MovieChat Forums > Tommy Boy (1995) Discussion > Filming Location(s) in WISCONSIN

Filming Location(s) in WISCONSIN

posted 19 years ago by DMalosh
15 replies | jump to latest

Does anybody know exactly where in Wisconsin "Tommy Boy" was filmed when there was that "Chippewa Falls 100 [miles]" sign in the background? Being from Wisconsin I've always wondered. My guess is somewhere North of Chippewa Falls, because if you were coming from the South it'd probably mention Eau Claire since its a larger town. Plus, if I remember correctly, the road looks similiar to the northern portions of Hwy 53. I've driven Hwy 53 numerous times, but if you're heading South towards Chippewa there's no sign saying you're 100 miles north of the town (I figure 100 miles North of Chippewa Falls is somewhere between Solon Springs and Minong).

Also, doesn anybody know where they pulled over when they got into their argument; in the background there was some sign showing a dinosaur and it say "PREHISTORIC..." [something or other]? I've always wondered where that was too. Annnd, I've been wondering where that cafe is that they stopped at.

I'm sure any of the aforementioned signs could have been easily made-up exclusively for the film (that would bring up more questions, like, "Why Cippewa Falls?" if that were the case). And, the cafe they ate at could have been in Ohio or California I suppose.

Any help from you "Tommy Boy" fans would be truly appreciated -- I'm just on one of my many trivial pursuits! :-)

Thanks in advance!
Dan

[–] ajennaro 19 years ago

Tommy Boy actually wasn't filmed in WI. It was filmed in Toronto, Canada, where it's cheaper to film a movie.

[–] Nirvana3188 18 years ago

I go to marquette University and I was wondering if you knew what was the adress of the frat house or dorm was?

[–] pimfram 18 years ago

the frat appears to be Hart House, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

[–] elevy-2 18 years ago

I am actually from the Toronto area and when I watched the film everything looked hauntingly familiar. It was filmed throughout Southern, Ontario, Canada so I guess it only makes sense.

[–] chinaskinotes 18 years ago

I attended Marquette when the movie came out- Marquette wouldn't let the crew film on campus, even though Farley was an alum. They didn't want the campus to be associated with the drugs (which is interesting because Farley wears his MU Rugby jacket). Anyhow- that's what I heard.
Ring out Ahoya!

Chinaski

I don't hate people. I just like it a lot better when they're not around.

[–] msennel1 18 years ago

Yeah and apparently it was absolutely freezing out the whole time.

And as we wind on down the road...

[–] atikokan 11 years ago

The road scenes where they are driving through rural areas were obviously not filmed in Toronto.

However they seem to have been filmed in Southern Ontario, within an hour or two's drive of Toronto.

[–] intheclouds7483 18 years ago

Prehistoric Forest is a real place located in Marblehead, Ohio. It is not far from Sandusky, Ohio where the film takes place.

[–] hategear 17 years ago

At one point, they drive past a billboard advertising Paul Bunyan's Restaurant, which is indeed located in Wisconsin. Actually, there are two of them - one in Minocqua (north, west of Eagle River) and one in Wisconsin Dells (south, just north of Madison). I was at the Minocqua location this past summer.

Also, they drive past an Oshkosh road sign and if I remember correctly, a Fond du Lac roadsign - both pretty well known Wisconsin cities. I do not believe those scenes were shot in Canada. That may not have been Chris and David in the car, but those scenes were shot in the dairy state...

[–] mcode518 17 years ago

I used to live close than 30 miles from Davenport IA, in Illinois. I was dissapointed to find out that the gas station scene was apparently filmed in Canada and not around there.

I would think it'd be more expensive to film a movie in another country because of the cost of traveling expenses, transporting all the equipment and all that...

"They're not gonna catch us. We're on a mission from God." -Elwood Blues

[–] hockeykev 11 years ago

I realize you posted this over 6 years ago.

Film makers are given incentives by both Toronto and Vancouver to shoot up there. Labor costs are also cheaper up north as well.
Another factor back then was the exchange rate was around $1.50 Canadian to 1 US Dollar.

[–] STE21886 17 years ago

What city is the Zelenski Headquarters building located?

[–] STE21886 17 years ago

in real life

[–] atikokan 11 years ago

Sadly, almost this entire movie was filmed in Southern Ontario. Near Toronto.

Far away from Wisconsin. The road signs with Wisconsin town names were just props.

This is too bad because Wisconsin is full of beautiful scenery. Whereas Southern Ontario is an armpit.

I've been throughout almost every inch of Wisconsin, north-to-south, east-to-west, and I just love driving through it. The rolling farmland around Eau Claire just makes you want to retire there; it is so perfect. It's like quintessential rural America.

Southern Ontario is flat and boring. However, the producer of TB is from Toronto, so maybe that has something to do with TB being filmed there. Dunno.

[–] jmaxwell86 10 years ago

Actually, Ontario is far from boring and hardly an armpit...and apparently it is nice enough to convince many of the proud people people of Wisconsin that the movie was shot there. It all comes down to money and we have an excellent, affordable film industry located in a beautiful province.