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Like any good thing, we came to the end of this virtual tour of the "Universal Studios" set used in the trilogy of "Back to the Future" and the TV series "Knight Rider" and "Street Hawk". However, as I mentioned earlier, this is not just an end itself, because in the coming weeks there will be other episodes on the backlot of the "Universal Studios"! So do not be afraid that we will still have a lot to talk about this topic!
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Today we will analyze the building located to the south, the most important one, the Courthouse. This aerial map refers to the current reconstruction of the set, which occurred after a fire in 2008 that destroyed most of the historic buildings. The set was entirely rebuilt with some variations of course that will show you at the end of this first episode.
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When they prepared the set for "Back to the Future" to the main building of the square it was added a triangular roof to hold the watch that was to have a starring role in the movie. As you can see from the following picture, the clock is clearly visible in the sequence in which Marty embraces Jennifer standing at the bench. On the other picture you can see the same building without that element in the episode "A Nice, Indecent Little Town" (1x17) on "Knight Rider".
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Marty, after rising on his skateboard, attaches to the bumper of a Police's car and passes in front of the colonnade of the Courthouse. The same columns can be seen in the episode "A Nice, Indecent Little Town" (1x17) on "Knight Rider".
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Marty observes the colonnade and the clock of the Courthouse. Alongside you can see the same building in the episode "Vegas Run" (1x04) on "Street Hawk".
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Arrived in 2015, Marty began to visit the square of the Courthouse, which is just visible the main building. This building can be seen in the episode "A Good Day at White Rock" (1x04) on "Knight Rider". On the right side of the Courthouse appears an unusual tower, then later removed.
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Arrived in the square Marty observes the Courthouse. Alongside you can see the same building in the episode "Vegas Run" (1x04) on "Street Hawk".
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After falling from the hoverboard, Marty emerges from the little lake and he is in front of the staircase and the colonnade of the Courthouse. The same steps and the same columns can be seen in the episode "A Nice, Indecent Little Town" (1x17) on "Knight Rider".
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Marty tries to escape using the hoverboard and in front of him there are the steps of the Courthouse. On those same steps crashes into the station wagon driven by the witness in the episode "Vegas Run" (1x04) on "Street Hawk".
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In the next picture you can see an overview of a part of the square with the building of the Courthouse. However, in the picture on the right, you can see the same building (but also the crew who took care of the shooting) reflected in the helmet visor of "Street Hawk", always in the episode "Vegas Run" (1x04).
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Below you can see the building of the Courthouse in alternative 1985, when it becomes the seat of the casino, the museum and the house of Biff (of course it's a post-production modified image). However, in the picture on the right, you can see the same building (but also the crew who took care of the shooting) reflected in the helmet visor of "Street Hawk", always in the episode "Vegas Run" (1x04).
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In the next two images you can see the set of the Courthouse as it appeared during the filming without post-production modify.
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The building attached in post-production to the rear of the Courthouse is the Plaza in Las Vegas.
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Below a picture taken during the filming of "Back to the Future 2" where you can see the cables with which the actors were left to fly on the hoverboard.
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In the following two photos, taken by a security guard during the filming of "Back to the Future", we can see the square in the two configurations, 1955 and 1985.
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Here it's possible to see a shot that depicts the building of the Courthouse during one of the tours organized for visitors into the "Universal Studios".
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This set of three pics collects some different configurations of the Courthouse: in the first image you can see the same building without the triangular roof, while in the other two pictures you can see the building in 1955 and 1985 configurations.
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Here are some phases of construction of the main building of the square.
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It's interesting to note that at the beginning, the main building of the square would take the form only of the facade, and over the years has enriched the other side walls, necessary to mask the various warehouses present behind the main facade.
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Below you can see some different aspects taken from the Courthouse building during the most recent years. In addition to losing the distinctive triangular roof, the building has undergone several times a change of color.
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This is the current configuration (2015) of the main building of the square.
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For "Back to the Future Part III", Hill Valley 1885 was filmed in Sonora, California. The producers were able to use the land rent free as long as they left the buildings there. They agreed to leave everything except the Clock Tower. Interestingly, on August 10, 1996, a lightning bolt struck the town and it burned down.
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