Escape To Witch Mountain Filming Locations

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Escapeto Witch Mountain is a 1975 American fantasy science-fiction film, based on Alexander H. Key's 1968 novel of the same name and directed by John Hough. It was released on March 21, 1975 by Walt Disney Productions and Buena Vista Distribution Company. It is the first film of the Witch Mountain series.

The film centers upon the siblings Tony and Tia, whose surname they initially know only as that of their deceased adoptive parents, Malone. The children are placed in an orphanage, where they face difficulties stemming from their strange psychic/psionic abilities: Tony can psychokinetically move and control inanimate objects with the aid of his harmonica, while Tia can communicate telepathically to Tony and commune empathically with animals and experiences premonitions. Tia also possesses minor telekinetic abilities. She carries a "star case" with her at all times, which eventually reveals a strange map. Tia has fragmented memories of her early childhood, including an accident at sea and a man she later remembers as the children's Uncle Ben, who they believe drowned during their rescue.

During a field trip, Tia experiences a premonition and warns wealthy attorney Lucas Deranian against a potentially dangerous accident. Deranian informs his employer, millionaire Aristotle Bolt, of the children's unique abilities. Bolt, obsessed with the paranormal, demands that Deranian retrieve the children at all costs. Deranian's detective work leads him to the orphanage, where he poses as Tia and Tony's uncle, though not under the name Ben, and takes them to Bolt's mansion. Though initially suspicious of Bolt's motives, Tia and Tony are lured in by the wealthy trappings of Bolt's home. Bolt eventually reveals that he has been monitoring the children via a closed-circuit television system and that he and Deranian are fully aware of their unusual powers. The night of this revelation, Tia and Tony make an escape, using their abilities to psionically control a wild mustang, guard dogs, and the security fence, as well as using Winkie, Tia's cat, to make the allergic security guard let them pass.

Bolt sends Deranian and a thug, Ubermann, after the children. Tia and Tony hide out in a green-and-white Winnebago motor home owned by a crotchety widower named Jason O'Day. Initially negative toward the children, Jason gradually begins to recognize their powers and the truth of their story; Tia's vague memories of a disaster at sea intrigue him. He agrees to take the children on the route indicated by Tia's star case, which leads them to a mountain known as Witch Mountain, home to unexplainable phenomena. Avoiding Bolt, the law, and an incited mob convinced the children are witches, they eventually make their way up Witch Mountain, pursued by Deranian and Ubermann, as well as by Bolt in a helicopter. As their memories begin to fully return, the children realize their accident at sea did not involve a boat but a spacecraft. Tony and Tia are actually of extraterrestrial origin; the double star emblem on the star case stands for a binary star system where their home planet was located.

Having come to Earth because their own planet was dying, survivors of the journey made their way to Witch Mountain and formed a community to await the surviving children, each pair in possession of a star case to help them find their way to their new home. Tony and Tia are the first to reach their destination. The children are reunited with their Uncle Ben (who survived after all, thanks to an "accommodating" shark whom he'd telepathically asked for help) and board another spacecraft. When Bolt and the others leave in defeat, Jason witnesses the spaceship's return as it flies over him to say a final goodbye then landing nearby where the inhabitants now live.

Escape to Witch Mountain is based on the novel by Alexander Key. Significant differences from the book include its tone and plot elements. For example, in the book, the children are befriended by Father O'Day, an athletic, young Catholic priest, rather than crusty widower Jason O'Day. The children's ship is shot down, rather than crashed, and the children are olive-skinned, though with light-colored hair, rather than fair-skinned and blonde-haired. In the book, Deranian is the main antagonist, and he is working for a shadowy European cabal who are trying to capture the children for their special powers, instead of for Aristotle Bolt.[2] The novel is set along or near the Atlantic Coast of the United States, whereas the film was shot along the Pacific Coast in California.

The film earned a Total Lifetime Gross at the Domestic North American Box Office of $20,000,000. The film charted on the All time Domestic North American Box Office at Rank No. 145 for 'Rated G' films under the MPAA.[8] The film earned $8,500,000 in rentals at the North American Box Office.[9]

John Hough's 1975 fantasy science-fiction film, Escape to Witch Mountain, is a successful adaptation of Alexander H. Key's same-titled 1968 novel and has captivated audiences with its gripping story ever since. Produced by Walt Disney Productions and distributed by the Buena Vista Distribution Company, the film was released on March 21st, 1975.

Escape to Witch Mountain was the starting point of a series of films focused on the adventures of Tia and Tony. The sequel, Return from Witch Mountain, followed in September 1978 and was released in theaters as a double feature with its predecessor. The trilogy concluded with Beyond Witch Mountain, produced for television as a movie for CBS by Walt Disney in 1982.

In 1995, The Wonderful World of Disney released a made-for-TV remake of Escape to Witch Mountain, featuring a different cast and with some changes to the original story. This was followed by Race to Witch Mountain, an all-new feature film directed by Andy Fickman which was released in theaters in March 2009.

Witch Mountain performed decently at the box office, with a Domestic North American Total Lifetime Gross of $20 million. That consequently made it Rank No. 145 on the list of 'Rated G' films in accordance with the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA). Furthermore, it accrued a total of $8.5 million in rental income within the region.

Escape to Witch Mountain was a beloved fantasy story filmed in various scenic locations across the United States. From the beaches of California to the rugged Rocky Mountains of Colorado, this adventure film showcased an array of stunning landscapes, establishing a sense of realism and wonder for viewers. Every location chosen by the filmmakers added something special to the story, creating a unique and captivating experience.

Most of the Escape to Witch Mountain scenes were shot at the Walt Disney Studios. In addition, the film crew visited Carmel and Monterey in California, Felton, Santa Cruz County, Menlo Park, Peninsula School (formerly the Coleman Mansion), Pebble Beach in Northern California, and Palo Alto on California Avenue.

A visit to the filming locations of "Escape to Witch Mountain" could be a truly rewarding experience. Not only can travelers take a nostalgic tour of the film sites, but they can also explore some of the most stunning natural sights in the country. From the majestic red rocks of Utah's Monument Valley to the sugary sand beaches of Pebble Beach and Carmel, California, there is something for everyone.

Tia and Tony arrive at the orphanage in a state of deep shock. The car drives up the road through the woods, finally coming to a stop in front of Pine Woods. The pair gets out, taking in the sight of their new home.

It is an old wooden building with a large chimney, surrounded by tall trees and overgrown vegetation. The air is thick with the smell of fresh pine needles. Mrs. Grindley (Reta Shaw) comes out to meet them, greeting them kindly and introducing them to the other children living there.

Although Pine Woods is formally listed as "39 Pine Woods Lane," you'll actually find it at the Peninsula School in Menlo Park, California - 920 Peninsula Way to be exact. Nestled in the heart of Palo Alto, California, Peninsula School is a world-renowned private school with a long-standing track record of providing excellence in education since 1971.

To get to Peninsula School in Menlo Park, head south on US-101 and take the Willow Rd exit. Turn left onto Willow Road and follow it until you reach the intersection of Willow Road and Peninsula Way. Turn right at the intersection, go just over a quarter mile and you'll find yourself at 920 Peninsula Way.

Public transportation is also an option. If you're taking Caltrain, get off at Menlo Park Station and hop on one of the Stanford shuttle buses heading to campus; they will drop you off just outside Peninsula School's main entrance.

Crocker Mansion on Pebble Beach served as an Escape to Witch Mountain film set. Located on the famed Pebble Beach Golf Links in California, Crocker Mansion is a one-of-a-kind architectural marvel. Constructed in 1925 by William Nickerson, Jr., this magnificent estate overlooks the Pacific Ocean and some of the most beautiful coastlines around.

Its grand ballroom and formal dining room feature hand-painted ceilings, massive fireplaces, and luxurious furnishings that bring old-school charm to every inch of the mansion. Outside, expansive gardens and manicured grounds offer a tranquil environment.

Mrs.Grindley decides to bring her children from the orphanage to the cinema. The kids are very excited because they always enjoy visiting the city. They usually pass through town by school bus, where they sing songs, laugh, and talk.

However, on that special occasion, they stop by the cinema and watch Snow White and the 7 Dwarfs. The scene was filmed at the Fine Arts Cinema, which is a 500-seat theater located on California Avenue.

The establishment first opened on August 19, 1926, with Perlmutter & Potash's Partners Again. It had an American Photo-player organ and was later renamed the Mayfield Theatre after a nearby community. In 1951, this classic Spanish Mission-style building was revamped with a sleek Moderne faade and marquee which allowed for its renaming to the Cardinal Theatre.

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