Starman




Starman was released into theaters on December 14th, 1984. Filming locations include Chattanooga, Haletown, Jasper, Lynchburg, Manchester, Pittsburgh and Shelbyville, Tn, Las Vegas, Nv. and Meteor Crater and Winslow, Az. It was directed by John Carpenter, in what would be his fifth film of the 80's. Carpenter made his trademark cameo as one of the men in the helicopter. Jeff Bridges played the lead of Starman. Bridges was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role. Veteran actor/stuntman Ted White, who played Jason Voorhees in Friday the 13th The Final Chapter, played a deer hunter in the film. Bridges and White also worked together earlier that year in Against All Odds. The score was composed by Jack Nitzsche. The films first DVD release was on August 25th, 1998.

I'd like to thank J. Larson for sharing a number of Starman locations.


Mustang drives past helicopter - Shellmound Rd. and Hwy. 134 Haletown, Tn. 37340

They drive south on Shellmound Road, along Nickajack Lake, which is part of the Tennessee River.


All "Now" pictures taken in 2021.



Jenny runs red light - Main St. and Betsy Pack Dr. Jasper, Tn. 37347

They're driving east along Main St. and cross over Betsy Pack Dr.


All "Now" pictures taken in 2021.



Tire iron man - Raccoon Mountain Rd. Tn.

In the third screenshot, the Tennessee River can be seen in the distance. However, due to the tree growth since 1984, it's no longer visible from the same spot.


All "Now" pictures taken in 2021.




Amoco gas station - 6144 Murfreesboro Hwy. Manchester, Tn. 37355

The gas station was demolished around 2000. At the time of my visit, the lot was empty. In the third comparison picture, you can see the building next door, which still stands today.


All "Now" pictures taken in 2020.




Jenny explains kidnap - Mechanic St. and Short St. Lynchburg, Tn. 37352

They drive south along Mechanic St. into the town square.


2021


Starman causes wreck - Hwy. 82 E and Hwy. 231 N. Shelbyville, Tn. 37160

They're driving west along Hwy. 82 E and cross over Hwy. 231 N.


2021


Bowdarks Bus Stop - 234 Martin Springs Rd. S. Pittsburgh, Tn. 37380

The structure seen in the film was torn down at some point in the 90's or early 2000's. The large "Fireworks" sign seen in the film stood until 2019, when it finally fell over. It was still there at the time of my visit. This was a memorable location in the movie because it's where Starman brought the deer back to life...and then got his ass kicked for it.


2020

FIREWORKS sign


Holiday Inn - 3800 Cummings Hwy. Chattanooga, Tn. 37419

At the time of my visit, it was part of the Covenant Transport Training Center.


2020


Las Vegas - E. Fremont St. and N. 4th St. Las Vegas, Nv. 89101
(Fremont Street Experience)

They're driving northwest. The street they're driving on is now a pedestrian only walkway called the Fremont Street Experience. In 1995, the barrel vault canopy was added. In the screenshot, the Plaza Hotel and Casino can be seen at the end of the street. It can also be seen in films like Back to the Future Part II and The Stand (1994).


2021


Indian Trading Post - 40440 I-40 Winslow, Az. 86047

For some reason, the director flipped the shot of the structure. 


2020


Crater - Meteor Crater Rd. Az.
(Meteor Crater)

Originally named Canyon Diablo Crater, it was created about 50,000 years ago. Impact speed was estimated to be around 29,000 mph. Impact energy has been estimated at about ten megatons. It's roughly 3,900 feet in diameter and 560 feet deep. It's privately owned by the Barringer Crater Company. In November of 1967, it was designated a National Natural Landmark. At the time of my visit, the cost to visit the crater was $22.00 for adults. 


2020

15 comments:

  1. Very good work. !Great!

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  2. Just watched the Movie again. I had never noticed the part at the Gallup New Mexico Raceway before. I am sure that this was filmed at Fairgrounds Speedway in Nashville. Anyone know for sure?

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    1. It was called Gallup Speedway Park back then. It's since been closed down. I live here in Gallup. Superman was filmed close to the same place.

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  3. Hey there !!
    I’ve seen this movie when it was released.
    I appreciate this information, thank you for your effort.
    The first fuel stop, the Amoco Station, began to feel familiar, the atmosphere.
    So, I began a search. This is the first listing. Surprisingly the Amoco filming location is 27 miles from from my home.
    The Bowdarks Bus Stop Restaurant filming location is 65 miles away.
    As long as I have lived in Middle Tennessee, I am now just learning of these two filming locations for Starman.
    I’ve passed by these two locations many many times unaware.
    I’m from Gallup New Mexico. I’ve always wondered about the actual location for the “Gallup New Mexico Raceway”. Because, I most definitely never saw that “Raceway” in Gallup.
    I now know that I live 30 miles from the “Gallup New Mexico Raceway” 😄😄 now known as Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway.

    Unknown !!! You’re surety is confirmed by Nashville Fairgrounds Racing History - Facebook
    Dec 03 2013
    Jan 28 2015
    Feb 06 2015.

    https://www.facebook.com/100003090279858/posts/3526222310824077/?d=n

    https://www.facebook.com/100003090279858/posts/3526223914157250/?d=n

    https://www.facebook.com/100003090279858/posts/3526232960823012/?d=n

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    Replies
    1. Very interesting find. Unfortunately the links won't allow me to see the pages.

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  4. Found a few location that haven't been posted. Still trying to find a few more, but this film had a ton of Tennessee locations!

    Leaving town/Helicopter over lake: TN-134@TN-156/Shellmound Rd

    Running Red Light: US-64 @ Betsy Pack Dr. Jasper, TN.

    Confrontation with tire iron man: Raccoon Mountain Rd. Chattanooga, TN. 35.052793, -85.423706

    KidnapPed: Lynchburg, TN square/Mechanic St. South

    Starman causes wreck: Intersection of Eady Rd & HWY 231, Shelbyville, TN.

    Police Pursuit: Nolensville Pk @ Haywood Ln. Nashville, TN.

    Tanker explosion: Exit 90A Interstate 65 South @ Briley Parkway. Nashville, TN

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    1. Thank you very much for sharing these! I'd definitely like to visit them the next time I'm in Tennessee and add them to the page.

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  5. I grew up in Manchester TN. I remember hearing about the filming in area at the time. My Sister lives near the 105 exit so I must have gone past that location a few thousand times. I remember the gas station on wrecker service that was there. I also remember the fireworks location. That was on the other side of Monteagle Mountain on the way to Chattanooga. Thanks for doing the research.

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    1. I grew up in Manchester TN, 4 miles from exit 105, my Mom and Dad worked at the Amaco station for a little bit. It was destroyed by a tornado in the early 2000s and the owner never rebuilt.

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    2. Grew up in Manchester. I have bought about a million six-packs of beer at that gas station at Busy Corners. Ralph Marske had an auto repair shop on the other side of Hwy 41. This was back in the 1970's.

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  6. The Indianland Cafe is closed all inaccessible now. Boarded up. Went by it on 40 10/27/2021.

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  7. I’m very proud of you. TAKE IT EASY & UP YOUR IS MY FAVORITE PART OF THE MOVIE

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  8. There never was an all night Cadillac dealership or any all night used car lot at 4th and Fremont in downtown Las Vegas.. However, I’ve always liked Karen Allen from her Animal House days. The scene in Starman where she’s watching Jeff Bridges bring the deer back to life, and the close up of her watching him, well, truth be told, I fell in love. That’s quite possibly the most beautiful scene of any woman ever made . Karen Allen is still breathtaking beautiful.

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  9. I enjoyed reading all the comments regarding the film Starman. I always thought it was John Carpenters best film. All the shooting locations managed to convey a moment in time.

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