The Moonchild (1974) Film Locations

“Racing towards his final exorcism. Pursued by bizarre demons from his shrouded past!” Taglines, such as these, made me want to watch this gem. So, grab a dog-eared copy of Johnathan Living Seagull or any Carlos Castenada book, a box of red wine, and some cigarillos and indulge in this beauty from 1974. Be prepared to have your mind blown. That is probably an overstatement, maybe just a little blown. Probably not blown at all. Heck watch The Seventh Sign as a double feature maybe something will happen.

I watched the movie because I love the Mission Inn. There, I said it. I take the wifey and kiddos at least once a year. The kiddos think of it as a castle. Who am I to tell them otherwise? My mom is buried in Riverside National Cemetery, so the Inn is where we go after visiting her grave to drink and reminisce. Black Samurai was filmed at the Inn. I recommend an “Experience History Under the Stars” night time tour. Excellent way to learn and soak in the history of the Mission Inn.

Part of the reason for the film is the Mission Inn itself. I tracked down the only interview I could find with Alan Gadney in Cinefantastique Spring 1972 to read more about this movie. He stated “A great contributing factor was the existence of the Mission Inn itself. This was a case of a script being written to a location.”

Basically, The Student (aka Moonchild) is reincarnated every 25 years and forced to return to the Inn. There he meets other characters who represent large life symbols. He relives and repeats something from his original life. I will not get anymore deeper than that. Big plusses, John Carradine plays “The Walker of the World”. I believe SAG required all movies in the 1970s to have one role dedicated to John Carradine. Also, the fabulous Victor Buono as the Maitre D’. I will always remember him as Mr. Schubert the nemesis of Patrick Duffy from the Man from Atlantis TV series. Also, a little sense of synchronicity, he played Howard Taft in 1979 tv mini-series. And there is a chair in the lobby of the Mission Inn that was made for Howard Taft.

Next time out in Riverside, relive your past life at the Mission Inn. Exercise your own demons. Or, just run the Mission Inn 5k.

Film Location Comparison Shots:

The Mission Inn is located at 3649 Mission Inn Avenue, Riverside, CA 92501

St. Francis of Assisi Chapel and Atrio

Alhambra Court

Garden of the Bells

The Anton Clock

The Rotunda.

The film begins and ends at Benedict Castle. Charles Benedict began construction of the castle in 1922. He had in mind a castle residence like those he had found in Europe. Henry Jeckel, the architect of the Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles, served as the chief architect on the Castle project. Charles died in 1938. His third wife eventually sold the castle at auction. The castle is currently owned by Southern California Teen Challenge. Visit their website for an event schedule.

Benedict Castle is located at 5445 Chicago Ave, Riverside, CA 92507