Title: Where in Texas is that Sandman Gym?
nems12 - August 17, 2005 06:06 PM (GMT)
Where in Texas is that Sandman Gym?
Filming took place at:
2234 South Collins Street
Arlington, TX 76010
...though filming almost took place somewhere else. Here is the full story-
In 1975, MGM reps came to Dallas to scout filming locations for Logan’s Run. Among a variety of locations needed, was a fitness center to double as the Sandman’s Gym. Many local residents considered Ray & Clare Stern’s Health Center to be the finest gym in the Dallas area. It was located at 5919 Forest Lane (just west of Preston Road, set back a bit from the road). MGM visited the Stern’s Health Center and were impressed with what they saw. The interior of the gym featured 90 exercise machines, a 65-ft indoor roman pool, and an over-sized spa (next to which stood a sculpture of a Greek god). The owner was larger than life, ex-professional wrestler Ray “Thunder” Stern who boasted that his health spa was the largest in the southwest. An agreement was reached with Ray for MGM to come back on July 3rd and spend a half-day filming there. The agreement was based upon the idea that in lieu of paying rent, MGM would provide free publicity for use of the Stern’s Health Center. Thirty years later memories vary as to what publicity was to take place, and when it was to occur.
In early June of 1975, local newspaper The Dallas Times Herald published an article titled “MGM turns to Dallas for look at year 2200.” This article and accompanying pictures showcased the many Dallas sites (including the Stern Health Center) due to be used in the forthcoming filming. Shortly thereafter, a portion of the article was also reproduced in an MGM promotional flyer. (Click here to view the flyer, the article is seen on the left hand side. Note the photo of the Stern Health Center complete with Greek statue, directly below the article headline).
On June 24th the full MGM crew arrived in Dallas, and filming commenced the next day in the Dallas Apparel Mart.
Shortly before (or perhaps even on) July 3rd, some portion of the MGM crew went to the Stern's Health Center for final preparations. However, by now Ray felt that MGM were not holding up their end of the agreement and an argument ensued. With tempers rising on both sides, Ray told the MGM crew to "get the hell out." MGM packed up and as they were leaving, informed Ray that they would sue him and next see him in court. Not a single frame of film was ever shot in the Stern's Health Center.
Now in need of a last minute change of plans, MGM approached the owner of the National Health Studios chain, Ronnie Ray. Ronnie was a 4-time national weight-lifting champion and owned 22 National Health Studios locations in Texas and Florida (16 in the Dallas-Fort Worth area alone). Ronnie agreed to let MGM film in the National Health Studios at 2234 South Collins Street in Arlington. Filming of the Sandman Gym scene finally proceeded without a hitch. Although the film depicts the gym as populated only with men, this was actually a "women only" branch of the National Health Studios chain.
Ray Stern never heard from MGM again, and no legal action was ever pursued by MGM. Ray & Clare Stern’s Health Center was later leased to Dallas Health Clubs, then President's, then Bally's. The building eventually closed, stood vacant for a number of years and then was demolished in 2004. As of 2005 the land is still vacant.
In 2005, Ray Stern was inducted into the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame.
Ronnie Ray is now retired and his National Health Studios chain no longer exists. Once a year Ronnie and his wife throw a big party for senior weight lifters at their ranch home just north of Dallas. Among the guests at the annual party is none other than Ray Stern. When Ronnie and Ray reflect back on the good ol' days, one wonders if a certain science fiction film ever comes up in their conversation.
The building that housed the National Health Studios still stands at 2234 South Collins Street in Arlington. Today it is home to a laundry mat and jewelry store.
Filming took place at:
2234 South Collins Street
Arlington, TX 76010
...though filming almost took place somewhere else. Here is the full story-
In 1975, MGM reps came to Dallas to scout filming locations for Logan’s Run. Among a variety of locations needed, was a fitness center to double as the Sandman’s Gym. Many local residents considered Ray & Clare Stern’s Health Center to be the finest gym in the Dallas area. It was located at 5919 Forest Lane (just west of Preston Road, set back a bit from the road). MGM visited the Stern’s Health Center and were impressed with what they saw. The interior of the gym featured 90 exercise machines, a 65-ft indoor roman pool, and an over-sized spa (next to which stood a sculpture of a Greek god). The owner was larger than life, ex-professional wrestler Ray “Thunder” Stern who boasted that his health spa was the largest in the southwest. An agreement was reached with Ray for MGM to come back on July 3rd and spend a half-day filming there. The agreement was based upon the idea that in lieu of paying rent, MGM would provide free publicity for use of the Stern’s Health Center. Thirty years later memories vary as to what publicity was to take place, and when it was to occur.
In early June of 1975, local newspaper The Dallas Times Herald published an article titled “MGM turns to Dallas for look at year 2200.” This article and accompanying pictures showcased the many Dallas sites (including the Stern Health Center) due to be used in the forthcoming filming. Shortly thereafter, a portion of the article was also reproduced in an MGM promotional flyer. (Click here to view the flyer, the article is seen on the left hand side. Note the photo of the Stern Health Center complete with Greek statue, directly below the article headline).
On June 24th the full MGM crew arrived in Dallas, and filming commenced the next day in the Dallas Apparel Mart.
Shortly before (or perhaps even on) July 3rd, some portion of the MGM crew went to the Stern's Health Center for final preparations. However, by now Ray felt that MGM were not holding up their end of the agreement and an argument ensued. With tempers rising on both sides, Ray told the MGM crew to "get the hell out." MGM packed up and as they were leaving, informed Ray that they would sue him and next see him in court. Not a single frame of film was ever shot in the Stern's Health Center.
Now in need of a last minute change of plans, MGM approached the owner of the National Health Studios chain, Ronnie Ray. Ronnie was a 4-time national weight-lifting champion and owned 22 National Health Studios locations in Texas and Florida (16 in the Dallas-Fort Worth area alone). Ronnie agreed to let MGM film in the National Health Studios at 2234 South Collins Street in Arlington. Filming of the Sandman Gym scene finally proceeded without a hitch. Although the film depicts the gym as populated only with men, this was actually a "women only" branch of the National Health Studios chain.
Ray Stern never heard from MGM again, and no legal action was ever pursued by MGM. Ray & Clare Stern’s Health Center was later leased to Dallas Health Clubs, then President's, then Bally's. The building eventually closed, stood vacant for a number of years and then was demolished in 2004. As of 2005 the land is still vacant.
In 2005, Ray Stern was inducted into the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame.
Ronnie Ray is now retired and his National Health Studios chain no longer exists. Once a year Ronnie and his wife throw a big party for senior weight lifters at their ranch home just north of Dallas. Among the guests at the annual party is none other than Ray Stern. When Ronnie and Ray reflect back on the good ol' days, one wonders if a certain science fiction film ever comes up in their conversation.
The building that housed the National Health Studios still stands at 2234 South Collins Street in Arlington. Today it is home to a laundry mat and jewelry store.
nems12 - September 7, 2005 08:51 PM (GMT)
I just finished various updates to the message above. The most significant is the inclusion of the street address for the National Health Studios location seen in the film.
Logan5 - September 8, 2005 12:16 AM (GMT)
This is great information nem12. Thanks so much for sharing this!
Are you a resident of Dallas, Texas (or in the area)? I was thinking that since next year is Logan's Run's 30th Anniversary (release date anyway), that a tour around Dallas might be in order.
Are you a resident of Dallas, Texas (or in the area)? I was thinking that since next year is Logan's Run's 30th Anniversary (release date anyway), that a tour around Dallas might be in order.
nems12 - September 9, 2005 03:28 PM (GMT)
No, I'm in California.
…and not surprisingly, I too am contemplating a pilgrimage to Dallas. I figure I’d better pinpoint the exact addresses of the locations now since there won't be the time or means once I’m in the Dallas area.
The "City Of Domes" website has a good early attempt at IDing the locations (as seen here), however some of the addresses are missing or incorrect. So, I'm trying to correct the errors and fill in the details (e.g. that address for the building that served as the exterior of DSHQ is not accurate) for any Logan fan that might make the journey to Dallas.
…and not surprisingly, I too am contemplating a pilgrimage to Dallas. I figure I’d better pinpoint the exact addresses of the locations now since there won't be the time or means once I’m in the Dallas area.
The "City Of Domes" website has a good early attempt at IDing the locations (as seen here), however some of the addresses are missing or incorrect. So, I'm trying to correct the errors and fill in the details (e.g. that address for the building that served as the exterior of DSHQ is not accurate) for any Logan fan that might make the journey to Dallas.