Where was Tick, Tick, Tick filmed?
1970
City Locations
Colusa (USA)
Location Types
House, Clubs/Bars, Buildings/Offices, Colonial
Location Styles
Colonial, Greek/Neoclassical, Dated/50's-60's-70's, Classic Car, Building Dated/Retro
About Tick, Tick, Tick
The 1970 American crime thriller, Tick, Tick, Tick, helmed by Ralph Nelson and featuring Jim Brown, George Kennedy, Fredric March, Lynn Carlin, and Don Stroud in leading roles, is sure to keep you on the edge of your seat. Tick, Tick, Tick is an essential representation of one man’s struggle to reconcile two opposing views while navigating racial tensions during a tense period in American history.
In a small, segregated town in the deep south, Sheriff Jimmy Price (Jim Brown) is elected, and his victory stirs up an intense clash between members of both the white and black communities. While Mayor (Fredric March) offers Price his support, many whites are uncertain about accepting him, while several blacks remain bewildered by his presence.
The movie follows Price's journey through this tumultuous environment filled with different expectations from each community. Racial tensions threaten to explode as he attempts to bridge the gap between two communities separated by skin color.
Its powerful performances and meaningful narrative has made it a classic example of cinema that speaks to critical issues while entertaining its viewers. Brown's depiction of Sheriff Jimmy Price, as he struggled between two radically different worlds, was met with widespread praise. For this reason, The motion picture earned a nomination for Best Film at the 1970 Valladolid International Film Festival, further affirming its impact on society.
Despite being considered racially provocative for its time when it was released, it still managed to be successful at the box office. It has since been praised for exploring racial issues in America during that period. It is a powerful reminder of how far we have come since then and how much further we still have to go.
Tick, Tick, Tick Locations
Set in the American South, Tick, Tick, Tick was primarily shot on location in Colusa, a small Northern California town. The locale became screen-ready after undergoing extensive remodeling to resemble the ideal American Southern places, found in other iconic films such as To Kill a Mockingbird. The rural town’s courthouse square was featured on screen for exterior shots and was transformed into an authentic-looking Southern courthouse.
Colusa is nestled between the Sutter Buttes and the Sacramento Valley, creating a picturesque backdrop for Tick, Tick, Tick’s more nostalgic scenes. The backdrop of the region is a small town with a rustic feel, with the Andrew Carnegie library used as the Sheriff's Department. The area is known for its agricultural production, and visitors can explore the nearby rivers and lakes.
The small-town charm of Colusa not only brings out a sense of nostalgia when viewing Tick, Tick, Tick. From exploring hidden treasures like creek-side trails and natural springs to participating in activities like fishing in the nearby river or simply strolling along Main Street, visitors are in for an endless adventure awaiting them where Tick, Tick, Tick was filmed!
Police Department scene in Tick, Tick, Tick
Colusa Police Department, 260 6th Street, Colusa, CA, USA
The scene in the movie showing John Little (George Kennedy) approaching the stairs of the Colusa Police Department was filmed at a stunning Carnegie library-turned-police department. Little enters the building, featuring an abundance of beige bricks that make up the walls and pillars of the magnificent structure.
Above him, a proud American flag waves proudly in the wind against a clear blue sky. In addition, a monument of a policeman is located nearby, giving homage to fallen officers and essential members of law enforcement.
260 6th Street in Colusa, California, serves as the film location for this scene and is also used in reality by the police department. This location is situated in the center of Colusa, near Market St. It was chosen because of its wide open spaces, allowing for more cinematic freedom than if the scene was shot at a police station in an urban area.
Constructed in 1906, it was one of thirteen libraries funded by Andrew Carnegie during 1903-17 scattered across Sacramento Valley. The library was transformed into a police station several years later and remains an integral part of the community today.
Navigate your way to I-5 North from I Street in Sacramento and follow the highway until you reach Hahn Road in Colusa County. Take Exit 569 from Interstate 5 North and make a right onto Hahn Road. After that, stick to Lone Star road and State Highway 20 East before finally arriving at 6th Street in Colusa after about an hour's journey.
George Kennedy's house scene in Tick, Tick, Tick
Leo Steidlmeyer's offices, 659 Jay St, Colusa, CA 95932, USA
The scene depicts a typical evening for Little and his wife, Julia (Lynn Carlin). Peering out of the window, he looks at the peaceful city and observes a car full of young people careening down deserted roads.
We can also see the silhouette of several houses across the street at 644 Jay Street and Kennedy's house next door, which a newer building has since replaced. The juxtaposition of these buildings helps to set the tone for this particular scene. It gives an idea of what life may have been like during that era and how it is different now.
Ironically, this scene is known for its use of deep colors to portray the nighttime atmosphere, combined with the soft lighting inside John Little's home. This allows us to focus on Little's family life but also draws attention to what is going on outside without taking away from our attention to him and his wife, Julia.
Leo Steidlmeyer's offices are housed in what was formerly the Rankine House, where the home of the outgoing sheriff had been filmed. The scene was filmed in Colusa County, in northern California, about 70 miles north of Sacramento. To get to this location from Sacramento, take Interstate 5 North until you reach Maxwell-Colusa Road exit 566A, which will lead you directly into Colusa.
Once there, make your way onto Jay Street and keep following it until you get to 659 Jay Street, where you should be able to find Kennedy’s house just before or after, depending on if it’s still standing.
Villagers meet the mayor scene in Tick, Tick, Tick
Colusa County Courthouse, 547 Market St, Colusa, CA 95932, USA
The movie scene takes place in front of the grand and majestic Colusa County Courthouse. The magnificent white building with Greek Revival-style architecture stands out against the clear blue sky. On the benches and stairs in front of it, the old timers' are waiting for the mayor's arrival.
The people wear anxious and worried expressions on their faces due to recent events. When the Mayor (Fredric March) enters the building, he begins talking about what happened with Little and the other policemen. Soon afterward, the new sheriff Jimmy Price (Jim Brown) arrives on the scene.
The courthouse is an iconic symbol of American history, both locally and nationally. The Colusa County Courthouse in California, erected in 1861 and still standing today, is the oldest existing courthouse within Sacramento Valley. With its Greek Revival style architecture, it remains a proud testament that ensures the nation’s history will never be forgotten.
To visit the Tick, Tick, Tick filming location, the Colusa County Courthouse is located at 547 Market Street. If driving to Colusa, take either I-5 N toward Woodland and Harrington or CA-99 N and State Hwy 20 W toward Tudor. If coming from a longer distance, intercity buses or Amtrak trains offer direct passage to the city from San Francisco and Sacramento, respectively.
Bustling street scenes in Tick, Tick, Tick
5th St & Market St, Colusa, CA 95932, USA
Price is driving around town in the middle of the night, aboard a police car with sirens blaring. He is announcing his presence as the city's new sheriff and letting everyone know he has arrived. The camera shows him driving around the corner of 5th Street and Market Street, with a view of the Colusa Hall of Records building in the background.
Startled by the piercing sirens, the mayor (Fredric March) and the outgoing sheriff (George Kennedy) bolt upright. The mayor quickly dials Little's number to relay that "... sounds like the Russians are coming."
The Colusa Hall of Records building was built in 1892 and is considered one of the most iconic landmarks of the region. The scene captures this beautifully preserved architecture against the backdrop of a rural setting with its well-maintained Victorian homes and tree-lined streets. It also represents an important plot point for the overall narrative, signaling a shift in power in this small rural town.
The exact address for this location is 5th St & Market St, Colusa, CA, 95932. To get here from other parts of California, take I-5 North to CA 20 East (exit 604). Then take CA 20 East for about 16 miles until you reach Main St/CA 20 Bus in Colusa. Turn right onto Main Street and then make another right onto 5th Street. Continue straight until you reach Market Street, where you will see the Hall of Records Building on your left-hand side.
The chase after the drunk driver scene in Tick, Tick, Tick
Lurline Avenue - Highway 45, Colusa, CA, USA
The chase after the drunk driver is tense and suspenseful, as Price is determined to apprehend the driver at all costs. Once Price arrived at the site of a car crash, he quickly realized that an intoxicated driver had caused it.
The sheriff read him his rights before attempting to apprehend him, but the drunk driver chooses to flee from the scene. Without hesitation, Price pursues the culprit and begins chasing him down the streets.
The chase scenes were filmed between Lurline Avenue and Highway 45 and Sycamore Slough, situated along the Sacramento River in California. This area offers some of the most captivating views in the country, with its picturesque hills, lush forests, and glistening rivers. Even though houses in the area date back to 1970, it still conveys a sense of untouched beauty.
To visit the exact spots where Price pursued after the drunk driver, start by taking I-5 N to Hahn Rd in Colusa County, and take exit 569 from I-5 N. From there, follow Lone Star Rd and State Hwy 20 E to Lurline Ave. Then follow Sycamore Slough Road for a few more miles until you arrive at your destination.
The final scene in Tick, Tick, Tick
River Road bridge near B Street, Colusa, CA 95932, USA
After arresting John Braddock (Robert Random), the wealthy son of a man from another county who had killed an innocent child driving drunk, Price faces threats. Eventually, he receives assistance from Little, an estranged predecessor, and the community.
When that same wealthy individual shows up at the bridge accompanied by hired guns and goons to threaten Price's life, they are met with collective resistance. It is then evident that Price isn't alone in the struggle for justice: The entire town backs him and the law.
The movie's grand finale unfolds against the backdrop of the gorgeous River Road Bridge near B Street, setting the stage for the exhilarating scene of the ultimate showdown between Price and Bob Random's intimidating father (Karl Swenson). An awe-inspiring view of lush green fields stretching out to distant hills and shimmering streams underlining the night sky provides an exquisite contrast to this high-stake confrontation, serving as a reminder that even during moments of difficulty nature brings its peace and beauty.
To get to the Tick, Tick, Tick scene location, drive from Sacramento, California, approximately 75 miles north, via I-5 N from I St. Once you reach Williams, take Take Zumwalt Rd and Walnut Dr to Spring Valley Rd. After just over two miles, you'll come to a bridge crossing the South Fork of Stony Creek - this is your destination!
Conclusion
Tick, Tick, Tick is a great movie full of powerful performances, gripping scripts, and thought-provoking ideas. The film's overall positive outlook might come off as a flaw to some viewers who prefer a watch experience that’s structured beyond having a threat looming over the hero's head.
Still, it doesn't take away from how well-crafted and engaging Tick, Tick, Tick is. The cinematography is stunning, with shots that make you feel like you're standing among these characters in their small southern town. It also features impressive music choices, which add another layer of emotion to certain scenes and help set them apart from each other.
Perhaps the selling point is how Tick, Tick, Tick revolutionized the movie industry, tackling complex issues with deep sensitivity and insight. Acclaimed for its refusal to rely on stereotypes or clichés, the gripping script keeps everyone engaged until the very last scene while exploring a previously untouched idea: racial tensions in society. This groundbreaking feature will have audiences thinking long after it is over!