Dublin, Ireland

 
In a suburb of Dublin stands the former Kilmainham Gaol, now a museum. The central hall features in the film THE ITALIAN JOB. As the title indicates, filming took place not only in Ireland but also on location in Italy, as well as in England and Switzerland.

Entrance Kilmainham Gaol, Dublin, 2 July 2024

Kilmainham Gaol, a large and austere building with thick walls, was built between 1786 and 1796. Its only decoration is a sculpture above the main entrance: five chained dragons symbolising the five most serious crimes – murder, rape, theft, treason, and piracy. Prisoners were held here in appalling conditions, usually with several people in a single cell and only a candle for light and warmth. The prison closed in 1924. For years, the building stood empty and fell into disrepair.

Kilmainham Gaol was slated for demolition, but due to its historical significance, it was decided to preserve the prison. Restoration work began in 1960. 

The five chained dragons

The building opened to the public on 10 April 1966. Today, the former prison can only be visited as part of a guided tour. Tickets can be purchased online in advance, up to 28 days ahead. Be sure to book early, as places are limited. Further information can be found on the  Kilmainham Gaol Museum website.

The movie was filmed in the summer and autumn of 1968. I have not been able to find out when the interior prison scenes were shot. The film also shows the exterior of the prison, but that is Wormwood Scrubs in England. Michael Caine plays Charlie Croker, a charming thief who is being released. Unfortunately, visitors are not allowed to take the stairs to the upper floors, as the actors did.

The Italian Job, 0:05:05

Kilmainham Gaol, Dublin, 2 July 2024

The Italian Job, 0:05:17

Kilmainham Gaol, Dublin, 2 July 2024

Among the prisoners who send him off is Mr. Bridger (Noel Coward), who heads a criminal organisation. 

The Italian Job, 0:05:22

Kilmainham Gaol, Dublin, 2 July 2024

At the end of the movie, Mr. Bridger receives a huge round of applause from his fellow inmates after word is received he helped Charlie to steal Italian gold bars worth $4 million.

The Italian Job, 1:29:08

Kilmainham Gaol, Dublin, 2 July 2024

The Italian Job, 1:29:28

Kilmainham Gaol, Dublin, 2 July 2024

Copyright © Paramount Pictures

Paris, France

 
The movie EVERYONE SAYS I LOVE YOU, written and directed by Woody Allen, is his tribute to films from the 1930s, particularly musicals and the films of the Marx Brothers. Allen had the actors sing and dance, despite the fact that they are not generally known for their singing and dancing skills. The film’s title is taken from a song in Horse Feathers, a 1932 film by the Marx Brothers. Filming started on 11 September and ended on 18 December 1995, besides in Paris also in New York and Venice. 

Everyone Says I Love You, 1:23:46

Woody Allen plays Joe Berlin, a writer who has moved from New York to Paris and just broke up with his girlfriend. After his divorce from Steffi Dandridge (Goldie Hawn), he has remained friends with her and her new husband Bob (Alan Alda). Together with the children from their previous relationships, they form a blended family and live in Manhattan. When the family spends the Christmas holidays in Paris, they meet with Joe at a Marx Brothers-themed New Year’s party.

Various locations in Paris can be seen in the film. We visited two of them, including the Place de la Concorde. Skylar Dandridge (Drew Barrymore), the daughter of Steffi and Bob, and her fiancé Holden Spence (Edward Norton) stroll across Paris’s largest square, with the Fontaine des Mers (Fountain of the Seas) in the background. The Place de la Concorde is also featured in The Devil Wears Prada.

Everyone Says I Love You, 1:17:19

Fontaine des Mers, Place de la Concorde, Paris, 3 March 2022

Steffi and Joe leave the party and walk across the Pont de la Tournelle, down the steps of the bridge along the Seine. Steffi sings “I’m through with love” with Notre Dame in the background. We had originally taken photos during the day, but as this scene is set at night, we went back a few days later to take photos after dark.

Everyone Says I Love You, 1:26:13

Pont de la Tournelle, Paris, 28 February 2022

Pont de la Tournelle, Paris, 3 March 2022

Everyone Says I Love You, 1:26:29

Pont de la Tournelle, Paris, 28 February 2022

Pont de la Tournelle, Paris, 3 March 2022

Everyone Says I Love You, 1:26:52

Pont de la Tournelle, Paris, 28 February 2022

Pont de la Tournelle, Paris, 3 March 2022

Everyone Says I Love You, 1:27:22

Pont de la Tournelle, Paris, 28 February 2022

Pont de la Tournelle, Paris, 3 March 2022

Everyone Says I Love You, 1:28:16

Notre Dame, Paris, 28 February 2022

Notre Dame, Paris, 3 March 2022

Steffi and Joe dance during which Steffi even goes up in the air. There is little information available about the filming of this scene. I understand that everything was filmed on location and that Goldie Hawn was able to float through the air thanks to wires that were digitally removed in post-production.

Everyone Says I Love You, 1:29:01

Quai de la Tournelle, Paris, 28 February 2022

Quai de la Tournelle, Paris, 3 March 2022

Everyone Says I Love You, 1:29:41

Quai de la Tournelle, Paris, 28 February 2022

Quai de la Tournelle, Paris, 3 March 2022

Screenshots © Magnolia Productions/Sweetland Films

 

Vasquez Rocks CA, USA

 
Inspired by the success of sitcoms on American television, Joseph Barbera and William Hanna created THE FLINTSTONES, a cartoon series set in the Stone Age but with a clear nod to contemporary America. From its first broadcast on 30 September 1960, the series was a huge success. A total of 166 episodes were produced over six seasons.

The Flintstones, 1:22:56

In the 1990s, many old series were adapted into feature films, including The Flintstones. This time, it was not a cartoon but real actors with computer graphics and puppets made by Jim Henson's Creature Shop. The rights were acquired by Steven Spielberg's Amblin Entertainment. He suggested John Goodman for the role of Fred Flintstone, a bronto-crane operator who lives in Bedrock with his wife Wilma (Elizabeth Perkins) and daughter Pebbles (Elaine and Melanie Silver).

Fred is good friends with his neighbour Barney Rubble (Rick Moranis), who is married to Betty (Rosie O'Donnell).

Vasquez Rocks Natural Area, 4 July 2023

Fred and Barney are also colleagues and work for gravel company Slate & Co. Filming took place from 17 May to 20 August 1993, including on location shoots in California and Utah. Vasquez Rocks Natural Area was chosen as the location for the town of Bedrock, see also Vasquez Rocks CA, USA. Before the set was dismantled, visitors were allowed to tour the location. An amateur video dated 29 May on Dailymotion indicates that scenes at the rock formations were filmed in May.

Vasquez Rocks first appears when Fred and Barney are driving home. Just like in the cartoon, the 'flintmobile' is propelled by the feet of its passengers. When they arrive at Fred's house in Bedrock, the rock formations can be seen from the other side.

The Flintstones, 0:04:35

Vasquez Rocks Natural Area, 4 July 2023

The Flintstones, 0:05:03

Vasquez Rocks Natural Area, 4 July 2023

The Flintstones, 0:05:40

Vasquez Rocks Natural Area, 4 July 2023

The Flintstones, 0:06:12

Vasquez Rocks Natural Area, 4 July 2023

The Flintstones, 0:25:30

Vasquez Rocks Natural Area, 4 July 2023

Later in the film, Fred is barbecuing. While he is talking to Barney, Dino, Fred and Wilma's pet dinosaur, secretly takes a piece of meat from the grill.

The Flintstones, 0:45:05

Vasquez Rocks Natural Area, 4 July 2023

The Flintstones, 0:45:37

Vasquez Rocks Natural Area, 4 July 2023

The sunrise was also filmed at Vasquez Rocks, again from the same angle as when Fred and Barney were sitting in the car.

The Flintstones, 1:14:08

Vasquez Rocks Natural Area, 4 July 2023

In addition to filming on location, scenes were also shot at Universal Studios, approximately 55 kilometres (35 miles) south of Vasquez Rocks. In 1996, during our first visit to America, we visited Universal Studios Hollywood. During the Studio Backlot Tour, a guided tour of the studio grounds by tram, we saw the town sign for Bedrock among the film sets.

The Flintstones, 0:03:09

Universal Studios Hollywood, 8 October 1996

In 2023, we visited Universal again, including the Studio Backlot Tour. Among the vehicles from Back to the Future and Harry Potter, among others, was Fred Flintstone's car, but if you look closely, it is not the car from the film.

The Flintstones, 0:03:58

Universal Studios Hollywood, 21 July 2023

Screenshots © Universal City Studios/Amblin Entertainment