Appearance
1941
Directed by Steven Spielberg, 1941 (1979) is a massive, chaotic action-comedy that satirizes the paranoia in California following the attack on Pearl Harbor. The film features an expansive ensemble cast, including Dan Aykroyd, John Belushi, Christopher Lee, and John Candy. The plot follows a diverse group of Californians—ranging from patriotic civilians to manic fighter pilots—who descend into a frenzy of panic and misplaced aggression when they believe a Japanese submarine is planning an attack on Los Angeles.
Though it was met with mixed reviews upon release due to its loud, destructive nature, the film is now appreciated for its incredible practical effects, John Williams’ boisterous score, and its status as one of the most ambitious comedies ever produced by a major studio.
Locations
The production utilized various Southern California locations to recreate the 1940s Los Angeles coastline and urban landscape, often involving elaborate sets designed for destruction.
Santa Monica North Beach, California
The film’s famous opening, which parodies Spielberg’s own Jaws, was filmed at Santa Monica North Beach. It is here that a Japanese submarine surfaces, causing a solitary swimmer to realize the "invasion" has begun. The beach's wide expanse provided the necessary scale for the submarine's unexpected appearance. Map Location
The Pacific Ocean Park (P.O.P.) Pier (Site), Santa Monica
The climax of the film involves the destruction of a Ferris wheel on a pier. While the actual Pacific Ocean Park pier had been demolished years earlier, the production built a massive, full-scale replica of the pier and Ferris wheel near the site of the former P.O.P. in Santa Monica specifically to destroy it for the camera. Map Location
Hollywood Boulevard, Los Angeles
The chaotic "Battle of Los Angeles" riot, featuring tanks and brawling soldiers, was filmed on a massive set at The Burbank Studios (now Warner Bros. Studios), but it was meticulously modeled after the real Hollywood Boulevard. The production utilized the iconic street's 1940s aesthetic to ground the over-the-top comedy in a recognizable historical setting. Map Location
Malibu Coastline, California
The scenes involving the coastal defense battery—where a family's home is commandeered to house a massive anti-aircraft gun—were filmed along the rugged cliffs of the Malibu Coast. The location emphasized the isolation and vulnerability felt by coastal residents during the wartime scare. Map Location
Barstow, California
The sequences involving the desert airfield and Wild Bill Kelso's (John Belushi) manic flying maneuvers were filmed in the high desert near Barstow. The wide-open space and clear skies allowed for the film's impressive aerial stunts and pyrotechnics. Map Location
Warner Bros. Studios, Burbank
Much of the film's complex physical comedy and massive "destruction" sequences were achieved on the Warner Bros. Backlot. This included the sinking of the submarine and the interior of the USO club, where an elaborate dance hall brawl takes place. The studio's water tanks and soundstages were essential for the film's high-budget spectacle.
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Director
Steven Spielberg
Cast
Dan Aykroyd
John Belushi
Ned Beatty
Christopher Lee
Toshiro Mifune
Robert Stack
John Candy
IMDB
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