The Green Mile (1999)

September 21, 2024October 25, 2025 / filmoblivion / Leave a comment

The 1999 Frank Darabont film “The Green Mile,” starring Tom Hanks, was shot in Tennessee, North Carolina and Los Angeles, California. The early scenes at the retirement home were filmed at The Cone Manor, 6570 Blue Rdg Pkwy, Blowing Rock, NC 28605.

The exterior of the prison was filmed at Tennessee State Prison in Nashville, Tennessee. Closed in 1992, the prison has appeared in numerous other films, such as “Nashville,” “Ernest Goes To Jail,” “The Last Castle” and “Walk the Line.” While no longer an active prison, it remains closed to the public most of the time, with the exception of occasional local events. A tornado in 2020 also caused damage to the building. However, it can still be seen at a distance from public areas. The interior of the prison was a studio set built in West Hollywood, California (7200 Santa Monica Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90046).

LOCATION: 6404 Centennial Blvd, Nashville, TN 37209

The farmhouse were Klaus Detterick, played by William Sadler, lives with his wife and two daughters, can be found in the town of Columbia, about an hour south of Nashville. The home is long since vacant and not in good condition. It is not visible from the street. The barn to the right is still there, but difficult to see behind the grass and trees. The large tree seen in the film is no longer there.

LOCATION: 3213 Craig Bridge Rd, Columbia, TN 38401, USA (GPS coordinates: 35°40’25.7″N, 87°11’11.2″W)

Here is another view of the home, which was in dilapidated condition and swarming with insects.

This side of the home is where Klaus Detterick is seen running outside with a gun. The filmmakers built a facade onto this portion of the home to feature a large porch area. The facade portion is no longer there.

Klaus Detterick sees John Coffey, played by Michael Clarke Duncan, holding his daughters at Caney Fork River Bridge in Lancaster, Tennessee, about an hour east of Nashville. There are no roads to access this railway bridge. A freeway ramp to a nearby rest stop (Interstate 40 Mile Marker 267, Lancaster, TN 38569) exists, but there is no shoulder to park on. There is also no sidewalk and steep banks, so reaching this area is a bit of a challenge. The close-up shot of John Coffey holding the girls was actually filmed at Warner Bros. Studios in Burbank, California (4000 Warner Blvd, Burbank, CA 91505).

LOCATION: Caney Fork River Bridge, Lancaster, TN 38569 (approximate GPS coordinates: 36°08’17.7″N, 85°48’14.0″W)

The home of Warden Hal Moores, played by James Cromwell, can be found in Shelbyville, Tennessee. Much like the Detterick farmhouse, a facade was added by the filmmakers onto the right portion of the house. It was removed at the completion of filming.

LOCATION: 1810 TN-82, Shelbyville, TN 37160

To see our “The Green Mile” location page, click here.

Related articles: The Shawshank Redemption (1994), The Mist (2007)

That Thing You Do! (1996)

April 16, 2024 / filmoblivion / 1 Comment

The 1996 Tom Hanks film “That Thing You Do!” was shot in Southern California. The opening of the film is seen from Orange Circle, a popular shopping and dining area in Orange, California.

LOCATION: Plaza Square, Orange, CA 92866

The Patterson’s Appliances store can be found there.

LOCATION: 129 N Glassell St, Orange, CA 92866

The Watson’s drug store and restaurant could be found in the same area. It also appeared in such films as “The Benchwarmers” and “The Stepford Children.” While the building is still there, it is no longer Watson’s.

LOCATION: 116 E Chapman Ave, Orange, CA 92866

The house where the band rehearses can be found in Pasadena. However, only the garage appears in the film.

LOCATION: 490 Prospect Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91103

The band performs at The Orpheum Theatre in Downtown Los Angeles, with their name appearing on the marquee.

LOCATION: 842 S Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90014

Cast Away (2000)

February 20, 2022October 12, 2022 / filmoblivion / Leave a comment

The 2000 Robert Zemeckis film “Cast Away” shot in Tennessee, Texas, Moscow, Russia and a remote island named Monuriki, which is part of the Mamanuca Islands in Fiji. The production famously shut down for one year to allow Tom Hanks, who stars as Chuck Noland, to lose weight and grow his hair out for the role. The island’s coordinates, where much of the film takes place, are 17°36’36.0″S, 177°02’03.5″E.

The beginning and the end of the film take place at the same location, a crossroads located near the towns of Mobeetie and Canadian, in Hemphill County, Texas. Depending on the map, you’ll see it listed under either town. The opening shot shows a delivery truck turning right from FM1268 onto a dirt road called Co Rd 5 (the southern, paved portion of the road is FM 48).

LOCATION: FM1268 / Co Rd 5, Mobeetie, TX 79061 (GPS coordinates: 35°38’01.8″N, 100°27’04.7″W)

The film closes at the same intersection, where Chuck pulls over near the stop sign. He speaks here with the owner of the ranch, who offers him directions. In the film, you can actually see the street signs. While the stop sign is still there, the street signs are gone. Chuck then walks to the center of the intersection and faces all four directions of the crossroads, before the film fades into the end credits.

The truck from the beginning, as well as Chuck’s vehicle at the end, both drive up Co Rd 5 (also known as Neece Road) towards a ranch. The path the vehicles take is geographically accurate from the intersection where the film begins and ends. Its about a ten minute drive to reach it. The road is mostly flat and can accommodate most vehicles.

The truck then turns into a ranch, with a sign for “Dick and Bettina” at the entrance gate (the “Dick” part of the sign has been removed by the end of the film). The real ranch is known as Arrington Ranch House Lodge. When Chuck leaves a note to the owner at the end of the film, the letterhead actually says “Arrington Ranch.” The home was built in 1919 by former Texas Ranger George Washington Arrington. Today the ranch is still owned by the same family and operates as a bed and breakfast, offering fans of the film an opportunity to stay at the property.

LOCATION: 9765 Co Rd 5, Canadian, TX 79014 (the address is also listed as 9765 Neece on some maps)

The entrance gate currently at the ranch is not the same one seen in the film, but the owners did use angel wings in the center, as seen in the film.

The barn where the truck picks up the parcel is still there.

Here’s a better look at the main ranch house. Chuck returns the package he kept from the plane wreckage, which washed ashore the deserted island, leaving it at the front door.

Here is a wider view of the property. The ranch itself is private property and there are warning signs not to trespass. You can see everything well from the road, however, or if you want a closer look, you can seek out reservations online to stay at the ranch, via the Arrington Ranch website.

The home of Kelly, played by Helen Hunt, can be found in Memphis, Tennessee (74 Devon Way Memphis, TN 38111).

Sleepless In Seattle (1993)

September 5, 2021December 10, 2022 / filmoblivion / Leave a comment

The 1993 romantic comedy “Sleepless in Seattle,” starring Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan, was filmed, as you might guess, in Seattle, Washington, with additional filming in New York City, New York, Baltimore, Maryland and Chicago, Illinois. Annie, played by Meg Ryan, visits her family at this house. The home is mostly obscured from the street by trees and hedges, but if you walk up closer, you can get a clear view.

LOCATION: 1235 2nd Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109

Sam, played by Tom Hanks, lives at this house, which sits on Lake Union in Seattle. The path which leads to the home is gated off and marked as private. You can in fact see the home from the gate, but the views are limited. Here are some aerial views.

LOCATION: 2448 Westlake Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109

This door is seen many times throughout the film, including when Annie eventually visits the residence.

These distinct mailboxes seen in the film really do exist at the location. The area is out near the parking lot and accessible to the public. Sam’s house is just to the right of here.

Sam walks with his friend Jay, played by Rob Reiner, as he discusses setting Sam up on a blind date. They start our near 1st Ave and Stewart St.

LOCATION: 86 Pine St, Seattle, WA 98101 (facing 1st Ave, near Stewart St)

They continue walking along 1st Ave and turn down Pine St, when Sam asks Jay to evaluate his butt.

LOCATION: Pine St / 1st Ave, Seattle, WA 98101

They continue towards the famous Pike Place Market. Sam and Jay have drinks here, where Jay brings Sam up to speed on the modern dating scene. These scenes were filmed at The Athenian Seafood Restaurant and Bar, which is located within Pike Place Market. The two characters sit at the corner of the bar on the right. There are small red plaques on the bar in front of each seat where the characters sat. It’s always nice when places acknowledge their film history in this way, so we highly recommend visiting.

LOCATION: 1517 Pike Pl, Seattle, WA 98101

The sign outside appears in a later scene, as Sam is out on a date with Victoria and introduces her to his son, Jonah. This sign is just outside of the above location.

Jonah’s friend Jessica, played by Gaby Hoffmann, lives at this home. It is seen briefly as Jessica mails a letter to Annie.

LOCATION: 1816 4th Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109

After Annie arrives in Seattle, she is seen turning at this intersection, with the Space Needle visible in the distance.

LOCATION: Western Ave / Broad St, Seattle, WA 98121

The film’s famous ending takes place at the observation deck atop the iconic Empire State Building in New York City.

LOCATION: 20 W 34th St, New York, NY 10001

Apollo 13 (1995)

January 24, 2021October 5, 2022 / filmoblivion / Leave a comment

The 1995 Ron Howard film “Apollo 13” was filmed in Florida, Texas and California. The house of Jim and Marilyn Lovell, played by Tom Hanks and Kathleen Quinlan, can be found in Northridge, California.

LOCATION: 18325 Index St, Northridge, CA 91326

Marilyn loses her wedding ring in the shower of this motel, supposedly located in Florida. The real motel, the Safari Inn, is actually located in Burbank, California.

LOCATION: 1911 W Olive Ave, Burbank, CA 91506

The same motel was featured in the films “True Romance” and “Coach Carter.”

Forrest Gump (1994)

November 3, 2019September 14, 2025 / filmoblivion / Leave a comment

Visiting the filming locations of the classic 1994 film “Forrest Gump” is a staggering feat, as the story unfolds all across the United States and the production likewise followed that path.

The famous opening scene of the feather falling was filmed at Chippewa Square in Savannah, Georgia. It descends past the steeple of The Independent Presbyterian Church Administration Building.

LOCATION: The Independent Presbyterian Church Administration Building, Savannah, GA 31401

Here is a wider view of the full building.

As the feather falls closer to the ground, we see the First Baptist Church in the distance.

LOCATION: First Baptist Church, 223 Bull St, Savannah, GA 31401

The feather finally reaches the ground and settles on the shoe of Forrest Gump, played by Tom Hanks. Forrest sits at a bus stop and recounts the story of his life to strangers sitting on a bench waiting for their bus rides. The location where Forrest sits is at the intersection of Hull Street and Bull Street in Chippewa Square. In reality, there is no bus stop or bench there. They were added for the film. Instead, there are just some plants.

Here is a wider view of the area.

LOCATION: Chippewa Square, Savannah, GA 31401 (at the intersection of Hull St / Bull St)

The actual bench from the film can be found at Paramount Studios in Hollywood, California. It can be seen on their studio tours.

LOCATION: 5555 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90038

The exterior of the lounge where Forrest finds Jenny, played by Robin Wright, performing nude, can also be found in Savannah. The name of the restaurant is Love’s, just as depicted in the film, but it is a seafood and steak joint and you won’t find any nude performers there.

LOCATION: 6817 Chief Of Love Rd, Savannah, GA 31419

The interior of the scene was actually filmed at the former Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles, which has long since been demolished. The hotel was a staple of film and television, appearing in such films as “The Graduate,” “True Romance,” “Seven,” “Bobby,” “True Lies,” “L.A. Story,” “Catch Me If You Can,” “The Mask,” “Calendar Girl” and dozens more. Only this post and statue from the original building remain at the location.

LOCATION: 3400 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90010 (now demolished)

Forrest celebrates New Year’s Eve with Lieutenant Dan, played by Gary Sinise, in what is supposed to be New York City. This was actually filmed on 6th St in Downtown Los Angeles. This area is right next to the locations used for the Nite Owl Coffee Shop from “L.A. Confidential” and Wild Bill’s Leather from “Seven,” both of which were fictional businesses.

LOCATION: Near the intersection of E 6th St / S Los Angeles St, Los Angeles, CA 90013

On the same street, as Forrest exists a TV studio, Lieutenant Dan is waiting for him outside. This was actually on a ramp built above this sandwich shop, which has since been removed. The same sandwich shop has appeared in the films “Jumpin’ Jack Flash,” “Another 48 Hrs.,” “Rumor Has It” and “A Lot Like Love.”

LOCATION: 118 E 6th St, Los Angeles, CA 90014

Lieutenant Dan then loses control of his wheelchair and slides down the ramp into this wall at the same location.

Later in the film, Forrest begins running, from coast to coast. He is seen reaching the famous Santa Monica Pier.

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

He reaches the end of the pier and turns around to begin running back across the country. There is a Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. restaurant located on the pier itself as well, although of course it was not a filming location.

As Forrest runs through Flagstaff, Arizona, he steps in a pile of manure and helps coin the phrase “Shit happens.”

LOCATION: Near 106 N San Francisco St, Flagstaff, AZ 86001

Also in Flagstaff, Forrest runs past the former Twin Arrows Trading Post. The building featured two large, wooden arrows piercing the ground. Some mud splashes on Forrest and he uses a t-shit to clean off his face, creating the famous smiley face t-shirt. The building now unfortunately sits abandoned.

LOCATION: Twin Arrows Trading Post Ruins – Historic Route 66, Flagstaff, AZ 86004

Here’s a closer look at the arrows, which are slowly deteriorating.

Forrest’s running attire from the film can be found on display at Planet Hollywood in Florida.

LOCATION: 1506 E Buena Vista Dr, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830

Late in the film, Jenny is working as a waitress and sees Forrest on television. This was filmed at Debi’s Restaurant in Savannah, located just a few blocks away from the opening scene of the film.

LOCATION: 225 E Bay St, Savannah, GA 31401

The restaurant is quite proud of their connection to the film and the front is decorated with quotes from the film and a shot of the scene.

We’ve only covered a portion of the vast filming locations here. The production also shot scenes in South Carolina, Utah, Arizona, North Carolina, Vermont, Maine, Montana and Washington D.C.

Catch Me If You Can (2002)

May 23, 2018September 25, 2025 / filmoblivion / Leave a comment

In Steven Spielberg’s “Catch Me If You Can,” Frank Abagnale Jr., played by Leonardo DiCaprio, lives at this home early in the film. Supposedly located in New York, the real home can be found in Studio City, California. It is located next door to the house from “My Stepmother Is An Alien.”

LOCATION: 12075 Valleyheart Dr, Studio City, CA 91604

Frank and his family are forced to move into a smaller apartment at this building, which can be found in Yonkers, New York.

LOCATION: 110 Buena Vista Ave, Yonkers, NY 10701

Frank Abagnale Sr, played by Christopher Walken, reads a letter from his son as he walks into the Abagnale Stationers store, which can be found in San Pedro.

LOCATION: 421 W 6th St, San Pedro, CA 90731

After posing as an airline pilot, Frank begins forging payroll checks at the former Ambassador Hotel. The hotel was a staple of film and television, appearing in such films as “The Graduate,” “Forrest Gump,” “Seven,” “Bobby,” “True Lies,” “L.A. Story,” “True Romance,” “The Mask,” “Calendar Girl” and dozens more. The hotel has since been demolished, with only this post and statue from the original building remaining.

LOCATION: 3400 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90010 (now demolished)

Carl, played by Tom Hanks, is on the hunt for Frank, who stays at the Tropicana Motel in Hollywood. While the Tropicana was a real motel at one time, it was demolished in 1988. Instead, the Hollywood Roosevelt was used. It’s actually the rear of the Roosevelt building that is seen in the film.

LOCATION: 7000 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028 (rear of the building on Hawthorn Ave)

Carl eats at a diner, where a waitress tips him off that the alias Frank has been using is the name of “The Flash” in the comic books, cluing him in that his suspect may be younger than he originally thought.

This was filmed at the former Quality Cafe in downtown Los Angeles. The diner was a one-time staple of films, appearing in “Seven” “Training Day,” “Ghost World,” “Another Day In Paradise,” “(500) Days Of Summer” “Million Dollar Baby,” “The Rules Of Attraction,” “What’s Love Got To Do With It,” “The Heartbreak Kid” and dozens more. However, it was not an actual restaurant open to the public. Instead it was used solely for filming. Sadly, it ceased to function as a filming location and was completely renovated in 2014. The interior of the property no longer bears any resemblance inside to how it appeared in so many films.

LOCATION: 1238 W 7th St, Los Angeles, CA 90017 (since closed and remodeled)

The Miami Airport where Frank slips past the FBI by surrounding himself with attractive flight attendants was actually filmed at the Ontario Airport in Ontario, California. This particular terminal is not in active use and has popped up in countless other films, including “Saving Mr. Banks,” “Zodiac,” “Blow,” “Argo” and many more.

LOCATION: 1940 Moore Way, Ontario, CA 91761

Another view of the same airport, depicted as the baggage claim terminal in the film.

Later in the film, Frank takes his father to an upscale restaurant, where he tells him he bought him a Cadillac. The actual location is not a restaurant at all. It’s the famous “Pompeian Room” of the Doheny Mansion, located on the campus of Mount Saint Mary’s University in Los Angeles. While the mansion does offer occasional tours to the public, some of the guides can be strict about allowing photos inside. Many films have shot at the mansion, including “The Princess Diaries,” “Drag Me To Hell,” “Flowers In The Attic,” “Spider-Man 3,” “The Three Amigos” and more.

LOCATION: 10 Chester Pl, Los Angeles, CA 90007

The bank scenes were filmed at Union Station, a train station in downtown Los Angeles. It has featured in many films as well, such as “Blade Runner,” “The Dark Knight Rises,” “Species,” “Bugsy,” “Pearl Harbor” and more.

LOCATION: 800 N Alameda St, Los Angeles, CA 90012

Frank strikes up a romance with Brenda, played by Amy Adams, who brings him to the house of her father, played by Martin Sheen. Frank has to make an abrupt departure with the FBI hot on his heels. The house used in the film can be found in Pasadena. The address is on E Crary St, but the back of the house faces that direction and the perimeter is surrounded by a wall, so you won’t see much from there. The front side of the house is actually around the block on Layton St, which dead-ends into the driveway of the home. The same house has also been seen in the films “Matilda,” “Hocus Pocus,” “Scream 2” and “The Midnight Hour.” Unfortunately, the property owners have since posted no trespassing signs near the end of Ladyton St, making it much more difficult for pedestrians to see the house anymore.

LOCATION: 2186 E Crary St, Pasadena, CA 91104 (front of the home faces Ladyton St)

Frank is arrested in front of his mother’s house, which can be found in Pasadena. The same location appears in the film “Disturbia.”

LOCATION: 3077 E California Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91107

Late in the film, Frank passes this store and stops as he sees a pilot’s uniform on display. This can be found just a few buildings up from the Abagnale Stationers store seen early in the film.

LOCATION: 446 W 6th St, San Pedro, CA 90731

The ‘Burbs (1989)

November 5, 2017October 9, 2022 / filmoblivion / 1 Comment

The 1989 Joe Dante film “The ‘Burbs” is set in the fictional town of Hinkley Hills, which, judging by the opening zoom, would place it somewhere in Iowa. The story unfolds on Mayfield Place, a cul-de-sac road in Hinkley Hills. In reality, the entire neighborhood was a facade, filmed on a studio backlot.

Known as Colonial Street at Universal Studios, the houses and streets have changed significantly over the years. Once used for television classics such as “The Munsters” and “Leave It To Beaver,” the neighborhood was significantly remodeled in 1988 for the production of “The ‘Burbs.”

In the years that followed, as new productions came along, the neighborhood and the homes began to resemble the film less and less. Some houses were relocated, others heavily redesigned, while others still were demolished altogether. Eventually the neighborhood became known as Wisteria Lane on the TV drama “Desperate Housewives.”

To complicate matters further, several of the houses in “The ‘Burbs” were deliberately shot in close-ups, rarely seen in wide shots. Combined with all of the changes over the years, it makes piecing the neighborhood back together a difficult endeavor.

The centerpiece of the film is of course the Klopek house, which is owned by a creepy family that rarely shows themselves, much to the intrigue of all of the surrounding neighbors. Sadly, the home no longer exists. Portions, however, were said to have been reused and incorporated in the design of this house, which later became Bree Van de Kamp’s house on “Desperate Housewives.”

LOCATION: 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, CA 91608

The Peterson house, where Tom Hanks and Carrie Fisher live, was also unfortunately demolished and replaced with a different facade.

The house that most closely resembles how it appeared in the film is that of Walter, the old man with the small, white dog. Aside from a paint job and some stairs being added, the house looks pretty much the same.

Ricky Butler, played by Corey Feldman, lives at this house, which was once the home used for “The Munsters,” though it has since been heavily remodeled from how it appeared on the TV series. Likely looking to avoid comparisons to the show, this house was only ever seen in close-up shots of the porch in “The ‘Burbs.”

Colonial Street can be seen as part of the Universal Studios Hollywood Tour and even though the neighborhood has significantly changed and continues to change, movie and television lovers are still sure to appreciate a look around the historic, fictional neighborhood.

Related articles: Matinee (1993), Small Soldiers (1998)

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