"Coolhand Luke" Stockton / Lodi Filming Locations Part 1

[@TheGreatGig73]

I met George Kennedy around 2012. I did ask him where the movie was shot and he said California. He also told me all the moss hanging from the trees was placed there to simulate the south. Very nice man and was a thrill to meet him.

[@leahreposa4599]

He cut the heads off the meters in the rear lots of the old Woolworths Building and was arrested in front of Rexall Drug, right about where Smack Pie Pizza is now on School Street. My mom took us kids out to watch the filming of this every day they were in Lodi and on 8 mile, Liberty and Davis. Thank for this one Jeff, I was born and raised in Lodi, and I'm thrilled you did this one! As usual, great video! My condolences on the loss of your mom.

[@bobfrapples1208]

Smack Pie Pizza? I wanna try just by the name. How's the pies there?

[@william2william]

What is the street address of the old Woolworths building

[@robertjacobs8745]

Thanks Leah!

[@chriskonicki233]

The first

[@seanhoward8025]

Woolworth’s was on School Street, about a half block South of where you were located. The area was behind Woolworth’s, between School and Church Streets. This coincides with what I was told by my father; he actually said behind Penny’s, which was across the alley from Woolworth’s. He went to Lodi Union High School at the time, a few blocks from downtown, and said they’d skip class to watch the filming. Just to clarify…Cool Hand Luke was released in 1960. These scenes were shot in 1959. My father graduated in 1960.

[@Blend-24]

I saw Paul Newman at the Ontario Motor Speedway in Ontario CA. Can’t remember the year but it was brand new so they hired a bunch of us local kids to sell sodas, hot dogs etc., in the stands. I was selling some down by the track when he came by rolling slow in a convertable waving at everybody. My older sister asked me “what was he like?” and my reply was, “like any other old man” LOL Great video!!

[@SpiritBear2032]

"Cool Hand Luke" is my ABSOLUTE FAVORITE movie!!! Thank you for this backdrop to it! 🥰

[@kejola1969]

To this day every time I see a boiled egg I immediately think of "Cool Hand Luke". Thanks for another great video Jeff!

[@markdraskovics1962]

HEY, JEFF AND SARAH How are you guy's Doing. Well I have Paul Newman story in 1979 or 1980 I was pumping gas in Southport Connecticut one day a jaguar pulls in so I filled it up and the guy gives me a credit card and I went in ran it though the credit card machine went back and handed the card back looked down at it and it said Paul Newman I didn't say anything to him he looked at me and smiled and then he just drove off with out saying anything anyways I will be waiting very unpatiently for part 2 of the Cool hand Luke filming locations

[@edwardbright5894]

One of my Favorite Paul Newman films 🤠👍

[@dxpvxo711]

Thanks for making this documentary

[@jbenziggy]

Our pleasure!

[@stuartstuart866]

Cool Hand Luke was an unforgettable movie. It made a lasting impression on me even after seeing it decades ago. Thanks for the video. So sorry about your mom Jeff, I lost mine about 1.5 years ago. Tough times.

[@TheGraveyardChannel]

Very impressive research and attention to detail, as always, Jeff! I'm like Sarah. I haven't seen the movie, but now I really want to. It's always interesting to see how little or how much things have changed after 50 years.

[@joerobertson3478]

My all time favorite movie (closely followed by Jeremiah Johnson)! The first time I ever saw it was in the early 70s on the CBS LATE MOVIE. I watched it with my mom and I think she wanted me to watch it for a reason! Great job on your thorough investigative work. PS...I grew up in the Tulsa area, and back then the local weatherman on KOTV, the CBS affiliate was Lee Woodward, brother to Morgan Woodward, The Man With No Eyes in Cool Hand Luke. We always felt a special connection to the movie due to that fact. There are a couple of back-in-the-day videos of Lee here on youtube when he was at KOTV. He was quite the showman. Thanks for all of your hard work.

[@chipking2765]

Have you ever worked out how many miles you have actually travelled. Would like to say thank you to yourself and your team for being A very enjoyable documentary keep up the good work and much appreciated in the UK 🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧

[@KB6YAF]

I'll never think of the Northside of Stockton in the same way again. I have driven past many of those places and never knew of its rich cinematic history. Once again Jeff and Sarah, you knocked it outta the park!! .....Russell D.

[@jbenziggy]

Thanks! And be sure to watch our part 2 tomorrow! I appreciate how you commented after watching!

[@anaschuck3475]

I love Paul Newmans movies. He was an excelent actor. But when you showed the dead animal I almos pucked my dinner... 😆 Sarah is a piece of work... Love your videos. Recomended to a friend so she and her husband can visit some of these places and know about the history itself. I love history. A pitty living in Brazil 🇧🇷. Huggs to U both from long distance.

[@johnnyjesus8]

One of my favorite movies of all times jeff and me father's. Love it. The famous line what we got here is a failure to communicate must of come out of my mouth 1000 times lol. Your filming and narration is brilliant as usual. Thanks again for sharing this great video my friend. Oh tell Sarah thanks also😁. So sorry about your precious mother lord rest her.

[@lindsaymacpherson8782]

Ha i done the same foe more then 40 years failure to communicate :) wife justs luaghs now

[@christhompson3750]

I saw an interview of Morgan Woodward imitating Strother Martin, saying those exact lines. He said Strother would get onto him to stop that.

[@HollywoodGraham]

Now I got to try and find that movie to watch again. It will be a rerun but with this pandemic I have watched reruns after reruns and Cool Hand will be like a new movie. 2020 has not been kind to anybody, me included, but you got hit awful hard with your loss. We wish you the best and thanks for putting this video on while having to deal with your loss.

[@pamelaattrux336]

You really go all out to show us old places really enjoying

[@hommee]

Awesome. Cool hand luke is my favorite movie. It's the best movie ever made

[@daveforeman6931]

Another great history lesson from you, looking forward to part 2- may your mamma's soul R.I.P.

[@jbenziggy]

Thank you kindly, Dave!

[@johnnyd.8672]

Thank you so much! This is outstanding. I taught high school English and regularly showed my classes "Cool Hand Luke" as it fit the trope or archetype of the unexpected or unwilling tragic hero. My students would compare Luke to McMurphy in "One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest" or "Mr. Rogers." "Cool Hand Luke" is also just chock full of symbolism. It's like a scavenger hunt. My students always loved it. I think I knew that it had to have been shot in Central CA somewhere, but I always assumed somewhere like Merced or Mariposa. It's cool to know that it was actually closer to us here in the Bay Area. Thanks again! Great stuff.

[@kopkings8561]

One of my favourite movies. Well done on locations 👏👏👏. Very well presented 👍👍 .. greetings from Ireland 🇮🇪🇮🇪

[@Dive-Bar-Casanova]

Best 23 minutes on KZbin.

[@elisabethj.v.beardsell9853]

That most gorgeous smile lighting up his blue eyes- Wowser❤

[@jupite1888]

Thanks Jeff, Love your Movie Videos too, Always well Made with help from Sarah

[@jbenziggy]

Thanks so much!

[@lisaburns1660]

I lived in Stockton from 84-97. It’s sure fun to see all these sights! Thank you!

[@thesolidsnakealpha]

Can't wait for part 2. I know I keep saying it but these mini documentaries are fascinating! God bless you, Jeff and Sarah!

[@magidelgopore5175]

It's so sad to loss the mother, I will always miss my mother, I am really sorry for loss the mother.thank you so much for this video. best regards

[@richardyoung4616]

It's even sadder if you lose your mother.

[@magidelgopore5175]

@@richardyoung4616 That is absolutely right my friend, my mother past away for long time ago.best regards. magid

[@claudiavasquez8533]

Awesome video! Sorry for your loss, my respects to you and your family, may she RIP

[@jbenziggy]

Thank you very much!

[@MrMonkeyGeorge]

Sorry for your loss. One of the first videos I saw was when you took your mom to Graceland and you were such a good son. I'm sure she was grateful to have such a wonderful son. I loved this video and all the movie locations. You were near so many places that I delivery to and I never would have thought that a movie was shot there. I'm all over downtown lodi and liberty road. That movie location on liberty rd is between two stops on my route. Your reaction finding the pig was priceless LMBO. THANK YOU Sarah for your wonderful surprises on every trip.

[@HistoryHunterSarah]

It was so nice meeting and talking with you today. Thank you for showing your appreciation and support!

[@SallySallySallySally]

I think the opening scene was filmed on a set (probably the famous "back 40" but maybe a sound stage,) not in an actual city. The generic neon and other signs are the usual indication of that. The art and set directors did a really wonderful job on the prison camp set, didn't they? Here's funny trivia: I was standing in line at the counter in a Dairy Queen in Boise many years ago while the guy in front of me was deciding what kind of Blizzard he wanted. He made his decision, paid, and turned around. It was George Kennedy! Ordering a Blizzard! I knew he lived here since his retirement and I sheepishly said, "It's nice to see you, Mr. Kennedy." True to his accommodating nature, he replied, "Thanks! It's nice to see you too!" and went on his way.

[@markmorley327]

I lived in Lodi area for 25 years. Loved it there. I never knew that Cool Hand Luke was filmed there. Down town Lodi is so different now since they did all the “upgrading.” We had people coming to Lodi just to see the upgrades because they wanted to have their cities look the same. My ex in-laws lived just off of Liberty Road so those scenes brought back some memories.

[@daransandford8785]

Great movie , another informative video from yourselves a lot has changed so sorry to hear the loss of your mother, was great to watch your Graceland video when you took her there lovely moments to see how happy she was to be there xx keep up the brilliant videos all the best daran Sandford england

[@Jackielightning]

Wow thank you Jeff and Sarah I love that movie and I all ways wanted to see where they filmed it I can't wait tell part 2

[@jbenziggy]

Great! Part 2 will be just as good, maybe better! Hopefully I can wrap it up by Sunday!

[@Jackielightning]

@@jbenziggy Kewl I know what I'm going to watch Sunday !!!!

[@MrJasdog107]

One of my all time favourite movies .Oh Brother where Art Thou owes so much to this classic thank you for the work you have put in to bring this tribute to Cool Hand Luke.

[@sarlaccstapeworm990]

Good on you for showing a clear, full image of the "Lodi" hotel plaque for us to pause on and read!! Great video!!👍👍

[@stevemoore3951]

Great video !! I lost my Mom two years ago today so I know what you are going thru. Cool Hand Luke was our favorite movie to watch together. I pray you find peace. 🙏🏻

[@jbenziggy]

I appreciate your sentiments, Steve! I'm doing okay. I made the most of time with Mom.

[@barbaraaustin3633]

Great job as always, Jeff. Thanks so much!!

[@jbenziggy]

Thanks Barbara!

[@nadenegordon7639]

Thanks for the tour, I watched coolhand Luke years ago and named one of my sons Luke. So very sorry for you loss. Take care.

[@jbenziggy]

Thanks very much Nadine. How old is Luke now?

[@chrishorst6993]

This is so cool to know that a Famous movie was filmed were I grew up

[@sassygsdmom3770]

Thank you for this video. Condolences to you and your family on the loss of your Mom.

[@MsNevadakid]

ahhh lucille ! paul newman classic.. thanks pard. great job...

[@lindsaymacpherson8782]

I think i watch this movie more then a normal person would. Thankyou for sharing this video at such a hard time. One of my favourite movies and to see where it was fimled Priceless Loved it very much Thankyou Jeff and Sarah

[@heyreggey300]

My all time favorite movie. Can't tell you how much fun it was to watch these two videos. It's 2024 ...I wonder if that general store is still standing😊. Thank you.

[@WhereToLillian]

Cool Hand Luke is one of the saddest movies. Paul Newman was so, so good in that movie.

[@thegreenbird795]

we must laugh at humanity to avoid crying for it...

[@NickP]

Great work.. Paul Newman was great on the big screen.. The Sting & BC & the S Kid are amongst my all time favorite films

[@sassyfrass4295]

Jeff .. such a nice tribute to your mom. Lost my mom not too long ago ... moms are special.

[@larrymiller8210]

Jeff, excellent! You work your butt off to put this history together. Love 💘. Your work! Larry Miller San Diego Ca

[@jbenziggy]

Thanks Larry! Yes I do work hard in these ... but the payoff is responses like yours! Much appreciated!

[@marcieconant5559]

TY for another great video and for locating so many interesting filming locations. " What we have here is success in communicating some great info!" 🙂💕

[@cindykdelk7604]

Wow, another great video! I grew up driving many of those roads and I never had a clue that CHL was filmed there..I was aware of many others. I lived right off the Escalon rd back in 66, (I was 9) and I've been in the old Farmington store many times, wow! Thanks for sharing this great history with us old geezers, very enjoyable. I am so sorry to hear of your loss, we've lost 4 family members this year. Praying for comfort in your grief.

[@patwitthoft3699]

Love seeing n.cal history

[@fancylad2006]

Excellent work! Really outstanding finding the exact locations and views from the movie.

[@jbenziggy]

Thanks very much! That one was a lot of work! Did you see part 2?

[@fancylad2006]

@@jbenziggy I will be later today. I drive my GF crazy when we are watching movies or old TV shows, if the characters pass a street sign or physical location, i have my laptop out looking at Google Maps.

[@rhondaz356]

Jeff, so very sorry regarding the loss of your Mom.🙏💔 Your efforts to locate sites and locales used in the movie are phenomenal, as usual. You're right. Fifty-three years are obviously going to have some impact.👏🤠👏

[@vegasvideopro]

Well done. Always like movie shooting locations videos.

[@maureenberls1281]

No one could play Cool Hand Luke except Paul Newman.Period.This movie had an amazing cast:Strother Martin,George Kennedy,Ralph Waite,Morgan Woodward,on and on...Great video.Condolences on the passing of your mother.

[@jbenziggy]

Thank you, Maureen. And I agree, it was a great cast!

[@alcarazza2442]

Paul was great James Dean died an McQueen was doing Nevada Smith

[@ukmovielocations]

Best film of all time in my opinion! From the research I've done, I'm pretty sure you were right with the parking lot location, you've done an incredible amount of research for this, love your videos, keep 'em coming please, loved the BTTF3 vid, epic! Cannot WAIT for part 2. Thank you.

[@jbenziggy]

Thanks so much! This video has been slowly researched for a year! I appreciate you watching and commenting from the UK!

[@gumshoe5365]

Our deepest sympathies to you Jeff and your family.

[@jbenziggy]

Thank you so much Donna! We're doing okay.

[@mattvaughan180]

Great film one of my all time favourites, thank you for filming the locations 👍

[@pamelakern2849]

I remember watching this movie with my dad . This video was great !! I really enjoyed it ☺

[@jbenziggy]

Awesome! Thank you, Pam!

[@suzannesuzaus3923]

Thank you so mu h for doing ths video! I wish my mom were alive to see this. She was a huge Paul Newman fan, and would have liked to have learn all this, if she didn't know it already. I enjoyed the video, pig and all! Looking forward to Pt 2!

[@harrisonmantooth3647]

This was awesome Jeff and Sarah, thanks for sharing another wonderful and informative video. I never knew the history of the filming of Cool Hand Luke. Now, I'm a bit more smarter thanks to you.

[@johnnyquest3707]

Just an hour ago I was driving past many of the roads mentioned here like Eight Mike Rd and Hammer Rd. I did know some filming was done around here but not this extent. Even now I still buy it thst it’s in the south when watching the movie. I also passed where I think John Wayne’s boat from “Blood Alley” is now. Great video!

[@mikeb4541]

Hello.. according to Warner Brothers, the parking meter scene was filmed on Mid-Western Street, that is the town square that was used in many Movies and TV shows to include "The Dukes of Hazzard". For example, when the police approach Paul Newmans' character, you can clearly see the building that was used as the "Hazzard County Bank" in the back ground. If you look at current photos that set has not changed much at all. I love the videos...all of them...

[@4460cows]

Great job on location editing of the famous movie set of Coolhand Luke. Should be required movie watching such as we had required reading back in the days. I was thinking part of the scene was also just past Thornton Road and shot on Waudam Road as well. As for the Liberty Road I never knew that about the movie out there, but know the Liberty Road and a real Ghost Town there because there is no Liberty at all except for the old Cemetery of Liberty just off the Hwy 99 exit at Liberty Road. Interesting area's out there. You got Herald just away out past Galt, then further on you have other little burgs here and there and dead end roads like Buena Vista Road use to round the way into Buena Vista but nowdays a real Dead End road. Towns like Double Springs Road actually still wind you back into the old town and back up to the Highway 12 again. California has some fantastic history to it I will say you two are doing a great job showing us some of that.

[@mikes3174]

Nicely done! Looking forward to part two. Thanks for all the hard work you two put into these videos.

[@mart572194]

Thankyou once again to the both of you and the making of yet another interesting video.. and I'm so so sorry for the loss of your mother..my thoughts are with you all, love to you Jeff and Sarah thanks again for the uploads xx

[@jeffclement2468]

Fun fact: One of the assistant bosses, "Boss Paul" was played by actor Luke Askew. The next year, he played the hitchhiking hippie in Easy Rider. Quite a different character.

[@nancymcgee4776]

Hi Jeff and Sarah! Another fascinating find! Looking forward to part two! I was very fortunate to see Paul Newman in the 80's at Indianapolis 500 time trials. He was just among the crowd, I'm sure he had bodyguards close but they were incognito! I didn't bother him, but I did get a couple good pictures. He loved his racing!

[@jbenziggy]

Awesome! I became a fan of his while watching this movie! Thanks very much! Glad you liked it!

[@robbyrob0723]

Great channel!!! You do a lot of filming location ones which I really enjoy! I'd like to see one done on "It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World" a lot of still recognizable locations!

[@pamelaattrux336]

You guys are funny regular normal people having fun (about the pig part) always fun thanks

[@Slick2462]

With the passage of time the changes to the scenery it is a testament to the effort it took to track down the correct locations. You and Sarah are certainly doing a fine job. I am always learning!👍😊

[@jparker59able]

Love how you've taken so much time and effort to take us back to the filming places of this classic film. It made me cry at the end to read about your mama. So very sorry.

[@jbenziggy]

Thank you so much. I did a whole show on my mom but it’s hard for me to watch.

[@BigDaddy-dr8gf]

This brought back memories. I grew up in Stockton and French Camp in the 50's and 60's. I vaguely remember people talking about the filming, but we never went to the film sites. We did hunt out in the North Stockton area between Hammer Ln and Eight Mile Rd. My family had friends that owned a ranch in the area. As you can see in the movie there was nothing out there but oaks and wild oats. That was back when Stockton was a very nice farm town. Now... not so much.

[@michellewhitaker8669]

Love the work that you put into your videos!

[@jbenziggy]

Thank you very much! Nice to hear!!!

[@FYIfuckutube2011]

I never knew that segments were filmed on the road in front my families ranch.

[@jayforkner2692]

Hope that wasn't you pig.

[@Daltondoubledeuce]

Your wife needs a serious classic movie intervention :-) Love the channel.

[@matthewsonnenberg303]

Fine research. Thank you for providing this information!

[@glocke380]

I lived on Connie Ave. during the 70's, less than 500' from the camp site on Davis rd. and didn't know it was there.

[@robr2389]

One of my FAVORITE movies!! Have a copy on DVD I've watched at least a dozen times. Haven't watched all your video yet but, I think in the DVD extras, Blue actually ruined one take because he's supposed to be run to death but, he actually started SNORING!!🤣😂 Blue wrecked that scene!!

[@melissajensen3166]

Cool vlog. I can’t wait for part 2. I spent a lot of time in that area fishing and water skiing. Fun to see. My condolences for the loss of your mom. Hugs and prayers for you and your family.

[@jbenziggy]

Awesome!!! Your wait comes to an end tomorrow because that’s when part 2 will be released! Thanks for your condolences! I appreciate it.

[@larryjanson4011]

cool. love to find out about ware history was made. i see it as some movies and events must be remembered for the history. some movies might be boring or lame, but the messages they send can only be called iconic.

[@ravensbrood3544]

Having grown up in Stockton California, it looks like the corner of Weber and Eldorado streets across from the Stockton Hotel, Day and Night Drugstore was located directly across from the hotel at Hunter street, with islands of parking meters just as shown in the scene.

[@jamesp77701]

I think it looks like that too, always thought it was in Stockton, for that scene.

[@wayman1776]

I had heard that the city wanted the meters moved anyway so they used the scene for the movie?

[@caltom1427]

Love the movie and native Californian. Great job on the video.

[@jbenziggy]

Thanks so much! We appreciate you watching and commenting!

[@anthonylopez9595]

I remember my oldest brother would watch this movie religiously and he would rewind parts of the movie when I was a kid in the 80's. This makes me want to watch it again.

[@ToddEWalnuts]

Excellent video Jeff and Sarah. I love the time and effort you put into these film location videos. I watched this particular video twice and it’s a nice way to take my mind off of this Presidential Election fiasco 😣 ugh! I noticed you mentioned you have a Facebook page. I normally stay away from Facebook because it’s such a negative place, but your page would definitely ring joy to me. I’ll pop over and say hello. God Bless your mother, and may she rest in paradise.

[@johnrambo7630]

Great work. Your videos spark a new (or renewed) interest in cool stuff.

[@jbenziggy]

Awesome, thank you!

[@RabidSnot]

Lodi,CA Birth place of A&W Root Beer. my All time favorite Beer. in a frosty mug with some Real vanilla Ice Cream. Awesome Video of 'Cool hand Luke' locations, Wish I'd known all those years ago that it was filmed there while I was.. stuck in Lodi again... CCR Thanks for taking us on this tour.

[@jbenziggy]

Thanks for tagging along with us!

[@rustyruss2962]

Thanks HH another Enjoyable episode

[@sandim7315]

On one of the scenes Day & Night pharmacy can be seen in the background. That pharmacy used to be in Downtown Stockton across the street from the Stockton Hotel.

[@richstafford1245]

Movie had a huge impact on me as a 8 year old kid the first time I watched it. I have identified with antiheroes ever since...

[@dawnandjill]

Really enjoy your videos y’all!♥️😊

[@stabbincabbincowbboy3770]

Awum Investigation of a Great Movie... Railroad Seen Had Signal Pole Lines and Jointed Rails Back Then...New I’m Hungry for a Paul Newman Frozen Pizza Haha 👍🏻🤠🇺🇸

[@TheFinnMcGovern]

A video release on a Friday afternoon? Blessed.

[@philcox3671]

Great video Jeff, Sarah nice pig find lol, that show is one of my favorite shows, boy it had really changed there a lot, can't wait to see part two, thanks you two God bless

[@jbenziggy]

Thanks! You too! Hope the pig doesn't upset too many people. You never know about people's reactions to things! LOL

[@philcox3671]

@@jbenziggy Oh I no what you mean, I see things like that a lot on the farm

[@robr2389]

If none of you have not seen this movie, it's DEFINITELY worth it!! Everytime I watch it, I always seem to see something I missed all the other times.

[@johnhalley974]

Great video again ....I’m going to watch the Graceland one again as a tribute to your Mum...

[@dsinavich5141]

Hi . Great film ! Paul Newman was an awesome actor. Nice vlog . Thanks and stay safe . Deborah Winnipeg, Canada

[@stevemccoy8138]

Good movie, haven't seen it in years . Thanks for the video. 🇺🇸

[@jbenziggy]

Glad you enjoyed it Steve!

[@SnohomishTitanoffroad]

The only reason I know this is because last year we took a Warner brothers studio tour, and on the tour they showed where that scene was filmed it was actually on the back lot between the bar from Shameless and the gazebo from the Gilmore girls. Great video and one of my favorites.

[@stevejarvis9391]

I believe the parking meter scene WAS shot in Stockton at Hunter Square. The city was renovating the downtown area and build a new courthouse. There was a parking area there complete with a parking metered parking area. The movie - makers were allowed to cut the heads off the meters because the area was to be cleared of them anyway.

[@markive9907]

It was the graffinia fruit company on the corner of pine and Sacramento st ,just west of the Lodi arch ,now stands a two story parking garage ! I know this for sure ! Lived here 50 yrs !