Maps of Movies

Sunset Boulevard (1950)

Where Sunset Boulevard says it takes place, and where it was really shot.

A mansion that no longer exists, and a studio lot that still does

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Scenes and places

Police at the mansion on Sunset Boulevard (1950)

Police and photographers gather at a Hollywood mansion. A narrator already knows how the night began, and promises to tell it.

Set in Norma Desmond's mansion, Sunset Boulevard — The mansion where the film opens with police and photographers at the pool. Google Maps · Apple Maps

A large private house on Irving Boulevard, built in the 1920s and torn down in 1957.

Filmed at William O. Jenkins House ("Phantom House"), 641 S. Irving Blvd — Exterior of the mansion; the pool was built for the shoot. The house was demolished in 1957. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there:

Joe pitches a story at Paramount (1950)

Joe, broke, tries to sell Paramount a story. Betty, the script reader, dismisses it while he listens in, unseen.

Set in Paramount Pictures — The studio where Joe tries to sell a story and a script reader tears it apart. Google Maps · Apple Maps

A working studio in Hollywood where the film itself was partly shot.

Filmed at Paramount Pictures studio lot — The film was shot on the actual studio lot; which stage or street is used for this scene is not stated. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there:

Fleeing the repo men, Joe turns into a driveway (1950)

With repo men on his tail, Joe swerves into a drive and finds the house is not empty: it belongs to a forgotten star.

Set in The deserted-looking mansion — A driveway that seems to lead to an empty house. Google Maps · Apple Maps

Once a showpiece of the neighbourhood, by 1950 it was a ruin that the production dressed as a faded star's home.

Filmed at William O. Jenkins House, 641 S. Irving Blvd — Exterior of the house used as Norma's mansion. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there:

Joe moves into Norma's house (1950)

Joe takes the job of fixing her script and moves in. Norma will not admit her fame is gone, and her butler Max quietly keeps the illusion alive.

Set in Norma's mansion interior — Inside the house, where Joe starts work on Norma's Salome script and then stays.

The interiors were sets designed by Hans Dreier; the source does not say which stage.

Joe's apartment (1950)

Joe goes back to his own apartment, and the film keeps pulling him between it and the mansion.

Set in Joe's apartment, Alto Nido — The apartment building where Joe lives and returns to.

A residential building at 1851 Ivar Avenue, at the corner of Franklin Avenue, Hollywood.

Norma drives to Paramount to see DeMille (1950)

Max drives Norma and Joe to the studio. DeMille greets her warmly, but sidesteps every question about her script.

Set in Paramount Pictures — The studio gate and lot, where Norma goes to meet her old director. Google Maps · Apple Maps

The studio where the real Cecil B. DeMille worked.

Filmed at Paramount Pictures studio lot — Actual studio lot; the source does not name the exact spot for this scene. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there:

Joe and Betty write at night (1950)

Joe sneaks off to work with Betty on a script of his own. She admits that she has fallen for him.

Set in Paramount, Betty's office — The studio after dark, where Joe and Betty work on an original screenplay together. Google Maps · Apple Maps

The same studio lot, empty at night.

Filmed at Paramount Pictures studio lot — Actual studio lot; the source does not name the exact spot. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there:

Schwab's Drug Store (1950)

Joe spends time in the famous drugstore, away from the mansion.

Set in Schwab's Drug Store — The drugstore on Sunset Boulevard where the film business gathered. Google Maps · Apple Maps

A popular hangout for actors and dealmakers from the 1930s through the 1950s. The film shows a re-creation of the interior, not the real shop.

Characters

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