Looker was one of those movies that seemed to be on a constant loop on HBO in the early 80’s. While it was mostly dismissed by critics and audiences, I have always had a special place in my heart for it. Michael Crichton was great at predicting the paths and danger of future technology. Computers replacing real actors is so commonplace we don’t even think about it anymore, but at the time, this was cutting edge.
I have been to various locations for the film over the years and posted some in my blog, but I thought I should do a proper post for it now that it has been released on blu-ray. Our first stop will be the the Marie Antoinette Condominiums that served as Tina’s apartment building. When Dr. Roberts first arrives, he sees some flashing on the upper balcony.
The front door has changed since filming as well as the driveway area.
By far one of the best stunts captured on film, this just looks damn painful when she lands on that car!
Looking guilty on the balcony….
The commercial shoot was filmed on Zuma Beach. The pictures I used show a rather dreary day at the beach…
The Digital Matrix truck was parked near the beach cliffs…
One of Terry Kiser’s early roles was as the commercial director in the film…
Poor Cindy has to do the volleyball jump over and over and over…
Dr. Roberts decides to check out that truck…
It took me a while to track down the correct beach house, and I originally went and photographed the wrong one. The actual beach house appears to be at 27726 Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu. I found these pictures on the internet when the house was for sale.
Digital Matrix in reality is the ArtCenter College of Design located at 1700 Lida Street in Pasadena.
I’ve been to this location a few times, you would think I would have gotten better matching shots, but you can see the building has remained mostly the same.
Fans will recognize this location as the Kleinman Institute from The Incredible Shrinking Woman.
Larry and Cindy return to Digital Matrix at night…
They drive around the building to the side parking lot…
Fortunately I didn’t need a keycard to get in…
In most versions, they escape the building and cut to the next scene. However in some television versions they are shown being flashed by the LOOKER gun and wake to find themselves at Reston’s mansion.
The car chase was shot entirely in Century City. This first spot is around the 1900 block on Avenue of the Stars. You can see how much as been built since filming including the “Die Hard” building.
The chase continues as they turn the corner on Santa Monica Boulevard…
The next shot is a block over around 1900 Century Park East.
The chase continues back on Santa Monica Boulevard before turning onto…
Century Park East where we were moments before.
Larry almost hits some nuns at the corner of Century Park East and Galaxy Way.
The chase continues, but now a block behind on Century Park East.
Larry ends up with his car in the Mulholland Fountain, on the corner of Los Feliz Boulevard and Riverside Drive.
Horror fans will recognize this spot from A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master.
We move back to Century City to Reston Industries, located at 1900 Avenue of the Stars.
I’ve met a couple of the actors from the film. Tawny Moyer, best known for her role in Halloween II, was the ‘Warrior Housewife’ in one of the commercials.
Best know for his role in Weekend At Bernie’s and Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood, Terri Kiser played the commercial director in the film.
