Alligator Film Locations

Alligator (1980) Film Location MacArthur Park Los Angeles

Alligator (1980) Film Locations

Alligator is one of my favorite movies. I routinely share it with other people because I enjoy it so much. I highly recommend listening to the audio commentary with Robert Forster and Lewis Teague on the Anchor Bay DVD editions.

Over the years, I’ve ventured out to some of the locations. The movie, itself, is a mess in terms of geography. After watching the film, you’re not sure if the movie takes place in Chicago, Los Angeles, or some other city. License plates are changed, street signs are changed, and the maps in background shots are all over the place.

Anyway, detective David Madison (Robert Forster) buys a dog from a pet store after his was snatched. The Newhall Jewellers sign in the background gave this location away. Main Street Newhall has gone through a lot of changes. The Walk of Western Stars is worth visiting if you’re in the area.

Alligator (1980) Film Location Newhall California

Later on in the film, Ramon the mutant alligator is believed to be in the city lake. The police are setting off charges to “bring him out”. Also, the always awesome Henry Silva shows up as Colonel Brock.

MacArthur park has appeared in a lot of films. However, if you were expecting the park to make an appearance in the sequel Alligator II: The Mutation, you would be disappointed. The sequel filmed at Echo Park.

At the end, David and Dr. Marisa Kendall (Robin Riker) save the day by blowing up Ramon the mutant alligator. I recognized the historic Helms Bakery in the background, so was able to find the location.

Alligator (1980) Film Location Culver City California

I figured that the ending couldn’t be that far from the prior scene, so using the Elwood’s Carpet Service building in the background, I was able to track the location down.