Franklin Lake

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Franklin Lake

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Franklin Lake has served as a backdrop for countless movies and television series since the 1930's. It's located in the Santa Monica Mountains, just above the floor of San Fernando Valley. The lake was the staple film site for TV series such as "Lassie" and "The Andy Griffith Show". The third season Star Trek episode, "The Paradise Syndrome", was filmed at the lake in 1968. Selected filmed cuts for "Bonanza" at the lake began in the 1959-60 season with the episode entitled, "Vendetta".

Numerous "Bonanza" episodes that feature filmed cuts at Franklin Lake include "The Bride", "Bank Run", "The Savage", "Inger, My Love", "A Severe Case of Matrimony", "A Dream to Dream", "Pride of a Man", "Little Girl Lost", "The Arrival of Eddie", "My Friend, My Enemy", "Different Pines, Same Wind", "Old Friends", "The Long Way to Ogden", "A Lawman's Lot Is Not a Happy One", "The Witness", "The Lady and the Mark", "Is There Any Man Here...?", "The Trouble With Amy", "What Are Pardners For?", "A Matter of Circumstance", "The Weary Willies", "A Time to Die", "Face of Fear", "Blind Hunch", "Second Sight", "A Place to Hide", "New Man" and "The Witness" ( 1972 ).

DIRECTIONS: From Los Angeles, head west on Sunset Blvd. Turn right onto Beverly Drive. Where Beverly Drive and Coldwater Canyon Road meet, turn left onto Beverly Drive. Turn right onto Franklin Canyon Drive. Head past the lower Franklin Canyon Reservoir (it was used for filming, but that is another story!) At the Upper Franklin Reservoir (Sooky Goldman Nature Center) turn right and follow the road around the reservoir until you come to the parking lot.

To see photos, visit the Movie Making Locations Website!

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