Did "Flynn's" exist?

[wavelflack]

I've wondered for some time now if "Flynn's" (the arcade in Tron) was an actual arcade. In other words, was it an existing arcade that got a change of signage for the movie use, or did the producers ship a bunch of games, etc. into a vacant store somewhere?

 

I'm hoping someone might have played there before Tron came out, and still remembers it. For some reason, that arcade has always represented the "ideal" arcade to me. "Joy Sticks" is closer to the arcades I frequented in the late 70's/ early 80's, but I always wanted to find one like in Tron, and I have since hoped that it was at least a reality for someone.

 

It's not cavernous, it's in a real building (with a corner entrance!) and not a converted gas station or pizza joint, it has high ceilings (maybe even a mezzanine, I need to rewatch this), just the right amount of crowding, great lighting! Obviously it has plenty of games, but so does D&B and I don't find that an appealing place to go. There is more to a great arcade than just the machinery stock.

 

There was just something right about "Flynn's", from what I could see and hear. I hope it turns out that it was a real arcade.

[SoulBlazer]

Can't help with the main question, but there was also a apartment in the second floor that had windows facing out on the main floor of the arcade. Personaly, I wouldn't want to live there -- too noisy. It's a rather cool design, though.

[Gregory DG]

I don't think that it was a real arcade. In fact, the whole building might have been a facade because I read where they rebuilt it for the sequel. (There are a few very minor differences if you look at them side-by-side.

 

Edit: Actually, here's your answer from the Tron Legacy IMDB page:

 

The building featured as Flynn's Arcade in TRON (1982) was in reality the historic Hull Building in Culver City, CA. As of 2009, when this sequel was made, the location looked very different from its appearance in the original film. So, the movie makers opted to painstakingly recreate the original interior and a portion of the exterior in Vancouver instead, with the rest of the location filled in with CGI.

Edited May 16, 2010 by Gregory DG

[wavelflack]

That actually makes me sad. I saw where someone found the actual original location, it is currently being gutted for renovation. In the interim, it was an italian restaurant, etc.

 

Seems odd that it would be easier to recreate it from scratch, plus cgi, rather than restoring the original.

 

Anyway, here's the original location.

 

http://storyboredom.blogspot.com/2007/06/flynns-arcade-from-tron-beforeafter.html

 

But wait!! There's no mention that it wasn't an arcade, just that it's the "historic Hull Building. To be quite honest, I've seen more than a few local "historic buildings" whore themselves out to whomever would pay rent, in order to keep the wrecking ball away. Seems possible there would be an arcade occupying it during the boom years. I would think a filmmaker (or the production designer) would opt to shoot at an existing arcade, with a few modifications, rather than populating an empty building with 100 games and decor.

 

I think I'll contact the Culver City public library, and ask them to look up the address in a "crisscross" directory, circa 1980-ish. See if someone beats me to it.

 

 

Does anyone have an idea, based on the games in the arcade, what is the least recent date the scenes could have been filmed? In other words, if Ms Pac Man is present, it's at least 1982 (right?) That would narrow down the directory searches.

[tyranthraxus]

I would think a filmmaker (or the production designer) would opt to shoot at an existing arcade, with a few modifications, rather than populating an empty building with 100 games and decor.

 

No, unless its really unique & famous, where the use of the location is a selling point, they like creating their own set from scratch, either in an existing building or in a studio. An existing business interferes with their 'vision'. With a custom built set you can have all the arcades & other logos passed through clearances, the set laid out & painted exactly as you want, build cool custom lighting (like the neon) and fly out walls and windows on a whim to do snazzy crane and dolly shots (or build secret doors behind a Tron arcade game).

 

Its possible they shot that building and then built the interior with the cool apartment on a stage. Its pretty common practice to shoot exteriors on location and then build what they need on stage after the illusion is set.

Edited May 16, 2010 by tyranthraxus