Sony Executive Deserves Kudos for Restoration

It seems that for some reason lately every story that has to do with Sony Pictures (e.g., “New Reel at Sony,” Sept. 30) invariably contains a slam against Michael Schulhof over the cost of refurbishing the former MGM studios in Culver City. As someone who grew up around the studio and witnessed not only its decline over the years (the loss of Lots 2 & 3) as well as the razing of the Hal Roach Studios, I cannot understand the criticism.

Schulhof and Sony should be very proud of the work they have done in restoring the property. Originally built during the silent-picture days as the Thomas Ince Studio, it later became, briefly, the Triangle Studio (Ince, D.W. Griffith, Mack Sennett), then the Sam Goldwyn Studio, and finally MGM when Metro Pictures moved over from Hollywood and Louis B. Mayer moved from Alessandro Street in Los Angeles.

Having recently worked on the Sony Pictures lot, I can say that those responsible have done a wonderful job in fixing the place up. Walking past the sound stages, there is still a great feeling of movie history. The studio is very active with TV, film and commercial productions.

Admittedly, Louis B. Mayer is probably rolling over in his grave over the fact that there is a bronze plaque of Harry Cohn (founder of Columbia Pictures) on one of the buildings, but what the heck, that’s show biz.

STEVE SHERMAN

Hollywood