A scene from the film Where the Wild Things Are. Photo: Matt Netteim. Source: Supplied
OVER the years Melbourne has established her own slice of the Hollywood pie.
The city is a favoured film location for several Hollywood and other foreign movies. Here’s a look at some of them. If you watch them closely you might recognise some of our landmarks.
On The Beach (1959)
Shooting in St Kilda was a serious business for the cast of On The Beach in 1959. Source: Supplied
Based on the 1957 novel of the same name by Neville Shute, the filming of On the Beach truly saw Hollywood royalty come to town with stars Gregory Peck, Ava Gardner and Fred Astaire. Locations included Frankston, St Kilda, Berwick and Cowes on Phillip Island. The story is set in a future 1964, following World War III.
Ghost Rider (2007)
Nicolas Cage can’t believe how quiet the nightlife in Melbourne is. Source: News Limited
Based on the character from Marvel Comics, Nicolas Cage starred in the title role about a stunt rider Johnny Blaze aka “Ghost Rider” who becomes a hellblazing vigilante. Filming was done at the Docklands Studios, Bacchus Marsh, Newport, Carlton, the CBD and Geelong.
Charlotte’s Web (2006)
Dakota Fanning and friend wait patiently for Tony Lockett. Source: Supplied
The live-action version of the beloved children’s book by E.B. White was filmed on location in Bacchus Marsh, Williamstown and the pivotal fairground scene was shot at Heidelberg West Football Club ground. The film starred Dakota Fanning, Essie Davis and Beau Bridges with the animals voiced by Julia Roberts, John Cleese and Oprah Winfrey, among others.
Killer Elite (2011)
Jason Statham, Robert De Niro and Clive Owen get angry after battling Melbourne traffic. Source: Supplied
This action film based on the book The Feather Men by Sir Ranulph Fiennes saw Hollywood’s hard men Robert De Niro, Jason Staham and Clive Owen come to town. Film locations were Melbourne’s CBD, Healesville, Footscray, Hawthorn, Armadale and The Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre. The filmmakers used Melbourne to mimic locations including London and Paris.
Where the Wild Things Are (2009)
Actor Max Records with an early version of a onesie on the set of Where the Wild Things Are. Source: Supplied
This fantasy adaptation of the classic children’s book by Maurice Sendack was directed by Spike Jonze and primarily filmed at Docklands Studio. Some outdoor scenes were shot in Gembrook, Mornington, Williamstown and Newport.
Jackie Chan’s First Strike (1996)
A young looking Jackie Chan. Source: News Limited
This Hong Kong action movie starring martial arts legend Jackie Chan and was filmed in locations around Australia, including Lygon St and the old museum building in Carlton. The film was one instalment of Chan’s popular Police Story series. Chan famously spent some of his teenage and early adult years living in Canberra. His parents lived in the city for 46 years.
Queen of the Damned (2002)
Actor and singer Aaliyah in scene from 2002 film Queen of the Damned. Source: News Corp Australia
This vampire horror film based on Anne Rice’s books is most famous for starring the late rap queen Aaliyah, who was killed in a plane crash in the Bahamas six months before the film’s release. Aaliyah starred as the vampire queen alongside Stuart Townsend. Filming took place in a converted warehouse in St Albans and also Eltham, Abbotsford, a Werribee quarry and the CBD.
Salaam Namaste (2005)
Tania Zaetta and friends film in City Square, Swanston St. Source: News Corp Australia
Melbourne was chosen as the location for this big-budget Bollywood film and tells the story of young Indians Nick and Ambar, who make a life in Australia. Aussie TV host and actor Tania Zaetta had a supporting role in the film, which was one of the biggest box-office hits for Bollywood in 2005. Locations included Bourke St mall, Federation Square, Rye and the Great Ocean Rd.
Quigley Down Under (1990)
Tom Selleck and Laura San Giacomo wish they had bought Akubras at Melbourne airport. Source: News Limited
Hollywood hearthrob of the time Tom Selleck starred in this western along with British actor Alan Rickman and a young Laura San Giacomo. The production had been in the pipeline since 1978 when Clint Eastwood and Steve McQueen were considered for the lead. The film was shot in parts of Melbourne’s CBD as well as Alice Springs, Warrnambool, Apollo Bay and Sydney.
Knowing (2009)
Nicolas Cage and Rose Byrne find out the fine print says Knowing will be filmed in Melbourne, and not Hollywood. Source: News Limited
Melbourne stands in for American cities Boston and New York in this film starring Nicolas Cage (he must really like our town) and directed by Australian director Alex Proyas. Rose Byrne also stars in Knowing and filming took place at Camberwell High School, Melbourne University, Southbank, the CBD, Mt Macedon and Docklands Studios.
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