In the 1978 remake of “Invasion of the Body Snatchers,” the film’s most famous scene is easily the ending, involving Donald Sutherland’s character. The film was shot around San Francisco, with the memorable ending shot at Civic Center Plaza in front of San Francisco City Hall.
LOCATION: 1 Dr Carlton B Goodlett Pl, San Francisco, CA 94102
The house from the 1984 short film “Frankenweenie,” directed by Tim Burton, was filmed in South Pasadena. Burton later remade the film as an animated feature in 2012. Here is the home of the Frankenstein family, played by Shelley Duvall, Daniel Stern and Barret Oliver.
LOCATION: 816 Stratford Ave, South Pasadena, CA 91030
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Set upon the streets of Los Angeles, Nicolas Winding Refn’s “Drive” utilized locations both in the city and spread out across the Valley.
The opening robbery was filmed at Maestro DJ and Electronics warehouse in L.A.
LOCATION: 1710 Naomi Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90021
The Driver, played by Ryan Gosling, meets Carey Mulligan’s character at the Big “6” Market.
LOCATION: 550 S Rampart Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90057
The Driver lives a few doors down from Irene, in what is supposed to be an apartment building. These scenes were actually filmed at the MacArthur in Los Angeles, formerly known as the Park Plaza Hotel. No longer a functioning hotel, the MacArthur today serves primarily as a property for hosting filming and special events. It has been featured in many films, such as “Wild At Heart,” “Reservoir Dogs,” “Gangster Squad,” “Tango & Cash,” “Buffy The Vampire Slayer,” “The Hidden” and many more. The building is only seen from interior views in the film.
LOCATION: 607 S Park View St, Los Angeles, CA 90057
The Driver makes a deal with the criminals pressuring Oscar Isaac’s character Standard at MacArthur Park in front of the water. The same park was seen in the 1993 film “Falling Down.” For those unfamiliar with Los Angeles and planning a visit, MacArthur Park used to be considered a popular drug hangout. While there has been an effort to improve safety conditions at the park, it is still frequented by some addicts and homeless people. Visitors are advised to use some caution.
LOCATION: 2230 W 6th St, Los Angeles, CA 90057
Nino’s Pizzeria is a real pizza place, however the name of the restaurant is actually Vincenzo’s Pizza, located in Granada Hills. The sign was swapped out by the production, which also added the checkerboard paneling over the front windows.
LOCATION: 11045 Balboa Blvd, Granada Hills, CA 91344
The pawn shop’s robbery gone wrong was filmed at the Santa Clarita Elk’s Lodge, which is a bit of a distance from the other locations.
LOCATION: 17766 Sierra Hwy, Santa Clarita, CA 91351
The motel where a violent gunfight ensues is the Pink Motel in Sun Valley. It is not an operational motel, rather a set used for filming or special events. While we encountered no issues when visiting, according to many online comments, the property is not receptive to public visitation these days, preferring only professional clients. So be sure not to trespass. The motel property has been featured in countless productions, such as “The House Bunny,” as well as the TV shows “GLOW” and “Dexter” Due to the frequent use in productions, the director deliberately chose to film only the interiors of the motel, as to avoid immediate recognition.
LOCATION: 9457 San Fernando Rd, Sun Valley, CA 91352
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The 2012 Marvel film “The Avengers” shot in a wide variety of locations, including Cleveland, Ohio, New York City, New York, Albuquerque, New Mexico, Los Angeles, California and more. In an early scene in the film, Cleveland stood in for Russia. Black Widow, played by Scarlett Johansson, is bound to a chair being interrogated at this warehouse when she gets a call from Agent Coulson.
LOCATION: 2175 Ashland Rd, Cleveland, OH 44103
Having visited a lot of filming locations throughout many cities, this stood as one of the more precarious spots we’ve been. As such, we caution visiting yourself. While there were no signs posted prohibiting entrance and the building appears to be abandoned, it is in a derelict area and the building itself is in very poor condition. Entire portions of walls were missing and only an old, narrow staircase leads you to this top level where the scenes were shot.
While we encountered no issues during our visit, the building and surrounding area houses many potential hazards. Standing there in person, it is hard to believe a major motion picture shot here, but there’s no denying it offers a unique and interesting appearance.
While it is never seen from this exterior angle in the film, we have included an image of what the building looks like from the outside.
Cleveland also stands in for Stuttgart, Germany, where Loki descends down these stairs as he grabs the attention of the party guests. They all flee when Loki attacks a man. These scenes were filmed inside the Probate Court of Cuyahoga County. The building is open to the public, albeit with a security screening required upon entry. Photos are permitted inside.
LOCATION: 1 W Lakeside Ave, Cleveland, OH 44113
As Loki makes his way outside what is supposed to be the same building, he orders the frightened crowd kneel before him. This is followed by a brief battle against Iron Man, Captain America and Black Widow. These exterior scenes were filmed at a completely different location in front of Tower City Center, part of Cleveland Public Square.
LOCATION: 230 W Huron Rd, Cleveland, OH 44113
Most of the climactic battle was filmed in New York City. Thor can be seen from the top of the Chrysler Building wielding his hammer to battle enemies in the sky. The same building can be seen in the background of Stark Tower, a CGI created building which does not actually exist.
LOCATION: 405 Lexington Ave, New York, NY 10174
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One of the most well known film locations in the Los Angeles area is Nakatomi Plaza from “Die Hard.” The building is actually Fox Plaza.
LOCATION: 2121 Avenue of the Stars, Los Angeles, CA 90067
Here is the opposite side of the building, also seen in the film. While the front of the building facing the street is easily visible to the public, this back area is typically off limits to public access. This same plaza also appeared in the film “Airheads,” with the building on the bottom right of the image below featured as the radio station.
As snow falls on “O’Hara’s Pub” in the opening scenes of Terry Zwigoff’s “Bad Santa,” the sunny streets of Venice, California are probably the last thought in the minds of the viewers. However, that’s exactly where the scenes were shot, at a store front along the famous Abbot Kinney Boulevard. A wooden facade was partially built over the store front, along with a neon sign, with only the outer brick lining still visible. It’s located just a couple doors down from the record label where Paul Rudd works in “This Is 40.”
LOCATION: 1100 Abbot Kinney Blvd, Venice, CA 90291
Willie, played by Billy Bob Thorton, lives at this apartment, located in Long Beach.
LOCATION: 1161 Magnolia Ave, Long Beach, CA 90813
Willie finds someone searching through his motel room. This scene was also filmed in Long Beach.
LOCATION: 446 W Pacific Coast Hwy, Long Beach, CA 90806
Willie hides out at Thurman Merman’s house, which can be found in West Hills, California.
LOCATION: 7211 Whitehall Ln, West Hills, CA 91307
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In the 1989 film “The Wizard,” Corey, played by Fred Savage, along with his brother Jimmy, played by Luke Edwards, run away to California. Their father and brother, played by Beau Bridges and Christian Slater respectively, follow on their trail in hopes of finding them. Sam (Bridges) and Nick (Slater) stay at this hotel and play video games. These scenes were filed at the Sierra Pelona Motel in Santa Clarita. The motel also appeared in the films “Near Dark,” “The Grifters” and “Crossroads,” as well as the TV shows “Too Old To Die Young” and “Westworld.”
LOCATION: 12117 Sierra Hwy, Santa Clarita, CA 91390
Corey and Jimmy make their way to Reno, which is home to Haley, played by Jenny Lewis. The famous Reno Arch is featured prominently during this scene.
LOCATION: 345 N Virginia St, Reno, NV 89501
The casino scenes were filmed at the Peppermill Resort Spa Casino in Reno. The same casino, which has since been remodeled, also appeared in the film “Hard Eight.”
LOCATION: 2707 S Virginia St, Reno, NV 89502
Near the end of the film, Jimmy makes his way to the Cabazon Dinosaurs to relive some family memories. The dinosaurs are a roadside attraction in Cabazon, California and can be seen from the 10 freeway. Originally built by a sculptor and theme park artist as a way to attract customers to his nearby restaurant, the dinosaurs now operate as a small museum and gift shop. The dinosaurs were also seen in the 1984 film “Paris, Texas” and the 1985 film “Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure.”
LOCATION: 50700 Seminole Dr, Cabazon, CA 92230
To see our “The Wizard” location page, click here.
Unlike the first two installments of Christopher Nolan’s “The Dark Knight” trilogy, which used Chicago to double as Gotham City, the third and final installment, “The Dark Knight Rises” used an amalgam of cities, which included Pittsburgh, New York City and Los Angeles. Here we take a look at some of these locations.
Bane robs the Gotham City Stock Exchange, which was filmed in the heart of New York’s financial district on Wall Street. However, the production used the JP Morgan building, located directly across the street from the New York Stock Exchange.
LOCATION: 23 Wall St, New York, NY 10005
As Bane unleashes an explosion at the Gotham football stadium, as well as all across Gotham, Blake, played by Joseph Gordon-Levitt, is rocked by one of the explosives and his car flips over as he drives down this alley. While many of these shots were filmed in Pittsburgh, this particular alley can be found in downtown Los Angeles. It’s located on Terminal Street, which intersects with 7th Street, just past Alameda Street.
LOCATION: Terminal St, Los Angeles, CA 90021 (a nearby address to arrive around the alley would be 1371 E 7th St, Los Angeles, CA 90021)
The police get trapped in a tunnel under the 6th Street Bridge, also in Downtown L.A. The bridge has been seen in countless films over the years, including “Grease,” “Terminator 2: Judgment Day,” “Gone in Sixty Seconds,” “Drive” and many more. The original bridge was demolished in 2016, with a new bridge built in its place in 2022. The area where the scene took place has changed quite a bit.
LOCATION: Under the 6th St Bridge, at the intersection of lower E 6th St / Santa Fe Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90013 (heavily remodeled)
The scenes of Scarecrow sentencing people to punishment was filmed at Union Station, a train station in downtown Los Angeles. It has been featured in many films, such as “Blade Runner,” “Catch Me If You Can,” “Species,” “Bugsy,” “Pearl Harbor” and more.
LOCATION: 800 N Alameda St, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Over at the 3rd Street Tunnel in downtown Los Angeles is where Catwoman, played by Anne Hathaway, uses the Batpod to blow up some cars, which have been piled up to obstruct the entrance. The view seen in the film is on the side of the tunnel that faces Flower Street. The same tunnel was also seen in “Darkman.”
LOCATION: W 3rd St., at the entrance facing S Flower St, Los Angeles, CA 90810
The Batpod Catwoman rides can be seen on display at the Peterson Automotive Museum, also in Los Angeles.
LOCATION: Peterson Automotive Museum, 6060 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036
Moving over to Pittsburgh, the Carnegie Mellon University was used for a couple key sequences, near the film’s climax. Bane released the prisoners from Blackgate Prison, which was shot at Carnegie Mellon’s Software Engineering Institute. The building’s address is on Fifth Ave., but you’ll actually have to turn the corner to the side of the building facing Dirthridge St. to see the spot used in the film.
LOCATION: Software Engineering Institute, 4500 Fifth Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15213 (facing Dirthridge St)
The Mellon Institute, which is located right beside the Software Engineering Institute, served as Gotham City Hall, where Bane and Batman do battle on the steps of the building.
LOCATION: Mellon Institute, 4400 Fifth Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15213
Lastly, we leave you with a shot of the Batmobile Tumbler from the film, which is on display at Warner Bros. Studios, as part of their tour.
LOCATION: 4000 Warner Blvd, Burbank, CA 91505
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The original version of “The Bad News Bears” shot at Mason Park in Chatsworth, California. The field was mostly unchanged for the production, with the biggest addition being a fence. The field still exists today, though it has been heavily remodeled. Curiously, there isn’t even so much as a sign denoting the field’s connection with the film. You would think the parks and recreation would better embrace their history.
Los Angeles appears to better acknowledge their film history. There is a field in the city actually named The Bad News Bears Field (1411 S Sepulveda Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90025). While no filming took place at the L.A. field, it also has a connection with the film. Screenwriter Bill Lancaster enrolled his son in little league at the field. He drew upon the experiences as the basis for the film’s screenplay.
Below is a photo of the Chatsworth field, where the film was shot. Note that there are two baseball fields at the park. The one used in the film is the one nearest to Mason Ave, not the one near Fullbright Ave. The field also appeared in parts of the sequel “Bad News Bears in Breaking Training.”
LOCATION: 10500 Mason Ave, Chatsworth, CA 91311
While the majority of Paul Thomas Anderson’s 2007 film “There Will Be Blood” was shot on location at McGuire Ranch in Marfa, Texas, the film’s third act was shot mostly in Beverly Hills, California. However, the brief establishing shot of Daniel Plainview’s mansion was shot at Thornewood Castle in Lakewood, Washington. Completed in 1911, the property is located within a private, gated community. However, the estate currently serves as an event space and bed and breakfast. The Stephen King miniseries “Rose Red” also filmed at Thornwood, as well as the prequel film “The Diary of Ellen Rimbauer” and the 1927 silent film “The Eyes of the Totem.”
LOCATION: 8601 N Thorne Ln SW, Lakewood, WA 98498
All of the interiors of the Plainview mansion were shot at Greystone Mansion in Beverly Hills. While the outside of the Greystone grounds is open daily and free to the public, getting inside is a bit more challenging. The property is owned by the City of Beverly Hills and regularly accommodates productions and private events. Therefore, only a few times a year is access to the inside of the estate possible. Planning ahead is required if you’d like to see inside.
Daniel Plainview, played by Daniel Day Lewis, can be seen firing his gun in his house from this hallway.
LOCATION: 905 Loma Vista Dr., Beverly Hills, CA 90210
The objects he is shooting at, which his son later steps over when arriving to visit, is seen from the reverse perspective.
Daniel Plainview can be seen writing checks at this kitchen counter.
Plainview’s son comes to visit Daniel in his office, which is lit much darker in the film. This same room can also be seen in “The Big Lebowski,” when The Dude visits The Big Lebowski, as well as in the films “Air Force One” and “Flowers In The Attic.” This room can actually be seen without gaining entry inside the building. Just left of the main windows at the front of the mansion, you can usually look through the windows and see this room, unless curtains are blocking it.
Daniel sits at his desk in front of this window, which again is much darker in the film.
A drunken Daniel Plainview is seen stumbling down these stairs, as the film approaches it’s final scenes.
Eli Sunday, played by Paul Dano, pays Daniel a visit and fixes himself a drink at this bar.
In this corner of the bowling alley is where Eli Sunday and Daniel Plainview sit and talk, with Plainview seated on the bowling ball rack. Daniel demands Eli declare himself a false profit and delivers the famous “I drink your milkshake” speech. The bowling alley was completely restored by the production and the room remains identical to how it appeared in the film.
The film’s violent ending takes place on these bowling lanes. “I’m finished.”
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Film Oblivion 