Spielberg to Help Rebuild Fire-Ravaged Back Lot Sets

Universal Studios said Monday that it will rebuild the back lot sets destroyed in a spectacular Nov. 6 fire, utilizing the design input of movie producer-director Steven Spielberg.

The extent of Spielberg’s involvement was not disclosed. MCA Recreation Services Group President David Weitzner confirmed that the producer and studio have had consultations on rebuilding the sets that were constructed in 1958 and used in making such hit films as “The Sting” and “Dick Tracy.”

Dan Slusser, senior vice president and general manager of Universal Studios, said, “Steven offered to help in the redesign. He often gives us a lot of input, and when you get help from the caliber of filmmaker as Steven Spielberg, you take it.”

Spielberg’s Santa Fe-style Amblin Productions headquarters is located at the studio, but it was not damaged by the fire.

Spielberg could not be reached for comment.

“It is our intention to put back similar type of set facades--maybe a bit more upscale--that can continue to be used for motion picture and TV production,” Slusser said.

This will include reconstruction of the New York Street, Sting Street and New England Street sets destroyed in the fire. The street facades, often used for filming, double as part of the Universal Studios tour attractions.

Slusser declined to give a dollar figure for the fire damage. He said an earlier reported figure of $25 million was an estimate.

Among the tour attractions, only the King Kong display was closed after the fire to repair minor water damage. It is scheduled to reopen today during a ceremony honoring the 400 firefighters who helped put out the fire, said Universal spokeswoman Joan Bullard.

“Kong will thank them a bunch,” she said.

Bullard said the 3-story, 7-ton mechanical ape will rise to hand out a “top banana” award, giving 400 tour passes on behalf of the firefighters to Alisa Ann Ruch California Burn institute patients.

The fire interrupted the shooting schedule of a Sylvester Stallone comedy, “Oscar,” that had been filming on the brownstone New York Street set. Production resumed a few days later at Warner Hollywood Studios.

Studio security guard Michael J. Huston has pleaded not guilty to setting the fire.