You’d never guess, just by walking through town that you’d be able to recognize Piru in many films and commercials throughout this century. It offers so much to share with the world. Here is a look back at some of the previous work done in Piru.
“THE CALIFORNIA KID” (1974)
A deranged desert town sheriff has a murderous habit of forcing speeders to their deaths, until a young man with a souped-up hotrod arrives to possibly end it. Filmed in and around Piru.
“HAPPY, TEXAS” (1999)
Steve Zahn and Jeremy Northam are two escaped cons who pose as organizers of the “Little Miss Fresh-Squeezed Preteen Beauty Pageant”. While set in Happy, Texas, the movie was mostly filmed in Piru, California. Prominently features the building of Center and Main St., now Piru Pizza.
“LUCKY” (2017)
Lucky is a lovely, small film. It’s an ode to living. A farewell to a well-lived life, and an acceptance of what comes after, featuring all of Piru’s store fronts off Center and Main St. along with the Church. Even the movie poster image is on a property on Main St. right off the 126 Highway.
“SWELTER” (2014)
James plays a sheriff in a small town (guess, where?) who has a dark past that he can not remember, only to have to confront it when his ex-partners show up looking for stolen money they believe he has. Great shots of Center and Main St as well as the building which is now Piru Pizza!
“AVICII, WAKE ME UP” (2013)
The video was shot by the Santa Clara River orange groves and in the town of Piru, California. It features our train tracks, the train bridge and the buildings on Center and Main St.
2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E TV Spot (2023)
Check out Ford’s 30 second TV commercial, ‘Electric Feeling [T2]’ from the Auto Makers industry. The last two scenes were filmed at the Piru Gateway community.
2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E TV Spot, ‘Electric Feeling’ Song by Michael Rault [T2] – iSpot.tv
Other movies:
- Desert Fury (1974 movie): Lizabeth Scott, John Hodiak and Burt Lancaster, Mary Astor and Wendell Corey. Location scenes were shot with the northwest side of Center Street, at Main, used as the exterior of Fritzi Haller’s saloon and casino; the Piru Mansion was used as the Haller home and the historic Piru bridge, crossing Piru Creek on the east side of town, was used as the locale of the car crash.
- The Ghost Busters (1975 TV Series)
- The Dukes of Hazzard
- Twilight Zone: The Movie (1983): scenes of the rest home in the “Kick the Can” segment were filmed at the historic building that is now the Heritage Valley Inn
- Rhinestone (1984): Dolly Parton and Sylvester Stallone
- Bubble Boy
- Enough (2002): Jennifer Lopez (chase scene)
- Torque (2004)
- Van Helsing (2004)
- The Amateurs (2005 movie): Jeff Bridges
- The Love War (1970): Lloyd Bridges, Angie Dickinson – with Piru serving as location and setting
- Reno 911! (TV Series)
- True Blood (TV Series)
- Race to Witch Mountain (2009): where Dwayne Johnson “The Rock” and the alien boy and girl go into a small town, Stony Creek, where they have repairs done on his taxi and go to a restaurant/country music club,
- Atlas Shrugged (2011): Piru Mansion was used as the home of Ellis Wyatt
- Don’t Stop (Colour On The Walls) (2011 Music Video) by Foster the People featuring actress Gabourey Sidibe
- The Sympathizer with Robert Downey Jr.
Know about more productions? Got production photos? Send them to info@filminginpiru.com.