Author: filmoblivion

Speed (1994)

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For the opening to the 1994 action film “Speed,” Keanu Reeves and Jeff Daniels find themselves pitted against a bomber, played by Dennis Hopper, who has rigged an elevator with explosives, demanding money in order to spare the hostages trapped inside.  The opening was filmed at the The Gas Company Tower in Downtown Los Angeles. The same location was featured in the 2000 film “Charlie’s Angels,” as well as “Fracture.”

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LOCATION: 555 W 5th St, Los Angeles, CA 90013

Jack and Harry, played by Keanu Reeves and Jeff Daniels, make their introduction into the film flying down into frame in a speeding cop car right next to The Gas Company Tower. This same location was featured in the film “They Live.”

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LOCATION: Near the intersection of Hope Pl / S Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90071 (facing towards W 5th St)

After the elevator job goes wrong, the bomber resurfaces by blowing up a bus as Jack exits a restaurant.  This is The Firehouse restaurant in Venice, which still operates today.

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LOCATION: 213 Rose Ave, Venice, CA 90291

The bus makes a hard right, with all the passengers moving to one side, in an attempt to prevent it from tipping over, at the 110 and 105 freeway interchange. This same spot is seen in the film “Falling Down,” where the character played by Michael Douglas fires a bazooka at the construction site.

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LOCATION: Intersection of S Broadway / W 112th St, Los Angeles, CA 90061 (the bus turns right on W Imperial Hwy)

The famous bus jump scene was filmed on the Judge Harry Pregerson Interchange, which connects the 110 and 105 freeways in Los Angeles, back when it was still under construction.  The same interchange was used for the opening dance sequence in “La La Land.”

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LOCATION: I-110 / I-105, Los Angeles, CA 90061

Late in the film, Howard Payne sets up a money drop for his ransom at Pershing Square in downtown Los Angeles, just a couple blocks from where the opening scenes were shot.

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LOCATION: 532 S Olive St, Los Angeles, CA 90013 (near the intersection of S Hill St / W 5th St)

Just a bit further down S Hill St, next to the above shot, you’ll see this structure, also located in Pershing Square.  A sniper is posted beside the ball sculpture, waiting for Payne to surface, unaware the bomber has different plans.

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Ready Player One (2018)

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To promote the release of the Steven Speilberg film “Ready Player One,” Warner Bros. set up a pop-up, interactive maze called the “Ready Player One Challenge,” located on the corner of Hollywood and Vine in Hollywood, California.  It’s the same spot they created “The IT Experience: Neibolt House Hollywood” in 2017.

Visitors were invited to explore the OASIS in an interactive maze, which included A/V installations, interactive displays, nostalgic gaming stations, a store, props and a full-scale recreation of the sets from the film.  Here we’ll take a look primarily at the sets and the props.  The exhibition runs from March 18 – April 1, 2018.

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While the film was set in Columbus, Ohio, it was shot in England.  This exhibition allowed visitors to get a real life glimpse at how those sets appeared, in full scale.

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Big Momma’s House (2000)

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In the 2000 comedy “Big Moma’s House,” Big Momma, played by Martin Lawrence, lives at this house in Orange, California.

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LOCATION: 192 N Shaffer St, Orange, CA 92866

The FBI is on a stakeout, watching the house from across the street.  The real house is indeed located directly across from Big Momma’s house, as seen in the film.

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LOCATION: 195 N Shaffer St, Orange, CA 92866

Big Momma goes out walking around Orange Circle.  A staple of film, Orange Circle has also been seen in such movies as “That Thing You Do!,” “Small Soldiers,” “Frailty,” and many more.

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LOCATION: 102 N Glassell St, Orange, CA 92866

Pretty Woman (1990)

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In the 1990 romantic comedy “Pretty Woman,” Vivian, played by Julia Roberts, lives at this Hollywood hotel.  The real hotel is located right off of Hollywood Blvd, exactly as depicted in the film.  At the end of the movie, Edward, played by Richard Gere, climbs the fire escape with roses and the two passionately kiss.

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LOCATION: 1738 N Las Palmas Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90028

Vivan stays at a luxurious hotel in Beverly Hills.

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LOCATION: 9500 Wilshire Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA 90212

Vivian and Edward walk past the Arthur J. Will Memorial Fountain at Grand Park in Downtown L.A.  The same fountain was seen in “(500) Days Of Summer.”

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LOCATION: Arthur J. Will Memorial Fountain, Los Angeles, CA 90012

Edward’s office can be found in Downtown Los Angeles. The same building can be seen in such films as “Barbie,” “Night Of The Comet,” “Cutter’s Way” and “The Muppets.”

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LOCATION: 333 S Hope St, Los Angeles, CA 90071

The opera house was a composite of three locations. The exterior, supposedly located in San Francisco, is actually the Carnegie Museum & Library in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The same building appears in the films “The Silence Of The Lambs” and “Flashdance.” In fact, this film used the actual footage from “Flashdance” as their establishing shot after their planned location fell through. The interior lobby was filmed at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County (900 W Exposition Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90007), while the theatre was filmed at Walt Disney Studios (500 S Buena Vista St, Burbank, CA 91521).

LOCATION: 4400 Forbes Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15213

Memento (2000)

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The Christopher Nolan film “Memento” mostly shot around the San Fernando Valley in Southern California.  The opening and closing scenes of the film, as well as the scenes of Leonard burning his wife’s mementos, were all shot at the Fletcher Oil Refinery in Carson, California (24721 S Main St, Carson, CA 90745), which has since been demolished.

Teddy, played by Joe Pantoliano, takes Leonard, played by Guy Pearce, out to lunch at this diner in Sylmar. The same coffee shop has appeared in the films “Over The Top” and “Every Which Way But Loose,” as well as such TV series as “Too Old To Die Young,” “Bosch” and “NCIS: Los Angeles.” Across the street is also another notable filming location, the motel from “The Addams Family.”

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LOCATION: 12192 San Fernando Rd, Sylmar, CA 91342

Throughout most of the film, Leonard stays at the Discount Inn motel.  It’s actually the Travel Inn in Tujunga, California.  Both the motel and the surrounding area have seen better days, so use caution if visiting.

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LOCATION: 7254 Foothill Blvd, Tujunga, CA 91042

The motel manager takes advantage of Leonard’s condition and secretly charges him for two rooms.

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Later in the film, Leonard visits Natalie’s house, played by Carrie-Anne Moss, where she deceives him into believing that Dodd has beat her.  The house, which as since been renovated a bit, can be found in Burbank.

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LOCATION: 919 E Magnolia Blvd, Burbank, CA 91501

Leonard finds himself at another motel, the Mountcrest Inn, where he ambushes Dodd and ties him up.  This motel is the Hill Crest Inn in North Hills.

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LOCATION: 9111 Sepulveda Blvd, North Hills, CA 91343

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Leonard visits Natalie at “Ferdy’s Bar,” where she spits in his beer to test his memory.  This was filmed at The Blue Room in Burbank.  The interior of the bar is shown in the film. The same location appears in “Heat” and the 1997 film “Touch.”

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LOCATION: 916 S San Fernando Blvd, Burbank, CA 91502

Related articles: The Dark Knight (2008), Inception (2010), The Dark Knight Rises (2012)

Titanic (1997)

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The classic 1997 James Cameron film “Titanic” was of course filmed primarily on a recreated set of the famous ship, which was built at Fox Baja Studios in Mexico.  In 2017, however, the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California held a unique exhibition on the ship, where it combined real artifacts from the sunken ship alongside props and sets from the film.  It was the largest collection of artifacts from passengers of the ship since the fateful night it collided with an iceberg a century before.

The exhibit has unfortunately since closed, but here we’ll take a look at some of the props, costumes and sets from the film that were on display.

This is the set of the famous scene where Jack, played by Leonardo DiCaprio, draws a nude Rose, played by Kate Winslet.

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Here are some props from the scene, including Rose’s mirror, butterfly hairpin and comb, as well as her “Heart of the Ocean” necklace.

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Here is Jack’s sketchbook and pencil case.  On top of the sketchbook is also the note Rose leaves for Cal, played by Billy Zane.  She places the note inside his safe, along with the necklace.  Her note reads, “Darling – Now you can keep us both locked up inside your safe.  Rose.”

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This is the set of Jack and his friend Fabrizio’s cabin, designed for third class passengers.

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Here is the Marconi Room, another set from the film, where the ship sent out it’s distress calls and communicated with other ships.  Without it, no one would’ve known why or where the ship had sunk.

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Jack Dawson’s suit as he boards the ship.

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Rose wears this dress while the ship is sinking.

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Molly Brown, played by Kathy Bates, wears this dress.

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Bruce Ismay, played by Jonathan Hyde, wears these pajamas and overcoat.

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Here is a dress worn by one of the first class passengers in the film.

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Moving on to more props from the film, here is the clock and cherub from the grand staircase of the ship, where Jack greets Rose.

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Some scale miniatures were also built for the film, including a 45 foot long model of the ship.  Here are some pieces from the miniature.

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The ax Rose uses to free Jack, who is handcuffed in his cabin.

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While the exhibit closed down in 2018, due to the enduring popularity of both the film and the history of the ship itself, these artifacts are bound to find their way into another, future exhibition.

We leave you with one last prop from the film, which was not part of the Reagan Library exhibit.  Rather, it can be found at Planet Hollywood in Florida.  It’s the piece of wood that Rose floats on at the end of the film.

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LOCATION: 1506 E Buena Vista Dr, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830

Donnie Darko (2001)

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In the 2001 film “Donnie Darko,” a jet engine crashes into the bedroom of the Darko residence.  While set in the town of Middlesex, Virginia, the house can actually be found in Long Beach, California.

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LOCATION: 4225 Country Club Dr, Long Beach, CA 90807

Just up the same road, the house of Jim Cunningham, played by Patrick Swayze, can also be found.

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LOCATION: 4252 Country Club Dr, Long Beach, CA 90807

The high school seen in the film is Layola High School in Los Angeles.

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LOCATION: 1901 Venice Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90006

Donnie goes to a movie at the Aero Theater in Santa Monica, one of the best revival houses in the Los Angeles area.  The theater regularly shows classic films, often featuring Q&A’s with the filmmakers and cast.  It has been featured in many films, including “Get Shorty” and “Sleepwalkers.”

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LOCATION: 1328 Montana Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90403

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Related articles: Southland Tales (2006)

American Pie (1999)

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The house from the 1999 comedy “American Pie” can be found in Long Beach, California.  In the film, Jim, played by Jason Biggs, makes a pact with his friends to lose their virginity.  Jim lives with his family at this home, where many famous scenes take place, including a memorable encounter with a sexy foreign exchange student, played by Shannon Elizabeth, as well as the infamous pie scene.

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LOCATION: 4153 Cedar Ave, Long Beach, CA 90807

The house where Michelle, played by Alyson Hannigan, lives can also be found on the same road.

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LOCATION: 3925 Cedar Ave, Long Beach, CA 90807

Kevin’s home can be found in Pasadena.

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LOCATION: 3689 San Pasqual St, Pasadena, CA 91107

The high school used in the film is Millikan High School in Long Beach.

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LOCATION: 2800 Snowden Ave, Long Beach, CA 90815

The boys frequent this restaurant, located in Monrovia.

LOCATION: 402 S Myrtle Ave, Monrovia, CA 91016

The exterior of Stifler’s house can also be found in Pasadena.

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LOCATION: 3644 Lombardy Rd, Pasadena, CA 91107

The interiors of Stifler’s house, however, used this house in Altadena.  The house has been used in many productions, including “Can’t Hardly Wait,” “Bye Bye Love,” “American Pie 2,” “How Stella Got Her Groove Back,” “Cheaper By The Dozen,” “Crazy On The Outside” and “I Know Who Killed Me,” as well as such TV shows as “The Mentalist,” “This Is Us,” “7th Heaven,” “NCIS,” “Criminal Minds,” “Ghost Whisperer,” “Desperate Housewives” and “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.”

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LOCATION: 1090 Rubio St, Altadena, CA 91001

Related articles: American Pie 2 (2001)

The Mask (1994)

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Much of the 1994 Jim Carrey comedy “The Mask” filmed around the Warner Bros. Studio Lot in Burbank, California.  After Stanley Ipkiss, played by Carrey first tries on the mask, a startled neighbor pulls a gun on him and he leaps out of a window from this building on the Warner Lot, where he falls to the street and like a cartoon character, flattens like a pancake, before peeling himself back up.  The same building was featured in an action sequence in the Steven Spielberg film “Minority Report.”

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LOCATION: 4000 Warner Blvd, Burbank, CA 91505

The bank where Stanley works was filmed at the A.G. Bartlett Building in downtown Los Angeles.  The building is currently used for a variety of businesses and lofts.  The property has been seen in countless other films, including “They Live” “Seven,” “The Prestige,” “Ghost,” “Bridesmaids,” “13 Going On 30” and many more.  This area cannot normally be accessed by pedestrians.  However, portions are still visible from the street in a couple areas through the windows.

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LOCATION: 650 S Spring St, Los Angeles, CA 90014

The mechanic’s shop where Stanley gets a loaner car was filmed at Fire Station No. 23 in Downtown L.A.  The fire station was closed in 1960 and has currently fallen into quite a state of disrepair.  Currently the building is boarded up, covered in graffiti and prohibited from entry.  It sits in a pretty bad area, not far from skid row. The same building was featuring in such films as “Ghostbusters,” “Lost Highway,” “Flatliners,” “Set It Off,” “Big Trouble In Little China” and more.

LOCATION: 225 E 5th St, Los Angeles, CA 90013

The Coco Bongo nightclub scenes were filmed at the former Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles, which has long since been demolished. The hotel was a staple of film and television, appearing in such films as “The Graduate,” “True Romance,” “Seven,” “Forrest Gump,” “Bobby,” “True Lies,” “L.A. Story,” “Catch Me If You Can,” “Calendar Girl” and dozens more. Only this post and statue from the original building remain at the location.

LOCATION: 3400 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90010 (now demolished)