Recognizable L.A. Locations from Famous Films and Shows
From the Editor:
Being home to a mass of film studios, it’s not surprising that oodles of locations throughout L.A. are the backdrop or set for countless television shows and films. Often times while strolling through neighborhoods or stumbling in and out of bars, you will look around and think, “I know this place from (fill in awesome show or movie).” From Venice High School as Rydell High in Grease to the Doheny Mansion where Alison Lohman tries to exorcise her curse in Drag Me to Hell, Hollywood studios have immortalized their backyard in film for years. Writer, Pablo Saldana, takes a look at one Nightmare of a location. – Lori Bartlett, Editor of STC
There’s a house that has terrified audiences for more than 25 years, and it lies in the heart of Hollywood. Who knew watching the films, 1428 Elm Street was actually 1428 N. Genesee Avenue, just one block south of Sunset Boulevard? The majority of us would recognize it simply as Nancy’s house from Nightmare on Elm Street.
House from Nightmare on Elm Street
The home was featured prominently in seven of the franchise’s films. What originally started as a low-budget horror movie became a pop cultural phenomenon spawning a television series (“Freddy’s Nightmares”), video games, shirts, action figures and pretty much anything else they could plaster Freddy Krueger’s face on. An entire generation was raised with this “dream demon” while newer fans made have been made aware of the franchise by the recent remake which dominated the box office in April.
While obtaining a picture for this article, several others were eagerly waiting their turn in front of this modern day house of horrors. The first was a group of teenagers who struck their most horrified poses for the picture. The second up to the plate was an obvious tourist equipped with fanny pack and all. The final person observed was a gentleman who merely drove up to the property and spent several seconds just staring at house before returning to his car. In the span of five minutes, three very different experienced were witnessed from an enthusiastic group shot to someone taking in the scene as if it were a fine wine meant to be savored.
The home was used throughout the franchise and is probably the most recognizable image outside of Mr. Krueger himself. The residence was used for exterior shots on first and second film of the series with a slightly modified haunted version being featured in films three through six. Wes Craven once again returned to the helm for New Nightmare, which used new exterior shots of the house. The interiors and the alley scene from the original Nightmare were shot at separate locations.
This is arguably the most iconic house in film playing a pivotal role throughout the franchise. It became a staple of our childhood nightmares. You knew if you feel asleep and saw this house, you were in for a hellish night. – Pablo Saldana
