Color Of Night (1994)

Much of the 1994 film “Color of Night” takes place at a mansion belonging to Bob, played by Scott Bakula, but which is occupied by Bill, played by Bruce Willis, for the majority of the film.  The house is known as the Circles on the Point mansion and can be found directly across from Point Dume in Malibu, California.

The mansion has appeared in several other productions, including the TV series “GLOW” and “Jean-Claude Van Johnson,” as well as the low-budget 2000 drama “Ritual.”  It is also worth noting that the house of Tony Stark in the “Iron Man” films, while a CGI creation, was superimposed to be located at Point Dume, which is directly across the street from this home, making it the closest actual residence Stark’s fictional home.

Here is the driveway to the house, which is seen several times in the film, including when Bill opens the mailbox to discover a rattlesnake inside.  It’s no longer the same mailbox, as the one seen in the film was built into a rock, but it’s located in the same area.

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LOCATION: 29377 Cliffside Dr, Malibu, CA 90265

Here is a view of the front of the house.  The circular opening on the left is where arguably the most famous scene from the film takes place; Bill’s sex scene with Rose, played by Jane March.  The camera pulls back through the opening as the two fall into the pool.  The pool is the same one shown in the film, but is not visible from the street.

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Point Dume is directly across the street, which is also seen in the film, when Bill and Bob ride their bikes up the trail.

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

Bill meets Anderson, played by Eriq La Salle, as the Grand Central Market in Downtown Los Angeles.  A popular eating spot, Grand Central Market has appeared in many films, including “La La Land,” “Busting,” “National Treasure,” “Midnight Run” and many more.

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LOCATION: 317 S Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90013

Bill visits Casey and climbs the fire escape to enter this building.  It is perhaps most famously know and the location of Paddy’s Pub from “It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia,” although the view on that show is from Palmetto St and the angle seen here is from Mateo St.

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LOCATION: 544 Mateo St, Los Angeles, CA 90013

American Beauty (1999)

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