SETTING THE SCENE
Famous film locations recognizable in Phoenix
Sure, lots of movies have been filmed here, but it’s often hard to recognize what you see on screen; after all, one cactus can look a lot like any other cactus. Here’s a list of some movies that were shot in metro Phoenix that are still recognizable today as what was shown on screen. ‘Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure’ (1989)
Two high-school kids from Southern California need to pass history. Thanks to a phone-booth time machine, it will invariably happen. Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter star. What you’ll recognize: The Valley filled in for SoCal, with Coronado High School in
Scottsdale serving as Bill and Ted’s school. While the school is still at the same location, it underwent a massive renovation in the mid-2000s. However, the auditorium’s roof and outdoor mosaic, seen in the film, were not demolished, and they were moved to the school’s new auditorium.
‘Bus Stop’ (1956)
William Inge’s Broadway play inspired this comedy-drama about a virginal rodeo cowboy (Don Murray) who falls for a nightclub singer (Marilyn Monroe, in arguably her best performance). The two meet in Phoenix and attend the rodeo before they head out of town and wind up at the title location.
What you’ll recognize: The state fairgrounds on McDowell Road are instantly recognizable in the rodeo sequences. So is the Westward Ho on Central Avenue during a parade sequence.
‘A Fire in the Sky’ (1978)
Sure, it was a TV movie, but this NBC flick created a huge stir in the Valley at the time. The plot: A comet is hurtling toward Phoenix, eventually leveling downtown. Richard Crenna headlines, but watch for local media types like Pat McMahon and Bill Heywood in minor roles.
What you’ll recognize: Along with the rest of the downtown, the Hyatt Regency, with its distinctive circular restaurant, goes toppling — at least a nifty miniaturized version. So, too, does the Westward Ho. Side note: Not to be confused with “Fire in the Sky,” a 1993 movie about an extraterrestrial encounter ... also set in Arizona!
‘Mixed Company’ (1974)
In this engaging comedy-drama, an Anglo couple with three children adopt three kids from different ethnic backgrounds — hey, that was a very with-it plotline for the mid-’70s. Joseph Bologna and Barbara Harris play the parents.
What’ll you recognize: Did we mention that Bologna’s character is the coach of the Phoenix Suns? That explains what Al McCoy is doing in the cast, and also why there are plenty of sequences at Veterans Memorial Coliseum in its glory days, back when it was the team’s home.
‘Psycho’ (1960)
Alfred Hitchcock’s masterpiece famously opens with a shot of downtown Phoenix before zooming in on the hotel in which characters played by Janet Leigh and a shirtless John Gavin are fooling around. A few scenes later, of course, we all know what happens to poor Janet.
What you’ll recognize: The Heard Building serves as the hotel in the opening scene. The building then had a radio tower, which caused confusion among movie buffs for decades, who often identified the Westward Ho as the site. But ...
‘Psycho’ (1998)
Gus Van Sant’s shot-for-shot remake of also featured an opening shot of downtown Phoenix, but late’90s style. Anne Heche and Viggo Mortensen fill in for Janet and John. What’ll you recognize: The Westward Ho is now the site of Marion and Sam’s tryst.
‘A Star is Born’ (1976)
The fourth version of this tragic romance is coming out in October with Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga (and the Arizona flag makes an appearance in the trailer!) In the 1976 version, the action centers on a fading rock star (Kris Kristofferson) and his romance with a rising pop singer (Streisand, who else?)
What’s you’ll recognize: More than 45,000 music fans turned out at Sun Devil Stadium to see the stars film concert scenes and attend a show featuring Santana, Montrose and Peter Frampton. It was the largest concert held in the state at the time. Other concert scenes (a fundraiser and the Streisand performance that closes the film) were shot inside Gammage Auditorium, which looks pretty similar to the way it does now.
‘Waiting to Exhale’ (1995)
Terry McMillan’s best-seller about female friendship came to the screen featuring a cast that includes Angela Bassett, Lela Rochon, Loretta Devine and Whitney Houston and a great title song, “Exhale (Shoop Shoop),” performed by Houston.
What you’ll recognize: The movie is virtually a time capsule of Phoenix in the mid-’90s, displaying such locations as Biltmore Fashion Park, the Hermosa Inn, First Congregational United Church of Christ and the Arizona Supreme Court building. Also notice the gone-but-not-forgotten Jockey Club, a nightclub at Central Avenue and Camelback Road that catered to African-Americans.