Sunday, June 5, 2016

E.T. - The Extra-Terrestrial (1982)




The friendship between a boy and an extraterrestrial became the highest grossing film of the 1980s.  E.T. is accidentally left behind on Earth and must find his way home with the help of Elliott, his siblings and a Speak & Spell before anyone finds out.  In one of the worst decisions in advertising history, Mars Candy forbid their M&M's to be used in the film.  Instead, Hershey's Reese's Pieces were used and their subsequent sales were out of this world. ;-)  Despite it's massive success, E.T. was one of the worst decisions in video game history.  A lame idea and massive overproduction lead to cartridge burials in a New Mexico landfill and partial blame for the video game crash.

E.T. was filmed in Tujunga, Porter Ranch, Granada Hills and Crescent City, CA

Location: Elliott's House
Address: 7121 Lonzo Drive, Tujunga, CA

2003



2016







Location: The Bus Stop
Address: NW Corner of Capistrano Lane & Vista Grand Way, Porter Ranch, CA





Location:
Gertie Waits for Michael, Elliott & E.T.
Address: near 11812 Stewarton Drive, Porter Ranch, CA








Location: Trick or Treating
Address: Granada Circle & Killimore Avenue, Porter Ranch, CA

They walk south on Granada Circle...










Location: Mary Searches For The Kids (Deleted Scene)
Address: 18967 Granada Circle, Porter Ranch, CA





Location: Elliott Rides To The Forest
Address: Stewarton Drive & Brasilia Drive, Porter Ranch, CA
















Location: The Blue Car Follows Michael #1
Address: SW on Killimore Avenue, turning left onto Viking Avenue, Porter Ranch, CA







Location: The Blue Car Follows Michael #2
Address: SW on Killimore Avenue, turning left onto Viking Avenue, Porter Ranch, CA











Location: The Bubble Breaks Free
Address: Right onto Killimore Avenue from Granada Circle, Porter Ranch, CA






Location: The Playground
Address: Reseda Boulevard & Sesnon Boulevard, Porter Ranch, CA












Location: The Police Start Chasing the Bikes
Address: Turning Right on Killimore Avenue from Calle Vista Circle, Porter Ranch, CA






Location: The Bikes Take Flight
Address: White Oak Avenue and Tulsa Street, Granada Hills, CA



They head north on White Oak Avenue...







Locations Visited: November 2003, March 2016, October 2016, April 2023


The ride at Universal Studios.  R.I.P...













Gremlins (1984)




Three simple rules could've kept Kingston Falls the peaceful town that it was.  But rules were made to be broken.  After Billy's cute little mogwai gets wet, it spawns several mischievous green Gremlins who wreak havoc on Christmas Eve.  Along with Indiana Jones and The Temple of Doom, Gremlins inspired the PG-13 rating after uproar from parental units who took their little gremlins to see the not quite R-rated but not quite PG-rated violence. 

Gremlins was filmed in Universal City and Burbank, CA

Location: Chinatown
Address: Warner Brothers Studios - Hennesy Street, Burbank, CA








Location: Kingston Falls Town Square
Address: Universal Studios Backlot, Universal City, CA










Back to the Future was also shot here.  The famous courthouse:




Sadly, most of this area was rebuilt after being destroyed in a 2008 fire.


Location: The Peltzer House
Address: Warner Ranch - Blondie Street, Burbank, CA

It was debated whether the Peltzer House was on the Universal or The Warner Brothers Lot.  After listening to the DVD commentary, I realized it was filmed on the exclusive Warner Ranch lot, which I hope to gain access to one day.  Robert Patterson at Set-Jetter.com was fortunate enough to visit and took some amazing shots.  Be sure to check out more of his Set-Jetter Gremlins Locations.











Location: The Futterman House
Address: Warner Ranch - Blondie Street, Burbank, CA

Once again, thanks to Robert Patterson for getting these shots.  You never actually see the entire front of the house but you catch a glimpse of the driveway when Mr. Futterman first appears...




The back of the house is actually a few doors down...








Location: Kate's House
Address: Warner Brothers Studios - Midwest Street, Burbank, CA

Kate and Billy first pass caroler's at this house...




This was also Georgie's house on Sisters (1991-1996).







Location: The Church
Address: Warner Brothers Backlot - Midwest Town Square, Burbank, CA









Location: Mrs. Deagle's House
Address: Warner Brothers Backlot - Midwest Street, Burbank, CA

2003




2016





This was also The Seaver's House from Growing Pains (1985-1992) and Plato's House from Rebel Without A Cause (1955).


Locations Visited: August 2003, March 2016, October 2016


Related Locations:

Gremlins 2: The New Batch (1990)