Another Economic Casualty, Motion Picture Hospital to Close

One by one in San Fernando Valley, a sprawling bedroom community of Los Angeles, icons are disappearing. The latest is today’s announcement of the closure of the Motion Picture & Television Fund’s country hospital and convalescent home.

The first icon to go this year was the internationally known Sportsmen’s Lodge in Studio City, which closed its doors for the final time on January 1. The closure was due to an irreconcilable dispute between the land developer owner and the operator of the restaurant and banquet facilities. News of that closure was most disheartening for thousands of residents who -- over the years -- celebrated happy occasions there from weddings to anniversary parties and every celebratory time in between. That closure can't compare to the sadness and devastation felt by the patients and employees of the MPTF's hospital and convalescent facilities. Founded in 1921 by movie pioneers Charlie Chaplin, Mary Pickford, Douglas Fairbanks and D.W. Griffith, the non-profit group serves the families of approximately 60,000 motion picture and television workers. Throughout the years most patients have been behind-the-scenes industry people, such as cameramen and make-up artists, who don’t earn the mega salaries of the industry’s stars, although many stars have taken advantage of the multi-purpose 40-acre facility. The closure of the hospital and long-term care facility by the end of October will cost 290 people their jobs and force 100 elderly patients into local facilities. Reasons for the closures are a $10 million yearly shortfall in revenue and reduced Medi-Care/Medi-Cal payments. Scheduled to remain open are the cottage residences, assisted-living facility, health clinic, other health care and recreational services. It’s hoped that the Alzheimer’s wing of the hospital will remain open by obtaining state and federal money. The Alzheimer’s wing is named Harry’s Haven in honor the father of actor Kirk Douglas, who with his son, actor Michael Douglas, provided much of the funding.