Motel location
Where was the location used for the motel? Also, did the building exist or was it built for the film?
share I'd like to know about that motel, too. I was just looking for "filming locations," and all it show is Venice, CA. I don't think that is a complete listing. I've lived in southern California for quite a few decades, and have not been aware of oil wells existing in Venice. They've certainly existed in coastal regions, such as Long Beach, and even Huntington, but the shots in this film look more like Taft or McKittrick (a couple of real garden spots).
"Get yourself a Glock and lose that nickel-plated sissy pistol."
I too have lived in LA for quite a while. And, I believe, at one time there were oil wells there. A lot of the buildings from the film are still there...particularly the ones with the columns and arches. The final scene was filmed in one of the canals with a bridge overhead.
Venice was REALLY skanky in those days!
Oh yes, there were oil wells all along the Grand Canal where this was filmed. My family used to go to Venice Beach every week in the 50's. The oil wells were removed by the early 60's when the neighboring Marina Del Rey was built. The Marina site was also once the location of Hoppy Land, an amusement park built and named after Hoppalong Cassidy.
shareHere's a picture from beautiful Venice, CA when the oil field was bustling
http://digarc.usc.edu/search/controller/view/chs-m10419.html
txfilmfan:
What a great picture! Thank you so much for the link. I had never seen this particular picture which was obviously taken in the 1920's by the vintage of the cars parked along Speedway Avenue. To the left, out of sight in this picture, would be the Grand Canal. This area is now all apartment buildings and residential homes. No oil derricks in sight today.
In college, I did a term paper on the history of Venice California. I have lived in the general area all of my life, and have seen many changes. When I was much younger, there were still oil derricks along the Grand Canal. Most of the hotels were still there, along with coffee houses and Beatnicks! That was in the 1950's, when Ocean Park Pier was still a bustling entertainment center. But I had never seen this picture. Thank you again.
Amazing image; thank you for sharing.
Here's a "clickable" link:
http://digitallibrary.usc.edu/cdm/singleitem/collection/p15799coll65/id/13487/rec/1
Looks like the set for "Boom Town" with Spencer Tracy and Clark Gable
share