The Crumbling gates
The biggest film set built in 1916 for the film Intolerance, designed as the gates of the ancient city of Babylon. For 4 years the set existed as a site attraction much the same way that Hobbiton in New Zealand does today. D.W. Griffith used the set again later in 1918 for his film Hearts of the World. After the completion of the film the Los Angeles Fire Department had declared it a fire hazard and ordered it's dismantling. however at the time Griffith did not have the money to pay for it's demolition and the sight slowly crumbled away.
"The walls of Babylon were ninety feet high. The walls were about the same height as the columns on which the elephants were erected; it is safe to estimate the overall height at one hundred and forty feet … At its widest point, the tower structure was forty feet." - Joseph Henabery |