PETE'S DRAGON FILMING LOCATION

Pete's Dragon Filming Locations. Join me on a hike through the Point Bouchon Trail to the last remaining Pete's Dragon filming location. Along the way we explore why the Walt Disney backlot in Burbank was demolished. Chumash Indian and other cultural history of the location are also examined.
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[@richardkingcott6981]

Hi Stanley. Thank you for making this wonderful video. I was a friend of Helen’s and throughly enjoyed seeing the location of the lighthouse. Brought back great memories of a dear friend who we so sadly lost last September. Rich

[@StanleyFoss]

Yes, while making this I read that Helen past last year. Very sad. That’s so cool that you were her friend and got to know the real person. Glad you enjoyed the video :)

[@jedidiahkelley7165]

I grow up in the 90s watching movies it still one on favorite still today in 2024

[@ethannielson942]

I saw the original version of PETE’S DRAGON (137 minutes long I believe) at the Disney Studios in 1977 at a cast and crew screening. People were applauding obvious family members as their names appeared on the screen. I also got to see the six foot long original oil painting used during the opening credits/overture sequence. The detail on it was incredible as the camera slowly panned across it. Ron Miller secretly hoped Julie Andrews would take the lead but I believe she really wasn’t interested so Olivia Newton John was approached, who wasn’t available (GREASE may have been a reason for this). Helen Reddy was more than happy to assume the role though the film did not open up any real film opportunities for her since it wasn’t particularly liked by film critics or the industry and ended up under performing for Disney. The Los Osos/San Luis Obispo area of California really benefitted from the location shooting with hotel and restaurant bookings for the cast and crew. It is indeed a shame the lighthouse wasn’t transported to Disneyland since it would have worked in perfectly there as a piece of Disney movie history but also as a historically accurate depiction of an actual New England lighthouse. I’ve hiked the Montana De Oro State Park many times and one reason they don’t want people going off trail is the danger of being bitten by rattlesnakes, which are plentiful in the area. I had a huge one cross the trail in front of me a few years back. You did a really good job exploring the actual filming locations on California’s central coast.

[@StanleyFoss]

Whoa cool! Thanks for the insights! I was wondering about that opening sequence, if that was one long continuous painting? So cool that you go to see that large opening painting. I wonder where that is now?? Somewhere in the Disney archives I guess? You were part of the cast or crew? That is so cool that you got to see it at Disney Studios. Yes, it might have been a bigger hit if Julie Andrew’s got the role? Because of the animation deadlines, I read that animation director Don Bluth started his own studio out of frustration … so I guess without Pete’s Dragon we might not have such classic films as the Secret of Nimh and An American Tail?? Thanks for all the insights you shared! Oh and I learned my lesson - stay on the trails! Lol 🐍

[@ethannielson942]

@@StanleyFoss The painting was in a hallway outside of Ron Miller’s and Tom Leetch’s offices. It may still be there, I frankly don’t know. They may have even moved it to one of the parks, though it’s probably in the Disney Archives Warehouse somewhere. The studio has changed so much in the last 40 years. If you are a Disney fan (which you obviously are) I encourage you to go to the Walt Disney Family Museum in San Francisco. It was completely funded by Walt’s daughter, Diane Disney Miller and is not associated with the Walt Disney Company. All of his awards are there including the 8 Snow White Academy Awards. It is an unbelievable place. Also, despite the name, I don’t think this museum is really geared towards children, but more for adults and cinephiles.

[@darthstarkiller1912]

I'd love to see that painting. Such beautiful work. Wish whatever happened to it.

[@ethannielson942]

@@darthstarkiller1912 The Disney Archives in Burbank will in all likelihood know if you were to call them.

[@StanleyFoss]

@@ethannielson942 yes I have been to the Walt Disney family museum a couple of times. It is an amazing place . I can easily spend many hours there just gazing at all the amazing pieces! And that Disneyland model is so cool. Thanks for the info on the painting… yeah it’s probably in the archives somewhere… maybe I’ll see it with my own eyes one day? Thanks again!

[@blackorchid2261]

Aw, Pete's dragon. The dragon was my favorite 🐲 and I loved the vivid colours. So nice to see such a rare Filming location video.

[@StanleyFoss]

Thanks was fun! I’m working on a new video… but trying to get permission this time to go on private land 😅

[@blackorchid2261]

@@StanleyFoss Haha that part was dramatic. I'm enthusiastic about a new video. 🤩

[@jeffsbaker]

Great job finding the filming location of the lighthouse! I have been looking for that for years. I don't know why it was so hard to find in the past. Interestingly, I did a hike in Montaña de Oro State Park in 2010. I didn't know the lighthouse was filmed there. I was blocked at that gate. I guess it wasn't open when I was there. So I hiked a mountain in the park. When I got to the top I saw the Diablo nuclear power plant down by the ocean. Then I wasn't so sure I wanted to be there anymore.

[@StanleyFoss]

Thanks Jeff! I want to go back after it’s fully open and (staying on trail) enjoy the whole park! :) There’s a lot of hiking trails around there we need to check out .

[@gabrielbennett5162]

My dad helped build Diablo Canyon! I can still remember going to pick him up there as a kid in the mid-80s.

[@furrettheferret9562]

i saw somewhere that the lighthouse was planned to be moved to walt disney world but due to the damage it sustained they didn’t move it

[@cruglife375]

Great video Stanley. Pete's Dragon was one of my favourites as a kid, and I still occasionally watch it now. The lighthouse scenes were the special ones for me. There's something magical about that location, overlooking the craggy rocks and pounding surf. I am writing the first of a series of novels based on Oceans, and Pete's Dragon was one of my influences. Great to see the location still there and still pretty much the same even now... Thanks again.

[@StanleyFoss]

Thank you! Yes that is a very special place and a special movie. Oh cool, your novel sounds interesting and cool that Pete’s Dragon was an influence in your book. 👍🏻👍🏻

[@cruglife375]

@@StanleyFoss Thanks Stanley, I'll let you know when the novel's published, if you like Pete's Dragon you might like it... 😊👍

[@notconsiderablecolors2account]

this was my absolute favorite movie as a kid, and ive been desperate to find any kind of content for it online lol, so this was such a pleasant surprise! the risks you took for this video were very appreciated lol, thank you so much!

[@StanleyFoss]

Yes there isn’t much content out there for the original movie. I really hope to get onto the private Golden Oak Ranch someday (that’s where Pete eats apples with Eliot.) Thanks for watching!

[@MatthewTheSkunk]

Thank you so much for showing off this filming location for Pete's Dragon. Wish the lighthouse could've still been there, but alas I guess it had too go eventually after filming. 🙂🙂🙂

[@StanleyFoss]

Same! I wish it was still there, or moved somewhere like Disneyland or a park for everyone to see.

[@aquamarine2044]

After all these years it's a darn shame that beautiful light house isn't there anymore. They should had left it there! By the way, great video and thanks for sharing! This was a great movie! I was ten years old at the time.

[@StanleyFoss]

Yeah, even if it wasn’t functioning; could have been a great tourist spot for film fans. Thanks for watching!

[@svicciarelli]

Pretty tantalizing to think that might’ve been part of the foundation. But you’re right - stay on the trails!

[@StanleyFoss]

Yes, it has to a be a piece of the lighthouse ... wish I had a few more minutes to look around ... but yeah, learned my lesson ... better to stay on the trails 😁

[@darthstarkiller1912]

The lighthouse from the movie is honestly my dream home. Would love to rebuild it along Lake Michigan or Lake Superior (I'm from Wisconsin). Just wish I had the cash for it to happen. Loved the film almost my entire life, and Elliott is my all-time favorite dragon.

[@StanleyFoss]

That would be so cool to live in that lighthouse. I heard that some lighthouses offer Airbnb or are Hostels? That would be cool to experience also. Oh yeah, Elliot is still a cool dragon. So glad his float in the Main St Electrical Parade has survived all these years.

[@darthstarkiller1912]

@@StanleyFoss To be honest, Elliot was my imaginary friend when I was in school. I'm autistic and didn't have much friends when I was a kid. Then Elliott came into my life and I thought I was the kid he was going to next after Pete. He even had the ability to shrink so small he could sit on my desk during class. God, I miss those brazzle dazzle days of my childhood. I'm 29 now and still living with my parents. My brother lives a few houses away with his girlfriend and my half-year-old nephew Bexton. Hopefully when he's older, I can being Elliott into his life.m

[@StanleyFoss]

That’s is a cool story, thanks for sharing. Yes, your life does seem like the sequel to the movie. I’m glad the movie has meant so much to you and has made an impact on your life. That’s very cool. Too bad Disney never made a part 2.

[@darthstarkiller1912]

@@StanleyFoss Thanks, man.

[@matthewcondon1985]

No, you can’t have it. I want it! 😜

[@thebananacraft7298]

I love this film one of my favourite Disney films along with lion king , hocus-pocus and bedknobs and broomsticks

[@StanleyFoss]

Yeah it doesn’t get enough recognition nowadays! Thanks for watching

[@thebananacraft7298]

@@StanleyFoss the remake was a let down still good though but nothing Beats the original

[@StanleyFoss]

I still haven’t seen it.. I should watch it, it’s on Disney+, but yes I heard the remake is not a musical , which is one of the best parts about the original - is the songs.

[@thebananacraft7298]

@@StanleyFoss remakes are good sometimes but other times they are bad. Hopefully you do bedknobs and broomsticks next I never knew it was filmed in America given the British setting , though I do wish they would put out the extended version of it on dvd or Disney plus as it adds extra scenes and a missing song to the film I lost the vhs tape of it and it’s only on vhs as well.

[@garthwick19]

What about One of Our Dinosaurs is Missing?

[@huntermossakajunkerman9646]

I think the cool thing about that lighthouse was the fact it wasn't just some cheesy prop. They built an actual lighthouse that could actually be used as an active aid to navigation if need be. The Fresnel lens used in the lantern room looks like the one at pigeon point. Not quite sure though. if they were able to build a fully functional lighthouse I can too. I'll notify the coast guard first though.

[@StanleyFoss]

Lol yes! Yeah that is pretty awesome that they really built that. I’ll have to look into the Pigeon point lighthouse lens, that would be really cool if it is the same one. 👍🏻👍🏻

[@huntermossakajunkerman9646]

It would be cool indeed.

[@gabrielbennett5162]

It's a revolving First Order Fresnel lens. I've often wondered where Disney obtained it from and what happened to it afterwards. An obvious possibility is that they borrowed an authentic decommissioned one from the Coast Guard, but as resourceful as the Disney Studios were in those days, I wouldn't put it past them to have constructed a full-scale replica lens from scratch, either.

[@huntermossakajunkerman9646]

@Gabriel Bennett. It's possible, we might never know for sure.

[@eugeeropel5572]

I’m currently watching Pete’s Dragon 1977 with my son who watches this movie several times per year as he loves this and other Disney movies. His most favorite song in the movie is “Candle on the Water”. This is an extremely interesting video. Thank you for sharing.

[@StanleyFoss]

That’s so cool! Glad to see the future generations are also enjoying the original Pete’s Dragon :)

[@garthwick19]

This film is responsible for my first experience of film related heartbreak. But! Great to see you Stanley, keep on keepin on. Love from UK.

[@StanleyFoss]

Yes, Pete’s Dragon and E.T. are very similar in that way - they saying goodbye to a close friend! Thanks for viewing all the way over seas 👍🏻👍🏻

[@charliest.kardasism9134]

I have heard about this movie , but I never had the interested in watching. You have me , adding to my to be watch list ! You're such a rebel! Fingers cross , you don't get in trouble! Excellent video as always 👌👍👏

[@StanleyFoss]

Haha! Stay on the trails! I learned my lesson 😅😅😅 Yeah I hope no one at PG&E gets mad 😬

[@darthstarkiller1912]

Trust me. The movie is classic Disney. Loved it since I was little.

[@WestcoastWatchman]

So glad to see this.. I was 5 when I saw this movie.. sad to see it's gone but you did the amazing!! That's for crossing the ropes!!!

[@StanleyFoss]

😁 thanks! Yes, it’s a magical film - it almost doesn’t seem real? Thanks for watching

[@JaviTheKitty]

Love you Stanley! Thanks for the risks you take to give us awesome content!😘

[@StanleyFoss]

The idea that there might be remains of the lighthouse were too much to pass up lol 😊 thank you!

[@matthewcondon1985]

I was so disappointed when I first found out the light house was built by Disney and that it’s now gone. I was so hoping it was real and could be visited.

[@StanleyFoss]

Me too! If only it got moved to Disneyland, at least we could have visited it in some way.

[@howardvincentkurtz4018]

Loved this video and all the information that was provided.

[@StanleyFoss]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@danisalamedina459]

you made me very nostalgic, thank you very much from Spain

[@charlesbruce9220]

Thank you for this.

[@christophermaddish5540]

Funtastically Nostalgilious!

[@tolust]

you're back !!!

[@MrHubbmuscle]

What a great video! TY!

[@StanleyFoss]

Thank you!!

[@Project-Jaden]

I appreciate the facts/history about the area, I don’t think I’ve ever seen this movie so coming into the video to check it out and then learning some stuff was great 👍🏼

[@StanleyFoss]

Thanks , I’m glad you found it informative; it was interesting learning the history of the land.

[@fraserkatie]

Wow! That was an amazing video! Thank you for capturing one of my childhood movies! Shame they never kept the lighthouse! When I was little I always remember that as being a real one but never knew it was built specifically for the film. What a lovely place though that parkland near the beach scenes.

[@StanleyFoss]

Yes I wish the lighthouse was intact somewhere also! Glad you enjoyed the video - it was worth being told to leave to get the right location 😅

[@ivag.5398]

love everytime you upload a video :D

[@StanleyFoss]

:D thanks!

[@masterknife8423]

As I've gotten older I quickly realised they never actually filmed in Maine when making this film. The constant blue sky and sandy hills in the background really give it away

[@StanleyFoss]

Yes lot of movie magic in that film 👍🏻

[@theramblinghippo1811]

I thought you were at Pigeon Point Lighthouse for a min. Great video. Dying to go to Cambria to see the locations for arachnophobia.

[@StanleyFoss]

I haven’t been to pigeon point in years ... the lighthouse there looks pretty similar to Pete’s Dragon. Arachnophobia is a great movie - and super creepy! I forgot that some of it was filmed in Cambria , that’s cool.

[@garthwick19]

I went in 2005, Cambria is great. Make sure to book in to Robin’s Restaurant if you go. You can go down PCH and stop off in Santa Cruz and do a Lost Boys location tour too. 💪🏼

[@anniefinch6843]

I remember both versions of this movie and they're on Disney plus. But I think this person should know that the same composer that wrote the music for this movie also wrote the music for Mary Poppins and Bedknobs and Broomsticks.

[@mareeuhh124]

One of my fav movies

[@crapstermcduck6593]

Stanley I love your videos.

[@StanleyFoss]

Thank you!!

[@DionDestefano]

I've always liked this movie since I was a kid. i even had the album and would listen to the songs after school. Now I own the Blu-ray. I recently realized it's a cross between Popeye the movie and Little House on the prairie. I use to think that this lighthouse was the same one used in The Fog but now I know it's not.

[@StanleyFoss]

Your right it does feel like a mix of Popeye and Little House. 👍🏻

[@justingandara9289]

MONTAÑA DE ORO, THAT MEANS "GOLD MOUNTAIN" IN SPANISH

[@StanleyFoss]

Interesting, I didn’t know that 👍🏻

[@justingandara9289]

@@StanleyFoss WELL, WHAT CAN I SAY, NOW YOU KNOW YOU LEARN A NEW LANGUAGE

[@dizzynikki5912]

New sub.. Absolutely luv this movie.. Yea, I'm old...

[@StanleyFoss]

Thank you!! Same here, to both! Thanks for the sub!

[@MrNurserob]

My partner and I went there to go to the lighthouse site, and got to the gate and it was on a day PG&E arbitrarily keeps it closed off. I was so aggravated- all the way there and out of luck literally within feet of it. I still hope to get out there at some point.

[@StanleyFoss]

Ahh that’s such a bummer! That’s happened to me at a couple other locations that were closed randomly?!? Very annoying! Hope you get to see it someday 👍🏻

[@traystephens5792]

Government regulation 302 states that no dragons are to be allowed on the premises of United States lighthouses.

[@StanleyFoss]

😁👍🏻

[@jacksparrow900]

Did you realize that Cambria is where they shot ARACHNOPHOBIA.

[@StanleyFoss]

Yeah that’s what I heard. I need to do some research and make a video about it for sure :) 🕷

[@charliest.kardasism9134]

You didn't upload, in a while. Hope all is well 🙏☺

[@StanleyFoss]

Thanks, I was almost finished with a new video when I ended up getting a kidney stone. Had to have surgery and am now recovering. Can’t wait to get back to normal soon. Thanks for reaching out!

[@charliest.kardasism9134]

@@StanleyFoss OH no . Sending you good vibes and wishing you, a speedy recovery 🙏 ❤ 💙

[@charliest.kardasism9134]

It would've been funny, if you put a Jumpscare at the end 🤣

[@StanleyFoss]

Yeah fake everyone out lol

[@tomperkins4965]

What Shame the backlots of the Disney studio destroy worthless office space and it just the fate the backlots of the old MGM studio studio that too bad most of the time for us movies fans like me.

[@StanleyFoss]

Yeah I’ve seen old photos and video of the decaying MGM studio backlot. Heartbreaking!

[@sophiehanssel2017]

Did you find any dragons?

[@StanleyFoss]

Just the invisible kind :)

[@Ryan-dl2ly]

What about the cave that is seen a couple times in the movie?

[@StanleyFoss]

I couldn’t get any farther down than Disney point. I’m pretty sure the inside of the cave was an elaborate set, but they do show an outside entrance once I believe?? It’s on the other side of Disney point in the movie… but who knows if that cave entrance is even near there??

[@alexarias4099]

I’m pretty sure CinemaSins would burn all available locations to the ground if given the chance

[@StanleyFoss]

I take it, Cinema Sins doesn’t like this movie?? Lol

[@alexarias4099]

@@StanleyFoss I don’t think they like any movie lmaooo still entertaining tho

[@zachross8081]

One of my fav movies