Paul Thomas Anderson’s underappreciated 1996 debut film, “Hard Eight” (a.k.a. “Sydney”) filmed primarily in Reno, Nevada.
The restaurant seen at the beginning and end of the film, where Sydney, played by Philip Baker Hall, meets John, played John C. Reilly, who is sitting outside the doorway, was filmed at Jack’s Cafe in Sparks, Nevada, located just outside of Reno.
LOCATION: 2200 Victorian Ave, Sparks, NV 89431
The entrance where John C. Reilly is sitting is not the main entrance to the restaurant. In fact, it’s a side door with an emergency exit sign. There were several homeless people around this area.
Things take a turn for the worse when John and Clementine, played by Gwyneth Paltrow, find themselves involved in a hostage situation at a motel. The motel is the Ace Motor Lodge in Reno. The motel has changed quite a bit from how it appeared in the film and is now more dilapidated.
LOCATION: 222 N Sierra St, Reno, NV 89501
John can be seen exiting through the front entrance. The surrounding area has also changed quite a bit from what was seen in the film, as the casinos are no longer beside the motel.
Near the end of the film, Sydney awaits Jimmy, played by Samuel L. Jackson, at his house.
The 1996 Farrelly Brothers comedy “Kingpin” was shot mostly around Pennsylvania, but like many Farrelly Bothers films, it becomes something of a road trip movie, reaching Reno, Nevada by the film’s climax. In the opening scene of the film, a young Roy Munson practices bowling with his father at the Munson Service Center. The scene is supposedly set in Ocelot, Iowa. It was actually filmed in Mars, Pennsylvania.
LOCATION: 255 Mars Valencia Rd, Mars, PA 16046
Roy bowls with his father at the side of the building, using a homemade lane and bowling pins.
Roy’s father sees him off at P.J.’s Soft Serve. The building was in poor condition when the filmmakers first found it. It is shown in this state when Roy, played by Woody Harrelson, returns to his home town later in the film. The production then fixed it up for the early scenes. The building has since been completely demolished, with a different one now standing in its place, but the surrounding areas still match up. This is located one mile from the Munson Service Center, on the same road.
LOCATION: 441 Mars Valencia Rd, Valencia, PA 16059 (now demolished)
After winning a bowling tournament, Roy takes his car to a mechanic, who tells him someone put sugar in his gas tank. This scene was filmed just a few buildings down from the Munson Service Center and is easily within walking distance.
LOCATION: 229 Mars Valencia Rd, Mars, PA 16046
Only a small part of the building is seen in the film. However, this house across the street is also seen in the background of the scene, confirming the location.
“Big Ern” McCracken, played by Bill Murray, hustles some local bowlers and Roy finds himself in over his head. As they exit the bowling alley, they are confronted by the guys they’ve hustled. Big Ern lets Roy take the fall, as he speeds off and abandons him at the Beaver Valley Bowl in Rochester, with Roy losing his hand in the process. This same location was used in the Michael Douglas film “Wonder Boys” and the TV series “I Am Not Okay With This.”
LOCATION: 25 New York Ave, Rochester, PA 15074
The home of Roy Munson is supposedly located in Scranton, Pennsylvania. The real building is actually located in the town of Trafford. Roy’s neighbors sit outside and complain about life, while his landlady lives next door as well. The building has been slightly updated, but is still very recognizable from how it appeared in the film.
LOCATION: 533 5th Street Ext, Trafford, PA 15085
Later in the film, Roy stages a purse snatching on his landlady, in which he rescues her in hopes she’ll cut him a break on his late rent.
Right around the corner from Roy’s apartment was another scene from the film. Roy helps a mother get her stroller up on the sidewalk and then steals the baby’s milk for his coffee.
LOCATION: 5th St / 5th Street Ext, Trafford, PA 15085
Roy first meets Amish bowler Ishmael, played by Randy Quaid, at the Lancaster Bowl. This scene was actually filmed at Mars Lanes, located right across the street from the Munson Service Center.
LOCATION: 262 Mars Valencia Rd, Mars, PA 16046
Ishmael lives at this farm, where Roy tries to persuade him to become business partners. Ishmael’s farm can be found in Fombell. The long path leading down to the farm is located at the intersection of Harvest Ln / PA-288.
When Roy first approaches Ishmael, who is riding his bicycle on the left side of the road, the barn on the right can be seen in the background. This is the same location as above, facing toward PA-288 (also known as Zelienople Rd).
After Ishmael loses a bowling match to a club player, Roy nearly decides to abandon their partnership. They stop on PA-528 (also known as Prospect Rd), where Roy quickly changes his mind and tells Ishmael he was just testing him.
LOCATION: PA-528, Slippery Rock, PA 16057 (near the 528 Boat Ramp, GPS coordinates: 40°57’03.3″N 80°02’34.9″W)
Depending on the map you use, this area may be listed as Slippery Rock, Prospect or Lake Arthur. It is located near the Frank W. Preston Conservation Area.
Roy and Ishmael unsuccessfully attempt to run the same hustle that cost Roy his hand at the former McKnight Lanes in Pittsburgh. The bowling alley has long since closed.
LOCATION: 7507 McKnight Rd, Pittsburgh, PA 15237 (since remodeled)
Roy and Claudia, played by Vanessa Angel, get into an argument the Jolly Jumper Motel, prompting Ishmael to run away. These scenes were filmed at 100 Blue Spruce Way, Murrysville, PA 15668, but the building has since been demolished.
Roy and Claudia go in search of him at Uncle Willees Reptile Farm, where a rattlesnake bites the owner in the face. The real building is a restaurant known as Willees Tavern and has operated for more than 80 years. The filmmakers clearly gave a nod to the real establishent when naming their fictional reptile farm. It is not far from the early locations seen in the film, such as the Munson Service Center and P.J.’s Soft Serve.
LOCATION: 11150 Babcock Blvd, Valencia, PA 16059
For the film’s climax, Roy and Big Ern square off at the National Bowling Stadium in Reno, Nevada. The lanes are not open to public use, but there is a bowling museum inside that is open to the public, for those interested.
Primm, Nevada might not be the first place you’d think of to find the death car of the infamous American outlaws Bonnie and Clyde, yet a casino right along the California / Nevada border is where you’ll find it.
The car was originally stolen by Bonnie and Clyde and used in a series of crimes. After being lured into an ambush in rural Louisiana, police littered the car with bullets, killing the couple and sending the car into infamy. The car began a long, strange life after that, circulating around state fairs, carnivals and amusement parks for decades. For a time, it made it’s way into museums in Massachusetts and Nevada, before later making it’s way into a couple different casinos in Nevada.
Many replicas of the car also exist around the country, as well as the car from the 1967 film, starring Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway. This caused a fair amount of confusion as to the location and authenticity of the car for a time. The real car can now be found at Whisky Pete’s Casino in Primm, Nevada, placed right on the casino floor.
LOCATION: 100 W Primm Blvd, Primm, NV 89019
The entire car is littered with bullet holes, particularly the driver’s side door where Clyde drove.
Even the back of the car has bullet holes in it.
Accompanying the car is a display with news articles about the killing, death certificates and a certificate of authenticity for the car.
Clyde’s shredded shirt he wore at the time of his death is also on display. This too is the authentic shirt.
While there is something strange about the car being on display on a casino floor, it is nevertheless an interesting exhibit if you find yourself near the Nevada border. Located right next to the Bonnie and Clyde car is another vehicle, once belonging to mobster Dutch Schultz.
Just a few miles from the Las Vegas Strip, you’ll find the World Famous Gold & Silver Pawn Shop, also known as the “Pawn Stars” shop from the hit TV series. The shop is open 24 hours, with security always posted at the front entrance. Depending on the level of business at a given time, the staff will sometimes form a line outside for visitors to enter if it becomes too crowded inside.
LOCATION: 713 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89101
Video inside the store is strictly forbidden. However, photography is permitted. Here is the famous sales counter from the show.
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.
Film Oblivion 