Swingers (1996)

July 31, 2022October 19, 2022 / filmoblivion / Leave a comment

The 1996 film “Swingers” is set in Hollywood and loosely based around writer / actor Jon Favreau’s personal experiences. The film was shot primarily around Hollywood, with some additional filming in Las Vegas. The title of the film itself comes from the Swingers diner (8020 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90048), which director Doug Liman and many of the crew frequented. It was intentionally not featured in the film, however, as the filmmakers wanted to use a lesser known location. They landed at what was then known as the Hollywood Hills Coffee Shop, just off the 101 freeway in Hollywood. The Hollywood Hills Coffee Shop was renovated and bought out, later becoming the 101 Coffee Shop in 2001. The changes completely altered the interior from how it appeared in the film, including removal of the booth where the characters sat. However, the coffee shop became synonymous with the film until its closure in 2020. Today, the building has once again changed owners and now operates as the Clark Street Diner. The restaurant has also appeared in the films “The Brady Bunch Movie” and “In the Land of Women,” as well as the TV shows “Entourage,” “Gilmore Girls” and “Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee.”

LOCATION: 6145 Franklin Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90028

Mike, played by Jon Favreau, lives just up the road from the coffee shop at this apartment building. The apartment was Favreau’s actual home for a time.

LOCATION: 5870 Franklin Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90028

Mike and his crew attend a party, located at this home in the Hollywood Hills.

LOCATION: 6161 Temple Hill Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90068

After struggling to build up his confidence, Mike gets the number of a woman at the Dresden Restaurant. The restaurant has also appeared in the films “That Thing You Do,” “Anchorman: The Legend Of Ron Burgundy,” “The Two Jakes,” “What Women Want” and more.

LOCATION: 1760 N Vermont Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90027

The boys get into a confrontation with another group at what is supposed to be the back of the Dresden. These scenes were actually filmed in the parking lot of Musso & Frank Grill, the oldest restaurant in Hollywood, founded over 100 years ago. The restaurant has popped up in numerous films, including “Once Upon A Time In… Hollywood,” “Ocean’s Eleven,” “Blonde” and “Ed Wood,” as well as the TV shows “Mad Men” and “Bosch.”

LOCATION: 6667 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028

While some of the signage was dressed for the film to make it appear to be the Dresden, the door and brick work all clearly match Musso & Frank Grill and even portions of their iconic “Oldest in Hollywood” sign appears in a few shots, confirming the location.

Elf (2003)

November 29, 2020October 15, 2022 / filmoblivion / Leave a comment

The 2003 Christmas comedy “Elf” was primarily filmed in New York City. After discovering he’s actually human, Buddy the Elf, played by Will Ferrell, seeks out his father Walter, played by James Caan, in New York. Walter’s office is located in the famed Empire State Building.

LOCATION: 20 W 34th St, New York, NY 10001

When Buddy takes Jovie, played by Zooey Deschanel, on a date, she shows him the Christmas tree in front of Rockefeller Center. The two then ice skate there.

LOCATION: 45 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY 10111

Later in the film, Buddy helps Santa get his sleigh back into the air. The sleigh passes through Central Park at Bethesda Terrace and Fountain. The terrace is another famous New York landmark seen in countless films.

LOCATION: 72 Terrace Dr, New York, NY 10021 (inside Central Park)

I Love You, Man (2009)

March 14, 2020October 20, 2022 / filmoblivion / Leave a comment

The 2009 comedy “I Love You, Man” was filmed in and around Los Angeles, California. In the film, Peter, played by Paul Rudd, resides at this house.

LOCATION: 3959 Franklin Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90027

Peter’s friend Sydney, played by Jason Segel, lives at this house in Venice. While the home was completely visible in the film, the owners have since planted large shrubs in front yard, making the property increasingly difficult to see.

LOCATION: 26 Rose Ave, Venice, CA 90291

Peter and Zooey, played by Rashida Jones, have an engagement celebration at Hop Louie in Chinatown. The restaurant has since closed, but the facade still remains. The same restaurant was also seen in the 1990s comedies “Beverly Hills Ninja,” “Surf Ninjas” and “Mystery Men.”

LOCATION: 950 Mei Ling Way, Los Angeles, CA 90012

Peter and Sydney meet up for food and drinks at this restaurant in Venice.

LOCATION: 60 N Venice Blvd, Venice, CA 90291

Peter’s parents’ house can be found in Toluca Lake.

LOCATION: 4727 Arcola Ave, Toluca Lake, CA 91602

Zooey’s workplace stood at 1626 Silver Lake Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026, but it has since been demolished.

Identity Thief (2013)

April 30, 2019October 20, 2022 / filmoblivion / Leave a comment

The 2013 comedy “Identity Thief,” starring Jason Bateman and Melissa McCarthy, was filmed primarily in the Atlanta, Georgia area. Late in the film, the two stay at The Georgian Terrace in Midtown Atlanta, which is seen mostly from interior views. The hotel was also featured in another Jason Bateman film; 2011’s “The Change-Up.” However, the building’s most well-known film connection is having hosted a gala following the 1939 premiere of “Gone with the Wind.”

LOCATION: 659 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30308

At a side entrance to the hotel, you’ll find this marker from the Georgia Film Commission, noting the hotel’s connection to the film. These markers can be found at various filming locations all across Georgia.

Iron Man (2008)

April 25, 2019October 20, 2022 / filmoblivion / Leave a comment

The 2008 film “Iron Man” famously launched the Marvel Cinematic Universe and is regarded not only as one of the finest Marvel films, but one of the best superhero films ever made. Early in the film, Tony Stark, played by Robert Downey, Jr., demonstrates his latest weapon, the “Jericho” missile. Supposedly set in the Kunar Province of Afghanistan, these scenes were actually filmed at Alabama Hills in Lone Pine, California. Many classic western films have also filmed there over the years, along with more recent films, such as Quentin Tarantino’s “Django Unchained” and “Gladiator.”

LOCATION: Alabama Hills, Lone Pine, CA 93545

Tony’s iconic Malibu house doesn’t actually exist, it is rather a CGI creation. However, the land where it’s located is very much real. Point Dume in Malibu is a public park that is thankfully devoid of any homes. Instead there is a foot trail and biking path which leads to a beautiful ocean view. The closest actual home, located directly across the street, is the “Circles on the Point” mansion, another property frequently featured in film and television productions, such as “Color Of Night,” “Glow” and more. The CGI design of the Stark home is rumored to have been inspired by another mansion; the The Razor House in La Jolla (9826 La Jolla Farms Rd, La Jolla, CA 92037), near San Diego. The gated access and high cliff walls do not make for convenient photography of the Razor House, however.

LOCATION: Point Dume, Cliffside Dr / Birdview Ave, Malibu, CA 90265

More CGI trickery was used with the Stark Industries building. The main building is the Masimo headquarters, formerly known as the Nikken Building, in Irvine. However, the wider shot is a composite of other streets and buildings, including portions of Shoreline Drive in Long Beach. The Masimo building has been used in many other productions, including “Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story,” “You, Me And Dupree” and “All About Steve.”

LOCATION: 52 Discovery, Irvine, CA 92618

Tony attends a charity ball at the Walt Disney Concert Hall near downtown Los Angeles. The unmistakable design is the work of legendary architect Frank Gehry.

LOCATION: 111 S Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90012

Tony first conceives the Iron Man suit after he is captured by terrorists. Once he escapes and builds the suit, he returns to do battle with the Gulmira terrorists. The bombed out ruins where he makes short work of his enemies was actually a set located on the Blue Cloud Movie Ranch in Santa Clarita. As is always the case with movie ranches, the sets are often changed around to meet the needs of the latest productions, but several portions of the Iron Man set still remain recognizable.

LOCATION: 20019 Blue Cloud Rd, Santa Clarita, CA 91390

Some additional views of the area where Iron Man battles the terrorists.

Here is the spot where Iron Man blows up the tank and walks away, as famously featured in the film’s trailer. It was dressed heavily by the production to look more war-torn.

In 2019, the Peterson Automotive Museum in Los Angeles held a limited exhibition called “Hollywood Dream Machines: Vehicles of Science Fiction and Fantasy,” which featured Tony’s 1932 Ford Flathead Roadster from the film.

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

Not far from Alabama Hills in Lone Pine is the excellent Lone Pine Film History Museum. Props and memorabilia from the many films shot in Lone Pine can be found there, with their primary focus on classic westerns. They even have a small section of the museum dedicated to Iron Man. Here are some of the items on display.