Movies and TV shows must have an internal logic that audiences can identify with and the setting is all-important. If realized well, the story’s location can be as significant as the characters. Real life places inspire these fictional cities and towns making it easy to identify with them. The best of these contain iconic landmarks, just as real to us as buildings on our own skyline. Choosing a fictional location gives a certain freedom to the writers.
Arlen, Texas - King of the Hill
The team behind this hit TV animation is so keen to portray its world realistically; they send their writers on annual trips to Texas to do research on what it’s like to live there. Hank Hill, his wife Peggy, and 13-year-old son, Bobby live on Rainey Street. Hank likes to drink beer and swap observations with his buddies in the alleyway outside his house, when he isn’t mowing his perfectly groomed lawn, or at work, selling propane and propane accessories at Strickland Propane. The town slogan is Someplace Special and it probably is to Hank. Co-creator Mike Judge has said that Arlen was inspired by a Dallas suburb. Hank loves his football and the local school, the Tom Landry Middle School, is named after the real life former coach to the Dallas Cowboys.
The Emerald City - The Wizard of Oz
Follow the Yellow Brick Road to the Emerald City. That was the advice given to Dorothy, the young farm girl who found herself transported to the Land of Oz when a storm hit her native Kansas. L. Frank Baum created his fantasy world in a series of books, describing the Emerald City as a city of green glass and emeralds. The Good Witch of the North tells Dorothy to seek out the Wizard if she wants to get back home. This world was brought vividly to life in the 1939 movie starring Judy Garland. Some critics believe that the city was inspired by the author’s visit to the White City at the World’s Fair in Chicago. The Emerald City features in the Great Movie Ride at Disney’s Hollywood Studios Theme Park.
Springfield - The Simpsons
The Simpsons is one of the most successful shows on TV and its characters are as real to fans as family members. Creator Matt Groening chose the name, Springfield because it is such a common name for towns in America. The terrain around the town varies from mountains, desert, beaches, canyons, and swamp. No one knows where it is. In fact, it’s a running joke and the scriptwriters put in deliberately contradictory clues to keep the audience guessing. What is known is that Jebediah Springfield founded the town in 1796 and a statue was erected in his honor. The current Mayor is Joe Quimby. Springfield is dominated by the nuclear power plant owned by Montgomery Burns. Other landmarks include the Krusty Burger, Kwik E-Mart, Moe’s Tavern, and the Springfield Elementary School.
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Metropolis - Superman
The name of Metropolis was first referred to in a story in 1939. The co-creator and original artist, Joe Shuster has said that his design for Superman’s adopted home was based on Toronto’s skyline, where he was born. Different adaptations of Superman have used different fictional cities as Metropolis. The films that starred Christopher Reeve depicted New York City whilst the TV series with Dean Cane showed Chicago. The later series, Smallville, uses Vancouver. Superman Returns, the movie from 2006, shows several New York buildings. Metropolis is divided into six boroughs, just like the Big Apple, and is sometimes referred to as the Big Apricot. The most important building to Clark Kent / Superman is the one that houses the Daily Planet.
Gotham City - Batman
This home to a superhero was first referenced in a 1940 story. Gotham City took its inspiration from different cities, including New York City and specifically, Manhattan. Historically, Gotham is a nickname for New York. The look of Gotham has changed with different interpretations in the comic books, movies, and TV shows, but apart from a more light hearted design in the 1950s and early 1960s, it is shown as a dark, crime ridden city, battling corruption and cunning gangs. Director Tim Burton’s movie was particularly praised for its Art Deco architecture and Gothic ambience. Bruce Wayne / Batman lives in Wayne Manor in the wealthy area of Gotham Heights, and plans his crime fighting in the Batcave. He pits his wits against various villains, some of whom end up in Arkham Asylum.
Which one of these fictional cities would you like to live in? Before you move, check out the taxes and property values!
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