Gene Kelly appeared in no less than five musicals on Stage 6, including ON THE TOWN (1949), SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN (1951), LES GIRLS (1957) and ZIEGFELD FOLLIES (1945), the latter being directed by Vincente Minnelli and the only film to feature Kelly and Fred Astaire singing and dancing together. In 1945 Astaire also apeared on Stage 6 in EASTER PARADE with Judy Garland, who years earlier, at age 15, had co-starred on Stage 6 with Buddy Ebsen in BROADWAY MELODY OF 1938.

In the 1950s after the introduction of television, the manner in which Stage 6 was used changed dramatically. It was now functioning as a rehearsal stage, office and meeting space, as well as a large catering area for extras. Some television shows were filmed on Stages 5 and 6, often utilizing the proscenium between the two buildings, with Stage 6 used as a backstage area and Stage 5 housing the audience. Later during the 1970s and early 1980s, popular television shows such as Lorimar’s DALLAS and EIGHT IS ENOUGH were filmed on Stages 5 and 6.

Stage 6’s great vertical form still towers over the studio lot and is visible from miles away in every direction, accentuated by the studio’s landmark sign mounted across the center of the roof, which has displayed the studio name and logo since 1932. Its unique size and design make Stage 6 a rare historic gem at Sony Pictures Studios.