Clint and his connection to The Los Angeles Police Museum

Over the last couple of weeks I’ve had the pleasure of chatting (via email) with Bob Taylor of The Los Angeles Police Museum. Bob has worked at the Museum for some 30 years now and as this short piece explains, Clint has enjoyed a good relationship with the Museum over those decades.

Since our building is architecturally significant, its facade easily lends itself to imitate many parts of the country, and various periods of time. The building’s interior has also proven to be quite useful to the entertainment industry. It doesn’t take long to realize that there just are not that many 1920’s era jails available for filming. The same is true for the remainder of the interior of the old Highland Park station. The City’s restoration of the building, complete with oak mouldings and period lighting, provides production companies with many options.

This is what has been happening at Old Number 11 lately, stardom. Our resident movie and television star happens to be the old Highland Park station. 

A feature film, whose title has yet to be established, is currently wrapping up their filming inside the jail. Location scouts for two more productions have visited this week. We have been actively promoting our facility to the movie and film industry for one simple reason, revenue. This is a good source of income, the kind of revenue that allows us to both support and grow your police museum.

This year (2005) we have had a number of successful film and television projects produced here. There is one, however, that ties directly to Hollywood Station and a handful of officers.

During his run as Dirty Harry, Clint Eastwood portrayed an Inspector for the San Francisco Police Department. As Harry Callahan, Eastwood frequently ran afoul of department procedures. Apparently his long barrelled .44 did more speaking than his coat and tie. Eastwood’s research for his tough guy/police inspector roles was not always limited to the Bay area. In fact twenty years ago he paid a visit to a small band of Hollywood officers. In early 1985, Eastwood appeared at mid-pm watch in Hollywood to enjoy a ride-along with the Special Problems Unit.

‘Mr. Eastwood filmed Blood Work here at the museum in 2001, and that was when this photo was taken. He has been here several times, as has his daughter and various production managers from his company.’

Sergeant Bob Good played host to Eastwood, but didn’t make his way into the photograph (above). Barely making his way into the picture at the far left is Detective Steve Biczo. Long-time North Hollywood Officer Gene Ferone and West L.A. homicide Detective Jim Hays are between Biczo and Eastwood. At the extreme right is Detective Bob Kraus with another retired Sergeant, Scott Currie. Here it is, 2005, and Eastwood is back in a Los Angeles Police Station. This time, it’s Old Number 11. The research for this motion picture s done, and the police museum is made up to resemble a newspaper office, the wedding bureau of Baltimore City Hall, 1940’s era corporate offices and the Chicago City Jail. Five different scenes of the upcoming film, “Flags of our Fathers” were filmed at the museum in just one day. Flags of our Fathers, an adaptation of the bestselling book, is scheduled for release next year, but it’s not the only place you can see your museum at work. Other museum sightings can be had in the remake of “When a Stranger Calls,” the television shows, “Book of Daniel,” and “Wanted.” Our star has been quite busy this year, and next year holds the same kind of promise.

Our kindest thanks Bob. Please show your support and visit the Museum HERE