Top 15 Movies Filmed in Iowa by US Box Office  

Spread the love!

Lights, Camera, Action! Get Ready for a Blockbuster Adventure in Iowa!

Lights, camera, action! Buckle up, movie buffs, because we’re about to take you on an epic journey through the silver screen magic that has graced the picturesque state of Iowa. You may be feeling a tad bored or craving a new adventure, so why not step into the shoes of your favorite movie characters and explore the real-life locations where these fantastic films were made?

There’s nothing quite like immersing yourself in the backdrop of your beloved movies, and Iowa has some hidden gems just waiting to be discovered. So, grab your popcorn and let’s embark on this thrilling cinematic adventure!

Key Takeaways:

  • Uncover the magic of movie-making by visiting the filming locations in Iowa.
  • Immerse yourself in the authentic settings where your favorite movies came to life.
  • Discover the beauty and charm of Iowa while indulging your passion for film.

Why Visit Movie Filming Locations in Iowa?

Imagine strolling down the streets that your favorite characters once walked. Feel the rush of excitement as you stand on the very spot where memorable scenes were filmed. Visiting movie filming locations in Iowa allows you to make a connection with your favorite films in a way that simply watching them on the screen can’t match. You become a part of the cinematic history, experiencing the real-life places where your favorite moments unfolded.

Immersing yourself in movie magic can be a thrilling adventure. Who knows? You might even discover some hidden corners of Iowa that you never knew existed. From stunning landscapes to charming small-town vibes, Iowa offers the perfect backdrop for movie productions. By exploring these filming locations, you’ll not only be entertained but also get a taste of the unique charm and beauty that Iowa has to offer.

Lights, Camera, Iowa: Uncover the Treasure Trove of Movie Filming Locations

  1. Historic Downtown Amana: Step into the fictional world of “The Final Season” or relive the magic of “The Hideaway” as you wander through this charming village. Immerse yourself in a bygone era and appreciate the gorgeous architecture that makes Amana a perfect setting for period films.
  2. Madison County Bridges: Channel your inner romantic as you visit the iconic covered bridges of Madison County, made famous by the film adaptation of Robert James Waller’s novel. Follow in the footsteps of Meryl Streep and Clint Eastwood, and let these picturesque landmarks sweep you off your feet.
  3. Field of Dreams Movie Site: If you build it, he will come… and so should you! Pay a visit to the beloved baseball field that served as the backdrop for the heartwarming film “Field of Dreams.” Play catch with your loved ones, soak in the nostalgia, and relive the magic of this cinematic gem.
  4. Dubuque: Explore the enchanting town that has captured the hearts of filmmakers and audiences alike. With its charming Main Street, majestic bluffs, and stunning river views, it’s no wonder that Dubuque has become a favorite filming location. Keep an eye out for familiar spots from movies such as “The Crazies” and “Take This Waltz.”
  5. The Bridges of Madison County: Experience the lingering romance that captivated audiences around the world by visiting the actual bridges from this iconic film. Take a leisurely drive through the rolling countryside and let the beauty of Madison County transport you to a world of love and passion.

Lights On, Adventure On!

Now that you know just a taste of what Iowa has in store for you, why wait? Embark on an unforgettable journey through the movie magic that is waiting to be experienced. Pack your bags, plan your itinerary, and get ready for a trip full of excitement, nostalgia, and some serious movie geekery. Iowa is calling, and its cinematic wonders await. Lights, camera, adventure!

Disclaimer: Please note that some filming locations may have restrictions or may not be open to the public. Before visiting, it’s always a good idea to check the availability and accessibility of these sites.

And now, grab your popcorn and explore the incredible list of movies filmed in Iowa below! Lights, camera, action awaits!

Twister – US Box Office: USD$241,830,615

Director: Jan de Bont

Main Cast: Helen Hunt, Bill Paxton, Cary Elwes, Jami Gertz, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Lois Smith, and Alan Ruck

Release Date: May 10, 1996

Filming Locations: Kaw City, Oklahoma, USA; Carney, Oklahoma, USA; Laramie Street, Warner Brothers Burbank Studios – 4000 Warner Boulevard, Burbank, California, USA; Ralston, Oklahoma, USA; Iowa, USA

Main Plot: Young Jo and her family are about to go to bed in a remote farmhouse in Oklahoma County as thunderstorms roll across an open plain. Still, her father is watching a tornado warning on TV. The TV warns that the impending tornado may be an F5, the strongest ever recorded. Shortly after the family enters the storm cellar, a huge tornado strikes, passing over them and taking her father’s life. After 27 years, Jo is a storm scientist working with her soon-to-be ex, Bill Harding, to create a tornado warning system. Their team witnesses great damage and death as numerous attempts fail for various reasons. They eventually find themselves in the path of a devastating F5 tornado. Can they launch their test apparatus and make it out of the deadly storm in one piece?

Famous quotes:

Melissa: “You know what? I can’t compete with this. I don’t even know where to start.”

Bill: “Wait, don’t do this now, please.”

Melissa: “Sooner or later it would have ended, we both know that. The funny thing is… I’m not that upset. What does that mean?”

Bill: “I never meant for any of this to happen”

Melissa: “Oh Billy, I know. It’s okay. You go ahead. She needs you. I hope that Aunt Meg’s okay.”

Fun Facts about Twister:

  • This was both the first DVD release and the final HD-DVD release.
  • The script, written by Michael Crichton and his wife Anne-Marie Martin, cost $2 million, making it the most expensive screenplay ever bought at the time.
  • This movie was notorious for destroying surround speakers in theaters worldwide with a loud and bass-heavy surround channel.

Michael – US Box Office: USD$95,318,203

Director: Nora Ephron

Main Cast: John Travolta, Andie MacDowell, William Hurt, Bob Hoskins, Robert Pastorelli, Jean Stapleton, and Teri Garr

Release Date: December 25, 1996 

Filming Locations: Gruene Hall – 1281 Gruene Road, New Braunfels, Comal County, Texas, USA; Georgetown, Texas, USA; Muldoon, Texas, USA; Iowa, USA; Austin, Texas, USA

Main Plot: Dorothy Winters, an angel expert, and two reporters from a Chicago tabloid are sent to a rural Iowa community to look into an elderly woman. Claims that a real, live archangel named Michael resides in her house with her. When they get there, they find that she is right and that Michael is not like they had imagined. He smokes, drinks beer, has a very active libido, and uses colorful language. They would never have believed it if it weren’t for the two fluffy wings that protrude from his back. Michael consents to travel to Chicago with the group of three. They still are unaware that the direction they are about to take will permanently change their lives.

Famous quotes:

Huey Driscoll: “Can I just pull on your wings to see how they’re attached?”

Michael: “Why don’t you pull on your pecker to see how it’s attached?”

Pansy Milbank: “Hey. Language.”

Frank Quinlan: “An angel that says “pecker.”

Pansy Milbank: “Language.”

Fun Facts about Michael:

  • John Travolta spent 500 hours studying Spanish to be ready for this movie. 
  • There has been talk of a sequel for almost 20 years. It is scheduled to be released in 2020, and Travolta has referred to it as “his finest work.”
  • Many well-known paintings of Michael combating Satan are similar to the bar brawl in which Michael uses a pool cue, and a garbage can lid.

The Bridges of Madison County – US Box Office: USD$71,516,617

Director: Clint Eastwood

Main Cast: Clint Eastwood, Meryl Streep, Annie Corley, Victor Slezak, Jim Haynie, Sarah Zahn, and Christopher Kroon

Release Date: June 2, 1995

Filming Locations: W Jefferson St & N 1st Ave, Winterset, Iowa, USA; Adel, Iowa, USA; 823 Main St, Adel, Iowa, USA; Madison County, Iowa, USA; Iowa, USA

Main Plot: Robert Kincaid (Clint Eastwood) passed by the Johnson farm in the summer of 1965. Asked Francesca for directions to Roseman Bridge while her husband and kids were away at the Illinois State Fair. Later, Francesca finds out that he was in Iowa as part of a National Geographic Magazine assignment. She is hesitant at first because he is a total stranger. Still, she eventually agrees to take him to the bridges and starts talking about her life as an Italian war bride. Setting the tone for this bittersweet and all-too-short romance in her life. She writes about the four-day love affair that took up three journals as she suffers from the pain of being parted from her secret love. And the jarring isolation she experiences as the details of her life consume her.

Famous quotes:

Francesca: “We are the choices that we have made, Robert.”

Francesca: “And in that moment, everything I knew to be true about myself up until then was gone. I was acting like another woman, yet I was more myself than ever before.”

Robert: “If you want me to stop, tell me now.”

Francesca: “No one’s asking you to.”

Robert Kincaid: “Do you think that what happened with us just happens to anyone? What do we feel for each other? We’re hardly… hardly two separate people now. Some people search all of their life for this and never find it. Others don’t even think it exists.”

Fun Fact about The Bridges of Madison County:

  • Meryl Streep uses a body double for the mirror scene as required by her film contracts, which is standard practice.
  • The casting director initially only looked for younger actresses to play the lead roles, but they needed help finding any. 

About Schmidt – US Box Office: USD$65,016,287

Director: Alexander Payne

Main Cast: Jack Nicholson, Hope Davis, Dermot Mulroney, Kathy Bates, June Squibb, and Howard Hesseman

Release Date: May 22, 2002

Filming Locations: Council Bluffs, Iowa, USA; Kearney, Nebraska, USA; Millard, Nebraska, USA; Ogallala, Nebraska, USA; Omaha, Nebraska, USA

Main Plot: The film begins with shots of the Woodmen Building, a large structure in Omaha, Nebraska. Actuary Warren Schmidt (Jack Nicholson) sits in his drab gray office, counting the minutes until five. Packed boxes all around him indicate that today is his last day of work. After turning out the lights and grabbing his coat at five o’clock, Warren leaves. In the following scene, Warren is driving his wife Helen late at night in the rain to a steakhouse where his retirement party is being held. The ceremony is quiet and solemn, with the new guy who replaced Warren paying tribute and telling Warren that he can come to the office anytime. He mentions that he might need some help with Warren’s old accounts. Warren’s best friend and coworker deliver an impassioned speech for his friend despite his obvious inebriation. Warren appears moved by the sentiment and apologizes. He goes to the bar on the other side of the restaurant and orders a drink. He seems to have no plans to retire, for sure.

Famous quotes:

Warren Schmidt: “Say uh, Randall…? How’d that investment situation work out for you? You never called me.”

Duncan Hertzel: “You mean that pyramid scheme?”

Duncan Hertzel: “All I know is I lost 800 bucks.”

Randall Hertzel: “Well, if you’d stuck with it a little longer you’d have seen results. You bailed out too soon.”

Roberta Hertzel: “Can we change the subject please?”

Sequel: Schmidt Delivered; Schmidt Steps Back

Fun Fact about About Schmidt: 

  • The only film during the year to receive a Golden Globe nomination for Best Motion Picture Drama and not for Best Picture at the Academy Awards.
  • Nebraska City’s Steinhart Park served as the backdrop for the scene where Warren is swinging from the monkey bars.
  • Through the actual Childreach Organization, the production team established a lifetime Endowed Scholarship.

Field of Dreams – US Box Office: USD$64,431,625

Director: Phil Alden Robinson

Main Cast: Kevin Costner, James Earl Jones, Ray Liotta, Amy Madigan, Gaby Hoffmann, Timothy Busfield, and Burt Lancaster

Release Date: May 5, 1989

Filming Locations: Dubuque, Iowa, USA; Jersey Street, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Iowa, USA; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Massachusetts, USA

Main Plot: Ray Kinsella, a 36-year-old inexperienced farmer who keeps hearing a demonic creature’s voice in the cornfield on his Iowa farm, says, “If you build it, he will come.” Later, he has a vision that it is a baseball field and that he is Shoeless Joe Jackson. Who was notorious for his involvement in the Chicago 8, the eight players of the 1919 White Series. They were banned for life from the game for throwing games in exchange for bribes. When Ray was a child, his long-deceased father played baseball in the minor leagues and resided in Chicago. He told him tales about baseball.

Famous quotes:

Ray Kinsella: “So what do you want?”

Terence Mann: “I want them to stop looking to me for answers, begging me to speak again, write again, be a leader. I want them to start thinking for themselves. I want my privacy.”

Ray Kinsella: “No, I mean, what do you WANT?”

Terence Mann: “Oh. Dog and a beer.”

Terence Mann: “I’m going to beat you with a crowbar until you leave.”

Fun Facts about Field of Dreams:

  • During the filming, Amy Madigan received an offer to work as a bartender at a nearby establishment. 
  • The American Film Institute selected the movie’s line, “If you build it, he will come,” as the #39 movie quote (out of 100).
  • Before realizing Timothy Busfield would appear in the scene with him, Burt Lancaster had Timothy Busfield get chairs and water.

Michael Clayton – US Box Office: USD$49,033,882

Director: Tony Gilroy

Main Cast:  George Clooney, Tilda Swinton, Tom Wilkinson, Michael O’Keefe, Sydney Pollack, Danielle Skraastad, Wai Chan

Release Date: October 12, 2007

Filming Locations: 1345 Ave of the Americas, New York City, New York, USA; 355 Greenwich St., New York City, New York, USA; Otterkill Road, New Windsor, New York, USA; Blooming Grove, New York, USA; Council Bluffs, Iowa, USA

Main Plot: Michael Clayton is a divorced lawyer in New York. He’s been resolving complex legal issues for Kenner, Back, and Ledeen for many years. Due to his contradictory personality as a poker gambler and alcoholic who left him completely broken, he has never been invited to become a partner. Michael is looking for a way to pay off the debts his addicted brother owes to a dangerous loan shark. Michael tries to help his friend and becomes embroiled in an evil plot hatched by Karen Crowder. Brilliant lawyer Arthur Edens has been managing the tangled, three-billion-dollar lawsuit as the legal representative for U-North. He suffers a nervous breakdown for six years and is arrested naked in a Milwaukee parking lot.

Famous quotes:

Michael Clayton: “You are the senior litigating partner of one of the largest, most respected law firms in the world. You are a legend.”

Arthur Edens: “I’m an accomplice!”

Michael Clayton: “You’re manic-depressive!”

Arthur Edens: “I am Shiva, the god of death.”

Michael Clayton: Do I look like I’m negotiating?

Fun Facts about Michael Clayton:

  • This one was the only film at the 2008 Academy Awards to receive three acting nominations.
  • This one was the only movie that year to receive nominations for Best Supporting Actor and Best Supporting Actress at the Oscars.
  • Sydney Pollack was recruited as one of the producers of this movie by director Tony Gilroy early on in production.

The Crazies – US Box Office: USD$39,123,589

Director: Breck Eisner

Main Cast: Radha Mitchell, Timothy Olyphant, Danielle Panabaker, Joe Anderson, Christie Lynn Smith, Brett Rickaby, and Preston Bailey

Release Date: February 26, 2010

Filming Locations: Winterset, Iowa, USA; Lenox, Iowa, USA; Macon, Georgia, USA; Perry, Georgia, USA; Cordele, Georgia, USA

Main Plot: Pierce County, Iowa, resident Rory Hamill abruptly threatened the neighborhood with a rifle during a baseball game. Under pressure, the sheriff killed him. The sheriff’s wife examines Bill Farnum, another local acting strangely. That evening, Bill imprisons his wife and son in their house before setting it on fire and killing them. The following morning, three hunters who had found a dead pilot in the nearby Hopman Bog called the sheriff and his deputy. A sizable airplane is discovered by the sheriff and deputy at the bottom of the bog. The population is suddenly detained in tents and concentration camps as the army seals off the town. The sheriff, his deputy, his wife, and her personal physician all manage to flee.

Famous quotes:

Bill Farnum: “She worries too much. I’m fine. I’m just tired.”

Judy Dutton: “So, what are you doing for the weekend?”

Bill Farnum: “She worries too much. I’m fine. I’m just tired.”

Russell Clank:  “I’m not right, am I?”

Russell Clank: “One, two, three. That’s how many times I’ve saved your life. Now walk out where I can see you, go on, move!”

Fun Facts about The Crazies:

  • Each actor who became Crazy had to spend three hours in the makeup chair.
  • A satellite detects the sheriff when he finds the military aircraft at 40.851216 and -94.548340. 
  • The movie’s opening baseball scene was filmed in Lenox, Iowa, the opposing team’s home.

The Dead Pool – US Box Office: USD$37,903,295

Director: Buddy Van Horn

Main Cast: Clint Eastwood, Liam Neeson, Patricia Clarkson, Evan C. Kim, David Hunt, Michael Currie, and Michael Goodwin

Release Date: July 13, 1988 

Filming Locations: Clementina & Sumner Streets, San Francisco, California, USA; Eber Electronics – 2355 Market Street, San Francisco, California, USA; Silver Restaurant – 737 Washington Street, Chinatown, San Francisco, California, USA; 1954 Mason Street, North Beach, San Francisco, California, USA; 23rd & Iowa Sts., The Dogpatch, San Francisco, California, USA

Main Plot: Inspector Dirty Harry (1971) is a tough-as-nails member of the San Francisco Police Department. Who abhors publicity, has made headlines for the first time in his career after locking up a notorious mobster. But today, Callahan’s name can be found on a grim list of famous people who will soon pass away. The drug-addled rock star Johnny Squares passes away first. As more violent deaths occur, Callahan begins to worry that he will be the next victim. Meanwhile, more and more evidence points to a British horror film director. Who are the brains behind the twisted Dead Pool gambling game and the anonymous hit list? Is Harry able to solve this deadly puzzle before it’s too late?

Famous quotes:

Peter Swan: “It’s no big secret. Most of the cast and crew knew about it. I didn’t tell you because dead pool is just a harmless game.”

Harry Callahan: “Sounds pretty sick to me.”

Peter Swan: “Let me tell you something, Callahan. People… People are fascinated with death and violence. That’s why my films make money. They’re an escape, a vicarious release of fear. Same thing with this game. Nobody takes my films *or* the dead pool seriously.”

Harry Callahan: “Well, someone gave Squares the drugs that killed him – maybe it was you.”

Peter Swan: “You can’t tie me into Johnny’s death just because of a coincidence. My assistant and my effects supervisor were playing the game too, why don’t you talk to them?”

Fun Facts about The Dead Pool:

  • Clint Eastwood once remarked that he was growing too old to perform all the stunt work, and this is the final installment of the Dirty Harry series.
  • The name of his Marvel Comics anti-hero character Deadpool was inspired by the movie’s title, according to comic book creator Rob Liefeld.
  • Evan C. Kim designed all his stunts, including the martial arts fight.

Starman – US Box Office: USD$28,744,356

Director: John Carpenter

Main Cast: Jeff Bridges, Karen Allen, Charles Martin Smith, Richard Jaeckel, Robert Phalen, Tony Edwards, and John Walter Davis

Release Date: December 14, 1984

Filming Locations: Manchester, Tennessee, USA; Jasper, Tennessee, USA; Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA; Lynchburg, Tennessee, USA; Cedar Rapids, Iowa, USA

Main Plot: Voyager 2 departs from Earth in 1977 carrying greetings and peace messages. A small alien spacecraft approaches the planet in an attempt to contact humans, but military aircraft shoot it down. The alien uses the DNA from the hair of the young widow Jenny Hayden’s husband. To transform into a human after the alien’s spacecraft collides in Wisconsin’s Chequamegon Bay. The Starman contacts his mother ship and is told that he must be in the Arizona crater in a few days to return to his star. Otherwise, he will be left behind rather than die. Initially hostile toward the Starman, Jenny is compelled to drive him to Arizona. She discovers that he is peaceful, so she decides to assist him.

Famous quotes:

Mark Shermin: “Have people from your world been here before?”

Starman: “Before yes. We are interested in your species.”

Mark Shermin: “You mean you’re some kind of anthropologist? Is that what you’re doing here? Just checking us out?”

Starman: “You are a strange species. Not like any other. And you’d be surprised how many there are. Intelligent but savage. Shall I tell you what I find beautiful about you?”

Starman: “You are at your very best when things are worst.”

Fun Facts about Starman:

  • The 1930s Ford V8 Roadster Hot Rod was a black vintage hot rod that was briefly seen engaging in a car chase with the police.
  • Before leaving to work on Paramount Pictures’ Flashdance (1983) project, Adrian Lyne was once attached to the film as director.
  • Jeff Bridges hired a dancer to help him with Starman’s childlike movements.

F.I.S.T. – US Box Office: USD$20,388,920

Director: Norman Jewison

Main Cast: Sylvester Stallone, Rod Steiger, Peter Boyle, Melinda Dillon, David Huffman, Kevin Conway, and Tony Lo Bianco

Release Date: April 28, 1978

Filming Locations: South Yorkshire, England, UK; Los Angeles, California, USA; Wisconsin, USA; Iowa, USA

Main Plot: A dissident warehouse worker from Cleveland rises through the ranks of a trucking industry union to become union president. Still, his connections to organized crime ultimately lead to his downfall. In the 1930s, Johnny Kovak joined a local Teamsters chapter and advanced through the union ranks. As he rises higher and higher, his tactics become more brutal. At some point, Senator Madison launched an investigation to learn the truth about the purported ties to the mob. Working in a warehouse, Johnny Kovak (Sylvester Stallone) becomes frustrated with the unjust rules and starts a riot. Kovak’s courage makes him a popular figure despite being fired, and the Federation of Interstate Truckers chooses him as a new member.

Famous quotes:

Babe Milano: “Nobody’s 100%… Nobody.”

Fun Facts about F.I.S.T.:

  • There was only one opportunity to capture the scene where the company symbol was taken down in front of the factory. They only had one sign; if it was damaged, it could not be repaired.
  • For his dramatic performance in this movie, Sylvester Stallone was rumored to get a Best Actor Academy Award nomination. However, this did not happen.
  • Sylvester Stallone’s portrayal of Johnny Kovak, the movie’s dominant character, lasts twenty years.

Take This Job and Shove It – US Box Office: USD$17,569,027

Director: Gus Trikonis

Main Cast: Robert Hays, Art Carney, Barbara Hershey, David Keith, Tim Thomerson, Eddie Albert, and Penelope Milford

Release Date: May 15, 1981

Filming Locations:  Dubuque, Iowa, USA; Potosi, Wisconsin, USA; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Dickeyville, Wisconsin, USA; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA

Main Plot: Frank is sent to his hometown of Hillsborough to boost the output of the neighborhood brewery. He runs into former classmates and his ex-girlfriend Jane. They fall in love again very quickly. Frank is conflicted about his career. The “Alison Group” has acquired four struggling breweries. One of them, which also happens to be the largest business in his hometown, is given to the young but ascension top manager Frank Macklin to reorganize. His former teammates are initially reluctant to accept him as their new boss. Still, since he can’t shield them from the drastic changes, the atmosphere soon changes. Then he finds out that because he significantly increased the profit, his superiors have decided to resell his brewery to an inexperienced Texas oil millionaire at a profit.

Famous quotes:

Ray Binkowski: “It’s the battle of the luxury cars. Lincoln Continental and American know-how and skill against the German machine.”

Fun Facts about Take This Job and Shove It:

  • The country music song Take This Job and Shove It, written by David Allan Coe and sung by Johnny Paycheck, served as the movie’s inspiration.
  • The Dubuque Star Brewery in Dubuque, Iowa, was the name of the brewery featured in the movie.

Election – US Box Office: USD$14,902,041

Director: Alexander Payne

Main Cast: Matthew Broderick, Reese Witherspoon, Chris Klein, Jessica Campbell, Mark Harelik, Phil Reeves, and Molly Hagan

Release Date: April 23, 1999

Filming Locations: 5011 Cass Street, Omaha, Nebraska, USA; 683 Parkwood Lane, Omaha, Nebraska, USA; Papillion-LaVista High School – 402 E. Centennial Road, Papillion, Nebraska, USA; Memorial Park, Omaha, Nebraska, USA; Bellevue, Nebraska, USA

Main Plot: Jim McAllister (Matthew Broderick) is a well-liked high school history teacher. He lives in the Omaha suburbs and is active in many after-school activities, one of which is supervising the student government election process. Tracy Flick (Reese Witherspoon) is a high-achieving junior with an annoying sense of entitlement. Her bitter and divorced mother encourages her to “do whatever it takes” to succeed. Earlier in the year, Dave Novotny (Mark Harelik) was fired from his job and divorced by his wife Linda (Delaney Driscoll). After it was revealed that he and Tracy were having a sexual affair while Tracy’s reputation remained unharmed.

Famous quotes:

Jim McAllister: “Tracy, you’re a very intelligent girl. You have a lot of admirable qualities. But one day maybe you’ll learn that being smart and doing whatever you need to do to get ahead, and stepping on other people to get there… well, there’s a whole lot more to life than that. And in the end you’re only cheating yourself.”

Tracy Flick: “Why are you lecturing me?”

Jim McAllister: “This isn’t the time or the place to get into it, but there is, for just one example, a certain former colleauge of mine, who made a very big mistake, a life mistake.”

Tracy Flick: “I don’t know what you’re referring to, but maybe if certain older, wiser people hadn’t acted like such little babies and gotten so mushy, then everything would be OK.”

Jim McAllister: “I agree. And I also think that certain young and naive people need to thank their lucky stars and be very, very grateful that the entire school didn’t find out about certain indiscretions that could have ruined their reputations and their chances to win certain elections.”

Fun Fact about Election:

  • Former 44th President Barack Obama has stated that this is his favorite political film.
  • Director Alexander Payne decided to include a freeze frame of Tracy with a contorted face, and Reese Witherspoon didn’t like it.
  • Initially cast as Tammy Metzler, Thora Birch left the Omaha filming on the third day due to creative differences with Alexander Payne.

Children of the Corn – US Box Office: USD$14,568,989

Director:  Fritz Kiersch

Main Cast: Peter Horton, Linda Hamilton, R.G. Armstrong, John Franklin, Courtney Gains, Robby Kiger, and Anne Marie McEvoy

Release Date: March 9, 1984

Filming Locations: Sioux City, Iowa, USA; Whiting, Iowa, USA; Hornick, Iowa, USA; California, USA; 613 Whittier Street, Whiting, Iowa, USA

Main Plot: A young couple is trapped in a lonely village because a dangerous religious cult primarily formed of children believes that anyone older than 18 must be eradicated. A young preacher named Isaac goes to the town of Gatlin in Nebraska and persuades all of the children and teenagers living there to murder all the adults. When a young couple on a road trip arrives to report a murder and seek assistance from the community in the city of Gatlin, it gives the impression that the town is deserted. They rapidly discover that they cannot flee from Gatlin, and the prognosis for their survival prospects is not encouraging.

Famous quotes:

Isaac: “And He Who Walks Behind The Rows did say, “I will send outlanders amongst you: a man and a woman. And these outlanders will be unbelievers and profaners of the holy. And the man will sorely test you, for he has great power, even greater than that of the Blue Man!”

Corn-Children: “The Blue Man! Yes, the Blue Man!”

Isaac: “And just as he was offered up unto Him, so shall be the unbelievers!”

Malachai: “Make sacrifice unto Him! Bring Him the blood of the outlanders!”

Corn-Children: “Praise God! Praise the Lord! Praise God! Praise the Lord…!”

Fun Facts about Children of the Corn:

  • Although most action scenes were filmed using real corn, the more challenging ones required using polyurethane corn.
  • The main characters’ safe haven of Hemingford is a place that Stephen King’s “The Stand” characters also find themselves drawn to in their dreams.
  • Even though Isaac is supposed to be a teenager, actor John Franklin was 24 years old when the filming took place.

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. The aspiration of Hiram Grayson was to be known 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.
  • Finished in 1969 but was published in 1971. The company put this movie on hold for two years because they needed to figure out how moviegoers would respond.

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 psychiatrist (Sciorra) is treating a neurotic owner of an art gallery for her submissive and intensely satisfying 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. She seeks advice from a married friend from her research days when a female patient is killed, and it is discovered that her new boyfriend sees the deceased. 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.

Spread the love!