By Jan Wahl–
The Beverly Hillbillies theme song was truly the soundtrack of my early childhood. I grew up in West Los Angeles, the land of swimming pools and movie stars. It was also the perfect filming location for many cult films.
1959’s Gidget may not be the most important of these films, but it was the first one I remember taking place near my own backyard. It starred petite teenager Sandra Dee and the sunny world of Santa Monica beaches. In this comedy/love story, Gidget is desperate to surf and becomes even more excited about the sport when she meets Moondoggie (James Darren) and “The Big Kahuna” (Cliff Robertson). What could have been silly turns charming as we delve deep into surf culture and see beaches that are still the same and perfect for today’s Gidget selfies. Head to Leo Carrillo State Park Beach, where 1959 is revived. Put on a suit, grab a waxed board, and pretend you find surfing more interesting than hanging out with Moondoggie.
Head east, and right in the center of downtown you’ll find another selfie-worthy spot: Los Angeles City Hall. It’s one of the few buildings in the city that hasn’t been destroyed or renovated. Completed in 1928, the three-story building embodies the city’s energy and ambition. This location, at 200 North Spring Street, is often used in movies about detectives and cops. TV shows always come to mind, too. My favorite show is Dragnet, which features City Hall in its opening sequence. Just the facts, ma’am. I also think of The Adventures of Superman, in which City Hall served as a stand-in for the Daily Planet offices. Perry Mason could see it from his office window, and in Prince’s music video Diamonds and Pearls, City Hall was a major location.
On screen, Los Angeles City Hall represents all that is official in the City of Angels. In the 1953 version of War of the Worlds, it was destroyed, and in V, City Hall was destroyed when the Visitors attacked Earth.
Now it’s time to pull out your fedoras and trench coats and watch three of the best movies about Los Angeles, all worth rewatching today.
In the 1997 neo-noir film LA Confidential, the police operate out of City Hall, their badges emblazoned with the building itself. The year is 1953, and we’re at the intersection of corruption and celebrity. From a secret prostitution ring where women are surgically altered to resemble movie stars, to brutally ambitious cops hoping to make a name for themselves, it’s a wild ride through scandal, blackmail, and murder.
The political corruption of the 1920s is on display in classic Chinatown, where we are told the true story with some sordid embellishments of the Los Angeles water wars. With Bladerunner, we travel to the future and use the still-standing Bradbury Building, Union Station and City Hall in one of the most influential science fiction films of all time. As we chase super-androids through a dystopian city, detective Harrison Ford guides us through flying cars and the increasing use of artificial intelligence.
Let’s head to the Westside on the freeways to see more filming locations. Of course, you can take an exit on the way there to enjoy one of the best musical numbers since Busby Berkeley discovered the showgirls. The opening number of LaLa Land explodes on the 130-foot-high intersection of Interstate 110 and 105. Two full days of filming closed this area, but it looks like it took months to create the upbeat, incredibly creative “Another Day of Sun.” Play this song on YouTube for a jazzy, stirring experience.
Now we move on to Beverly Hills and Hollywood, where we see two of the greatest films of all time. In Billy Wilder’s brilliant Sunset Blvd., aging silent film star Norma Desmond (Gloria Swanson) lives in a crumbling mansion on the fabled street. She hires a desperate young screenwriter (Bill Holden) to help her make a comeback, but the attempt turns into a nightmare. Built in 1922, the Renaissance-style mansion once belonged to J. Paul Getty. It was also used in For They Know Not What They Do before it was torn down. On the north side of the street, just off the Sunset Strip, there are other big, old Roaring Twenties-style houses that can serve as replacements. Bring your feather boa, your handsome gigolo and your stuffed monkey; get ready for a close-up selfie, Mr. DeMille.
Another Wilder star’s home still stands in Beachwood Canyon (6301 Quebec Drive). It was the perfect location for the dark, erotic thriller “The Woman Without a Conscience” – the only film Wilder told me he got perfect. (Speaking of perfectionism… what’s wrong with Some Like It Hot, The Apartment and The Man Who Knew It?) In “The Woman Without a Conscience,” the mysterious, sexy Phyllis (Barbara Stanwyck) plots to murder her husband while seducing an insurance salesman (Fred MacMurray). The Hollywood Bowl and MacMurray’s apartment at 1825 N. Kingsley Drive are still intact.
But instead of strolling down the boulevards of broken dreams, you might want to enjoy the glamour of Los Angeles. Stop for a drink at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel, buy a few shopping bags from Chanel and Tiffany, and dress up as you stroll down Rodeo Boulevard at the corner of Rodeo and Santa Monica Boulevard in Beverly Hills. Find a snooty saleswoman and no matter what gender you are, you’ll feel like Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman!
Jan Wahl is a Hollywood historian and film critic for various television networks. She has won two Emmys and many awards for her long-standing work on behalf of film fans and the LGBTQ community. Contact her at
www.janwahl.com
Off the election
Published on August 8, 2024
