What do Charlie Chaplin, Gram Parsons, and Kermit the Frog all have in common? They have all worked inside this quaint English cottage inspired complex. If it weren’t for the large statue of Kermit the Frog dressed like Chaplin’s “The Tramp” this collection of buildings may be unassuming, but instead he highlights the unique and rich history of this Hollywood hot spot where movie, television and music stars have completed iconic works over the course of a century.

After making pictures for others, beloved silent film star Charlie Chaplin decided to build his very own studio, and did it close to what would become the heart of Hollywood. Chaplin announced his plans in October of 1917, and the studio was completed in three months, built atop what was an orange grove. Such classics as The Kid, City Lights, and The Great Dictator were filmed here within open air stages. In addition to the stages there was a school for child actors to keep up with their learning, a scene shop, and even a swimming pool. Sometime in the 1930s the open air stages were covered, becoming traditional sound stages, and eventually the pool was converted into a studio.

In 1953 Chaplin sold the lot, and it went through several several owners, including fellow funny man Red Skelton, before becoming A&M Studios in 1966. Under A&M the historic value of the property was seen when it became a Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Landmark in 1969. At the turn of the millennium, the Henson family bought the property. Jim Henson’s children, Brian and Lisa, spoke highly of the place, both saying it was the best place for the Muppets. Brian called the location the “perfect home for the Muppets and our particular brand of classy but eccentric entertainment.” Lisa said the place is a “lovable hodge-podge of quirky, unusual spaces…It’s not your typical corporate space, but it’s ideal for the Muppets.” When the Henson family took over, they paid homage to Chaplin, by building a large statue of their most famous star, Kermit the Frog, donning the iconic outfit of Chaplin’s character “The Tramp” which greets visitors and those just passing by.

It’s thanks to the creative minds of the Jim Henson Company that we were able to get onto the lot. Typically the lot keeps its gates locked to visitors, but a couple times a year the host their wildly successful and hilarious puppet improv show Puppet Up Uncensored. Imagine Whose Line Is It Anyway, but with puppets. The show is incredibly funny, and gives you wonderful insight into what goes into bringing puppets to life. You can wander portions of the lot, and if you opt for the VIP package, like we did, you get a guided tour inside some of the buildings and meet Brian Henson!

While there is the massive recording studio and single sound stage, other buildings house office space, meeting rooms, and throughout you’ll find familiar faces from the various films and TV series the studio has worked on, including The Dark Crystal; The Flintstones, and Where the Wild Things Are, as well as a massive mural that features every Henson creation at the time of its painting in 1984. We also got to step into Brian Henson’s office, where he shared some of his favorite items in his office, and at the end, we were gifted one of the hilarious hot dog puppets signed by Brian himself.

The studio is also said to be haunted, and activity was so active at one time, rose quartz crystals were places inside the walls the deter negative energy. One alley, which runs along side Henson Recording Studio is even dubbed the “Haunted Alleyway.” However we didn’t have any paranormal experiences during our visit.

Between A&M, and the continued recording use under the banner of Henson Recording Studio, a star studded list has laid down tracks here over the decades, including Tijuana Brass, The Supremes, The Carpenters, Joni Mitchell, Cat Stevens, Neil Young, The Eagles, The Rolling Stones, The Doors, Stevie Nicks, Cheap Trick, Pink Floyd, Kiss, Bon Jovi, U2, The Police, Tom Petty, Motley Crew, The Ramones, Black Sabbath, No Doubt, Rage Against the Machine, Guns ‘n Roses, Metallica, Janet Jackson, Ozzy Osborne, My Chemical Romance, Faith Hill, and Avril Lavigne. And let’s not forget that one of the most famous moments in music history occurred here, the recording of “We Are the World” from 1985 in which Michael Jackson brought together some of the most legendary voices of the 20th century.

For me, the big reason I wanted to visit the Jim Henson Company Studio is not because I’m a die-hard Muppet, Dark Crystal, or Charlie Chaplin fan. It’s because of the musical element. It is here that The Flying Burrito Brothers, one of my favorite bands, laid down part of their debut album, The Gilded Palace of Sin.

After departing from The Byrds, Chris Hillman and Gram Parsons began to form their own band, they also started to hunt for a label. Warner Bros. seemed interested but ultimately the pair settled with A&M, which was formed by Herb Alpert and Jerry Moss. Hillman was neighbors with Tom Wilkes, the art director at A&M, and shared his band idea with Wilkes who recommended the band to A&M president Jerry Moss. Wilkes said “the label was interested because they were looking for new talent and really wanted to break into the rock market more.” Gram reflected on the signing saying “[Herb Alpert and Jerry Moss] were fast talkers. Jerry and Herb came in real fast and said, ‘Oh, well, gee, you can start right away here, and we’ll give you all the equipment and stuff.'” Moss signed the Burritos without ever hearing any music, placing trust in Hillman and his previous success as part of The Byrds, offering the band new equipment and a $20,000 advance.

Hillman and Parsons rolled into the studio with their newly formed band, featuring Chris Ethridge and Sneaky Pete Kleinow, virtually no rehearsal, unfinished lyrics and began recording sessions in early November. Self proclaimed “hall monitor” Larry Marks was the project’s producer, and let the band do whatever they needed to do to get the job done, with recording sometimes going until “two or three in the morning” according to Marks, “I recall Champagne every night – I believe that was Parsons’ desire – and we ordered oxygen tanks to increase alertness and continue into the wee hours.” Eventually the band moved recording to Wally Heider’s studio on North Cahuenga Boulevard. At Heider’s the band could leave their set up, and keep a more relaxed atmosphere.

Gram took the advance money and guided his fellow band mates to his new favorite store, Nudie’s, the legendary rodeo tailor of North Hollywood, who had decked out anyone and everyone in the country and western music scene. The suits were worn for the cover of the album, and a handful of performances. Recently all of the suits were reunited (after a trippy journey for Ethridge’s suit) and are on display at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.

The album wrapped in December of 1968 and eager to get the youth cash, A&M rushed the album for a February release. To celebrate, A&M put together a barn dance on the Chaplin soundstage with the Burritos performing live in their sparkling Nudie suits. Sadly, many say the performance wasn’t great. “It was awful,” Ethridge said. “We were terrible,” Hillman reflected, “That barn dance was a disaster for us. Sneaky was too loud, Gram was stoned and not fully there.”

Sadly the Burritos would continue with less than stellar live performances, and despite some critical acclaim, their album would not see the monumental success they were hoping for. They would record one more album, Burrito Deluxe, before Parsons would depart for a solo career. The Burritos continued to perform and record without one of their founding members. As the decades continue, music critics and historians agree that the band’s debut album, recorded, in part, here, would go down as one of the first albums to combine country and rock genres.

So, just how does one get onto this sacred parcel of Hollywood real estate? For the average person Puppet Up Uncensored is the only way to get on the lot. As mentioned earlier, we chose the VIP package, which includes a tour of the property, and the only way to get inside most of the buildings. Sadly, we did not go into the Henson Recording Studio, but the performance took place in the Chaplin Soundstage, home to the ill fated barn dance. Those not in need of the tour can opt for a regular ticket. To learn about upcoming shows, sign up for the email list via Puppet Up’s website.

Gaze upon the legendary gates and buildings or attend a Puppet Up show at the old Charlie Chaplin, A&M, and current Jim Henson Company lot at 1416 N. La Brea Avenue in Los Angeles.

What’s Nearby?

Hollywood Forever Cemetery

Various Hollywood Boulevard Attractions

NOTE: This event was attended in the summer, but due to the movie related content, this post was delayed to stand in solidarity with the SAG-AFTRA strike.

Outfit
Tee: Worn Free (no longer available, similar one via TeePublic)
Shorts: Buffalo Exchange
Mocs: Minnetonka
Jewelry: Here and there
Nudie Bag: Nudie’s Rodeo Tailor

Sources
Einarson, John. Hot Burritos: The True Story Of The Flying Burrito Brothers. Jawbone Press, 2008. Print.
Fong-Torres, Ben. Hickory Wind: The Life and Times of Gram Parsons. St. Martin’s Griffin, 1991. Print.
“Henson Moving to Historical Charlie Chaplin Studios.” Los Angeles Business Journal, 20 February 2000.
“History” Henson Recording Studio.
Meyer, David N. Twenty Thousand Roads; The Ballad of Gram Parsons and His Cosmic American Music. Villard, 2007. Print.
Proehl, Bob. 33 1/2 The Gilded Palace of Sin. The Continuum International Publishing Group Inc., 2008. Print.
“The Chaplin-Henson Studios.” Discover Hollywood Magazine, Spring 2018.