Who Framed Roger Rabbit filming locations
Film locations: London; Hertfordshire; Essex; Los Angeles
Who Framed Roger Rabbit location: 1930s Los Angeles: Hope Street, downtown Los Angeles
Although the film is set in 1947 Los Angeles, the production was based at Elstree Studios in Hertfordshire (where the ‘Ink and Paint Club’, the interior of Eddie’s office and the “Terminal Bar’ sets were built), so the locations are divided between California and the UK.
And, no, there is no question mark. Traditionalists consider it bad luck in a film title. No need to have worried here, though, with Robert Zemeckis’ irresistible blend of animation and live action.
‘Maroon Cartoons’, home of Roger Rabbit, is the Ren-Mar Studios, 846 North Cahuenga Boulevard, north of Melrose Avenue, Hollywood (previously the Desilu Studios of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, where TV show I Love Lucy was taped).
Who Framed Roger Rabbit location: Eddie Valiant's office: 1130 South Hope Street, downtown Los Angeles
Eddie Valiant (Bob Hoskins) takes the old Pacific Electric ‘Red Car’ to his office on Hope Street, between 11th and 12th Streets, downtown Los Angeles, heavily disguised behind scads of period dressing. Much of the street has since been demolished but (in mid-2004) Eddie’s office still stands, at 1130 South Hope Street.
Who Framed Roger Rabbit location: the Toontown Acme Factory: Dimco Building, Wood Lane, Shepherds Bush, London W12
The ‘Acme Factory’, on the border of Toontown, where Marvin Acme is killed by the falling safe, and Judge Doom (Christopher Lloyd) finally gets his just desserts, can be seen in west London. It’s the Dimco Building, Wood Lane, opposite Macfarlane Road, between Shepherds Bush and White City, London W12 (tube: White City, Central Line).
Back in the real Los Angeles, Eddie and Roger escape from Judge Doom at the ‘Terminal Bar’ and scoot off in the animated Yellow Cab down Hope Street, finally shaking off the pursuing weasels by leaping onto the Glendale-Hyperion Viaduct, on Hyperion Avenue-Glendale Boulevard, over I-5 and the Los Angeles River, in Los Feliz, way northeast of downtown.
Who Framed Roger Rabbit location: Hiding out in the cinema: Grays State Theatre, Grays, Essex
The cinema, in which they hide out, is back in the UK. It’s the, now closed, 2,000 seat Gray’s State Theatre, George Street, Grays in Essex (rail: Grays, from London Fenchurch Street) The wonderful thirties movie palace was the largest single-screen auditorium still operating in Europe at the time, and has since been a nightclub but is currently closed.
The entrance to Toontown, at which Eddie finally overcomes his hatred of Toons and pours away the Wild Turkey, is the Griffith Park Tunnel, between Western Canyon Road and Vermont Canyon Road, north of the Observatory. The tunnel was also featured in WarGames and Robert Zemeckis’ first two Back to the Future movies.
All material Copyright ©2008 The Worldwide Guide To Movie Locations
Designed by Intelligent Designing
Who Framed Roger Rabbit, 1988
Director
Cast
visit the film locations
London: Flights: Heathrow Airport; Gatwick Airport
Wood Lane: tube: White City, Central Line
Essex: Grays: rail: Grays, from London Fenchurch Street
Los Angeles: Flights: Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
Trivia
More Los Angeles from Robert Zemeckis with Back To The Future