Reel to Real Filming Locations: Gremlins (1984)

Sunday, June 5, 2016

Gremlins (1984)

Inventor Randall Peltzer brings home a mogwai as a Christmas present for his son Billy. Three simple rules come with the furry creature - keep away from bright light, don't get him wet and don't ever feed him after midnight. But rules were made to be broken. After Gizmo gets wet, he spawns several other mogwais who aren't so cute and cuddly. Soon the gremlins wreak havoc on the peaceful town of Kingston Falls on Christmas Eve and it's up to Billy and Gizmo to save the day, er, eve.

The idea for Gremlins came from writer Chris Columbus after hearing a fleet of mice scurrying about in the dark around his loft. Steven Spielberg served as executive producer and Joe Dante handled directing responsibilities. Comedian Howie Mandel provided the voice for Gizmo. 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 - Hennessy Street, Burbank, CA

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

Sadly, most of this area was rebuilt after being destroyed in a 2008 fire. This was also Hill Valley in Back to The Future.

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

Robert Patterson at Set-Jetter.com was fortunate enough to visit The Warner Ranch before Blondie Street was demolished and took some amazing shots. Be sure to check out more of his Set-Jetter Gremlins Locations.

Here's a sad photo I took just before the facades were torn down...

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: The School

Address: Warner Brothers Studios - Park Place, Burbank, CA

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

Kate and Billy pass caroler's at this house before Kate's macabre Christmas tale...