Preview Video
Member Exclusive - Full Then and Now Filming Locations Documentary Video and Photo Gallery
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Buster Keaton - The High Sign - Filming Locations Then and Now - Complete Documentary Video
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Buster Keaton - The High Sign - Complete Filming Locations Photo Gallery
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In case you missed it: My October 2025 featured filming locations then and now videos blog entry.
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