Hell Night (1981)

In order to join Alpha Sigma Rho, four college students must spend the night at Garth Manor, an abandoned mansion where a family murder took place.  Soon they are terrorized by two of the supposedly dead Garth brothers, leaving only Marti Gaines to make it until morning.

Hell Night was released during 1981's horror movie deluge.  Even though it starred Linda Blair, it failed to scare up a decent box office or positive reviews.  The most terrifying aspect was the shooting schedule, which consisted of 18 hour days, 6 days a week.

Hell Night was filmed in Redlands and Sierra Madre, CA

Location: The Fraternity House

Address: 1200 East Colton Avenue, Redlands, CA

The University of Redlands - Memorial Chapel

Location: Garth Manor

Address: 1325 Prospect Drive, Redlands, CA

The lavish Kimberly Crest House & Gardens was used for Garth Manor.  The house was built in 1897 for Cornelia A. Hill, a Redland pioneer.

This was also the location for Fleetwood Mac's Big Love (1987) music video.

Location: The Police Station

Address: 55 West Sierra Madre Boulevard, Sierra Madre, CA

This is just across the street from The Buccaneer Bar from Halloween III: Season of The Witch (1982) and down the street from the film's town square, which is also the town square in Halloween II (1981).

Locations Visited: February 2023

Locations Master List

 

Poltergeist II: The Other Side (1986)

It's been a year since The Freeling house imploded and now the Cuesta Verde community has been transformed into an archeological dig.  The Freelings have moved to Phoenix and live with Diane's mother.  But the nightmare isn't over as the spirit of the insane Reverend Henry Kane is after Carol Anne.  With the help of Taylor, a Native American shaman, and the reliable Tangina Barrons, The Freelings enter a cavern below their former home where Kane pulls Diane and Carol Anne over to the other side.  Robbie and Steve follow, the latter ultimately taking out Kane with a native spear. 

They're baaaaaaack!  And to no one's surprise after the first Poltergeist film made over 70 million dollars.  Most of the cast returned but notably missing was Dominique Dunne, who was murdered in 1982.  Julian Beck gives an incredible and chilling performance as the sinister Reverend Henry Kane, even though he was battling stomach cancer at the time.  He would pass away before the movie was released.  Poltergeist II: The Other Side made roughly less than half of its predecessor.  Critics were less than impressed.  It was an uphill battle considering what it had to live up to.  I found it to be a decent sequel, especially considering what we got next. 

Poltergeist II: The Other Side was filmed in Chatsworth, Encino and Altadena, CA and Chinle, AZ

Location: En Route to Cuesta Verde

Address: Canoga Avenue & Celtic Street, Chatsworth, CA

Location: Former Site of The Freeling House

Address: next to 21101 Celtic Avenue, Chatsworth, CA

Location: The Mall

Address: 17200 Ventura Boulevard, Encino, CA

The Encino Town Center has undergone major renovations since filming took place...

Location: Grandma Jess' House

Address: 1589 Homewood Drive, Altadena, CA

Locations Visited: April 2023

Related Locations:

Poltergeist (1982)

Locations Master List

Poltergeist (1982)

The Freelings seem to be living the American Dream in their developed community of Cuesta Verde.  But soon their dream turns into a nightmare when a series a bizarre events take place, particularly when their youngest daughter, Carol Anne, begins communicating with their television.  She is later pulled inside a portal shortly before Steven Freeling finds out the development was built on a graveyard.  Parapsychologists arrive to investigate, concluding poltergeists have intruded upon them.  Enter psychic Tangina Barrons to help save the day.  After Diane Freeling saves Caroline from "The Beast," Tangina deems the house "clean."  On their last night in the house, all hell breaks loose but the Freelings manage to escape before their house implodes.

They're heeeeeeeere!  One of the most famous quotes from the 1980s rightfully belongs to one of the scariest movies of the 1980s.  Poltergeist terrified audiences while becoming a commercial and critically-praised film.  Steven Speilberg came up with a story but was unable to direct Poltergeist due to his involvement with E.T. - The Extra-Terrestrial (1982), so Tobe Hooper, famous for helming The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974), took over the reigns.  While the film endured success, it also experienced tragedies with the death of Dominique Dunne, who played Dana Freeling, shortly after the film was released. Heather O'Rourke, who portrayed little Carol Anne, who later die during an operation to correct a bowel obstruction in 1988.

Poltergeist was filmed in Agoura Hills, Simi Valley and Irvine, CA

Location: Tree In The Middle of The Road

Address: Rustling Oaks Drive & Hollow Oak Court, Agoura Hills, CA

Location: En Route to The Freelings

Address: Rachel Avenue & Roxbury Street, Simi Valley, CA

Location: The Freeling House

Address: 4267 Roxbury Street, Simi Valley, CA

Location: The Holiday Inn

Address: 1801 East G Street, Ontario, CA

Related Locations: 

Poltergeist II: The Other Side (1986)

Locations Visited: April 2023, May 2023

Locations Master List

 

Disneyland's 30th Anniversary Celebration (1985)

 

Walt Disney dreamt of a place where adults and children could have fun together.  After years of planning, construction for Disneyland began on July 16, 1954.  The theme park opened one year and one day later on July 17, 1955.  Ever since then, the attractions of Fantasyland, Adventureland, Frontierland, Tomorrowland, New Orleans Square, Critter Country and Mickey's Toontown has entertained millions of people, young and old.  

1985 marked Disneyland's 30th Anniversary and a decadent, star-studded celebration took place that only the 1980s could produce.  John Forsythe and Drew Barrymore hosted the special, which aired on NBC February 18, 1985.  Musical guests included Donna Summer, The Pointer Sisters, Alabama, Julian Lennon, Marie Osmond, Debbie Allen and Peter Allen.  Also featured were stars of The Peacock Network including Harry Anderson from Night Court (1984-1992),  The Cosby Kids, Kim Fields and Mindy Cohn from The Facts of Life (1979-1988) and Tina Yothers from Family Ties.  Knight Rider's David Hasselhoff rounded out the roster, who performed songs from his recently released Night Rocker album, which was a big hit in Austria!  Former Mousekateer Annette Funicello and Mary Poppins herself, Julie Andrews, also made appearances, along with Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Daisy, Goofy and dozens of their friends.  

Location: Disneyland

Address: 1313 Disneyland Drive, Anaheim, CA

John Forsythe and Drew Barrymore first appear exiting The Walt Disney Story, which was an attraction on Main Street, U.S.A. until 2005.  Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln is currently being shown...

During the parade, The Emporium gift shop can be seen in the background when Drew hops on an elephant to get a better view...

Country legends Alabama perform "Mountain Music" at The Golden Horseshoe in Frontierland...

Actress and dancer Debbie Allen performs "Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah" in New Orleans Square.  At the time of my visit, the stairs she descends from was closed off, but you can see it slightly through the doorway...

Harry Anderson and Tina Yothers meet outside The Main Street Magic Shop...

The Hoff performs a spectacular cover of The Counters' "Do You Love Me" at the Tomorrowland Terrance.  Fantasyland's Matterhorn Bobsleds can be seen in the background...

Marie Osmond sings "I'm Walking Right Down The Middle of Main Street, U.S.A." The Crystal Arcade can be seen in the background...

Donna Summer sings "She Works Hard For The Money (1983)" in Sleepy Beauty's Castle...

She also sings "Unconditional Love" in front of It's A Small World...

John and Drew join the long line at Pirates of the Caribbean.  Since the special, a bridge has been added to the area...

Marie & The Hoff sing the duet "Let It Be Me" by Sleeping Beauty's castle...

Locations Master List