Children of the Corn (1984)





Children of the Corn was released into theaters on March 9th, 1984. Filming locations include Holly Springs, Hornick, Salix, Sergeant Bluff, Sioux City and Whiting, Ia. It was directed by Fritz Kiersch, in what was his directorial debut. The film is based on the short story by Stephen King. It was first published in the March 1977 issue of Penthouse magazine, and later in King's 1978 Night Shift collection. This was the eighth story of King's that was adapted to the big screen. The films two main antagonists, Isaac and Malachai, were masterfully portrayed by John Franklin (Isaac) and Courtney Gains ( Malachai). It was the acting debut for both. It was also the acting debut for John Philbin as Amos, who would go on to star in films like Point Break, The Return of the Living Dead and Tombstone. To date, the film as spawned nine sequels/remakes. John Franklin reprised his role of Isaac, in the 1999 sequel, Children of the Corn 666: Isaac's Return. It features a solid score, composed by Jonathan Elias. The film's first DVD release was on April 10th, 2001.


Hansen's Cafe (interior) - 312 Main St. Hornick, Ia. 51026

In December of 2008, the structure burnt down due to a kitchen fire. Prior to it's demise, it had been there since at least the 1930's. At the time of my visit, it was an empty lot. The buildings seen across the street, in the film, are still there.


2020



Hansen's Cafe (exterior) - 613 Whittier St. Whiting, Ia. 51063

The structure has been there since at least the 1930's.


All "Now" pictures taken in 2020.




Motel (exterior) - 103 Sergeant Square Sergeant Bluff, Ia. 51054

Two of the three poles that held the "Motel" sign up, still remain, holding up the hotel's current sign. At the time of my visit, it was an Econo Lodge. The interior of the hotel was a Holiday Inn, located at 701 Gordon Dr. Sioux, City, Ia. 51101. The cast and crew were staying at the hotel while shooting the movie and they simply used one of the room interiors. At the time of filming, it was a Howard Johnson's.


2020


Gas station - Just north of* Hwy. 75 and Tipton St. Salix, Ia. 51052

The structure was demolished in the early 90's.


2020


Job and Sarah's house - 325th St. and Grand Ave. Hornick, Ia. 51026

The road they are shown entering Gatlin on, right next to the house, is 325th Avenue. The cellar Job takes Burt into was just a fascade entrance, which was located on the north side of the house.


All "Now" pictures taken in 2020.






School - Northeast corner of 4th St. and 4th Ave. Hornick, Ia. 51026

The school was demolished at some point after filming and a park now occupies the area. It had been there since at least the mid 1930's. The sidewalk that led to the front door still remains.


2020


Gatlin, Nebraska - Whiting, Ia. 51063

The yellow flagpole as well as the majority of the chase scenes were filmed here.


All "Now" pictures taken in 2020.








Church (exterior) - Humbolt Ave. Holly Springs, Ia. 51026

The church was torn down at some point after 1990. It had been there since at least the late 1940's. The shed seen in the background, when Burt runs into the church, is still there.


2020



Church (interior) - 423 George St. Sioux City, Ia. 51103

The church has been there since at least 1938.


2015



Church steps - 317 Tipton St. Salix, Ia. 51052
(Salix Fire & Rescue)

The false church front and steps were constructed for the sole purpose of showing the structures across the street. The two buildings the children chase Burt between are still there.


All "Now" pictures taken in 2020.



Joseph runs away/barn/clearing in the corn - Grundy Avenue, Ia.

The location where Joseph flees, as well as the barn at the end of the movie, were located on a farm on Grundy Avenue, also known as Moville Blacktop. This was about a mile north of Job and Sarah's house. All of the barn structures seen in the film were removed in the 1990's. The children's meeting place, in the corn, was also near this location. It was in the cornfield directly behind the farm.


All "Now" pictures taken in 2020.



20 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. I wish! Although there are a lot of locations that would have been great for this movie here in NC!

      Delete
    2. The movie wouldn't have worked if the filming was done in N.C. as everyone knows that most crops such as wheat & corn are grown in the Midwest region of the country. Come on people, think about it!!!

      Delete
    3. It was filmed in nc..and we do have plenty of cornfields..it was a big thing for us at the time when they were here

      Delete
    4. No it wasn't. Please stop spouting drivel. Thanks.

      Delete
    5. Whiting Iowa is my home town. My sister was an extra in the movie!!!

      Delete
  2. Part 2 was filmed in NC....Ramseur NC and the house was listed for sale 2 years ago. Www.oldhousedreams.com tells the story.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Woah this is awesome. You actually got the interior of the church. Thanks so much for this info as it's the first time I've seen anyone reveal this. I thought it was a studio set!!!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I love this film so much. I saw this in 1988 and I still watch it today in 2017 and I have watched it throughout the years. This is my favorite movie from Stephen King. It really takes me back to the 80's when I watch it. It also reminds me of a friend I once had at Starlight Village names Sherri Kohlert. I miss her to this day !! Makes me want to move to IOWA.

    ReplyDelete
  5. A scene for this movie was filmed in my hometown-Sioux City. My aunt also provided the costumes for the Children of the Corn movie. It is neat to be part of the history of this movie.

    ReplyDelete
  6. The school exterior was not in Hornick, as that school had steps up to the doors. It is the school in Salix, Ia. I went to the school in Salix K-5th grade.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Was the school on Walnut St, where the Salix Community Park is currently at?

      Delete
  7. Was just there for a screening of the film in the town square. Unfortunately, the brick "Garage" in Whiting where the Children first spot Vicky and Burt driving into Gatlin (which you photographed in 2020) was completely demolished early this year and is now an empty lot. The building was deteriorating. I'm working on a YT video about the locations + movie screening we just watched in the town square of Whiting (which brought director Fritz Kiersch back to the filming site for the first time since 1983). I would like to use that picture of the garage you took and will give your site credit in the video.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm sure the screening with Fritz Kiersch was a really fun event! It's a shame to hear about the "Garage" building being completely gone now. You're welcome to use my comparison photo for your video.

      Delete
    2. Here's the link to the video. Your photo is credited at 3:53 mark. Later in the video, you'll see that Sarah & Job's house in Hornick is having its foundation redone and the state it is currently in is quite eye-opening:
      https://youtu.be/mjTBHm8OqLA

      Delete
  8. Hello everyone! I'm a big fan of this film and this summer I'm going on a roadtrip to the USA to see this city for all the filming locations of this film! Could someone from gfentil give me the exact address of the street where the garage ( GAZ STATION ) was in the film which was apparently demolished in the 90s? THANKS

    ReplyDelete
  9. Hello again haha ​​I'm looking for the outside ( exterior ) church which was demolished in the 90s when Burt runs into the church, is still there... I know that on this site it's listed the street and the city but I can't find it on google map :( Someone could tell me give the exact address where this church was for my gps! THANKS AGAIN! :)

    ReplyDelete