Despite computer generated special effects and studio soundstages, many of America’s cities continue to draw the eyes of filmmakers in search of the perfect backdrop for their motion pictures. Here’s just a few of our favorite places to go “on location.”
Alcatraz Island: San Francisco, California
Made famous by films such as “Escape from Alcatraz” (1979), “Murder in the First” (1995) and “The Rock” (1996), Alcatraz Island will always be known as the “escape proof” prison that housed infamous prisoners like Al Capone, “Machine Gun” Kelly, and Robert Stroud (The Bird Man) of Alcatraz.
Built in 1859 as a fortress, Alcatraz was later assigned to the U.S. Army as a military prison in 1861 because of its isolated location, before it was handed over by the War Department to the Department of Justice as a federal penitentiary on October 13, 1933.
Though the prison had a capacity of 336, the most prisoners it held was 302. From 1934 to the time the prison was closed in 1963, a total of 1,545 men served their time on the "Rock".
During the time Alcatraz was open, there had not been any executions conducted on the island, however, there had been eight murders, five suicides and 14 escape attempts. The most famous escape occurred in June 1962 when Frank Morris, John and Clarence Anglin constructed a raft out of rain coats and slipped into the water. All three inmates were presumed dead since their bodies were never found.
Most of the inmates who were housed at Alcatraz came from other federal prisons because they were considered escape risks and trouble makers who were difficult to handle. In fact, the Federal Bureau of Prisons deliberately restricted visits to the prison. to keep the facility secure.
However, due to maintenance and operating costs, Alcatraz was officially closed as a federal prison in 1963 by the order of then Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy.
The Alamo: San Antonio, Texas
Depicted in movies such as “The Alamo,” “Seguin” and “13 Days of Glory”, the “Alamo” remains an important part of American history.
Originally named Misión San Antonio de Valero, the Alamo served as home to missionaries and their Native American converts for nearly 70 years. Construction began on the present site in 1724. In the early 1800s, the Spanish military stationed a cavalry unit at the former mission. The soldiers referred to the old mission as the Alamo (the Spanish word for "cottonwood") in honor of their hometown Alamo de Parras, Coahuila.
However, the Alamo is most remembered as the old mission where a small band of Texans held out for 13 days against the centralist army of General Antonio López de Santa Anna. Although the Alamo fell in the early morning hours of March 6, 1836, the death of the Alamo defenders continues to symbolize courage and sacrifice for the cause of liberty.
The memories of James Bowie, David Crockett, and William B. Travis are as powerful today as when the Texan Army under Sam Houston shouted "Remember the Alamo!" as it routed Santa Anna at the battle of San Jacinto on April 21, 1836.
Managed by the Daughters of the Republic of Texas since 1905, the Alamo, located in San Antonio, Texas, represents nearly 300 years of history. Three buildings – the Shrine, Long Barrack Museum, and Gift Museum – house exhibits about the Texas Revolution and Texas history.
Wrigley Field: Chicago, Illinois
Better known as the field where Babe Ruth “called shot” by pointing to a bleacher location and hitting the pitch in that vicinity during the World Series, Wrigley Field is also one of the places where Ferris Bueller and his friends hung-out while cutting school in the movie “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.”
Built in 1914, Wrigley Field is the second-oldest ballpark in the major leagues behind Boston's Fenway Park (1912). Originally known as Weeghman Park, Wrigley Field was the home of Chicago's entry in the Federal League and was the property of Charles H. Weeghman, the club owner for the Federals, also known as the Whales.
The first major league game at the ballpark took place April 23, 1914, with the Federals defeating Kansas City 9 – 1. When the Federal League folded for financial reasons, Weeghman purchased the Cubs from the Taft family of Cincinnati and moved the club to the two-year-old ballpark at the corner of Clark and Addison streets. During the first National League game at the ballpark, the Cubs beat the Cincinnati Reds 7 - 6 in 11 innings on April 20, 1916.
The park soon became known as Cubs Park in 1920 after the Wrigley family purchased the team from Weeghman and was officially named Wrigley Field in 1926 in honor of William Wrigley Jr., the club's owner.
Empire State Building: New York City, New York
The Empire State Building is cemented in both New York and U.S. history, not to mention that it can’t seem to keep itself out of the movie business –appearing in almost 100 films including “An Affair to Remember,” “Guys and Dolls” and “Independence Day.” Built during the Depression, the 102-story structure was completed on Nov.13, 1930, 410 days of construction.
Though it is no longer the world’s tallest skyscraper, it is filled with oddities and intriguing facts that continue to draw millions of visitors each year.
Since 1931, the building has drawn several visitors to its 86th floor observatory, including many of the world’s most renowned political figures and celebrities, from Fidel Castro and Queen Elizabeth to Nikita Krushchev and the King of Siam.
In the 1980s, the Empire State Building was declared a landmark by the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission, added to the State and National Register of Historic Places and recognized as a National Historic Landmark by the National Parks Services.
Niagara Falls: Province of Ontario, Canada and New York
Niagara Falls, the second largest falls in the world, is also known for its roles in major motion pictures, including “Superman II” (1978) with Christopher Reeve, and the Marilyn Monroe film, “Niagara” (1953) with Joseph Cotton. In fact, the scene with Monroe walking on cobblestones in a red blouse was filmed at the Table Rock observation point where visitors can still get a breathtaking view of the falls.
Each year, 12 million tourists visit the thundering Niagara Falls, which straddles the Canadian-United States International Border. As one of the busiest tourist attractions and most popular honeymoon destinations, Niagara Falls continues to amaze people with its two large cataracts: the American Falls (167 feet) and the Horseshoe, or Canadian, Falls (158 feet). Though the Canadian side of the falls is shorter in height, it carries nine times more water than its United States counterpart.
An excellent way to experience the falls up close is on the Maid of the Mist boat tour, which takes visitors practically beneath the falls. The falls may also be viewed from parks on either side of the 12,000-year-old Niagara River, the observation towers, Goat Island and from the Rainbow Bridge, located a short distance downstream.
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