Despite its kitschy image, the 1989 action drama “Road House” has become a cult favorite over the years, even if some may argue that it is more of a hoot than a yell. The quotable film has become a basic cable staple and an even better cultural landmark when the tv show “Mystery Science Theatre 3000” referenced the movie in its iconic song “(Let’s Have) a Patrick Swayze Christmas,” thanks to a strong performance by the late Patrick Swayze and the smooth, wise utterings of Sam Elliott. Road House Filming Locations are featured from…
Fans of the film who want to spend their own night at the Double Duce – where Swayze’s character, Dalton, worked as a bouncer – may be disappointed to see what’s happened to the facades of renowned “Road House” shooting locations like The Bandstand and Red’s Auto Parts. However, there was a time when you could drink a beer in one of the locations where they shot interiors — ideally without being struck in the head with a barstool. It’s safe to say we’re no longer in Missouri.
More About the Road House Movie
According to Then and Now Movie Sites, “Road House” was filmed in different locations in Southern California, despite the fact that it is primarily set in Jasper, Missouri. Anaheim, Santa Clarita, Valencia, and Sanger served as stand-ins for New York and Missouri, respectively. According to filming data discovered by the AFI Archive, exterior scenes were shot in numerous locations throughout the Santa Clarita Valley, including Newhall, Valencia, and Canyon Country. The Harris Ranch in Reedley, California, was also used for filming.
The Double Duce and Red’s Auto Parts facades were built in Santa Clarita parking lots and removed once the film was completed, with the Red’s Auto Parts façade being blown up for the film.
Flashback of The Road House
According to the Orange County Register, The Bandstand was a real Anaheim country and western bar that went through many name and format changes before closing its doors in 2006. It was a hip-hop club called The Boogie when it shuttered its doors in 2006. In 2015, it was finally dismantled. According to the LA Times, the pub had become a problem in and of itself for its proprietors, with the Orange County Register reporting that over 2,534 calls to the police were made in the final six years of its operation for offenses ranging from underage drinking to shootings. The club’s liquor license was eventually revoked as a result of this. At the club, “Road House” recorded some interiors for the Double Deuce.
You might be able to visit Stroudenmire’s dealership; as of 2016, the strip mall in Valencia where the exteriors were shot was still standing.
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The Plot of Road House
It centers around James Dalton, a professional chiller who gets a job at a local pub in Jasper, Missouri, played by Patrick Swayze. When he reaches town, he stays on the farm of a kind elderly man. Soon after, Dalton meets Brad Wesley, played by Ben Gazzara, a local businessman with a lot of clout in the community. Dalton meets Dr. Elizabeth “Doc” Clay, played by Kelly Lynch, after he is injured during a struggle with one of Wesley’s thugs, and the two begin a sexual connection soon after. Later, Wesley encourages Dalton to make peace but then informs him that he knows Dalton was once involved in the murder of a man in Memphis, Tennessee. He blackmails Dalton into working for him with this information, which he refuses.
Wesley, enraged at having his offer turned down, sets out to make Dalton’s life as difficult as possible. After that, Sam Elliot’s Wade Garrett arrives in town to assist him. Wesley sends one of his henchmen to a car dealership with a monster truck in front of citizens shortly after Wade arrives, when the owner of the dealership refuses to accept his demands. Doc meets Dalton later that night and advises him to leave for his own safety. However, their talk is cut short when one of Wesley’s men sets fire to Emmett’s house.
Ending Explained – Road House
Dalton saves Emmett from the fire and pursues down the thug, who then pulls a revolver on him, killing him by cutting out his throat. Doc is now shocked by Dalton’s aggression and walks away, disgusted.
The next day, Dalton receives a call from Wesley, who informs him that he is going to kill either Wade or Doc but does not specify which. When Wade enters the club, he assumes Doc is in danger and rushes over to her to protect her. When Doc refuses to accompany Dalton anyplace, he returns to the bar and discovers Wade’s body splayed out on the counter with a knife in his chest.
Enraged, he removes the knife from his friend’s chest and rushes over to Wesley’s house to settle the matter once and for all. When he arrives, he makes a distraction, enters the mansion, and kills his way through the henchmen until he finally meets Wesley himself. When Wesley pulls a gun on him and is about to shoot, Dalton chooses to spare his life rather than kill him. Some of Dalton’s buddies, on the other hand, shoot and murder him. Dalton is later pardoned by Doc, and everything works out in the end.
Some Facts Regarding the Road House
DOC was supposed to be played by Annette Bening.
Dr. Elizabeth Clay (a.k.a. “Doc”), played by Kelly Lynch, was not the producers’ first choice. Lynch revealed in an interview with The A.V. Club that Annette Bening was originally cast in the film “She was, however, sacked. Patrick didn’t have any chemistry with her for whatever reason.”
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Road House Filming Locations
No scenes in Road House Filming Locations are from the movie were shot in Missouri. The film was shot in California, despite the fact that it is set in Jasper, Missouri. On Joel Silver’s directions, the crew was compelled to make the Double Deuce look more like a dive bar since it was “too good.”
Red Was Performed By ELVIS PRESLEY’S Long-Time Friend. Red West, who played auto parts store owner Red Webster, attended high school with The King and was a member of his “Memphis Mafia.” West was a composer who also worked as a stuntman and acted in some of Elvis Presley’s movies. The Jeff Healey Band, lead by Jeff Healey, who went blind at the age of one and began playing guitar at the age of three, is also featured in Road House; he died of cancer in 2008 at the age of 41. The bartender who was awful at skimming was performed by John Doe, the founder and bass player of band X.
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