Paul Thomas Anderson’s 1999 film, “Magnolia,” named after a street that spans the San Fernando Valley, was shot mostly, as you might expect, around the Valley. However, in the opening “coincidences” sequence, there is a memorable scene in which an attempted suicide becomes an accidental homicide. That scene was shot at the Bryson Apartments in Los Angeles. The same apartments were seen in the film “The Grifters.”
LOCATION: 2701 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90057
Early in the film, Quiz Kid Donnie Smith, played by William H. Macy, crashes his car into this liquor store in Winnetka. The same liquor store also appeared in Kevin Smith’s “Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back.”
LOCATION: 20001 Roscoe Blvd, Winnetka, CA 91306
Officer Jim Kurring, played by John C. Reilly, investigates a crime scene at this apartment complex in North Hills. As he walks back to his police car, he is approached by a young boy.
LOCATION: 15150 Parthenia St ,North Hills, CA 91343
As the two stand on Burnet Ave, the boy performs a rap for him.
Linda, played by Julianne Moore gets upset with a pharmacist after he insinuates she may be abusing the medications. These scenes were filed at the A to Z Pharmacy in North Hollywood, although it is only seen from interior views in the film.
LOCATION: 12626 Riverside Dr # 100, North Hollywood, CA 91607
Donnie visits the Foxfire Room, located on the titular Magnolia Blvd in Valley Village. In a slight bit of movie trickery, Donnie parks in the lot at the rear of the building, but is seen entering through the door facing the street on opposite side.
LOCATION: 12516 W Magnolia Blvd, Valley Village, CA 91607
The Firefox Room is a staple of the San Fernando Valley and in the two decades since filming took place, it still looks nearly identical. The bar opens at 7AM daily and it’s dark and inconspicuous. Yet the staff is friendly and the vibe is welcoming. Donnie enters through the door on the right.
Donnie sits at this corner booth. The lighting in the bar is so dark, any brightness quickly overexposes a shot, so photography can be a challenge inside.
He sits and admires Brad the bartender.
Donnie then sits at the corner of the bar and talks to a mysterious older man, credited as Thurston Howell.
Late in the film, as a biblical storm hits, Officer Jim finds himself at the intersection of Reseda Blvd and Sherman Way in Reseda. This is located right beside the “Hot Traxx” night club from “Boogie Nights.”
LOCATION: Sherman Way / Reseda Blvd, Reseda, CA 91335
He makes an emergency stop at a gas station, only see Donnie climbing on a pole, where he has just attempted to rob his workplace. Donnie then falls to the ground. The pole and payphone are both still standing at the location.
LOCATION: 7222 Reseda Blvd, Reseda, CA 91335
The two take shelter at the gas station.
LOCATION: 7208 Reseda Blvd, Reseda, CA 91335
Related articles: Hard Eight (1996), Boogie Nights (1997), Punch-Drunk Love (2002), There Will Be Blood (2007), The Master (2012), Inherent Vice (2014)
