A huge Thank You to Rich Seidelman for sharing his information and these fantastic photos. Rich was the Art Director for the McDonaldland Ad campaign from 1979 to 2001. His ' Filming in McDonaldland' page is a treasure trove and well worth checking out.
Throughout the decades, many different companies have filmed commercials on the Ranch. A lot of them have even come back from time to time. However, there is one company that has utilized the Ranch for more then 40 years! Starting of first by using the Lot as a backdrop for their commercials and later to bring a day of joy to those in need.
Ronald and gang in front of the Deeds Mansion for the 1976 commercial 'Marching Band'.
Producer Lee Marsh seen here on Modern Street with the singing wastebaskets during the filming of the 1973 'Keep America Clean' commercial.
The Ad agency of Needham, Harper & Steers produced the commercials under guidance of Lee Marsh, who produced all of the McDonald's commercials from 1971 to 1977.
Actor turned Director Howard Morris ( Ernest T. Bass on The Andy Griffith Show) directed almost all of those commercials.
Together they worked with Columbia's EUE Screen Gems division to create the commercials for TV. Since Screen Gems was part of Columbia Studios and had their offices on the Lot, it stood to reason that they would also film scenes on the Ranch when needed.
Above, Ronald McDonald flying his plane to make it on time to somewhere. This was for commercial called 'He'll Be There'. Part of it was filmed between the Berm and Sound Stage 30, utilizing the parking lot for the Fly Rig system. You can see the Scene Dock and Storage shed below Ronald.
The two photos above show Ronald and his 'plane' in front of Stage 30 (currently 32) with the elephant door open at the Columbia Ranch. The dreary green color seen was a left over from the 'Here Come the Brides' years, when the shrubs and trees were not tall enough yet on the berm to hide the 35 foot tall Sound Stage peeking from behind it and Lotty's Bar. The whole front and left side of the Stage were painted to blend in with the greenery.
Ronald leads the Captain Crook, Grimace, Hamburglar and Mayor McCheese from the Deeds Mansion drive way. To the left you can see the Skeffington house having it's right side renovated and the new look of the former Texaco Station, now Amoco.
The 'Marching Band' in front of the Park Blvd homes. To the left the 'Little Egbert' house still in its original state.
The Hamburglar and Mayor McCheese on 'Little Egbert' street. Leftovers from the musical '1776' in the background.
Currently it is unclear how many McDonaldland commercials were filmed at the Ranch but photos suggest that there are numerous. Below are a few showcasing the Ranch.
After using the Ranch for their commercials all throughout the 70's, McDonalds started a lasting relationship by utilizing the Ranch for their annual Ronald McDonald House events starting in the 1980's and continue to this day.
You can find out more about the Ronald McDonald House Charities by visiting their website here .
