Raising Arizona (1987)

May 18, 2020April 4, 2025 / filmoblivion / Leave a comment

The 1987 Coen Brothers film “Raising Arizona” was, as you might have guessed, filmed in Arizona. Early in the film, the recently paroled H.I. McDunnough, played by Nicolas Cage, robs a convenience store, winding up back in jail. The store has since been remodeled, but still remains standing in Phoenix.

LOCATION: 2311 W Deer Valley Dr, Phoenix, AZ 85027

The trailer where H.I. and his new wife Ed, played by Holly Hunter, first move after getting married can be found in Scottsdale. In reality, it’s just an empty plot of land, which can be found on the left side where N 136th St dead ends into E Del Timbre Dr.

LOCATION: N 136th St / E Del Timbre Dr, Scottsdale, AZ 85259

After discovering they’re unable to have children, H.I. and Ed hear news of a family named Arizona having five children and decide to steal one of them to raise as their own. The home of the Arizonas is a slight challenge to locate and photograph. It is found on the grounds of a luxury resort called The Phoenician. If you travel just briefly up N Phoenician Blvd from E Camelback Rd, you’ll see it on your left. The building, known as the Jokake Inn, has no unique address separate from the large resort grounds, but the GPS coordinates are 33°30’14.1″N 111°57’04.5″W. As you can see in the photo, there is a spot there to u turn out of the property. If you proceed any further, there is a security checkpoint immediately ahead and no other place to turn around without passing through the checkpoint.

LOCATION: Jokake Inn at The Phoenician, N Phoenician Blvd, Phoenix, AZ 85018 (GPS coordinates: 33°30’14.1″N 111°57’04.5″W)

After trying to rob a store for some diapers, H.I. is chased by the police. After he is ejected through the front window of a truck, he runs through this house, located in Scottsdate.

LOCATION: 8620 E Malcomb Dr, Scottsdale, AZ 85250

Near the end of the film, H.I. battles the bounty hunter Leonard Smalls near this water tower in Scottsdale. Directly across the street was the bank location that Gale and Evelle rob, but it has since been demolished. The buildings and water tower on the opposite side of the road still remain standing, however. This same location appears in the 1986 film “Cobra Mission” (a.k.a. “Operation Nam”).

LOCATION: 27400 N Alma School Pkwy, Scottsdale, AZ 85262

Little Giants (1994)

May 17, 2020October 23, 2022 / filmoblivion / Leave a comment

The 1994 football comedy “Little Giants” supposedly takes place in the town of Urbania, Ohio. However, most of the filming actually took place in the small Central California town of Arroyo Grande. Producers felt they could match the look of Ohio there while keeping the advantages of filming in California.

One of the main locations featured is the gas station where the Little Giants practice over the course of the film. The gas station is owned by Danny O’Shea (Rick Moranis), father of Becky “Icebox” O’Shea and coach of the Little Giants. The gas station itself is located on Traffic Way and the location is seen from both the front and back in the film. However, it’s the back of the location, facing Bridge St, which was featured the most.

Back when filming took place, the parking area was still dirt and not paved with cement as it is today. The barn on the right was also featured in many scenes and still stands today.

LOCATION: 139 Traffic Way, Arroyo Grande, CA 93420 (back area faces Bridge St)

Here is the front of the gas station facing Traffic Way. The kids are seen running a car wash out front in one scene. In the film, there were gas pumps and a canopy extending out, which has since been removed. The black pole on the right, which was the sign for the gas station, still remained.

The owner of the shop kindly wrote in to let us know the building has since been renovated and offered this photo showing how the building now appears.

The Arroyo Grande Bridge is also seen frequently in the background as the kids practice football. In one scene, rival coach Kevin O’Shea, played by Ed O’Neill, spies on the team from the bridge. Built in 1908, the bridge really is located right next to the gas station location on Bridge St.

LOCATION: Arroyo Grande Bridge, 118-142 Bridge St, Arroyo Grande, CA 93420

Arroyo Grande is located almost halfway between Los Angeles and San Francisco. If you’re a fan of the film and find yourself making the drive between cities, some 90s nostalgia can be found tucked away in the small town.

The Party (1968)

May 10, 2020October 19, 2022 / filmoblivion / 1 Comment

The 1968 comedy Peter Sellers comedy “The Party,” directed by Blake Edwards, is a gem of a film if you’ve never seen it. The house of Mr. Clutterbuck serves as the central location of the film. The exterior of the house can be found near West Hollywood, California. The interiors were a set build at the former Samuel Goldwyn Studios (7200 Santa Monica Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90046).

LOCATION: 9271 Robin Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90069

Near the end of the film, Hrundi V. Bakshi, played by Sellers, drops Michele Monet, played by Claudine Longet, off at her apartment, which can also be found near West Hollywood.

LOCATION: 1427 N Poinsettia Pl, Los Angeles, CA 90046

She’s All That (1999)

May 9, 2020December 10, 2022 / filmoblivion / Leave a comment

The 1999 teen comedy “She’s All That,” starring Rachel Leigh Cook and Freddie Prinze Jr., was filmed entirely in Sourthern California. Laney Boggs, played by Cook, lives at this house in Redondo Beach.

LOCATION: 507 Paseo De La Playa, Redondo Beach, CA 90277

The home was only used for exterior shots. Interior shots were filmed just across the street at 504 Paseo De La Playa, Redondo Beach, CA 90277.

The high school scenes were filmed at Torrance High School. The same school was featured in the TV series “Buffy The Vampire Slayer” and “Beverly Hills, 90210.”

LOCATION: 2200 W Carson St, Torrance, CA 90501

Last Action Hero (1993)

May 3, 2020March 17, 2024 / filmoblivion / Leave a comment

The 1993 film “Last Action Hero” was shot mostly in Southern California, with a few additional scenes filmed in New York City. Early in the film, Jack Slater, played by Arnold Schwarzenegger, faces off against his nemesis, The Ripper, played by Tom Noonan. These scenes were filmed at the Culver Hotel in Culver City.

LOCATION: 9400 Culver Blvd, Culver City, CA 90232

A magic ticket enters Danny, played by Austin O’Brien, into the movie. He proceeds to try to convince Slater, unsuccessfully, that he too is in a movie. Danny takes Slater to a video store in an attempt to point out other movies Arnold Schwarzenegger has appeared in. After coming across a standee for “Terminator 2: Judgment Day,” Danny is shocked to see Sylvester Stallone on the image instead. These scenes were filmed at the Malibu Colony Plaza in Malibu. The two continue arguing out front after they leave the video store.

LOCATION: 23705 Malibu Rd, Malibu, CA 90265

Tony Vivaldi, played by Anthony Quinn, lives at this Mailbu estate.

LOCATION: 28824 Cliffside Dr, Malibu, CA 90265

Jack Slater’s house can be found in Sherman Oaks. A large gate has been built around the front, obscuring most of the view.

LOCATION: 3831 Oakfield Dr, Sherman Oaks, CA 91423

This angle of the back of the home, also seen in the film, remains a bit more visible.

Late in the film, a mob funeral is held at the Hyatt Regency Long Beach.

LOCATION: 200 S Pine Ave, Long Beach, CA 90802

Reacher can be seen driving his car across the water here.

Here is the entrance to the hotel, where Benedict, played by Charles Dance, is seen.

Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star (2003)

May 2, 2020October 15, 2022 / filmoblivion / Leave a comment

In the 2003 David Spade comedy, “Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star,” Dickie, played by Spade, tries to recapture his lost youth by staying with his family at their home. The house can be found in Pasadena, California. It is located just a couple houses away from the home from the film “Rumor Has It…“

LOCATION: 741 S Hudson Ave, Pasadena, CA 91106

Some Kind Of Wonderful (1987)

April 27, 2020December 10, 2022 / filmoblivion / Leave a comment

The 1980s film “Some Kind of Wonderful,” written by John Hughes, was filmed entirely around Southern California. Amanda, played by Lea Thompson, lives at this house located in Wilmington.

LOCATION: 1319 W E St, Wilmington, CA 90744

Here is another view of the home.

Keith, played by Eric Stoltz, lives at this home, also located in Wilmington.

LOCATION: 1441 W I St, Wilmington, CA 90744

The high school scenes were filmed at the San Pedro High School.

LOCATION: 1001 W 15th St, San Pedro, CA 90731

Hardy Jenn’s house can be found in Central Los Angeles.

LOCATION: 516 S Hudson Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90020

I, Robot (2004)

April 26, 2020December 22, 2022 / filmoblivion / Leave a comment

In the 2004 sci-fi action film “I, Robot,” Detective Del Spooner, played by Will Smith, is attacked by robots while he is driving this Audi RSQ. Specifically developed for the film, the vehicle could be seen at the Peterson Automotive Museum in Los Angeles, California, which ran an exhibit entitled “Hollywood Dream Machines: Vehicles Of Science Fiction and Fantasy” from May 2019 through May 2020.

LOCATION: Peterson Automotive Museum, 6060 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036

The Simpsons

April 25, 2020December 22, 2022 / filmoblivion

While it’s obvious that an animated show such as “The Simpsons” does not have any actual filming locations, there are a few real world replicas that do a good job of recreating the town of Springfield.

A full scale recreation of The Simpsons house was built in Henderson, Nevada, just outside of Las Vegas. The house was designed to be an exact replica, with the builders studying over 100 episodes for the series in an attempt to match every detail. When the house was first unveiled, it was painted in the same colors as the show. The home was built as part of a promotional contest in 1997 from the TV network, where the winner could choose between having the house or the cash value of the property at the time, $75,000. The winner ended up choosing the latter and the home went up for sale and became just another private home. There is even an image of Homer by series creator Matt Groening drawn into the cement of the sidewalk leading to the front door. If only a fan with more enthusiasm for the show had won, the home could have been turned into a tourist attraction for fans to come and visit. Nevertheless, looking at the outer facade of the home, you can still see the resemblance to the cartoon.

LOCATION: 712 Red Bark Ln, Henderson, NV 89011

Something much better suited for fans of the show is the Springfield area of Universal Studios Hollywood. Many recreations of the show exist there, in the form of restaurants, rides and stores. Here is a sign welcoming guests to Springfield.

LOCATION: 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, CA 91608

Here is Moe’s Tavern, with the Springfield sign and power plant in the background.

Here is Barney inside Moe’s Tavern, looking for a refill.

Here is the Kwik-E-Mart.

Millhouse is outside enjoying a beverage.

Krusty Buger.

Lard Lad Donuts, the mascot for which is something of a hybrid between Bob’s Big Boy and Randy’s Donuts.

Here is the Springfield Police Station, where Eddie and Lou keep an eye on things.

Meanwhile, Snake is escaping the jail directly above them.

Nearby, Chief Wiggum has crashed his police car into a pole.

Here is the Springfield Department of Motor Vehicles, where Patty and Selma work.

Here is the office of Dr. Nick Riviera.

Disco Stu has closed up shop due to an injury.

Krustyland, where The Simpsons Ride is located.

Cletus is running a chicken restaurant.

Here’s a Duff’s hot dog shop, with the brewery in the background.

Last, but not least, we leave you with the Bumblebee Man’s taco truck.

Starman (1984)

April 19, 2020December 10, 2022 / filmoblivion / Leave a comment

The 1984 sci-fi film “Starman,” directed by John Carpenter, was filmed in numerous locations, including Tennessee, Arizona, Colorado, Utah, Nevada and Iowa. Jenny, played by Karen Allen, tries to get Starman, played by Jeff Bridges, back home by taking him to the Meteor Crater Natural Landmark in Winslow, Arizona. The crater site is privately owned. However, it is open to public visitation and is a popular tourist destination.

LOCATION: Meteor Crater Natural Landmark, Interstate 40, Winslow, AZ 86047

The photos do not do justice to how large and impressive the site is in person, but here is a panoramic view.

Film Oblivion

Movie and TV locations, points of interest.