Friday The 13th Part III (1982)

July 8, 2020 / filmoblivion / Leave a comment

Higgins Haven from “Friday The 13th Part III” can be found at the Melody Ranch Studio Backlot in Santa Clarita, California. Many people know the lot as the Veluzat Movie Ranch and it is still commonly referred to by that name. However, the ranch has since changed its name to the Melody Ranch Studio Backlot. If you make it to the ranch in person, you’ll see a sign at the gates, referring to it as such. The lot is owned by the Veluzats, who also own Melody Ranch in Newhall, California. To make matters more confusing, right next to it sits the Diamond V Movie Ranch. This is owned by other members of the Velutats, but not the same ones as those who own Melody Ranch and the Melody Backlot (a.k.a. Veluzat Movie Ranch). People often mistake Diamond V and Veluzat Ranch as being one in the same, or Melody Ranch and Melody Backlot, but they are separate properties.

While perhaps not quite as well known as Melody Ranch in Newhall, the Melody Backlot is actually larger. To get to the ranch, you make a turn from Copper Hill Drive. There is a very unassuming dirt road there (GPS coordinates: 34°27’36.5″N 118°30’32.0″W). You would never guess from that road what lies at the end of that dirt road, but if you follow the long dirt road, you’ll sure enough arrive at the ranches. However, a locked fence is at the entrance and you can proceed no further without permission of the owners. The good news, however, is that the ranch is available for public tours. You must book by appointment only and if productions are in active progress, that may inhibit their availability, but the Melody Ranch owners are very generous in that they offer tours in the first place, as most Southern California movie ranches do not.

Perhaps the most widely known location among horror fans at the property is Higgins Haven. This is where the house was located, which was unfortunately destroyed by a fire. The chimney and parts of the foundation still remain.

LOCATION: Melody Ranch Studio Backlot (a.k.a. Veluzat Movie Ranch), Forest Rte 5N28, Santa Clarita, CA 91390 (GPS coordinates: 34°29’32.0″N 118°29’46.4″W)

Here is the famous barn from the film, which sits right across from the above location.

Here is a look inside the barn.

Here is the second level, where Jason attacks.

If you get a chance to visit the Melody Ranch Studio Backlot, we highly encourage it. Please do so by booking a tour, to support the owners who have preserved these sets for decades.

Inception (2010)

July 7, 2020July 6, 2020 / filmoblivion / Leave a comment

The 2010 Christopher Nolan film “Inception” shot in a variety of locations around the world, including France, England, Japan, Morocco, Canada and the United States. Quite a few scenes were filmed around Southern California.

At this intersection in Downtown Los Angeles, Cobb, played by Leonardo DiCaprio, goes over plans with his team to execute a mission within a dream.

LOCATION: Wilshire Blvd / Hope St, Los Angeles, CA 90017

Directly across the street are the corner steps where Cobb picks up a man in a taxi and kidnaps him. The same steps were used in “The Social Network,” when Jesse Eisenberg shows up to a business meeting wearing a robe.

LOCATION: 707 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90017

Cobb’s wife Mal, played by Marion Cotillard, believing she’s trapped in a dream and will only awaken by leaping to her death, sits on the ledge of this building.

LOCATION: 215 W 5th St, Los Angeles, CA 90013

Cobb walks with Mal though a deep dream state called “limbo,” where the dreamers risk being unable to awaken. This area is part of The Music Center building in Downtown Los Angeles, facing toward The John Ferraro Building. Cobb also walks with Ariadne, played by Ellen Page, through the same area.

LOCATION: 135 N Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90012

Cobb and Ariadne continue walking through the surreal landscape, where old houses are seen partially submerged in water. This was filmed at The John Ferraro Building, which has been featured in countless films and television shows, such as “The Nice Guys,” “Hancock,” “The Omega Man” and more. The buildings submerged in water were CGI, replacing the L.A. skyline on the left, but the section of the Ferraro Building on the right side is the real location seen in the film.

LOCATION: 111 N Hope St, Los Angeles, CA 90012

Two-Lane Blacktop (1971)

July 6, 2020July 5, 2020 / filmoblivion / Leave a comment

The 1971 road movie “Two-Lane Blacktop,” directed by Monte Hellman, was filmed across many states, including North Carolina, Tennessee, Oklahoma, New Mexico and Arizona. In the film, The Driver, played by James Taylor and The Mechanic, played by Dennis Wilson, stop off at this cafe located in Flagstaff, Arizona for a meal. The classic ’55 Chevy from the film was parked out front in the scene.

LOCATION: 7136 US-89, Flagstaff, AZ 86004

Double Indemnity (1944)

June 29, 2020June 29, 2020 / filmoblivion / Leave a comment

The house from the classic 1944 Billy Wilder film “Double Indemnity” can be found in the winding hills of Hollywood, California.

LOCATION: 6301 Quebec Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90068

Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (2018)

June 24, 2020June 24, 2020 / filmoblivion / Leave a comment

Much like the previous installments, the 2018 sequel “Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom” filmed largely in Hawaii, with some additional filming in England. After the events of “Jurassic World,” the island of Isla Nulabar is heavily damaged and mostly abandoned. A team of mercenaries arrive on the island to collect DNA as a volcano nears eruption.

Ken Wheatley, played by Ted Levine, leads a team on an expedition back into Jurassic World. Owen, played by Chris Pratt, and Claire, played by Bryce Dallas Howard, join the expedition to track down the dinosaurs, in hopes of relocating them to a new sanctuary. The convoy travels across this valley, which is seen in both “Jurassic Park” during the gallimimus stampede and in “Jurassic World,” when the boys ride a train out to the Gyrosphere area. This area can be found on Kualoa Ranch in Oahu, Hawaii.

LOCATION: Kualoa Ranch, 49-560 Kamehameha Hwy, Kaneohe, HI 96744

Much like in “Jurassic World,” the mountains seen here have a railway added via CGI.

The team arrives at this bunker, where they are able to get inside and activate the dinosaur tracking system. The set from the film remains in tact at Kualoa Ranch.

Just as depicted in the film, right next to the bunker is the mountain top where the volcano threatens to blow throughout the film. If you’re facing the bunker set, it is located directly on the left.

There are a wide variety of tours available at Kualoa Ranch, more than one of which is film related. We recommend the Premier Movie Site Tour, as it takes you to many filming locations exclusively featured on that particular tour. If you make it out to Hawaii, it is a highly recommended place to visit.

Erin Brockovich (2000)

June 23, 2020June 23, 2020 / filmoblivion / Leave a comment

The 2000 film “Erin Brockovich,” starring Julia Roberts and directed by Steven Soderbergh, tells the story of a woman who uncovers a water contamination case in the town of Hinkley, California. Based on true events, the production did indeed shoot in the actual town, which is commendable for its efforts at location accuracy, since there are areas closer to Los Angeles that could’ve stood in.

Erin’s house can be found in Ventura, California.

LOCATION: 545 Emma Ave, Ventura, CA 93003

Erin picks up her kids from the babysitter next door. The house really is directly next door to Erin’s house. After the babysitter moves out, George, played by Aaron Eckhart, moves in and begins babysitting Erin’s kids.

LOCATION: 555 Emma Ave, Ventura, CA 93003

Erin takes her kids to this restaurant, where she makes an excuse for not eating, in order to cover up the fact she doesn’t have enough money to cover a meal for herself.

LOCATION: 3159 E Main St, Ventura, CA 93003

Erin gets a job a Ed Masry’s office, which can be found in Reseda.

LOCATION: 18645 Sherman Way, Reseda, CA 91335

After deciding to research the case further, Erin makes her way to the town of Hinkley, California, passing by the gas and electric company.

LOCATION: 35863 Fairview Rd, Hinkley, CA 92347

Located just past the gas company is the house of Donna Jensen, played by Marg Helgenberger. There’s not much to see from the road, as the properties are obscured by trees.

LOCATION: Fairview Rd, Hinkley, CA 92347 (just after the gas buildings)

Erin visits the water board in an attempt to find incriminating records.

LOCATION: 26949 Cote St, Boron, CA 93516

Erin interviews more possible victims of toxic water at this home, located in Boron.

LOCATION: 26821 John St, Boron, CA 93516

She encounters a woman who initially refuses to participate in the case at this home.

LOCATION: 12130 Kostopolous Ave, Boron, CA 93516

A judge decides the case merits going to trial at the Barstow Superior Court.

LOCATION: 235 E Mountain View St, Barstow, CA 92311

Ed Masry holds a meeting with a group of upset plaintiffs at this building, located in Boron.

LOCATION: Near the intersection of Boron Ave / John St, Boron, CA 93516 (GPS coordinates: 34°59’47.3″N 117°39’00.6″W)

Late in the film, Erin meets with George at this motel.

LOCATION: 24147 Twenty Mule Team Rd, Boron, CA 93516

Black Sheep (1996)

June 20, 2020 / filmoblivion / Leave a comment

The 1996 comedy “Black Sheep,” starring Chris Farley and David Spade, takes place in Washington. However, much of the film actually shot in Southern California. The house of Mike Donnelly, played by Chris Farley, can be found in the Eagle Rock neighborhood of Los Angeles.

LOCATION: 5158 Highland View Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90041

Sky High (2005)

June 17, 2020June 17, 2020 / filmoblivion / Leave a comment

The 2005 adventure film “Sky High” was filmed primarily in Southern California. The Stronghold residence can be found in South Pasadena. The same home was featured in the films “Space Jam” and the 2007 remake of “Halloween.” Located on a popular street for filming, the home sits directly next door to the house from “Liar Liar.”

LOCATION: 1002 Highland St, South Pasadena, CA 91030

Gwen, played by Mary Elizabeth Winstead, lives at this home, also located in South Pasadena.

LOCATION: 410 Prospect Cir, South Pasadena, CA 91030

The Net (1995)

June 16, 2020June 16, 2020 / filmoblivion / Leave a comment

The 1995 Sandra Bullock film “The Net” was shot mostly around Los Angeles and San Francisco, California. In the film, Angela Bennett, played by Bullock, lives in this house in Venice.

LOCATION: 407 28th Ave, Venice, CA 90291

Unfortunately, the homeowners built a large fence around the property, obscuring much of the view.

The U.S. Embassy seen in the film is actually the Pasadena City Hall. It has been featured in numerous productions, such as “American Pie 2,” “Beverly Hills Cop II” and “S1m0ne,” as well as the TV series “Parks And Recreation.”

LOCATION: 100 Garfield Ave, Pasadena, CA 91101

Angela attempts to meet a fellow hacker named CyberBob at the carousel at the Santa Monica Pier. The same carousel was featured in the opening credits of the TV series “Three’s Company.”

LOCATION: 200 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica, CA 90401

Easy Rider (1969)

June 12, 2020June 12, 2020 / filmoblivion / Leave a comment

The 1969 counterculture road trip film, “Easy Rider,” directed by Dennis Hopper, was filmed across the American Southwest and South, including many sites tucked away along back roads. If inclined, one could take a unique road trip cross-country revisiting the filming locations. Production took place across California, Arizona, New Mexico, Utah and Louisiana.

At the beginning of the film, after completing a drug deal that scores them cash for a cross-country trip, Wyatt and Billy, played by Peter Fonda and Dennis Hopper respectively, begin their trip to New Orleans for Mardi Gras. During the opening credits montage, they are seen driving past many locations on their bikes. They drive along the California-Arizona Bridge at the border of the two states, passing over the Colorado River. The Old Trails Bridge (15130 W Historic Rte 66, Topock, AZ 86436) can be seen behind them.

LOCATION: California-Arizona Bridge, AZ-95, Needles, AZ 92363

During the same montage, they pass this hotel as they drive down Route 66 through Flagstaff, Arizona. This building is located within walking distance of the “shit happens” jogging scene in “Forrest Gump.”

LOCATION: 2 W Historic Rte 66, Flagstaff, AZ 86001

At the end of the day, Wyatt and Billy stop off at this motel, where the owner shuns them and changes the vacancy light to “no vacancy.” Known as the Richfield building, it is located next to the Pine Breeze Inn RV Park. The building itself has no known address. The exact GPS coordinates are 35°13’27.1″N 111°48’02.3″W. The owners are clearly aware of their connection to the film. On the front door window, there is a small poster for the film.

LOCATION: GPS coordinates: 35°13’27.1″N 111°48’02.3″W (nearest address is 10520 W Rte 66, Flagstaff, AZ 86015)

Here is the side of the building, where Wyatt and Billy have their encounter with the rude motel clerk.

After picking up a hitchhiker, Wyatt and Billy stop at the Sacred Mountain service station in Flagstaff. Billy pulls Wyatt aside and questions the safety of allowing the hitchhiker to fill his gas tank, as that is where their money stash is hidden. The station has long since closed, but the building still remains. If you’re driving on US-89, there is a small intersection at 150 Rd, which is where the building is located.

LOCATION: GPS coordinates: 35°27’17.9″N 111°33’45.3″W (near intersection of US-89 / 150 Rd, Flagstaff, AZ 86004)

Billy, Wyatt and the hitchhiker end up camping overnight at Lomaki Pueblo in Cameron, Arizona. There are several ruins along the trail at Lomaki Pueblo. To find the exact spot used in the film, simply follow the trail to the furthest ruins and the location is just behind the wall. In the photo below, the walking trail is just to the right of the frame. It’s not a difficult task to reach the site, but there are many rocks protruding from the ground, so watch your steps as you traverse the uneven terrain.

LOCATION: Lomaki Pueblo, Cameron, AZ 86020 (GPS coordinates: 35°34’46.3″N 111°28’04.8″W)

Even if you’re not a fan of the film, the Lomaki Pueblo is a unique place to visit and one we recommend if you’re in the area.

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