Georgetown in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Hollywood on the Potomac

Photographed by Allen C. Browne, October 31, 2015

1. Hollywood on the Potomac Marker

Inscription. Think of Georgetown as the real life equivalent of the MGM back lot. Hollywood has used Georgetown as a backdrop for drama, comedy, intrigue, romance, crime, disaster — and horror. You are standing near the 75 steps that figured prominently in The Exorcist, perhaps the most famous movie made in Georgetown. The 1973 film told a chilling tale (written by Georgetown University Graduate William Peter Blatty) of a girl, possessed by a demon, who lives in a house adjacent to the steps. In a famous scene, a priest hurtles to his death down these steps. On the other side of the steps is the historic Car Barn built to store and transfer horse-drawn, and eventually, powered trolleys.

All the President's Men about the investigative reporters who uncovered the Watergate scandal was set in Georgetown. Three of the main characters, long-time residents Ben Bradlee, Bob Woodward and Katherine Graham, lived in Georgetown at the time of the filming.

Georgetown locales often featured are the C&O canal, Wisconsin Avenue and the Whitehurst Freeway. in No Way Out Kevin Costner used the Freeway as a means of Escape. Téa Leoni if forced

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of the Freeway in Deep Impact and all of Key Bridge is submerged by a tidal wave. In Minority Report, starring Tom Cruise. Wisconsin Avenue is a street in the future so no parked cars or pedestrians are visible. Campaign headquarters for Kevin Klein as presidential impersonator in the movie Dave is at 1422 Wisconsin Avenue. In St. Elmo's Fire a film about university students, bar scenes were filmed at The Third Edition at 1217 Wisconsin Avenue.

Arnold Schwarzenegger shops at Georgetown Park in True Lies. Will Smith lives on the east side in Enemy of the State. Tom Hanks bicycles down P Street in this early movie The Man with One Red Shoe.

In addition to movies, numerous documentaries and television episodes — from 24 to The West Wing — have been shot in Georgetown, a community that is a “star” in its own right.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment.

Location. 38° 54.35′ N, 77° 4.212′ W. Marker is in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It is in Georgetown. It is at the intersection

Photographed by Allen C. Browne, October 31, 2015

2. Hollywood on the Potomac Marker

of Prospect Street Northwest and 36th Street Northwest, on the right when traveling east on Prospect Street Northwest. At the head of the Exorcist Steps. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3535 Prospect Street Northwest, Washington DC 20007, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Washington Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American Northeast,

in the Upper South,

in the Mid-Atlantic,

in the Tidewater,

and in the Chesapeake Bay Region.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Exorcist Steps (a few steps from this marker); Prospect House (within shouting distance of this marker); Holy Hill (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Quality Hill - The John Thomson Mason House (about 400 feet away); Holy Trinity Church (about 400 feet away); Dedicated to the Memory (about 400 feet away); Holy Trinity Parish (about 500 feet away); John Fitzgerald Kennedy (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map

Photographed by Allen C. Browne, October 31, 2015

3. Hollywood on the Potomac Marker

at Prospect and 36th Street.

of all markers in Northwest Washington.

Photographed by Allen C. Browne, October 31, 2015

4. Hollywood on the Potomac Marker

at the top of the Exorcist Steps

The Exorcist House image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Allen C. Browne, October 31, 2015

5. The Exorcist House

3600 Prospect Avenue was used in the filming of The Exorcist. A mansard roof was added along with a wooden extension with a window overlooking the Exorcist Steps for Father Karris to fall out of.

The Car Barn image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Allen C. Browne, October 31, 2015

6. The Car Barn

Prospect Street Entrance

Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 1, 2015, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. This page has been viewed 911 times since then and 57 times this year. Last updated on March 7, 2020, by Bruce Guthrie of Silver Spring, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 1, 2015, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 4. submitted on November 4, 2015, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 5, 6. submitted on November 1, 2015, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.