Where was Bates Motel filmed?
1987
City Locations
Burbank, Los Angeles, CA (USA)
Location Types
Film Studio, School, Cafe
Location Styles
Americana/Anywhere, Building Dated/Retro, Hotel/Motel Style, Dilapidated/Neglected, Colonial
About Bates Motel
Bates Motel is a 1987 made-for-television supernatural horror film that is a spin-off to the infamous Psycho franchise. Directed and written by Richard Rothstein, the project initially kicked off as the pilot for a new TV series. The film stars Bud Cort as Alex West, a mentally unstable man who inherits the Bates Motel from Norman Bates, the late owner known for his cross-dressing and sinister activities.
The plot revolves around Alex West, who attempts to re-establish the Bates Motel after his release from a mental institution. Alongside him is a runaway teenager, Willie (Lori Petty). They renovate the haunted motel with the hope of reopening it for business. However, the eerie aura of the place only seems to attract those with a fondness for the supernatural.
Noteworthy are the changes made to the motel when Alex and Willie reopened it, including the facade of the cafe and the old Spanish-style wall around the property, which remained on the Universal Tour until 1993.
This film is a direct sequel to Psycho, disregarding the other sequels in the franchise. It provides another look at what could have been a different direction for the Psycho franchise.
Bates Motel Locations
Sunny California provided the backdrop for Bates Motel, with most scenes shot at the world-renowned Universal Studios in Los Angeles. This location, steeped in Hollywood history, serves as the stage for the infamous Bates Motel and House. The production also ventured beyond the studio lots, showcasing other notable locations in California.
The chilling scenes in the asylum were shot at Alverno Heights Academy, celebrated for its historic architectural design and verdant surroundings, at 200 North Michillinda Avenue in the Sierra Madre. In contrast, the scenes involving the bank took place at 6001 Topanga Canyon Boulevard in Woodland Hills, a vibrant neighborhood nestled within the San Fernando Valley. Further adding to the variety of filming locales, a fast food joint located at 21420 Roscoe Boulevard in Canoga Park was also spotlighted in the film.
With such diverse locations, a trip following the footsteps of Bates Motel would offer a unique journey through California's varied landscapes. From the Hollywood glamour of Universal Studios to the historic charm of the Sierra Madre and the urban vibes of Woodland Hills and Canoga Park, it would undoubtedly be a worthwhile adventure for any fan of the film or anyone interested in exploring some of California's lesser-known cinematic locations.
Fun Facts:
Despite the connection to Hitchcock's Psycho and its attempt to target a teenage demographic, Bates Motel was not well-received. Due to its low ratings, Universal and NBC decided not to turn the production into a TV series. Interestingly, after a gap of about 26 years, another version of Bates Motel, also inspired by the Psycho franchise, saw the light of day. This reboot successfully ran for five seasons from 2013 to 2017.
The hospital scene in Bates Motel
Alverno Heights Academy, 200 N Michillinda Ave, Sierra Madre, CA 91024, USA
The film begins its narrative in 1960, set within a mental hospital's cold and imposing walls. We get acquainted with Alex West (Bud Cort), a young boy burdened by a traumatic past and the violent action that landed him in this institution - the killing of his abusive father. Within this grim setting, Alex forms an unlikely bond with Norman Bates (Kurt Paul), who becomes a beacon of paternal kindness.
The scene featuring the asylum unfolded at Alverno Heights Academy, situated at North Michillinda Avenue near Pasadena. This location has also provided a backdrop to other productions, including the critically acclaimed film Lady Bird (2016), where it served as a stand-in for St. Francis High School in Sacramento.
Today, Alverno Heights Academy remains operational, continuing to imbue its historical charm within the dynamic landscape of Sierra Madre. If you wish to explore the interior of this filming location, reach out to the owners for permission and guidance.
To reach there by car, take the CA-134 E road, and depending on the traffic, you should arrive in approximately 30 minutes. Alternatively, opt for public transport by taking a tram from Historic Broadway Station to Memorial Park in Pasadena and then transferring to the bus headed to Orange Grove / Sierra Madre Villa. After a 20-minute walk, you will arrive at your destination.
The Fairville savings and loan bank scene in Bates Motel
Wells Fargo Bank, 6001 Topanga Canyon Blvd, Woodland Hills, CA 91367, USA
Alex (Bud Cort) resolves to seek a loan from the bank. He aims to secure funds for the much-needed renovation of the motel. Upon reaching the Fairville bank, he encounters Tom Fuller (Greg Henry), a bank officer who reluctantly provides the necessary capital. However, Tom grows suspicious of his sudden appearance in town.
The Wells Fargo Bank in Woodland Hills provided the setting for this pivotal scene. It's important to note that while this location continues to operate as a functional bank today, it has undergone several aesthetic changes over the years. The building's exterior, which fans might hope to recognize from the film, now sports a fresh coat of paint.
Visiting this location offers fans a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in the cinematic ambiance of the film. To reach Wells Fargo Bank, go to Woodland Hills, a charming neighborhood in Los Angeles. The easiest route is to hop on the 422 bus from the North Broadway & Temple St stop.
Sly's Chicken restaurant scene in Bates Motel
Undercar Plus Canoga Park, 21420 Roscoe Blvd, Canoga Park, CA 91304, USA
Adjacent to the motel, a new building serves as a dining establishment where Henry (Moses Gunn) works as a cook, and Willie (Lori Pretty) works as a waitress and dishwasher, with Alex (Bud Cort) also lending a hand. Alex confides in Willie about his financial predicament - that the bank officer, Mr. Fuller (Greg Henry), has given him until the following day to repay the remainder of the loan he had secured two months prior for the motel's refurbishment, and he is not willing to grant an extension.
Uncercar Plus Canoga Park, at 21420 Roscoe Boulevard, stood in for the fictional fast food restaurant. The site is home to an auto parts store, and no trace remains of the setting from the 1987 film. However, fans can still experience the same film ambiance by visiting Canoga Park.
Use a private vehicle via the US-101 north road from downtown Los Angeles. It is conveniently accessible by car and public transportation, just a short distance from the Roscoe/Canoga bus stop.
The Bates Motel and house scenes in Bates Motel
The Bates Motel and Psycho House, Universal Studios, Universal City, CA 91608, USA
One of the most riveting scenes occurs when Mrs. Bates menacingly confronts Alex (Bud Cort) with a butcher knife, demanding his immediate departure from her abode. Just in the nick of time, Henry (Moses Gunn) swoops in to save the day, wrestling off her mask and revealing her as actually Mr. Fuller (Greg Henry) in disguise. Unfazed by his unmasking, Mr. Fuller is confident that no one will believe their story.
The plot thickens further when the ghost of Mrs. Bates suddenly bursts into the room, brandishing a butcher knife! After terrifying Tom Fuller and forcing him to confess his misdeeds, she unmasks herself, revealing that it was Willie (Lori Pretty) in disguise all along!
Universal Studios provided the setting, specifically at the original Bates Motel and Psycho House featured in the iconic 1960 film Psycho. Looking closely, you might still see Norman’s mother peering out of the upstairs bedroom window, perpetually rocking in her chair.
The Psycho House has been a significant attraction since its inclusion in the Universal Tram Tour back in 1964, and it continues to captivate visitors even today. Over the years, the house has undergone numerous modifications and has even moved location twice due to construction.
Head to Universal Studios at 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, California, to visit this iconic filming location. The Bates Motel and Psycho House are part of the studio tour, accessible with general admission to the park.
Conclusion
The 1987 version of Bates Motel was a bold endeavor to translate the renowned Psycho film franchise into a television series. The concept of interweaving ghost stories with the narratives of Norman's family and victims was intriguing.
However, using the motel as the backdrop for a series reminiscent of The Twilight Zone or Fantasy Island deviated too much from the original premise, making it difficult for the show to succeed.
The actors delivered sincere performances that made the movie captivating. The cast included familiar faces like Gunn, Gregg Henry, Robert Picardo, and Lee de Broux, who all gave solid performances. Kurt Paul portrayed Norman and worked as a stuntman in the second and third Psycho movies. The script was good, but it could have done better to focus on the ghost stories rather than the guest subplot. The idea for Bates Motel was ambitious but ultimately too out there for it to have worked as a series.
Bates Motel attempted to create a television series based on the popular Psycho movie series. While the idea was ambitious and exciting, it did not work as a series. The movie was still watchable due to the sincere performances of the actors, and it showed that progress isn't always a good thing.
For fans of the Psycho movie series, Bates Motel is worth watching. Although the television series may not have lived up to expectations, the movie remains enjoyable thanks to the genuine performances delivered by the cast.