DISCOVER 4 MORE OSCAR-WINNING BEST PICTURE LOCATIONS IN LOS ANGELES

The Culver Studios Mansion

Photo courtesy of shiner.clay, Flickr

“GONE WITH THE WIND” - THE CULVER STUDIOS MANSION

9337 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City 90232
310-202-3234
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The Culver Studios was originally founded in 1918 by silent film producer Thomas Ince. The first building constructed on the lot, then known as Thomas H. Ince Studios, was the Mansion, a massive 15,000 square-foot Colonial-style administration building that was modeled after George Washington’s Mount Vernon home. Producer David O. Selznick purchased the site in 1935 and renamed it Selznick International Pictures. His 1939 Best Picture winner Gone with the Wind was lensed on the premises. In the epic, the Mansion’s gate and landscaped front walkway were used as the entrance to the new Atlanta home of Rhett Butler (Clark Gable) and Scarlett O’Hara (Vivian Leigh). The Mansion’s exterior was covered with a matte painting for the shoot and looks nothing like Rhett and Scarlett’s estate. The scenes of Atlanta burning also took place on the studio’s former backlot. To create the fiery scenes, Selznick simply burned old sets, which made room for him to eventually build the Tara façade.

The Mansion and its front walkway are still standing and are clearly visible from Washington Boulevard. Amazon Studios occupies 530,000 square feet at The Culver Studios, including the company’s existing space in the historic Mansion and bungalows.
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“RAIN MAN” - CHARLIE BABBITT’S APARTMENT

1599 Sunset Plaza Dr., West Hollywood 90069

Charlie Babbitt's apartment from "Rain Man"
Photo by Lindsay Blake

The Best Picture of 1988, Rain Man was shot on location across the U.S. A few locales are in Los Angeles, including the apartment building where Charlie Babbitt (Tom Cruise) lives. In one scene, Charlie’s autistic brother, Raymond (Dustin Hoffman, in an Oscar-winning performance), freaks out after setting off the fire alarm while cooking Eggo waffles in a convection oven. The rear side of the complex, located on Evanview Drive, is the area shown in the movie. Rain Man is not the building’s only claim to fame – a young Brad Pitt called it home at one point in the 90s.
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“MILLION DOLLAR BABY” - FRANKIE DUNN’S HOUSE

5206 Argus Dr., Los Angeles 90041

Frankie Dunn’s house from “Million Dollar Baby”
Photo by Lindsay Blake

Million Dollar Baby (2004) swept the 77th Academy Awards, racking up Oscars for Best Actress (Hilary Swank), Best Supporting Actor (Morgan Freeman), Best Director (Clint Eastwood) and Best Picture. Though the film takes place in several locales across the U.S., it was filmed almost entirely in Los Angeles. The quaint bungalow where boxing trainer Frankie Dunn (Clint Eastwood) lives is located on a sleepy street in Eagle Rock. In one scene at the house, Big Willie Little (Mike Colter) fires Dunn as his coach shortly before a title fight. Dunn later watches the bout from home - Willie wins, using all of the techniques Dunn had taught him. The charming 1913 home is still very recognizable from its onscreen appearance.
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"ARGO" - ONTARIO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

Terminal Bldg. 2, Ontario 91761
909-937-2700
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The old Terminal 1 at Ontario International Airport
 Photo: Tony Hoffarth, Flickr

Employing Farsi signage, period cards, posters of Ayatollah Khomeini and 800 Persian extras, Ben Affleck transformed Terminal 1 at Ontario International Airport into the Tehran Airport circa 1979 for the filming of his 2012 Oscar winner, Argo. Terminal 1, which is no longer in use, appeared in two of the movie’s scenes. It’s initially shown when Affleck first arrives in Tehran in order to rescue the six American Embassy workers. The terminal was later used in the movie’s nail-biting climax, when Affleck and the escapees board a plane to the U.S. under the guise of being a film crew. The Iranian mountains that appear in the background were digitally added, as was the roaring 747 that the airport security workers unsuccessfully try to chase down. Terminal 1 has also appeared in Catch Me If You Can (2002) and Blow (2001).

BONUS LOCATION: At the Smoke House Restaurant in Burbank, John Goodman advises Affleck on how to produce the fake movie that serves as cover for the rescue operation.
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*by Lindsay Blake Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board
633 West 5th Street, Suite 1800, Los Angeles, CA 90071, USA