Do you watch scary shows? Ever wonder where they are filmed? With Halloween around the corner, it’s a perfect time to visit some of the homes and buildings that provide a spooky setting for some of your favorite movies and TV shows. Why build a set when there is so much great architecture to use as a backdrop for a scary story-line.
L.A. homes featured in scary movies and TV Shows.Click To TweetAmerican Horror Story
The wildly popular anthology series, American Horror Story used what is known as the Rosenheim Mansion as the setting for the Haunted House in the first season of the show. It is located at 1120 Westchester Place in Los Angeles.
The house was built in 1908 by architect Alfred Rosenheim as his own residence. Rosenheim was one of LA’s most influential architects during the early 1900’s and used the home as his own residence. The house scenes in the pilot episode of “American Horror Story” were filmed on location at the Rosenheim Mansion, and then some of the house’s interiors were replicated on a set. Exteriors continue to be filmed there on location. The 7,500 square foot home features 6 bedrooms and 5 bathrooms.
Halloween
Jamie Lee Curtis made her movie debut in the 1978 thriller, Halloween. The movie was set in the small Midwestern town of Haddonfield, Illinois, but those tree-lined residential streets were really right here in sunny California. Orange Grove Avenue in suburban Hollywood, is just north of Sunset and that’s where two of the film’s familiar houses are still to be found.
Much of the action in the movie took place in the Doyle residence, where Jamie Lee’s character, Laurie was baby-sitting that terrifying night. It is located at 1530 N. Orange Grove Avenue and is right across the street from 1537 N. Orange Grove Avenue, where Laurie’s best friend, Annie was murdered while baby-sitting in the Wallace residence. Both of these homes feature traditional architecture and are approximately 2,300 and 2,600 square feet, respectively. The lovely tree lined streets and beautiful homes make this Los Angeles neighborhood very desirable, in spite of Michael Meyers’ fictional murder spree.
Linda Vista Hospital
This place is creepy in real-life as well. The hospital was built in 1904 for Santa Fe Railroad Employees.
After its closure, the hospital became a popular filming location for horror-themed productions, including films, TV shows, and music videos. It has also become the subject of several paranormal investigations. Day of the Dead, Insidious, and Buffy The Vampire Slayer are just a few of the television shows and films that have used the hospital as a backdrop for their creepy story lines.
True Blood
True Blood has filmed at Linda Vista Hospital, but several Los Angeles area residences and buildings have also had roles in the popular vampire series. However, when the show needs a mansion or two, they don’t need to look too far.
The Bellefleur Mansion is not in in Louisiana, but in the Hancock Park neighborhood. 526 Rimpau Blvd, to be exact. The Shelby Estate, used in a flashback scene set in 1885 is the last home of Hollywood legend, Orson Welles, who passed away in the residence. 1717 N. Stanley in the Hollywood Hills was a perfect stand in for a Southern Estate and still has a touch of Hollywood legend.
The grandest? That honor goes to 1365 S. Oakland Avenue in Pasadena. This grand home is more than 15,000 square feet, boasts 10 bedrooms and all of the amenities one might expect of such a spectacular estate. In True Blood it serves as the Governor’s Mansion, but it has been the backdrop for countless movies and television shows… including another famous Governor’s Mansion in Benson. Maryann’s Mansion is a beautiful home, also in Pasadena. 3535 Locksley Drive is a beautiful single family home on just over an acre in one of the most desirable areas of the city.
(Note: These are private homes. Please do not disturb the residents.)
Amy Anderson says
So cool! I’d love to see these on a tour – without disturbing the residents, of course!