Many of our movies are actively filmed out of state or, worse, abroad. However, numerous Los Angeles neighborhoods and homes shine on the big screen. Los Angeles The Movie Capital of the World:
The Schaffer Residence, 527 Whiting Woods Way, Glendale, CA
Movie: A Single Man (2009) | Other Uses: Also featured in Happy Endings (2005) and the TV series The Dropout.
Details: This stunning home, designed by architect John Lautner in 1949, is a mid-century modern gem with an open floor plan, glass walls, and a wooded setting. It served as the primary residence of George Falconer (Colin Firth) in Tom Ford’s directorial debut, A Single Man. The two-bedroom, two-bath, 1,698-square-foot house blends steel, glass, redwood, and concrete, offering a transparent, outdoor-like feel. It’s a private residence, so viewing is limited to the exterior from a respectful distance.
Mildred Pierce’s House, 1143 North Jackson Street at East Stocker Street, Glendale, CA
Movie: Mildred Pierce (1945)
Details: This Spanish-style home was the exterior of Mildred Pierce’s (Joan Crawford) modest residence at the fictional “1143 Corvallis Street” in the 1945 film noir classic. Described in the movie as a street “where all the houses looked alike,” the exterior remains unchanged, with a thriving palm tree on the front lawn. The crew filmed interiors on a Warner Bros. soundstage, but the Glendale location delivered the suburban feel.
Frankie’s House from People Like Us (2012), 809 North Fairview Street, Burbank, CA
Movie: People Like Us
Details: This two-bedroom, one bath, built in 1936, featured as Frankie’s (Elizabeth Banks) residence in the drama People Like Us (2012). The house is used in key scenes, such as when Frankie moves in and Sam unexpectedly visits for reconciliation. The exterior, set on a flat, straight street, matched the suburban aesthetic.
Let’s keep Los Angeles as the movie capital of the world.
