|
Travel back in time with a visit to Watson's, the
1950s-style soda fountain and drug store made famous in Tom
Hanks' "That Thing You Do!" or even back to the
future to walk the lawn in Will Rogers Park where Captain
Kirk (William Shatner) landed the hijacked Klingon ship in
"Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home." Kirk:
"Everybody remember where we parked."
Now that the weather's warm, rev up the
convertible or family SUV, and take a road trip down
Hollywood's movie memory lane. Here are a few locations you
can stop in, look around and have a bite to eat. (Sorry,
gents, the café where Meg Ryan "faked it" in
"When Harry Met Sally" is back east: Katz's Deli
in Manhattan.)
After all, this is Hollywood, land of dreams.
What's your dream? Maybe you'll find it at one of these
filmed-at locations:
Top Gun - 1986
If you've not lost that loving feeling for
"Top Gun" even after 20+ years, head south down the
5 freeway to Kansas City BBQ in San Diego where you can tickle
the keys on the piano Anthony Edwards used to sing to his wife
(Meg Ryan), or sit at the bar where Charlie (Kelly McGillis)
came in to console a stewing Maverick (Tom Cruise).
According to the owners, "The location
director for Paramount Studios was driving through downtown
San Diego in search of locations during the filming of 'Top
Gun' at Miramar [Naval Air Station]. After stopping in for a
beer, he liked the joint, and brought back the director who
approached us about the possibility of closing down for a day
to do some shooting. In retrospect, it was one of our better
business decisions."
Do: Order their sliced beef sandwich, one
of the best two-fisters in San Diego.
Don't: Look for diet-lite items on the
menu. This is manly-man fare; saucy servings still served on
paper plates for easy cleanup by "fly boys" on the
run.
Map it: Kansas City BBQ, 610 West Market
Street, San Diego.
Pretty Woman - 1990
She prefers to remain anonymous but tells the story this way:
"We drove to the Beverly Wilshire hotel - that's where
they filmed "Pretty Woman," I love that movie. My
husband agreed to re-enact the scene where Vivian is sitting
at the bar waiting for Edward. She's all dolled up - I was all
dolled up - and he comes over just like Richard Gere, taps me
on the shoulder and says, 'Hi beautiful.' I know it sounds
schmaltzy but really, it was fun."
The Regent Beverly Wilshire was,
indeed, the pretty, ritzy location where working girl Vivian
Ward (Julia Roberts) was first introduced to the glamorous
life by business tycoon Edward Lewis (Richard Gere), their
modern-day Cinderella love story causing dozens of die-hard
romantics to flock to Beverly Hills for their own Pretty Woman
experience. Visitors can explore the luxurious lobby where Ed
and Viv first checked in, then check out an original script
and pictures on display down the hall. Walk down the street to
nearby Rodeo Drive for a little afternoon shopping delight,
making sure to stop by Boulmiche boutique at the corner of
Rodeo and Santa Monica Boulevard. That's the snooty clothing
store that snubbed Vivian and her wad of bills. In reality,
they're happy to take yours.
As evening draws near, follow the odd couple's
tracks to Cicada, the elegant downtown restaurant where Vivian
learns the social art of fine dining and silver cutlery. The
restaurant in the historic Oviatt building still serves a
hearty and hardy escargot, paying homage perhaps, to the scene
when Vivian accidentally launches a snail across the room.
Complete the PW tour by taking Interstate 101
over to Hollywood to view the location of the movie's
climactic final scene where Edward, arriving in a stretch
white limo to the blaring strains of "Traviata,"
climbs up the rickety fire escape of the humble Las Palmas
hotel and rescues his pretty woman.
Do: Have lunch at nearby Musso and Frank
Grill just one block over on Hollywood Boulevard. It's been a
Hollywood hot spot for ages, or at least since 1919, and
regular renovations have kept it a favorite hangout for celebs
like Sean Penn, Tom Cruise, Demi Moore and Tom Hanks.
Don't: Tour the family through the Las
Palmas Holly-hood at night. Even Edward saved his romantic
climb and rescue for the bright light of day.
Map it: Regent Beverly Wilshire, 9500
Wilshire Boulevard, Beverly Hills
Boulmiche, 9501 Santa Monica Boulevard, Beverly Hills
Oviatt Building - Cicada Restaurant, 617 South Olive Street,
Los Angeles
Las Palmas Hotel, 1738 North Las Palmas Avenue, Hollywood
|
