Though Snohomish County may be some 1,100 miles away from the bright lights and walk of fame that can only be found in Tinseltown, that doesn’t mean it doesn’t get a little touch of Hollywood every now and again. In fact, during the 1980s and ’90s, the region was a hotspot for Hollywood movies, with some of the biggest films of the time featuring some of the decades’ hottest stars being filmed right here! From the small town of Index to the Everett waterfront, Snohomish County rolled out the red carpet for these award-winning, blockbuster Hollywood hit movies!
Assassins in an Everett Cemetery
Two of the 90’s hottest stars to light up the big screen, Antonio Banderas and Sylvester Stallone, found themselves in an Everett cemetery while filming action-packed “Assassins.” The city’s Evergreen Cemetery saw its Hollywood debut during the film’s funeral scene, during which a seemingly injured Stallone attended the service. Of course, being the skilled assassin that he is, the crafty sharpshooter had hidden a gun in his cask.
From beyond, equally skilled assassin Banderas takes the killing shot in the scene. A chase ensues, and gunfire is exchanged between the two before Banderas’ character is caught and cuffed by police. Keep your eye on the gravesites and tombs in the scene’s background, and you might just catch a glimpse of the Rucker tomb.
Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me Film Version of the TV Show Finds a Home in Everett
For two seasons between 1990 and 1991, Twin Peaks captivated audiences in this mystery serial drama that begins with investigating the murder of a homecoming queen in the fictional town of Twin Peaks, Washington. After the series ended, one of the show’s original creators, David Lynch, directed “Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me” as a prequel to the television series.
Since Twin Peaks didn’t actually exist, filming took place in a variety of cities up and down the Washington coast, including Seattle, Snoqualmie, and Snohomish residents will quickly recognize The Rucker Hill neighborhood as the home of character Laura Palmer, played by Sheryl Lee, found at 708 33rd Street. Later, she picks up her friend Donna from her home at 3316 Grand Avenue, also in Everett. The city of Snohomish also appears in the film, as Snohomish High School at 1316 5th Street plays the role of Twin Peaks High School for the movie.
7 Minutes Sends Thrills Throughout Everett
Even more pieces of Everett, Monroe and Arlington can be found throughout the 2014 crime thriller drama “7 Minutes.” With a star-studded cast that includes the legend Kris Kristofferson himself, the film follows three high school friends forced to commit a brazen robbery. As one can imagine, things go horribly wrong rather quickly for the trio. The simple plan that began as an “in and out in seven minutes” suddenly becomes a dangerous game of life and death as complications arise.
Multiple scenes throughout the movie showcase various parts of Everett. Character Kate works the night shift at Totem Family Diner. The film’s drug deal goes down at the historic Rucker Mansion. When the SWAT team arrives after seven minutes, they screech to a stop in front of Karl’s Bakery on Wetmore. When the boys hatch their plan, it’s while playing pool in the Amber Lite Tavern on Evergreen Way, and there’s even the appearance of a locally brewed Scuttlebutt six-pack.
Bustin’ Loose Busts out in Downtown Snohomish
The 1981 comedy “Bustin’ Loose” starring Richard Pryor and Cicely Tyson, follows the story of convict Joe Braxton, played by Pryor, who gets a second chance at parole under one specific condition: he now has to drive a busload of orphans from Philadelphia to a farm in rural Washington. With Washington being the destination in the storyline, it only made sense to shoot the film in the Evergreen State, with many of the scenes being filmed in and around Leavenworth and Snohomish.
A four-minute chase scene near the end of the movie finds the cast speeding down the streets of downtown Snohomish, and one can even catch a glimpse of a red delivery box for The Daily Herald for a few seconds on the screen as the bus drives down a Midwestern road.
Twice in a Lifetime Shows off Everett
Filmed entirely in Seattle and Snohomish County, the 1985 film “Twice in a Lifetime” is a simple story about people and their continuing, realistic problems. The film follows the mid-life crisis of an ordinary mill worker and Seahawk fan, played by Gene Hackman. Ellen Burstyn plays his wife, and Ann-Margret plays a young bartender at a dive bar with whom he falls in love. So far, that’s mills and a dive bar, so where could they have possibly been filming in Everett? Why, along the waterfront, of course!
The Butterfly Effect Goes Behind Bars in Monroe
The 2004 cult classic “The Butterfly Effect” shocked audiences upon its release as this science fiction film starring a young Ashton Kutcher, Amy Smart, and William Lee Scott explored the delicate dilemma of time travel and the consequences of changing the past.
During one attempt by main character Evan Treborn (Kutcher) to travel back in time to improve history, things go suddenly awry and in an unexpected turn of events, he finds himself banged up in a particularly brutal prison after having clubbed to death the aggressively unhinged antagonist Tommy Miller (Lee Scott).
If you don’t immediately recognize the interior of the penitentiary, consider yourself fortunate, as the scary-looking extras in the background are real residents of the Monroe Correctional Complex on 17th Avenue in Monroe.
The Ring Spooks Parts of Stanwood and Monroe
When “The Ring” was released in 2002, the psychological supernatural horror film made many scared to even go near our TVs or pick up a phone. Much of the film was shot in and around Washington, including cities like Seattle, Bellingham, Sequim, Port Townsend, and Whidbey Island.
The thriller’s story follows Seattle-based journalist Rachel as she investigates the sudden death of her teenage niece. Residents of Snohomish County might recognize two key locations in the film that are unusually spooky in the spirit of Hollywood theatrics. Though the film describes Cabin 12 and the Red Tree as located in Bellingham where Rachel is staying, it can be found at 21729 50th Avenue NW in Stanwood.
Later, when Rachel heads to the Morgan Ranch to confront Samara’s father, Richard Morgan, she isn’t actually at a real-life horse ranch but at the local farm, Emerald Glen Farm, which can be found on Yeager Road in Monroe.
Things Get Hairy in Index with Harry & The Hendersons
Bigfoot and Washington have seemingly gone together like peanut butter and jelly, with some of the creature’s earliest sightings going back to the late 1800s. Needless to say, Washington has been the inspired location of a plethora of Bigfoot-centered movies throughout the decades, including the 1987 hit comedy “Harry & the Hendersons,” which would go on to spawn its own hit TV series.
A majority of the movie scenes were shot in Seattle and the Wenatchee National Forest, but one particular scene was filmed in Index. When young George visits a museum looking to get answers about who Harry is and where he possibly comes from, he finds himself at the Museum of Anthropology, otherwise known as the ‘Bigfoot Museum,’ to meet with Dr. Wrightwood.
For this scene, the film’s production team built its own set in Index for these specific museum scenes. After filming, the team even kept part of it up so fans and residents could enjoy seeing some film memorabilia firsthand. You can still find the 14-foot-tall wooden carving of Harry Henderson at the Espresso Chalet in Cascade Loop.
These are only a few films where Snohomish County found its way to the big screen! Other movies like “The Chocolate War,” the 2003 science-fiction disaster film “The Core,” “Reflections of Murder,” the 1977 action-adventure “Joyride,” the 2008 indie adventure comedy “The Gamers: Dorkness Rising,” and even a selection of TV series and reality TV shows have been filmed in the region. If you want to enjoy a movie marathon of films in which Snohomish County experienced a little touch of Hollywood, you will be in for an epic movie night. So, grab the popcorn and settle in — now that’s a wrap!
