Where Was The Movie Airplane! Filmed?

The 1980 American parody comedy film *Airplane*! was filmed at several locations in California, including Los Angeles International Airport, Westward Beach, Long Beach Airport, Paramount Studios, and Universal Studios. The film is known for spoofing established images of its cast, who were previously known for portraying adventurous, no-nonsense tough-guy characters. Interestingly, the Convair cockpit set used in the film was acquired by Air Hollywood, a dedicated aviation studio in California, which offers aircraft and airport props and sets for filming.

Los Angeles International Airport

LAX has been featured in numerous films and television shows, at least partly due to its proximity to Hollywood studios. The airport's unique atmosphere, full of quick hellos, long goodbyes, delayed departures, and anticipated arrivals, makes it a popular filming location. One of the earliest films to be shot at LAX was the 1932 Oscar-nominated comedy-drama "Emma", starring Marie Dressler and Richard Cromwell. Many other films have since followed in its footsteps, including the 1980 American parody comedy "Airplane!", starring Robert Hays, Julie Hagerty, and Leslie Nielsen. "Airplane!" was mainly shot at LAX and follows an ex-fighter pilot with a fear of flying who boards a flight from LAX to Chicago.

Other notable films shot at LAX include "Speed", starring Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock, "Die Hard", starring Bruce Willis, "Catch Me If You Can", starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hanks, and "Collateral", starring Tom Cruise and Jamie Foxx. Television shows that have featured LAX include "Bones", "LAX", and "Airline". Music videos filmed at the airport include Maroon 5's "Makes Me Wonder" and Backstreet Boys' "I Want It That Way".

Westward Beach

In addition to Westward Beach, other filming locations in Los Angeles included Los Angeles International Airport, Long Beach Airport, Paramount Studios, Universal Studios, Culver City, and Griffith Park. Airplane! was well-received by audiences and earned $158 million worldwide. It was also nominated for a Golden Globe award and selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress.

The film starred Robert Hays, Julie Hagerty, Leslie Nielsen, Robert Stack, Lloyd Bridges, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Peter Graves, and Lorna Patterson. The plot centres around a man who has a pathological fear of flying. The inclusion of Westward Beach as a filming location added to the visual appeal of the movie and contributed to its overall success.

Griffith Park

The park has a diverse landscape, featuring marine and non-marine sedimentary rock formations, as well as an abundance of natural "cave" walls. Its proximity to Hollywood and Burbank has made it a popular filming location for various movies and television shows. In addition to Airplane!, Griffith Park has been featured in classic films such as Rebel Without a Cause (1955), The Searchers (1956), and Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956). The park's rugged terrain and scenic backdrops continue to attract filmmakers and contribute to its reputation as a renowned filming destination.

Long Beach Airport

In 1919, former army Air Corps flight instructor and stunt pilot Earl Daugherty opened a 20-acre flight training field and school, which helped grow local interest in aviation. This led to discussions with the City of Long Beach about developing a larger municipal flying field. The airport was officially established in 1923, with the city council purchasing 150 acres of land near the intersection of Spring and Cherry Streets. It was dedicated on December 20, 1924, and by January 1925, private plane owners were leasing space.

The airport has a unique Streamline Moderne-style terminal, which is a historical landmark. Due to its proximity to residential areas, Long Beach Airport has one of the strictest ordinances limiting airport noise in the country. It also has an aggressive noise abatement program, with three full-time noise specialists.

Paramount Studios

The 1980 American parody comedy film Airplane! was mainly shot in Los Angeles, California, USA. The film was shot at various locations, including Los Angeles International Airport, Westward Beach, and Long Beach Airport.

A key sequence was also filmed at Paramount Studios, located at 5555 Melrose Avenue, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California. The studio is known for hosting the filming of several other notable productions.

The studio is known for its state-of-the-art facilities, including soundstages, production offices, and editing suites. It has also invested in advanced technology, such as virtual production and immersive media, to stay at the forefront of the industry.

In addition to its technical capabilities, Paramount Studios is also renowned for its talented craftspeople and crew members who have contributed to the success of countless films. The studio has a long-standing commitment to fostering creativity and innovation, making it a sought-after location for filmmakers from all over the world.

With a diverse range of sets and a talented team, Paramount Studios continues to be a prominent choice for productions seeking a versatile and professional filming experience.

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