The 1996, Farrelly Brothers comedy “Kingpin” is criminally underrated, featuring a classic performance by the great Bill Murray, with Woody Harrelson showing suprising comedic chops as well. The film was shot mostly around Pennsylvania, but like many Farrelly Bothers films, it becomes something of a road trip movie, reaching Reno, Nevada by the film’s climax.
Early in the film, “Big Ern” McCracken, played by Bill Murray and Roy Munson, played by Woody Harrelson, hustle some local bowlers. As they exit the bowling alley, they are confronted by the guys they duped. Big Ern lets Roy take the fall, as he speeds off and abandons him at the Beaver Valley Bowl in Rochester, Pennsylvania, with Roy losing his hand in the process. This same location was used in the Michael Douglas film “Wonder Boys,” where he has his own confrontation with “Vernon Hardapple.”
LOCATION: 25 New York Ave, Rochester, PA 15074
For the film’s climax, Roy and Big Ern square off at the National Bowling Stadium in Reno, Nevada. The lanes are not open to public use, but there is a bowling museum inside that is open to the public, for those interested.
LOCATION: 300 N Center St, Reno, NV 89501
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