Wilmington, NCMovie & Television
Filming Locations
Blue Velvet (1986)

Blue Velvet (1986)

One of my favorite movies which had a major impact on me in college, and surely remains legendary to many. The oh-so-polite but dangerously curious Jeffrey Beaumont (Kyle MacLachlan) intersects with the dark underbelly in his hometown, leading him to become a good neighbor to local lounge singer Dorothy Vallens (Isabella Rossellini) which rubs her adoring and abusive tormentor Frank Booth (Dennis Hopper) the wrong way, which leads to him taking Jeffrey on a ride out to the country.

The story is set in Lumberton, which is actually a small city about 70 miles west of Wilmington. I've heard local legends about the production, including a deleted fight scene in which Frank does the "pretty pretty" routine with someone in the bar below Ben's apartment. (Actually, newly found and released footage shows the fight scene, but no "pretty pretty".) Another was that Wilmington was still fresh to movie productions, and when Dorothy walked outside naked, the local residents who were watching disappeared. Then complaints were filed resulting in the inability of further productions doing public nudity. Whether it's true or not, maybe it's just better to accept that anything is possible when David Lynch is involved.

Sandy Williams’ House

This home is where Sandy lived, and where Jeffery initially met with her father to discuss the ear.

Actual Location:
128 Northern Blvd, Wilmington, NC 28401

Jeffery Beaumont’s House

Home to Jeffery and his family.

“I could never eat a bug.”

Actual Location:
109 Keaton Ave, Wilmington, NC 28403

The Slow Club

Where Dorothy Vallens (Isabella Rossellini) sang Blue Velvet while Frank (Dennis Hopper) looked on lost in a state of chaotic intensity.

This is now Winnie’s Tavern, which apparently now serves Impossible burgers among their regular fare.

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