On Location in Santa Cruz County

Chronological List of Films: 1981-1990

Compiled by Ann Young

This list contains the titles of films which were shot entirely or partially in Santa Cruz County, California. The year in front of the film title is the release date. If that date was not found, then the shoot date is given, designated by an "s."
Each title is followed by a listing of local newspaper articles. The Santa Cruz Public Libraries Central Branch has the majority of these articles on microfilm. The remainder can be found in the library's newspaper clipping file.

(early 1980's or late 1970's) "Peter and the Wolf"

Mentioned in a historical context:

Christie, Dana. "Lights! Camera! Santa Cruz!" Visitors Guide, July 23-August 5, 1982, p.9

(1981) "The Gangster Chronicles" (TV series)

Detailed discussions:

"Universal Studios Crew on Location in Santa Cruz." Santa Cruz Sentinel, January 7, 1981, p.19

Mentioned in a historical context:

Chatenever, Rick. "Celluloid Heroes Create Excitement." Santa Cruz Sentinel, July 25, 1980, p.15

Jensen, Lisa. "On Location in Santa Cruz." Good Times, July 9, 1981, pp.14-15 [full text]

Miscellaneous references:

Chatenever, Rick. "Another 'Sting'...In Our Town." Santa Cruz Sentinel, May 22, 1981, p.17

(1981) "Heartbeeps"

Mentioned in a historical context:

Chatenever, Rick. "Celluloid Heroes Create Excitement." Santa Cruz Sentinel, July 25, 1980, p.15

Jensen, Lisa. "On Location in Santa Cruz." Good Times, July 9, 1981, pp.14-15 [full text]

Christie, Dana. "Lights! Camera! Santa Cruz!" Visitors Guide, July 23-August 5, 1982, p.10

Miscellaneous references:

Chatenever, Rick. "Another 'Sting'...In Our Town." Santa Cruz Sentinel, May 22, 1981, p.17

(1982) "East of Eden" (TV mini-series)

Note: The series is based on the novel of the same name by John Steinbeck.

Detailed discussions:

Chatenever, Rick. "Santa Cruz Is 'East Of Eden.'"Santa Cruz Sentinel, April 16, 1980, p.24

Speiser, Matt. "East of Eden Remake Filming in Santa Cruz." Cabrillo Times & Green Sheet, April 16, 1980, p.2

Mentioned in a historical context:

Chatenever, Rick. "Celluloid Heroes Create Excitement." Santa Cruz Sentinel, July 25, 1980, p.15

Jensen, Lisa. "On Location in Santa Cruz." Good Times, July 9, 1981, pp. 14-15 [full text]

Miscellaneous references:

"Filming In SC For 'East of Eden'." Santa Cruz Sentinel, April 14, 1980, p.1 (photograph)

Beebe, Greg. "Making Films In Paradise."Santa Cruz Sentinel, April 18, 1980, p.13

(1982) "The Shadow Riders" (TV)

Note: The film is based on the novel of the same name by Louis L'Amour.

Detailed discussions:

Chatenever, Rick. "Sorry, Girls, No Tom Selleck." Santa Cruz Sentinel, June 8, 1982, p.11

Chatenever, Rick. "Cowboys In The Sand." Santa Cruz Sentinel, June 11, 1982, p.17

Mentioned in a historical context:

Burnson, Patrick. "Straight Shots." Visitors Guide, July 23-August 5, 1982, p.10

Miscellaneous references:

"Movie To Be Shot Here." Green Sheet, May 26, 1982, p.15

(ca. 1982) "The Ugly Duckling"

Mentioned in a historical context:

Christie, Dana. "Lights! Camera! Santa Cruz!" Visitors Guide, July 23-August 5, 1982, p.9

(ca. 1982) "The World's Greatest Escape Artist" (TV)

Mentioned in a historical context:

Burnson, Patrick. "Straight Shots." Visitors Guide, July 23-August 5, 1982, p.11

(1983) "The Sting II"

Detailed discussions:

Chatenever, Rick. "The Making Of 'The Next Sting'." Santa Cruz Sentinel, January 22, 1982, p.15

Chatenever, Rick. "Another 'Sting'...In Our Town." Santa Cruz Sentinel, May 22, 1981, p.17

Mentioned in a historical context:

Jensen, Lisa. "On Location In Santa Cruz." Good Times, July 9, 1981, pp.14-15 [full text]

Burnson, Patrick. "Straight Shots." Visitors Guide, July 23-August 5, 1982, p.11

Miscellaneous references:

"Movie To Be Shot Here." Green Sheet, May 26, 1982, p.15

"Now We Have Our Very Own Film Festival." Cabrillo Times & Green Sheet, January 19, 1983, p.17

"'Sting II' Cures Hives." Photoplague, January 20, 1983, p.10

(1983) "Sudden Impact"

Miscellaneous references:

Mitchell, Sam. "Teen-age Vampires Pose No Threat To SC Image." Good Times, August 6, 1987, p. 5

Santa Cruz County Conference & Visitors Council List 4/29/98

The Internet Movie Database (IMDb)

(s:1983) "When Your Lover Leaves" (TV)

Detailed discussions:

Hyman, Rick. "We're in the Movies." The RoadRunner, June 1983, p1 (Santa Cruz County Cycling Club newsletter)

"Hollywood Picks Santa Cruz Again." Good Times, April 21, 1983, p.7

Long, Tom. "Casting Call Answered: Some Came For Money, Some For...." Santa Cruz Sentinel, May 1, 1983, p.A-8

Muraoka, Keith. "Capitola Council Says 'Hello Hollywood, Goodbye.'" Santa Cruz Sentinel, May 13, 1983, p.1

(1985) "Creator"

Miscellaneous references:

The Internet Movie Database (IMDb)

(1985) "Hard Traveling"

Detailed discussions:

Jensen, Lisa. "A Double Life: Critic Wears Actor's Hat in Locally-Made 'Hard Traveling'." Good Times, December 6, 1984, p.53

(1986) "Alone in the T-Shirt Zone"

Miscellaneous references:

The Internet Movie Database (IMDb)

(1986) "Brotherhood of Justice" (TV)

Miscellaneous references:

Santa Cruz County Conference & Visitors Council List 4/29/98

The Internet Movie Database (IMDb)

(1986) "Quiet Cool"

Miscellaneous references:

Santa Cruz County Conference & Visitors Council List 4/29/98

(1986) "Starman" (TV)

Miscellaneous references:

The Internet Movie Database (IMDb)

(1987) "Back to the Beach"

Miscellaneous references:

The Internet Movie Database (IMDb)

(1987) "Family Sins" (TV)

Mentioned in a historical context:

Marks, Jamie. "Watsonville's Charm Reels In Hollywood Film Crews." Santa Cruz Sentinel, March 20, 1988, p.A1

Miscellaneous references:

Santa Cruz County Conference & Visitors Council List 4/29/98

The Internet Movie Database (IMDb)

(1987) "King of Love" (TV)

Mentioned in a historical context:

Marks, Jamie. "Watsonville's Charm Reels In Hollywood Film Crews." Santa Cruz Sentinel, March 20, 1988, p.A1

(1987) "The Lost Boys"

Detailed discussions:

Mitchell, Sam. "Teen-age Vampires Pose No Threat To SC Image." Good Times, August 6, 1987, p.5

Miscellaneous references:

Santa Cruz County Conference & Visitors Council List 4/29/98

The Internet Movie Database (IMDb)

(1987) "Survival Game"

Miscellaneous references:

Mitchell, Sam. "Teen-age Vampires Pose No Threat To SC Image." Good Times, August 6, 1987, p.5

Santa Cruz County Conference & Visitors Council List 4/29/98

(1988) "Killer Klowns from Outer Space"

Mentioned in a historical context:

Marks, Jamie. "Watsonville's Charm Reels In Hollywood Film Crews." Santa Cruz Sentinel, March 20, 1988, p.A1

Miscellaneous references:

Mitchell, Sam. "Teen-age Vampires Pose No Threat To SC Image." Good Times, August 6, 1987, p.5

The Internet Movie Database (IMDb)

(1988) "Necessity" (TV)

Note: The film is based on the novel by Gary Garfield.

Mentioned in a historical context:

Marks, Jamie. "Watsonville's Charm Reels In Hollywood Film Crews." Santa Cruz Sentinel, March 20, 1988, p.A1

Miscellaneous references:

Franklin, Denise. "Take Two: Aptos Twins Share Role In Made-For-TV Movie." Santa Cruz Sentinel, November 20, 1987, p.D-1

Vreeken, Stacey. "Twin Tots Take Turns In TV Movie." Watsonville Register-Pajaronian, May 3, 1988

(ca. 1988) "Steel Heel"

Detailed discussions:

Hildreth, Rick. "Steel Heel." Good Times, October 6, 1988, p.10

(1988) "A Whisper Kills" also titled "Whisperkill" (TV)

Note: "Whisperkill" was the working title.

Detailed discussions:

Koss, Jennifer. "Watsonville Becomes Faircrest And Residents Become Actors-for-a-Day." Watsonville Register-Pajaronian, March 26, 1988, p.1

Koss, Jennifer. "Locals React To TV Movie: Loved Scenery, Hated Plot." Watsonville Register-Pajaronian, May 17, 1988

Mentioned in a historical context:

Marks, Jamie. "Watsonville's Charm Reels In Hollywood Film Crews." Santa Cruz Sentinel, March 20, 1988, p.A1

(1989) "Split"

Miscellaneous references:

The Internet Movie Database (IMDb)

(s:1989) "Watsonville on Strike" (Documentary)

Detailed discussions:

Fitch, Dan. "'Watsonville On Strike': Film Stirs Old Memories." Watsonville Register-Pajaronian, April 18, 1989

(1990) "Stolen: One Husband" also titled "I Want Him Back!" (TV)

Note: "I Want Him Back!" was the working title.

Miscellaneous references:

Lovejoy, Bill. "Say, Isn't That...?" Santa Cruz Sentinel, December 5, 1989, p.A-2

Santa Cruz County Conference & Visitors Council List 4/29/98

(1990) "Strawberry Road" (Japanese)

Detailed discussions:

Chatenever, Rick. "Film Crew Heads For The Beach." Santa Cruz Sentinel, June 5, 1990, p.D2

Miscellaneous references:

Trevino, Laramie. "The Glamorous World Of The Movie Extra." Watsonville Register-Pajaronian, November 2, 1990, p.13

Copyright 1998 Santa Cruz Public Libraries.

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