The house from the 1970s sitcom “The Partridge Family” could be found on the Warner Bros. Ranch in Burbank. This studio lot was separate from the main Warner backlot and not open to public tours. The house had since changed a bit in appearance, due to being used for an explosion during the filming of “Lethal Weapon.” The same house can be seen in “The Monster Squad.” The entire ranch was demolished in 2023, with sound stages taking over the space.
LOCATION: 411 N Hollywood Way, Burbank, CA 91505 (demolished)
The house from the classic TV series “Bewitched” could be found at the Warner Bros. Ranch in Burbank, California. The ranch was a small lot located apart from the main studio lot and was not open to the public. However, the design of this house is actually based on a real home, located at 267 18th St, Santa Monica, CA 90402, with the layout simply reversed for the ranch set. While the Santa Monica home was never used on screen, it’s the closest version visible to the public. The house set at the Warner Bros. Ranch was also used in the TV series “Gidget” and “The Geena Davis Show.” The entire ranch was demolished in 2023, with sound stages taking over the space.
LOCATION: 411 N Hollywood Way, Burbank, CA 91505 (demolished)
For the 1989 sequel “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation,” most of the story is set in Chicago, Illinois, but production took place primarily in Burbank, California, with a few exteriors filmed in Chicago and Colorado. The Griswold house was not a real house, rather a set on the Warner Bros. Ranch. The ranch was located separate from the main Warner Bros. Studio lot and not open to public tours. The entire ranch was demolished in 2023, with sound stages taking over the space. The same house could be seen in “American Beauty,” “WandaVision,” “Hocus Pocus,” “Small Soldiers,” “Pleasantville” and more.
LOCATION: 411 N Hollywood Way, Burbank, CA 91505 (demolished)
Just next to the Griswold house was the house of Todd and Margo, played by Nicholas Guest and Julia Louis-Dreyfus. It too was a set, but of all the houses on the ranch, it had the most functional interior, having been used in many productions. The house was mostly shown from side angles or close-ups, likely due to having been used in another popular film series at that time, such as “Lethal Weapon,” where it served as Danny Glover’s house. Known as the Lindsay house, it has also appeared in “American Beauty,” “WandaVision,” The Three Stooges serials, “Pushing Daisies,” “The Middle” and many more. It too has since been demolished.
LOCATION: 411 N Hollywood Way, Burbank, CA 91505 (demolished)
Clark flirts with an attractive woman working at a department store, before his son busts him. This was filmed at Bullocks Wilshire, a famous art deco building on Wilshire Blvd in Los Angeles. Once a luxury department store, the building now operates as a law school. The building is only seen from interior views in the film. While the inside is typically closed to the public, there are occasional public tour opportunities. The building has also been seen in the films “Mank,” “The Aviator,” “The Public Enemy” and “Dunston Checks In,” the TV series “Moonlighting” and Areosmith’s music video for “Love in an Elevator,” as well many other productions.
LOCATION: 3050 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90010
Later in the film, Clark fantasizes about the same department store woman, undressing at a pool in his back yard. The pool was also located at the Warner Bros Ranch. While located fairly close to the Griswold house, it was actually on the opposite side of the street (known as Blondie St), not in back of the house as depicted in the film. If not for the trees in the background of the photo below, you could see the Griswold house in the distance. This area has likewise since been demolished.
LOCATION: 411 N Hollywood Way, Burbank, CA 91505 (demolished)
Near the end of the film, Cousin Eddie, played by Randy Quaid, abducts Clark’s boss from his home after he stiffs his staff on their Christmas bonuses. This was filmed at the Mattison Boyd Jones house in Glendale, California. The house can be a bit tricky to see from the road, as the front of the property has a long fence with high shrubs and the driveway is gated. However, from the right angle you can still catch a view. Currently a private residence, the house has been seen in many television shows, primarily from the 70s and 80s, including “Flamingo Road,” “Columbo,” “Knight Rider” and “Emerald Point N.A.S.”
The cult 1980s film “The Monster Squad” shot mostly on studio lots, but there are a couple real world locations. The school the boys attend is the Richland Avenue Elementary School in Los Angeles.
LOCATION: 11562 Richland Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90064
One of those more memorable locations was the house of the “Scary German Guy.” It could be found in Santa Monica, but as is often the case around Southern California, new owners came along, demolished the property and built a more modern house in it’s place. Here is what it looks like now.
LOCATION: 229 12th St, Santa Monica, CA 90402 (now demolished)
Sean’s house was a facade, located on the Warner Bros. Ranch in Burbank. This studio lot was separate from the main Warner backlot and was not open to public tours. The same house was used in the 1970s TV series “The Partridge Family.” The entire ranch was demolished in 2023, with sound stages taking over the space.
LOCATION: 411 N Hollywood Way, Burbank, CA 91505 (demolished)
The climactic battle against the monsters was filmed on the main Warner backlot, which is of course open to tours. The boys make their way to this church, which was also seen in another 1980s horror classic, “The Lost Boys.”
LOCATION: 4000 Warner Blvd, Burbank, CA 91505
Here is a wider view of the town square, which was also famously used as the fictional town of “Stars Hollow” in the TV show “Gilmore Girls.”
Dracula stands in front of this house, which is another facade on the Warner lot. The same home was seen in “Gremlins” and “Deadly Friend,” as well as the TV series “Growing Pains” and “Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles.”
Seeing the locations of “The Monster Squad” is a tricky proposition, as it involves a mixture of studio and real world locations, not all of which we covered here. Whether you’re a nostalgic fan from the film’s initial release, or a new fan just discovering it for the first time, “The Monster Squad” continues to have an undeniable cult following.
It is common practice in Hollywood to film exteriors of homes on location, while filming interiors on studio lots. For the 1999 Sam Mendes film, “American Beauty,” an unusual approach was taken to film the exteriors on a studio lot and the interiors in real locations.
Lester Burnham, played by Kevin Spacey, lived at this house, the exterior of which was located on the Warner Bros. Ranch in Burbank, California. The ranch was a small lot located apart from the main studio lot, and not open to public tours. The entire ranch was demolished in 2023, with sound stages taking over the space. The house was also well known for having been used as the Griswold home in 1989’s “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.” It also appeared in “WandaVision,” “Hocus Pocus,” “Small Soldiers,” “Pleasantville” and more.
LOCATION: 411 N Hollywood Way, Burbank, CA 91505 (demolished)
The interiors of Lester’s home were filmed at this house, located in the Brentwood neighborhood of Los Angeles. The exterior of the house was also featured in the TV series “Lizzie McGuire,” starring Hilary Duff.
LOCATION: 11388 Homedale St, Los Angeles, CA 90049
To the right of the Bernham house at the Warner Bros. Ranch was the exterior of the Colonel’s house. This house was most well known for being Danny Glover’s home in the “Lethal Weapon” films. Known as the Lindsay house, it also appeared in “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation,” “WandaVision,” The Three Stooges serials, “Pushing Daisies,” “The Middle” and many more. This set has also since been demolished.
LOCATION: 411 N Hollywood Way, Burbank, CA 91505 (demolished)
The interior of the Colonel’s house was filmed at this home near Hancock Park. The same house appeared in the film “Lady Bird.”
LOCATION: 330 S Windsor Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90020
To the left of the Burnham house was the house of the two Jims, played by Scott Bakula and Sam Robards. To stand on Blondie Street at the Warner Bros Ranch, where all three of the house exteriors were located, it really felt like you’re standing in a real neighborhood. It’s only when you approach up close that the facades began to show. This set has likewise since been demolished.
LOCATION: 411 N Hollywood Way, Burbank, CA 91505 (demolished)
Lester takes a job at a fast food restaurant, where his wife unknowingly visits him at the drive through.
LOCATION: 20105 Saticoy St, Winnetka, CA 91306
Carolyn, played by Annette Bening, has an affair at the Top Hat Motel. The building can be found in North Hills.
LOCATION: 8525 Sepulveda Blvd, North Hills, CA 91343
In Joel Schumacher’s 1993 film “Falling Down,” Michael Douglas plays the central character, referred to only as “D-Fens,” which is his license plate number. The film follows D-Fens as he makes his was from Los Angeles to Venice Beach. For the most part, the locations actually do follow this path, with a few exceptions.
The opening traffic jam is set at the 101 interchange of the 110 freeway. The traffic pileup is in the southbound lane to the left, while D-Fens abandons his car and takes the northbound lane to the right on foot.
LOCATION: Interchange of I-110 / I-101, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Beth, the estranged wife of D-Fens, played by Barbara Hershey, lives just off the Venice boardwalk. This view next to her house, facing towards the beach, is seen multiple times in the film.
LOCATION: 201 Ocean Front Walk, Venice, CA 90291
Beth’s house was unfortunately completely remodeled and looks nothing like it did in the film.
LOCATION: 18 Ozone Ave, Venice, CA 90291
The police station where Detective Prendergast, played by Robert Duvall, works was a set built at Warner Bros. Studios (4000 Warner Blvd, Burbank, CA 91522).
D-Fens makes his was to the market of Mr. Lee, where the first outburst of violence occurs over an overpriced can of soda. This location is right next to the 101 freeway, making it a logical stop along the path of D-Fens. The market has since been demolished and a park (Madison West Park) now exists in it’s place.
LOCATION: 458 N Madison Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90004
Later in the film, Prendergast makes his way to the market and climbs this embankment. After spotting a billboard, he correctly places the proximity to the abandoned car and identifies D-Fens as his suspect. A note to those interested in visiting, this dead end next to the park is not a very safe area, serving as a makeshift homeless community.
As D-Fens makes his way through East L.A., he sits to rest and is approached by two gang members demanding his briefcase. D-Fens refuses and things quickly turn violent. The hilltop where the scene was shot has been converted in to a park, Vista Hermosa Natural Park, but the skyline of downtown Los Angeles still matches up.
LOCATION: 100 N Toluca St, Los Angeles, CA 90026
Looking for retribution, the gang members spot D-Fens in front of a theater, where they attempt to ambush him with a drive-by shooting. The theater has since been demolished, but the surrounding buildings where the car rolls up still match.
LOCATION: 2524 East Cesar E Chavez Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90033 (looking down from N Fickett St)
After hitting everyone in sight except D-Fens, their car turns off East Ceasar E Chavez Ave onto N Ficket St and crashes in front of this building. D-Fens walks up and takes their bag of weapons.
LOCATION: 2600 East Cesar E Chavez Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90033 (at N Fickett St)
D-Fens is standing next to a children’s playground in MacArthur Park, when a beggar starts asking him for a handout. The playground has since been moved to another section of the park, but the structure to the left, seen in the film, still stands at the original spot.
LOCATION: 2230 W 6th St, Los Angeles, CA 90057
The beggar follows D-Fens through this tunnel, making up a sob story, which is quickly exposed as a lie. MacArthur Park is not the safest of areas in general. We wouldn’t recommend tourism here. This pedestrian walkway is one of several locations rumored to be the bridge that served as the inspiration for the Red Hot Chili Peppers song “Under the Bridge,” but singer Anthony Kiedis has never confirmed the true location.
On the other side of the tunnel, the D-Fens gives the beggar his briefcase. The lake in the background is also seen in the movie “Drive,” where Ryan Gosling’s character makes a deal with some criminals.
After discovering the briefcase only contains some lunch food, the disappointed beggar throws the apple at D-Fens, who kicks the apple and continues up the stairs to the left.
The “Whammyburger” in the film is the biggest departure from the true path of Los Angeles to Venice Beach. The restaurant, Angelo’s Burgers, is located much further south in Lynwood, California. It still bears a strong resemblance to how it appeared in the film, aside from the fictitious Whammyburger set dressing. Angelo’s was in fact the same restaurant at the time of filming. It has not changed ownership. The burgers there are quite good as well.
LOCATION: 10990 Atlantic Ave, Lynwood, CA 90262
A view inside the Whammyburger.
A poster for the film can be found inside, noting that filming took place on May 12, 1992.
Celebrating his last day, Prendergast eats lunch at a Mexican restaurant.
LOCATION: 4067 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90004
In one of the more poignant scenes in the film, D-Fens sees a man protesting, because he has been denied a loan and was determined to be “not economically viable.” The building is now a post office.
LOCATION: 5350 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036
The scene where D-Fens shoots up a phone booth was shot over on Sunset Blvd in West Hollywood, right along the iconic Sunset Strip. While the El Pollo Loco restaurant to the left was seen in the film, most of the other businesses in the plaza had changed since filming. The entire plaza has since been demolished.
LOCATION: 8148 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90046 (now demolished)
The army surplus store where D-Fens meets a Nazi store owner could be found back towards East L.A. The building really was a surplus store and still operated decades after filming, including at the time of our visit. It has since closed and been renovated, however.
LOCATION: 3828 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026
Here is a view of the front counter when it was still in business, which was brimming with quite a bit more merchandise than seen in the film.
Some of the rocket mortar props seen in the film were found in the store, albeit a bit tucked away.
The back of the surplus store, where more violence occurs, was actually a set constructed at Warner Bros. Studios (4000 Warner Blvd, Burbank, CA 91522).
The construction scene, where D-Fens fires a bazooka, faces towards the 110 and 105 freeway interchange. The same interchange can be seen in the films “Speed” and “La La Land,” the latter of which also opens with a traffic jam, albeit to much different results.
LOCATION: Intersection of S Broadway / W 112th St, Los Angeles, CA 90061
This church can be seen in the background of a few shots during the construction scene.
Near the end of the film, D-Fens finally finds his family at the Venice Fishing Pier. The pier had long been closed at the time of filming and was once set for demolition, but after community backlash, was ultimately saved and restored. The building at the end of the pier is no longer there, but otherwise the area looks the same for the most part.
LOCATION: Venice Fishing Pier, Los Angeles, CA 90292
Prendergast approaches and finally meets D-Fens.
Prendergast and D-Fens have a standoff in the film’s climactic scene.
There are quite a few locations to this film, some demolished or remodeled, others still standing. Other than a few slightly unsafe areas, if you’re a fan of visiting filming locations, most of them are worth a visit. “Falling Down” has grown in stature in the years since the film’s release and it has rightly taken it’s place among the the most iconic Los Angeles-based films.
In Sam Raimi’s original 2002 “Spider-Man” film, Peter Parker, played by Tobey Maguire, works at the Daily Bugle as a freelance photographer who has an uncanny ability to capture photos of Spider-Man. Famous for it’s triangular shape, the Flatiron Building in Manhattan is one of the more iconic skyscrapers in New York City. The building has appeared in countless films, such as “The Usual Suspects,” “As Good As It Gets,” “I Am Legend” and many more.
LOCATION: 175 5th Ave, New York, NY 10010
Norman Osborn’s Manhattan rooftop home isn’t in Manhattan, or New York at all. It’s the Greystone Mansion in Beverly Hills, California.
LOCATION: Greystone Mansion, 905 Loma Vista Dr., Beverly Hills, CA 90210
The scene where Mary Jane Watson, played by Kirsten Dunst, kisses an upside down Spider-Man in the rain wasn’t filmed in New York City either. It was filmed on the Warner Bros. Lot in Burbank, California. Designed to look like New York alley, this facade can be seen as part of their studio tour.
LOCATION: 4000 Warner Blvd., Burbank, CA 91505
The bike Peter rides in the film can be found on display at Sony Pictures Studio.
LOCATION: 10202 W Washington Blvd, Culver City, CA 90232
One of the original Catwoman costumes, worn by Michelle Pfeiffer in Tim Burton’s 1992 sequel “Batman Returns” can be found at the Batman exhibit as part of the Warner Bros. Studio Tour.
LOCATION: 4000 Warner Blvd, Burbank, CA 91505
A prop of one of The Penguin’s armed penguin soldiers can be found on display at Planet Hollywood, Florida.
LOCATION: 1506 E Buena Vista Dr, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830
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.”
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.
LOCATION: 7254 Foothill Blvd, Tujunga, CA 91042
The motel manager takes advantage of Leonard’s condition and secretly charges him for two rooms.
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.
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.
LOCATION: 9111 Sepulveda Blvd, North Hills, CA 91343
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.”
LOCATION: 916 S San Fernando Blvd, Burbank, CA 91502
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.”
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.
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)
Film Oblivion 