Table Of Content
- Lights, Camera, Action: Explore the Charm of Des Moines Through Iconic Silver Screen Moments!
- Cold Turkey – US Box Office: USD$11,990,000
- Whispers in the Dark – US Box Office: USD$11,124,511
- The Puppet Masters – US Box Office: USD$8,647,042
- Noises Off – US Box Office: USD$2,280,148
- The Big One – US Box Office: USD$720,074
Lights, Camera, Action: Explore the Charm of Des Moines Through Iconic Silver Screen Moments!
Lights, cameras, and a whole lot of excitement! Welcome to the world of movies filmed in Des Moines, Iowa. Prepare for a cinematic adventure that will take you on a journey through the heart of this captivating city. So, buckle up, grab some popcorn, and get ready to explore the real-life Hollywood sets that made Des Moines shine on the silver screen!
Key Takeaways:
- Discover the intriguing filming locations of your favorite movies in Des Moines, Iowa.
- Immerse yourself in the cinematic charm and relive iconic scenes from the big screen.
- Unleash your inner movie buff as you explore the rich film history of this underrated city.
- Venture off the beaten path and dive into the lesser-known spots that played a starring role in these unforgettable movies.
Imagine strolling down the streets of Des Moines, awestruck by the realization that you’re walking in the footsteps of your favorite movie characters. It’s like being transported straight into the heart of a blockbuster. As a movie buff, this is your golden opportunity to not only visit the places you’ve seen in the movies but also experience the essence and vibe that made them prime filming locations.
As you traverse the city, keep an eye out for those iconic spots that have graced the silver screen. From bustling downtown streets to quaint neighborhoods, Des Moines has been a backdrop for countless movie moments.
Picture yourself gazing up at the same buildings featured in those heartwarming rom-coms or standing on the exact spot where your favorite action flicks delivered pulse-pounding thrills.
Don’t limit yourself to just the most popular movies filmed here. Explore the lesser-known gems, too. They may not be as widely known, but their charm is equally captivating.
You might uncover hidden treasures that even the most ardent film aficionados have overlooked. Who knows, you might even discover a newfound appreciation for Des Moines as a thriving hub of creativity and culture.
Now, let’s throw in a dash of our own creative magic. Imagine taking a break at a local café and indulging in some people-watching. As you sip your coffee, you might spot a familiar face – an aspiring actor, perhaps, or a talented filmmaker. Strike up a conversation, and who knows, you could be witnessing the birth of the next big Hollywood star right in the heart of Des Moines.
Before we release you on your movie-inspired expedition, remember to bring along your sense of adventure and an appetite for exploration.
Keep your eyes peeled, for there might be some movie-related surprises waiting just around the corner. Snap some selfies and recreate your favorite movie scenes, turning your visit into an unforgettable experience that will have your friends green with envy.
It’s time to get your maps out, check the filming locations, plan your itinerary, and embark on a thrilling journey through the cinematic history of Des Moines, Iowa. Be a star yourself as you explore the real-life sets of movies filmed in this marvelous city. Don’t miss this chance to live your cinema dreams!
Now, without further ado, let’s dive into the listicle of movies filmed in Des Moines, Iowa. Lights, camera, action!
Cold Turkey – US Box Office: USD$11,990,000
Director: Norman Lear
Main Cast: Dick Van Dyke, Pippa Scott, Tom Poston, Edward Everett Horton, Bob & Ray, Vincent Gardenia, and Barnard Hughes
Release Date: February 19, 1971
Filming Locations: Greenfield, Iowa, USA; Winterset, Iowa, USA; 2300 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, Iowa, USA; Des Moines, Iowa, USA; Orient, Iowa, USA
Main Plot: Given his preference, Alfred Nobel wants to be remembered as the role model of Valiant Tobacco rather than the man who sold 13 trillion cancer-causing cigarettes. Hiram C. Grayson wished to be recognized as Alfred Nobel. Merwin Wren, who has served as the company’s longtime PR director, comes up with the following idea: grant $25 million to any town in America that will abstain from smoking for thirty. After the company executives stop laughing at the absurdity of the plan, Wren persuades them that no city can meet the requirement of having 100% of its residents sign up. Even in the unlikely event that someone does, not everyone would be able to go cold turkey for 30 days. This publicity stunt to make Grayson immortal would cost them next to nothing.
Famous quotes:
Dr. Proctor: “Reverend, help – I’ve been shot through the heart…”
Rev. Clayton Brooks: “But you’re clutching your side…”
Dr. Proctor: “I know where I’ve been shot, dammit, I’m a doctor! Oooooh!”
Rev. Clayton Brooks: “Dr. Procter, tell me: is there anything I can do?”
Dr. Proctor: “Yeah, light me…”
Sequel: Cold Turkey 2013
Fun Facts about Cold Turkey:
- Dick Van Dyke leased a car in Iowa during the downtime during the filming to explore the local countryside and small towns.
- Most of the movie was primarily made in Greenfield, Iowa, where many locals appeared as extras in numerous sequences.
- It finished in 1969 but was not published until 1971. The company put this movie on hold for two years because they weren’t sure how moviegoers would respond.
- The town square gathering at midnight was actually recorded at 1 am.
- The Magnificent Seven theme song by Elmer Bernstein may be heard playing on a banjo in the first scene while Merwin Wren is speaking with Hiram C. Grayson (1960).
Whispers in the Dark – US Box Office: USD$11,124,511
Director: Christopher Crowe
Main Cast: Annabella Sciorra, Jamey Sheridan, Alan Alda, Anthony LaPaglia, Jill Clayburgh, John Leguizamo, and Deborah Kara Unger
Release Date: August 7, 1992
Filming Locations: Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Des Moines, Iowa, USA; Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA; Nantucket, Massachusetts, USA; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
Main Plot: A neurotic owner of an art gallery is receiving treatment from a psychiatrist. For her subservient and extremely fulfilling sexual relationship with her new partner, a violently inclined domineer. It turns out that the patient and the psychiatrist are having an affair. The psychiatrist recently started dating an airline pilot. The psychiatrist must determine if the murderer was a homicidal maniac or someone who genuinely loved the victim. While her mentor and his wife try to assist her, things are not as they seem. When a female patient is killed, and it is revealed that her new boyfriend is seeing the dead lady, she turns to a married buddy from her research days for advice. She finds his assistance to be increasingly crucial.
Famous quotes:
Eve Abergray: “We had a fight. A horrible, horrible fight.”
Ann Hecker: “A physical fight?”
Eve Abergray: “He started torturing me. Bring me close and stop and bring me close again. And then he stopped. And took his necktie and tied my hands together in front of me. “
John Castillo: “Nature played a real shit trick on me. I’ve got these instincts inside of me that are different from the others on this planet. When I see a pretty woman, I don’t want to fuck. I want to hear the sounds she makes when she’s in pain.”
Eve Abergray: “He had a rope, which he’d strung over a rafter. And he put a chair under it and ordered me to stand on it. There’s a noose on the rope, and… he… told me to put my neck into it. “
Fun Fact about Whispers in the Dark:
- The principal parts of Ann Hecker and Doug McDowell were originally cast for Greta Scacchi and Lou Diamond Phillips, respectively. Still, both actors abruptly withdrew from the film.
The Puppet Masters – US Box Office: USD$8,647,042
Director: Stuart Orme
Main Cast: Donald Sutherland, Eric Thal, Julie Warner, Keith David, Will Patton, Richard Belzer, and Tom Mason
Release Date: October 21, 1994
Filming Locations: Des Moines, Iowa, USA; Fresno, California, USA; 1959 Tulare Street, Fresno, California, USA; City Hall – 2600 Fresno Street, Fresno, California, USA; Los Angeles Convention Center – 1201 S. Figueroa Street, Downtown, Los Angeles, California, USA
Main Plot: Strange aliens appear in the Midwest and invade people’s minds to expand their rule. The Earth is overrun by stingray-shaped extraterrestrial “slugs” that ride on people’s backs and control their thoughts. Sam Nivens and Andrew Nivens are members of a federal agency that must thwart the aliens before they reach them, with Mary Sefton’s assistance. The Old Man oversees the CIA’s covert operations. He looks into reports that a flying saucer has allegedly landed in a small Iowa town. He travels personally with agents Sam and Jarvis and Dr. Mary Sefton, a NASA expert in extraterrestrial biology. They discover that aliens have arrived and are preparing to take over our world using their capacity for mind control.
Famous quotes:
Andrew: [musingly] “I can’t believe you shot me.”
Sam: “Well, what would you have done?”
Andrew: [nonchalant] “Oh, I’d have shot you, of course.”
Sam: “So if the two of you are being shot at, which bullet do I take?”
Andrew: “Why must you try for both, of course.”
Sequel: Puppet Master; Puppet Master II
Fun Facts about The Puppet Masters:
- Julie Warner had to don a costume that resembled her for the seduction scene in which Mary tries to sway Sam with one of her alien slugs.
- On the script, no fewer than nine writers contributed.
- Immediately after a human has been infected by the slug, they wish to “blend” with one another.
- In reality, Fresno, California, was the setting for many scenes featuring the discussions with Donald Sutherland and colleagues.
- Donald Sutherland remarks that it isn’t like Pirates of the Caribbean as they peer inside the spaceship the boys built, which is being used as an attraction.
Noises Off – US Box Office: USD$2,280,148
Director: Peter Bogdanovich
Main Cast: Michael Caine, Carol Burnett, Denholm Elliott, Julie Hagerty, Marilu Henner, Mark Linn-Baker, and Christopher Reeve
Release Date: March 20, 1992
Filming Locations: Stage 37, Universal Studios – 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, California, USA; Pasadena Playhouse – 39 S. El Molino Avenue, Pasadena, California, USA; New York City, New York, USA; Miami Beach, Florida, USA; Des Moines, Iowa, USA
Main Plot: The storyline opens with a traveling theater troupe nearly ruining the performances due to the amount of activity behind the scenes. The eccentric director of a theater company named Lloyd Fellowes (Sir Michael Caine) is desperately attempting to put his performance together despite the worst efforts of the cast, crew, and Lady Luck. We follow the production from final dress rehearsals to opening night and the tour. Arguments and romances are certain to start when a group of performers is required to work together for an extended period. Most of the time, what goes on backstage is much more important than what is going on stage.
Famous quotes:
Dotty: “And I take the sardines. No, I leave the sardines. No, I take the sardines.”
Lloyd: “You leave the sardines and you hang up the phone.”
Dotty: “Yes, right. I hung up the phone.”
Lloyd: “And you leave the sardines.”
Dotty: “I hang up the phone and I leave the sardines?”
Fun Facts about Noises Off:
- A writer can employ the theatrical prompt “Disturbances Off!” out of the original title to indicate noises originating from an off.
- Two characters’ names were altered from the original stage production.
- Most of the speech was copied straight from the play. However, several words were modified to make the film more comprehensible to American viewers.
The Big One – US Box Office: USD$720,074
Director: Michael Moore
Main Cast: Michael Moore, Elaine Bly, Dan Burns, Chip Carter, Bill Clinton, Jim Czarnecki, and Brian Danitz
Release Date: April 10, 1998
Filming Locations: Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, USA; Des Moines, Iowa, USA; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; St. Paul, Minnesota, USA; Centralia, Illinois, USA
Main Plot: Michael Moore, a well-known documentary filmmaker and working-class supporter, is currently on a national book tour to promote his book. Our intrepid champion of the working man, Michael Moore, records his 1996 “Downsize This!” book tour across the USA. He uncovers more injustice by greedy large firms and ruthless politicians throughout America. Moore and his crew also conduct some unexpected interviews. We once more watch as our hero tries to get past corporate uniformed officers. To interview billionaire CEOs while also interviewing the working man at another plant closing in this low-budget video shot with a video camera. And eventually succeeds in striking up a chat with Phil Knight of Nike.
Famous quotes:
Michael Moore: [referring to McDonald’s] “They put vegetables on my fish filet.”
Michael Moore: “Fuckers.”
Audience Member: “You should run for President!”
Audience Member: “It would send a message!”
Michael Moore: “What message? Eat out more often?”
Fun Facts about The Big One:
- As part of Michael’s conviction that America needs a PR makeover, the film’s title alludes to rebranding America.
- Although the documentary was created in 1996, it wasn’t published until 1998.
- The first documentary by Michael Moore in nine years since Roger & Me (1989).
