Posted by Kramer on November 23, 2009 at 10:57:08:
In Reply to: Countdown to Oprah's finale begins, goal: pushing ratings up posted by chicagomedia.org on November 23, 2009 at 10:52:13:
Harpo Studios: Fun Facts!
With the purchase of the large Chicago production facility now known as Harpo Studios, Oprah became the third woman in the American entertainment industry?after Mary Pickford and Lucille Ball?to own her own studio.
In the early 1900s, the Harpo building was Chicago's Second Regiment Armory. After the Eastland steamer capsized in the Chicago River in 1915, the armory was used as a temporary morgue for victims of the disaster. Today, some say the Harpo building is haunted by the ghost of the "Gray Lady."
Harpo Studios was once a roller skating rink called the Roller Bowl.
In the 1950s, Harpo's building was used as Fred Niles Studios, where they filmed TV commercials with Muhammed Ali and movies such as Mickey One with Warren Beatty. Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom was also shot at this studio.