Paul Reubens

Blow (2001)

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The 2001 Ted Demme film “Blow” was shot in Southern California. The home of George’s parents, played by Ray Liotta and Rachel Griffiths, is supposedly located in Massachusetts, but can be found in Whittier.

LOCATION: 6216 Friends Ave, Whittier, CA 90601

The alley where young George rollerskates is located nearby, next to 5839 Friends Ave, Whittier, CA 90601 (GPS coordinates: 33°59’19.7″N, 118°02’04.0″W)

The film jumps ahead to George as an adult, played by Johnny Depp, moving in with Tuna, played by Ethan Suplee. The home they’re seen in has since been completely demolished, with another home standing in it’s place. It was formerly located to the right in the image below.

LOCATION: 5361 E Ocean Blvd, Long Beach, CA 90803 (demolished)

The surrounding buildings all still match up, however, such as this shot of Tuna walking down the sidewalk.

The two go to the beach and meet many women, who all say they are stewardesses. These scenes were filmed near Near Lifeguard Tower 42 St at El Porto Beach, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 (GPS coordinates: 33°54’11.4″N, 118°25’19.4″W). The El Segundo Power Plant is visible in the background.

The salon where Derek Foreal, played by Paul Ruebens works, can be found at 147 Richmond St, El Segundo, CA 90245.

George is seen smuggling drugs at what is supposed to be LAX. These scenes were actually filmed at Ontario Airport in Ontario, California. This terminal is not in active use and has popped up in countless other films, including “Saving Mr. Banks,” “Zodiac,” “Catch Me If You Can,” “Argo” and many more.

LOCATION: 1940 Moore Way, Ontario, CA 91761

After being released from prison, George makes a call to Diego, played by Jordi Mollà, from a payphone in front of this liquor store.

LOCATION: 506 Center St, El Segundo, CA 90245

George makes a drug deal at a motel, supposedly located in Miami. The motel was actually located at 2010 E Ocean Blvd, Long Beach, CA 90803, but has since been demolished.

After Diego’s wedding, George embraces Mirtha, played by Penélope Cruz, in the lobby of the famed Millennium Biltmore Hotel in Downtown L.A.  The hotel is a staple of film, having appeared in such movies as “Ghostbusters,” “Independence Day,” “Fight Club,” “Species,” “Blonde,” “Enough,” “Cheaper By The Dozen,” “Oppenheimer” and many more.

LOCATION: 506 S Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90071

George and Mirtha move into a mansion in Beverly Hills. The home is not visible from the street, but here is an aerial view.

LOCATION: 918 N Alpine Dr, Beverly Hills, CA 90210

George and Diego get into an argument during a drug deal at the Holiday Lodge near Echo Park, located at 1631 W 3rd St, Los Angeles, CA 90017.

The story jumps ahead 3 years and George is seen speaking to his daughter Kristina, played by Emma Roberts, outside her school. These scenes were filmed at Madison Elementary School, 515 E Ashtabula St, Pasadena, CA 91104.

Late in the film, Mirtha is seen living at this home in Pasadena.

LOCATION: 858 N Oakland Ave, Pasadena, CA 91104

Buffy The Vampire Slayer (1992)

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The 1992 feature film version of “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” was shot around Los Angeles, California. Buffy, played by Kristy Swanson, attends John Marshall High School.  A regular location in film and television, it has also appeared in such movies as “Rebel Without A Cause,” “A Nightmare On Elm Street,” “Can’t Hardly Wait,” “Bachelor Party,” “Grosse Pointe Blank,” “Grease,” and “Raiders of the Lost Ark,” as well as such TV shows as “Boy Meets World,” “Boston Public” and many more.  It was even used in the Van Halen music video for “Hot For Teacher.”

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LOCATION: 3939 Tracy St, Los Angeles, CA 90027

The vampire Amilyn, played by Paul Reubens, stalks Grueller, played by Sasha Jenson at the Griffith Park Merry-Go-Round. It has appeared in many other films, including “The Prestige,” “Destroyer,” “Beautiful” and “Twins,” as well as such TV shows as “Alias,” “CSI: NY” and the television adaptation of “Buffy The Vampire Slayer.” It also famously served as an inspiration to Walt Disney in his decision to create Disneyland.

LOCATION: 4730 Crystal Springs Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90027

Lothos, played by Rutger Hauer, has a base of operations at the Tower Theater in Downtown Los Angeles. It has since been converted into a retail store and is open to the public. The same building appeared in the films “Mullholland Drive,” “The Omega Man,” “Fight Club,” “The Prestige,” “Coyote Ugly,” “Last Action Hero,” “Transformers,” “Ed Wood,” “End of Days,” “Inland Empire,” “She’s So Lovely,” “The Replacement Killers,” “The Good German,” “Dark Streets” and “The Mambo King,” as well as such TV shows as “Twin Peaks: The Return” and “Alias.”

LOCATION: 800 S Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90014

Pike, played by Luke Perry, lives in an apartment unit above a mechanic’s shop. He is visited in the night by Benny, played by David Arquette, who floats outside his window.

LOCATION: 5657 York Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90042

Buffy’s training sequences with Merrick, played by Donald Sutherland, were filmed inside the MacArthur in Los Angeles, formerly known as the Park Plaza Hotel. No longer a functioning hotel, the MacArthur today serves primarily as a property for hosting filming and special events.  However, it is under renovation with apparent plans to open a portion up once again as a hotel sometime in 2022 or 2023. It has been featured in many films, such as “Wild At Heart,” “Reservoir Dogs,” “Drive,” “Bobby,” “Gangster Squad,” “Tango & Cash,” “The Naked Gun,” “The Hidden” and many more.

LOCATION: 607 S Park View St, Los Angeles, CA 90057

Buffy chases Grueller from a basketball game. Grueller runs outside past a group of bikers. Buffy takes one of the motorcycles and continues pursuit. These scenes were filmed in Sherman Oaks, but the building has since been remodeled. This is how it appears now.

LOCATION: 14612 Ventura Blvd, Sherman Oaks, CA 91403

Related articles: Buffy The Vampire Slayer

Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure (1985)

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Tim Burton’s 1985 film “Pee Wee’s Big Adventure” introduced the world to Paul Rubens’ classic character, Pee-Wee Herman.  In the film, Pee-Wee lives at this South Pasadena home.

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LOCATION: 1848 Oxley St, South Pasadena, CA 91030

Later in the film, Pee Wee is chased around the Cabazon Dinosaurs.  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 1989 film “The Wizard.”

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LOCATION: 50700 Seminole Dr., Cabazon, CA 92230

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Pee-Wee gets chased by some kids on bikes at this park in North Hollywood.  The same park was famously featured in the film “Say Anything…“

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LOCATION: North Hollywood Park, 11430 Chandler Blvd, North Hollywood, CA 91601

Francis lives at this house. The homeowners have since added a lot of shrubs along the front of the property, obscuring the view a bit.

LOCATION: 401 S Hudson Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90020

The bike from the film can be seen at the Hollywood Museum in Hollywood, California.

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LOCATION: Hollywood Museum, 1660 Highland Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90028

They also have one of Pee Wee’s costumes, though it is said to be from the TV show, not the film.

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Related articles: Frankenweenie (1984), Batman (1989), Edward Scissorhands (1990), Batman Returns (1992), Ed Wood (1994), Big Fish (2003), Big Eyes (2014), Miss Peregrine’s Home For Peculiar Children (2016)