Escape From St. Louis

The article revisits the St. Louis filming locations of John Carpenter's 1981 cult classic, *Escape from New York*. It highlights several key locations and details how they were transformed to represent the dystopian Manhattan Island of the film. The Chain of Rocks Bridge, a now-decommissioned section of Route 66 crossing the Mississippi River, served as the iconic entry point to the prison island. The article notes how it was visually altered in the film to appear more dilapidated and imposing. Other St. Louis locations featured include the abandoned Gaslight Square district, used to portray the ravaged streets of New York, and Union Station, which stood in for Grand Central Terminal. The article details how clever camera angles and set design masked the true identities of these locations, creating the grim atmosphere of the film. Furthermore, the article mentions the use of the Fox Theatre, notably its interiors for scenes set within the Duke's headquarters. It emphasizes the juxtaposition between the opulent architecture of the Fox and the gritty, lawless world depicted in the film. The piece underscores St. Louis's surprising role in bringing Carpenter's vision to life, showcasing how the city's unique architectural landscape and urban decay contributed to the film's distinctive visual aesthetic. It also reveals the ingenuity of the filmmakers in repurposing familiar landmarks to create a believable, albeit fictional, post-apocalyptic New York. find the original article here: https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/articles/revisiting-st-louis-scenes-escape-030024804.html