The film “1941”, released in 1979, showcases a plot that’s centered on historical events. The film is characterized by its unique blend of comedy woven into the narrative of post Pearl Harbor paranoia. Directed by Steven Spielberg and starring renown actors like Dan Aykroyd, John Belushi, and Robert Stack, it brings viewers into the hysteria of Californians who are preparing for a Japanese invasion.
Where it Filmed?
The film shot at multiple locations across the United States. It was mainly filmed in Gold Beach, Oregon, and Haystack Rock, Cannon Beach, Oregon. It also has scenes filmed at the Hollywood Sign located in Hollywood Hills, Los Angeles, California, and the Los Angeles Theatre situated at 615 S. Broadway, Downtown, Los Angeles, California. Some portions were filmed at the Pacific Ocean Park, Santa Monica, California. The filming occurred between October 23, 1978, and May 16, 1979.
Cast Details
| Cast Name | Role |
|---|---|
| Dan Aykroyd | Sgt. Frank Tree |
| Ned Beatty | Ward Douglas |
| John Belushi | Capt. Wild Bill Kelso |
| Lorraine Gary | Joan Douglas |
| Murray Hamilton | Claude Crumn |
| Christopher Lee | Capt. Wolfgang von Kleinschmidt |
| Tim Matheson | Capt. Loomis Birkhead |
| Warren Oates | Col. ‘Madman’ Maddox |
| Robert Stack | Maj. Gen. Joseph W. Stilwell |
| Treat Williams | Cpl. Chuck ‘Stretch’ Sitarski |
| Nancy Allen | Donna Stratton |
| John Candy | Pvt. Foley |
| Eddie Deezen | Herbie Kazlminsky |
| Bobby Di Cicco | Wally Stephens |
| Dianne Kay | Betty Douglas |
| Perry Lang | Dennis DeSoto |
| Patti LuPone | Lydia Hedberg |
| J. Patrick McNamara | Pvt. DuBois |
| Frank McRae | Pvt. Ogden Johnson Jones |
| Steven Mond | Gus Douglas |
| Slim Pickens | Hollis ‘Holly’ P. Wood |
| Wendie Jo Sperber | Maxine Dexheimer |
| Lionel Stander | Angelo Scioli |
| Dub Taylor | Mr. Malcomb |
| Michael McKean | Willy |
| Susan Backlinie | Polar Bear Woman |
| E. Hampton Beagle | Phone Man |
| Deborah Benson | USO Girl |
| Don Calfa | Telephone Operator |
| Dave Cameron | Reporter |
| Vito Carenzo | Vito – Shore Patrol |
| Mark Carlton | Stilwell Aide |
| Paul Cloud | Stilwell Aide |
| Luis Contreras | Zoot Suiter |
| Carol Culver | Anderson Sister |
| Lucinda Dooling | Lucinda |
| Gray Frederickson | Lt. Bressler |
| Brian Frishman | USO Goon |
| Marjorie Gaines | Anderson Sister |
| Dian Gallup | Twin |
| Denise Gallup | Twin |
| Trish Garland | Anderson Sister |
| Barbara Gannen | Interceptor Assistant |
| Brad Gorman | USO Nerd |
| Jerry Hardin | Map Man |
| Audrey Landers | USO Girl |
| John Landis | Mizerany |
| Mark Marias | Dept. Store Kid |
| Ronnie McMillan | Winowski |
| Dan McNally | Reporter |
| Akio Mitamura | Ashimoto |
| Antoinette Molinari | Mrs. Scioli |
| Walter Olkewicz | Hinshaw |
| Mickey Rourke | Reese |
| Whitney Rydbeck | Daffy |
| Donovan Scott | Kid Sailor |
| Kerry Sherman | USO Girl |
| Hiroshi Shimizu | Ito |
| Geno Silva | Martinez |
| Rita Taggart | Reporter |
| Maureen Teefy | USO Girl |
| Andy Tennant | Babyface |
| Jack Thibeau | Stilwell Aide |
| Galen Thompson | Stilwell Aide |
| John Voldstad | USO Nerd |
| Carol Ann Williams | USO Girl |
| Jenny Williams | USO Girl |
| Doug Boethin | Sergeant (uncredited) |
| James Caan | Sailor in Fight (uncredited) |
| Denise Cheshire | Swimming Girl (at U-boat periscope) (uncredited) |
| Alan Doshna | Sailor (uncredited) |
| Sandra Gray | Dancer (uncredited) |
| Raven Grey Eagle | Minor Role (uncredited) |
| Ron Gwynne | Crowd Member (uncredited) |
| Sydney Lassick | Salesman (uncredited) |
| Mo Lauren | Girl in Dance Club (uncredited) |
| Jerry Layne | The Dummy (uncredited) |
| Farley Malorrus | Sgt. Murray |
| Army Air Corp. (uncredited) | |
| Penny Marshall | Miss Fitzroy (uncredited) |
| Steve Moriarty | Sailor in Dancehall Fight (uncredited) |
| Hank Robinson | Officer at Meeting (uncredited) |
| Debbie Rothstein | USO Girl – Jitterbugger (uncredited) |
Trivia and Facts
Some interesting facts about the movie are as follows:
- The opening scene is a playful riff off Spielberg’s own massive hit Jaws, where Susan Backlinie reprises her part, but encounters a Japanese submarine instead of a shark.
- The ‘Northern California’ coast shown in the film is actually Cannon Beach in Oregon, featuring the notable Haystack Rock in the background.
- Not all scenes were filmed on-location; many were shot on studio sets. The film was a joint production from Universal and Columbia, with sets built at Warner Bros in Burbank and at MGM.
- One of the most extensive miniatures created for a film at the time, ‘Ocean Park, Santa Monica’, was built at MGM, using the Esther Williams Stage water tank.
- The lavish interior of the cinema where-General Stilwell (Robert Stack) watches Disney’s Dumbo, belongs to the Los Angeles Theatre, located on South Broadway in Downtown Los Angeles.
Geo Location Details
- Location Name: Haystack Rock, Cannon Beach, Oregon, USA
- Latitude: 45.8841173
- Longitude: -123.9684844
- Place ID: ChIJGyDYNeCklFQRIulHV5MDY40
- Map Link: Google Map
- Place Address: US-101, Cannon Beach, OR 97110, USA
- Timezone: America/Los_Angeles
- Location Name: Hollywood Sign, Hollywood Hills, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Latitude: 34.1341151
- Longitude: -118.3215482
- Place ID: ChIJfVpQRQq_woARQ5hwJsast6s
- Map Link: Google Map
- Place Address: Los Angeles, CA 90068, USA
- Timezone: America/Los_Angeles
- Location Name: Los Angeles Theatre – 615 S. Broadway, Downtown, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Latitude: 34.046444
- Longitude: -118.2526466
- Place ID: ChIJ78UdtUrGwoARSkbQQZbTbFw
- Map Link: Google Map
- Place Address: 615 S Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90014, USA
- Timezone: America/Los_Angeles
- Location Name: Pacific Ocean Park, Santa Monica, California, USA
- Latitude: 34.0090855
- Longitude: -118.4828635
- Place ID: EidQYWNpZmljIFN0LCBTYW50YSBNb25pY2EsIENBIDkwNDA1LCBVU0EiLiosChQKEgnNXdYfKrvCgBFi64J9ZxQtTRIUChIJL7yVENS6woARvpi2YxL_LDM
- Map Link: Google Map
- Place Address: Pacific St, Santa Monica, CA 90405, USA
- Timezone: America/Los_Angeles
