Fake Town Square at Universal Studios Reopens After Real Fire

An essential landmark on the Universal Studios Tour in California has reopened after being gutted by fire a year ago. The blaze in Courthouse Square was accidentally started by roofers using a blowtorch, and before it was extinguished, it destroyed much of the square - which is seen in such films as Back to the Future and To Kill a Mockingbird - as well as the King Kong attraction, a video vault, and other outdoor sets. As an AP item points out, the refurbished set welcomed its first backstage tram tour since the fire on Thursday with stilt-walkers, movie characters, and a marching band.

Of course, the idea of restoring a town square that was a facade in the first place is a little bizarre. If they aren't the same fake buildings that we've seen on the silver screen, does it still count as seeing the magic behind the movies? I guess as long as they continue to use Courthouse Square as a set for future movies, it will soon become as authentically fake as anything in Tinseltown. As for me, I'm a fan of the classics, like the animatronic shark from the Jaws set, and the parting of the Red Sea from the Ten Commandments. No chance of those going up in flames.

[Photo: AP via Mercury News]

Related Stories
· Universal Studios' Town Square Set Reopens [AP via Mercury News]
· Universal Studios Hollywood [Official Site]
· Theme Parks [Jaunted]

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