Best Of

Best Movies Filmed In Sacramento

April 25, 2015 / 5:00 AM PDT / CBS Sacramento

Most movies are filmed in more than one location. That's certainly true of the many movies and TV movies that claim Sacramento as a location. From the early 1900s to the present, the Sacramento area has provided many great spots for the movie industry to extend the wonder of film. From the very serious to the very silly, it's all been done here. With so much to offer, from the valley to the mountains, many more production companies will continue to set up the cameras here.

Steamboat Bill Jr.

Back in the silent movie era, Buster Keaton was a superstar. In 1928, part of the movie Steamboat Bill Jr. was shot in Sacramento. The hapless character that Keaton played, William "Steamboat Bill" Canfield, found himself in a hospital when a cyclone hit. He was there due to a rap on the head by the sheriff, who discovered a jailbreak attempt. The cyclone hit and Keaton is shown wandering about with buildings falling down all around him. In an iconic bit of Keaton's movie antics, one building falls down, missing Keaton only because he was standing in the spot where the buildings doorway was. Historic movie making at its best, right in what is now Old Sacramento.

The Ugly Truth

Widely panned by the critics, this romantic comedy spent some time in Sacramento. It was actually set in Sacramento, but very little of the filming was done here. It's about a TV morning show producer and the romantic entanglements that make up the film. Towards the end of the film there is a montage that was filmed in nearby Auburn at the Foresthill Bridge. Take a look at the movie and see if you can figure out which part was shot in downtown Sacramento.

Pink Cadillac

Clint Eastwood brought a pink Cadillac to Sacramento in 1989. The downtown area around 9th Street and Capital Mall were used in the movie. This area is a natural for any movie that wants a classic downtown scene of a city without the headaches of being in the core of larger cities. Bernadette Peters and Jim Carey had roles in the movie as well. It's a pretty good chase and catch film. Watching it could be an exercise of figuring out just which part of it was filmed here.

Memoirs Of A Geisha

If you've ever been hiking in the Cronin Ranch area, just outside of Coloma, you've been on a movie set. If you haven't, start at the Pedro Hill trail head and head for the South Fork of the American River. Along the trail you'll come across what looks like old buildings from the early days on the ranch. They are actually set pieces that were constructed for the movie Memoirs of a Geisha. Arthur Golden's historical novel is the basis for the film. A flooded river area in the Pacific Northwest couldn't be used, and Cronin Ranch stepped in. Not only is it a great hike, the movie, and the sets at the ranch, are pretty good too.

The Godfather: Part II

In the second edition of the Godfather, Fredo is taken for a boat ride, his last ride ever. This scene takes place at Fleur du Lac on Lake Tahoe's west shore. The estate, originally built by Henry Kaiser in 1938, is stunning, and was a perfect backdrop for this part of the movie. It's a bit difficult to tell the location if you've not been to Lake Tahoe. Driving to Tahoe City on Highway 89 will take you right past the place, which is close to Grand Avenue. If you have $6.5M, you can buy the place.

Charles Ferris is a freelance writer who has lived in the Sierra, halfway between Sacramento and Lake Tahoe, for the last 41 years. In 2010 he retired from teaching after 36 years . He and his wife hike, kayak, cross country ski, snow shoe, ride mountain bikes and road bikes, year round. His work can be found at Examiner.com.