25Jan

LA Story

Clapper BoardI get out of bed with every intention of going surfing but it is a grey, wet and generally uninspiring day in LA so after failing to be impressed by the surf available at several beaches that I check out I decide not to go surfing and instead drive around town looking for film locations. This is far from a comprehensive list but I see where scenes from the following films were shot:

 

  • The Graduate (1967)
  • Diamonds are Forever (1971)
  • Blazing Saddles (1974)
  • Chinatown (1974)
  • Earthquake (1974)
  • Grease (1978)
  • Heaven Can Wait (1978)
  • Up in Smoke (1978)
  • Airplane! (1980)
  • Blade Runner (1982)
  • Beverly Hills Cop (1984)
  • The Terminator (1984)
  • Lethal Weapon (1987)
  • Colors (1988)
  • Die Hard (1988)
  • Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988)
  • Point Break (1991)
  • Reservoir Dogs (1992)
  • White Men Can’t Jump (1992)
  • Falling Down (1993)
  • Pulp Fiction (1994)
  • Speed (1994)
  • Heat (1995)
  • L.A. Confidential (1997)
  • American History X (1998)
  • Dogtown and Z-Boys (2001)
  • The Aviator (2004)
  • Fast & Furious (2009)

Beach Boys Monument5I then spend hours on two grail quests. First trying to find the site of The Beach Boys’ childhood home in the Hawthorne area of town. I eventually find it, but am quite surprised at just how far it is from the sea. The house was actually domolished to make room for a freeway, but a monument including this placque stands as close to the original location as possible without being in the fast lane.

Playboy Mansion2Next it is over to Beverley Hills to see if I can get into the Playboy Mansion. No luck here but I do find it after purchasing a DIY stalker kit/ celebrity homes map from the tourist shop. These are the gates and I certainly didn’t get any nearer despite ringing the bell. The second word was ‘off’. You can figure out the rest.

ATeamAt the end of the day I am tired, but have been all over town and seen so much. However despite asking everywhere including Mr Lee’s laundry in Chinatown I am somewhat disappointed not to be able to make contact with The A-Team through the Los Angeles underworld.

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