Table Of Content
Lights, Camera, Madison! Explore the Movie Magic in Wisconsin’s Capital
Lights, camera, action! Did you know that Madison, Wisconsin has served as a backdrop for some unforgettable movie moments? Get ready to embark on a cinematic adventure as we take you through the vibrant city streets and picturesque locations that have graced the silver screen.
Whether you’re a die-hard movie enthusiast, a travel bug looking for new experiences, or simply craving some exciting escapism, discovering the filming locations in Madison will make your heart skip a beat.
Key Takeaways:
- Madison, Wisconsin boasts a rich history of hosting movie productions.
- Exploring movie filming locations can add an unforgettable twist to your travel adventures.
- Discovering the magic behind the scenes lets you experience movies in a whole new way.
Lights, camera, travel! Now, we know what you might be thinking – why should I explore movie filming locations in Madison? Well, buckle up, because we’re about to show you the incredible adventures that await you in this enchanting city.
Imagine strolling down the same streets where your favorite actors once roamed, feeling like a star in your own cinematic journey. Madison offers a unique blend of modern vibes, historic charm, and breathtaking scenery that will make you feel like you’ve stepped right into a blockbuster film.
From iconic landmarks to hidden gems, you’ll have the chance to see your favorite movies come to life right before your eyes. Soak up the bustling atmosphere of State Street, where the lively energy and vibrant shops have set the scene for countless movies. Or take a leisurely walk around the Capitol Square, where the stunning architecture and picturesque surroundings will transport you to a world of elegance and grandeur.
If you’re a fan of outdoor adventures, Madison has got you covered. Enjoy a leisurely bike ride along the enchanting Lake Monona or paddle your way through the sparkling waters as you relish the same views that mesmerized audiences in famous films. Who knows, you might even recreate an iconic movie scene yourself!
Lights, camera, action! Are you ready to embark on the ultimate movie fan’s adventure? Pack your bags, grab your camera, and get ready to explore the movie magic hidden in the heart of Madison, Wisconsin.
Let the landmarks, streets, and breathtaking landscapes transport you into the captivating worlds that movies create. With each step, you’ll be reminded that dreams can come true, and all it takes is a little movie magic.
So what are you waiting for? Grab your popcorn, get your camera ready, and let’s dive into the captivating list of movies filmed in the stunning city of Madison, Wisconsin. Lights, camera, Madison – let the adventure begin!
Remember, life won’t be as exciting as the movies if you don’t take the first step. Start your cinematic journey now!
Public Enemies – US Box Office: USD$97,104,620
Director: Michael Mann
Main Cast: Christian Bale, Christian Stolte, Johnny Depp, Jason Clarke, Stephen Graham, and John Judd
Release Date: July 1, 2009
Filming Locations: Oshkosh, Wisconsin, USA; Manitowish Waters, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Indiana Dunes State Park, Chesterton, Indiana, USA; Crown Point, Indiana, USA; Columbus, Wisconsin, USA; Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, USA; Madison, Wisconsin, USA
Main Plot: In the terrible 1930s, thieves struck banks and other wealthy targets an astonishing number of times. None of them is more well-known than John Dillinger. The latter gang operates cleverly against large corporations while leaving regular people alone. As Dillinger gained notoriety, FBI director J. Edger Hoover hired top agent Melvin Purvis. To find Dillinger because he is determined to stop him and others like him. Dillinger himself faces a gloomy future with the loss of his friends. Dwindling alternatives and a shifting world of criminal gangs with little room for him as Purvis battles with the realities of the pursuit.
Famous quotes:
John Dillinger: “I was raised on a farm in Mooresville, Indiana. My mama died when I was three, my daddy beat the hell out of me because he didn’t know any better way to raise me. I like baseball, movies, good clothes, fast cars, whiskey, and you… what else do you need to know?”
Billie Frechette: “They’re looking at me because they’re not used to having a girl in their restaurant in a $3 dress.”
John Dillinger: “Listen, doll. That’s ’cause they’re all about where people come from. The only thing that’s important is where someone’s going.”
Billie Frechette: “[smiles] Where are you going?”
John Dillinger: “Anywhere I want.”
Fun Fact about Public Enemies:
- Chili’s apartment community pursuit pays homage to Political Entity (1990).
- The film reconnected Ed Helms and Rashida Jones. They both appeared and were welcomed to the event and Office (2005) during the same show.
- The outdoor game “tag” gained popularity in the 1980s. In the 1980s, Tag: That Murder Games (1982) and Gotcha! made money from the craze. (1985).
Back to School – US Box Office: USD$91,258,000
Director: Alan Metter
Main Cast: Rodney Dangerfield, Sally Kellerman, Burt Young, Keith Gordon, Robert Downey Jr., and Paxton Whitehead
Release Date: June 13, 1986
Filming Locations: University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA; UCLA, Westwood, Los Angeles, California, USA; 1530 Orange Grove Avenue, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA; Culver Studios – 9336 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, USA; California State University, Los Angeles, California, USA
Main Plot: A boisterous, wealthy businessman who enjoys having fun decides to enroll in the university. As a student to assist his discouraged son in finishing college because he is sick of Vanessa’s tiresome antics. Thornton Melon, a self-made multi-millionaire clothing entrepreneur, pays his university son Jason a surprise visit. Thornton chooses to return to school and enrolls as a freshman to complete the degree he never completed when he learns that his confused son wants to drop out. Money can’t buy everything, though, and soon Thornton concludes that he might have taken on too much. Has Thornton had what it necessary to keep dejected Jason in college and raise his morale?
Famous quotes:
Professor Terguson: “Is she right? ‘Cause I know that’s the *popular* version of what went on there. And a lot of people like to believe that. I wish I could, but I was *there*. I wasn’t here in a classroom, hoping I was right, thinking about it.”
Professor Terguson: “I was up to my knees in rice paddies, with guns that didn’t work! Going in there, looking for Charlie, slugging it out with him; While”
Professor Terguson: “pussies like you were back here partying, putting headbands on, doing drugs”
Professor Terguson: “listening to the goddamn Beatle albums! Oh! Oh! Oh!”
Thornton Melon: “Hey Professor, take it easy. These kids were in grade school at the time, and as for me… I’m not a fighter, I’m a lover.”
Fun Facts about Back to School:
- Inside the opening montage’s closing episode, Rodney Dangerfield is golfing. Blatantly lifted this one from his directorial debut, Caddyshack (1980).
- While working on this film, Robert Downey Jr. was simultaneously working on Tonight Show (1975). He will take a flight to Los Angeles twice a week to attend shooting.
- The location of Alex Owens’ excellent dance audition in Flashdance and Thornton Melon’s three oral examinations is the same (1983).
I Love Trouble – US Box Office: USD$30,806,194
Director: Charles Shyer
Main Cast: Nick Nolte, Julia Roberts, Saul Rubinek, James Rebhorn, Robert Loggia, and Kelly Rutherford
Release Date: June 29, 1994
Filming Locations: Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Baraboo, Wisconsin, USA; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Uptown Theater – 4814-4816 N. Broadway Avenue, Uptown, Chicago, Illinois, USA
Main Plot: After his book “White Lies,” seasoned journalist Peter Brackett saw a surge in popularity. He discovers rookie reporter Sabrina Peterson when his magazine, “The Chicago Chronicle,” invites him to write about a train accident. After Peterson’s article for the competing “Chicago Globe” brutally shocks Brackett out of his complacency, the reporters race to come up with scenarios that could have caused the crash. Both sit down to get the facts right after an early burst of irrational reporting, which prompts them to unearth conflicting information. They agree to collaborate after each is set up to be slain at the exact location. Even though they don’t trust one another, they eventually cooperate to find out what caused the train catastrophe.
Famous quotes:
Sam Smotherman: “Pete, it’s good to see you, buddy. I’m dyin’ to read your book, man. When’s it coming out on tape?”
Sam Smotherman: “My beautiful date, Nadia, has returned. Nadia, an old pal of mine, Peter Brackett.”
Peter Brackett: “Actually, Nadia and I have met.”
Nadia, Smotherman’s Date: “Once.”
Sam Smotherman: “Well, you won’t meet again. Adios, pal. Keep in touch.”
Sequel: I love Trouble 1998
Fun Fact about I Love Trouble:
- Julia Roberts and Nick Nolte clashed during filming. Roberts later claimed that Nolte would be the most petite performer she had ever worked with. In contrast, Nolte later claimed that this was an awful movie he had ever worked on.
- Due to Nick Nolte and Julia Roberts’ refusal to participate in the filming of their final scenes, there was some steady rewriting and great editing, including camera manipulation. Some reports claim that they established more deals with hold than with one another.
- Nick Nolte asserts he was solely interested in the money. He sold his soul in the process, which is his worst movie. All of which contributed to his mood on the set.
Chain Reaction – US Box Office: USD$21,226,204
Director: Andrew Davis
Main Cast: Keanu Reeves, Morgan Freeman, Rachel Weisz, Fred Ward, Kevin Dunn, and Brian Cox
Release Date: August 2, 1996
Filming Locations: Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Museum of Science & Industry – 57th & Lake Shore Drive, Jackson Park, Hyde Park, Chicago, Illinois, USA; Argonne, Illinois, USA; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Evanston, Illinois, USA; Field Museum of Natural History – 1400 S. Lake Shore Drive, Near South Side, Chicago, Illinois, USA; Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, USA
Main Plot: Basic researchers working on a green renewable energy project are persecuted after being wrongly charged with treason and murder. A research team at a university in Chicago, led by the bright Eddie Kasalivich (Keanu Reeves), makes a significant discovery. A stable kind of fusion that could eventually result in a waste-free energy source. Kasalivich and Dr. Lily Sinclair (Rachel Weisz) are falsely accused of killing Kasalivich. The fusion device is taken because Dr. Paul Shannon (Morgan Freeman), connected to a private firm that wants to profit from the technology, is also a suspect. They must get the technology while evading the FBI and clear themselves.
Famous quotes:
FBI Agent Ford: “Hundred bucks, kid didn’t do it.”
FBI Agent Doyle: “You got a nationwide manhunt for an innocent man?”
FBI Agent Ford: “Make sure nobody shoots him.”
FBI Agent Ford: “Ma’am, we just had eight city blocks disappear. The President of the United States talked to my boss at three this morning, he wants answers.”
Paul Shannon: “I didn’t tell you, Lyman, but your retirement had already been arranged.”
Fun Facts about Chain Reaction:
- An old abandoned steel factory served as both the exterior and the interior for the portions utilized to capture the massive explosion shown early in the movie caused by the failed cold fusion research.
- The Central Steel facility in East Chicago, Indiana, served as the backdrop for the movie’s early scenes.
- Lyman Collier was initially supposed to be played by Tommy Lee Jones. Brian Cox moved into the post.
For Keeps – US Box Office: USD$17,514,553
Director: John G. Avildsen
Main Cast: Molly Ringwald, Randall Batinkoff, Kenneth Mars, Miriam Flynn, Conchata Ferrell, and Sharon Brown
Release Date: January 15, 1988
Filming Locations: Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada; Wisconsin, USA; USA; Canada
Main Plot: Teenage girls who become pregnant must determine whether or not to keep the child. In their final months of high school, Darcy, the editor of her high school newspaper, and her longtime boyfriend Stan had already secured spots in reputable schools. Recently, they began having affairs, and, surprise, Darcy became pregnant. Neither Stan’s Catholic parents nor Darcy’s mother, who had to raise Darcy alone after her husband abandoned her, are very supportive. They encourage them to have an abortion or put up for adoption, respectively. However, Darcy and Stan’s love is so strong that they could contemplate having a child, even if doing so would require them to give up their college studies.
Famous quotes:
Darcy: “God, why can’t you just be my mother? Why can’t you just crawl in bed with me right now and put your arms around me?”
Donna Elliot: “Well, just what is it you want?”
Darcy: “Just don’t be my friend, okay?”
Donna Elliot: “But I am your friend.”
Darcy: “No, I don’t want that. I can’t. It comes with all these strings. When you’re a mother, you just love somebody. That’s it!”
Sequel: Playing for Keeps
Fun Fact about For Keeps:
- According to the website ’80s Movie Flashback, a baby shower film was made. It didn’t end in the movie, even though still images from that scene remain on the package and were used in advertising material.
- This movie’s original title, Maybe Baby, is a rhyme.
- The very first theatrical entire film was starring actor and performer Pauly Shore.
