film reels ╟ central
while the entire game world is open to you from the beginning of the game, cole phelps begins his career in la’s central district. with that in mind, we’ll start our search at the southeastern corner of the map, and gradually work our way northwest to hollywood from there.
1. notorious
at the eastern edge of the map, there’s a nameless road that intersects with olympic blvd. just north of that intersection, you’ll find a dirt road that leads to this warehouse:
drive inside the open loading doors to the south, and you’ll see a little office on your right. the first reel is waiting on the floor.
2. double indemnity
not too far north of where you found notorious, and off the same nameless road, you’ll see a military base. its front entrance, which you should smash right through, looks like this:
drive up to the first building on your left. just to the west of it, you’ll see a pathway sloping downward. follow it.
follow the path behind the building pictured above, and you’ll find a practice range. the second reel is sitting on one of the tables in front of it:
3. body and soul
this one’s tricky, because you’ll need to actually get inside of the 7th st. bridge. if you’re coming from the direction of the nameless road, squeeze past the bridge’s right side, like so:
this will bring you to one of la’s many drainage canals. just drive straight across to the other side.
once there, hang a left and head for the collection of bridge supports that look like this:
hidden behind them on the big support, you’ll see a little door. head on in.
climb the stairs and head to bear right, past a couple of hobos:
just past the barrels pictured below, you’ll find the next reel:
4. detour
a few blocks southwest of the 7th street bridge, there’s see a railroad depot situated just north of bay street (the below is what it looks like if you’re coming from alameda). head for its western end.
curl around to the north side of the depot, and you’ll see a couple of red cars standing close together under the awning. the next reel is on the ground between them.
5. scarlet street
once you’ve got reel 4, head up to 6th street and find the alley to the north of it (near 6th and alameda):
once you’re in the (surprisingly spacious) alley, head for the northern edge of the loading dock to the east.
the reel is on the ground, next to a dumpster. looks like someone got a little too careless with their print of scarlet street.
6. gun crazy
after grabbing scarlet street, head north to 1st street and follow it east (or just fast-travel, whichever). shortly after crossing the bridge, you’ll see train tracks headed south, past this parking structure. your target is the small water tower just visible under the arrow:
head over to it, and you’ll see the next reel laying on the ground, semi-hidden by a pipe.
7. house of bamboo
head back west along 1st street, and head south at alameda. there’s a factory on the eastern side of the street; here’s what it looks like when you’re coming up from the south:
smash through the gates in front of the place and drive on it. if you’re approaching from alameda, you’ll see a staircase on the right that looks like this:
climb that sucker and look to the right. the next reel is in plain sight near the corner of the catwalk.
8. pickup on south street
here’s an easy one: just go to union station. if you haven’t found it (which you normally will in the second traffic-desk case), take alameda north and it’ll be on your right. once you’ve find it, you can tick a landmark off your list and head inside the southernmost entrance.
run around the locker kiosk, and you’ll see a little gift stand on the right.
the next reel is on the counter, freely available for you to grab.
9. leave her to heaven
northwest of union station, nestled at the corner of a couple of nameless streets, you’ll find a decrepit public pool. here’s what it looks like from the street to its north:
as you’re heading over to the entrance on the pool’s east end, take a look a tthe fenced yard. you’ll see the next reel sitting near a tree.
to get to it, just head in through the front door and hang a right.
10. key largo
did you think the last location was spooky? it can’t touch this one for remoteness, even though this place is really just a few blocks northwest of the pool. while you’ll visit this eerie ranch house in the final hours of the game, you may as well head over there and grab the reel now. on the north side of the nameless road shown below the "player" icon above, you’ll see the entrance to the ranch’s dirt road, which looks like this:
follow it around until you’ve driven through the ranch’s entry arch, and look for this ramshackle farmhouse:
head up to the front door, and the reel will be on your left, just waiting to be taken to safety.
11. the maltese falcon
just northwest of grand ave. (and one block north of 1st street), you’ll see a mostly fenced-in alley/semi-vacant area next to the globe bakery. head in through the south entrance.
once you’ve entered, immediately turn right and head into the globe’s backyard.
you’ll see the next reel along the inside of the southern fence, just waiting to be grabbed.
12. angels with dirty faces
while the map above shows the next reel’s location as the corner of 2nd and spring, you won’t find it just lying on the street. instead, you’ll need to look for the ladder up to the construction site on 2nd, between spring and broadway.
once you climb up, head right from the ladder and follow the walkway as it curves around to the left. you should see a little makeshift hut:
head inside, and you’ll see the 1938 james cagney classic sitting on the edge of a wire-spool table.
13. strangers on a train
the next reel is just two blocks southeast of angels with dirty faces - look for a parking lot next to a cathedral, with a small security-guard post.
drive into the parking lot and head for the arches on the back wall. (you can also enter the narrow walkway next to the guard post instead; either way, you’re going to the same place.)
if you went in through the parking lot, vault over the wall next to the arches and continue heading toward them.
hang a left, and you’ll see the next reel on the ground.
14. the big heat
this one’s super-easy to find, provided you’ve discovered the angels flight landmark. head into its top entrance, where olive street (sort of) intersects with 3rd street.
just in front of the entrance to the train car, you’ll find the big heat laying on the floorboards.
15. touch of evil
on 6th street, just west of broadway, you’ll find the entrance to a large alley. head in there.
you’ll know you’re in the right one if you see the sign for the los angeles theatre. head toward the staircase on the back wall.
ignore the staircase. it won’t help you get where you need to go. instead, shimmy up the pipe to the right of it and follow the path up to the roof.
once you’re up there, take the first left and head down the long stretch of roof toward the theater’s arched facade.
touch of evil is on the ground at the end of the roof. grab it and head back down the way you came.
16. the asphalt jungle
just south of maple and 6th, you’ll see this big-ass elevated train station. head southwest along maple and look for a ramp that’ll take you up there.
once you’ve driven up the ramp, bear right and head toward the platforms.
the asphalt jungle’s been discarded at the eastern edge of the platform pictured below. go grab it.
17. out of the past
near the south end of broadway, you’ll see a train depot that looks like this:
head into the lane through its center, and you’ll see the next reel hiding in a sunbeam.
18. the big carnival
head northwest from where you found out of the past, and look for this house to the north of 9th st., just west of where it intersects with figueroa.
run over there, and you’ll find the big carnival sitting on the unguarded back porch.
19. mildred pierce
compared to finding this reel, the rest are a total cakewalk. it’s only accessible through a long railway tunnel; assuming you’re taking these in order, we recommend taking this entrance, situated just off hill street between 4th and 5th (see map below).
follow the tunnel until you see it fork to the right. that’s your cue to slam on the brakes and get out.
head into the fork (which turns out to be a dead end), and you’ll see the 1945 version of mildred pierce sitting next to the tracks. once you’ve grabbed it, get back in the car and continue heading through the tunnel, as the exit will take you near the next reel.
20. this gun for hire
the next reel’s in the shadow of the beverly boulevard bridge, in a construction site a block east of glendale. here’s how to get there if you’re coming from the east end of 1st street.
turn northeast onto the short, nameless road, and then hang a right into the construction site as soon as you’re able. (just smash through any barriers you find.)
immediately hang another right, drive down into this ditch and smash through the chain-link gates at the end.
the path bottoms out in a construction pit with a wooden scaffold:
just inside of that scaffold, you’ll find a ramp. head up it.
turn around when you’re at the top of the ramp, and this gun for hire will be waiting for you at the end of the platform.
21. rififi
in the suburban tangle between 6th and 3rd streets, a little east of union ave., you’ll find this little teal-and-white house:
march on up to its front porch, and you’ll discover the classic 1955 heist film, partially hidden behind the railing.
22. sweet smell of success
north of where you found the last reel, and just south of 3rd street, you’ll find a big drive-in diner. across the street from it to the west, you’ll see a big red crane behind a couple of large houses. head over to it.
head left at the crane and you’ll find yourself on the rim of a large construction pit.
the next reel is sitting by a little wooden shelter at the pit’s southeast corner.
23. murder, my sweet
on beacon between 8th and 9th (just north of a huge oil field), look west and you’ll see a plaza with stairs leading down. head over to them.
at the bottom of the stairs, you’ll find a parking garage - and, more importantly, a tree at its center. the next reel is sitting among its roots.
24. night and the city
look south from the bridge in macarthur park, and you’ll see a little yellow-roofed gazebo just sitting out in the middle of the water. but how to get there?
oh, it turns out the water’s safe to wade through. neat.
jog out to the gazebo, and you’ll find the next reel laying in plain sight.
25. the big clock
along the winding, hilly path between grand view and alvarado (and north of 6th), you’ll find this expensive-looking home, with the address 131.
the next reel is sitting on its front porch. easy!
26. the naked city
from beverly boulevard, head south onto bonni brae street and look right. you should see this imposing two-story blue house. head over to the porch that the arrow’s pointing to:
at the end of the porch, you’ll find the naked city just sitting there, unattended.
film reels ╟ wilshire
27. shadow of a doubt
on coronado street, just north of where it intersects with beverly boulevard, you’ll see the entrance to an airfield. head on in.
bear left past the planes and get onto the airfield’s southern access road.
keep an eye out to the right, and you’ll see a fenced in yard with a plane just before the road intersects with the runways. head in there.
turn right at the plane, and you’ll see this hangar. head on in.
toward the back of the hangar, in front of another plane, you’ll find the next reel waiting for you.
28. the killing
on commonwealth avenue, just north of 6th street, you’ll find this two-chapel cathedral. your target is the little arched walkway in between the two chapels.
head to the back of it, and the next reel will be sitting in plain sight.
29. the set-up
head west along 6th street from the last reel’s location, and start looking left when you pass new hampshire avenue. when you see the yellow-and-blue house below, get out and head for the walkway that runs to its left.
take a sharp right to get to the blue-trimmed house’s back porch, and you’ll see the next reel sitting on a patch of blue concrete.
30. laura
just north of the virgil avenue/2nd street intersection, you’ll see a wide concrete driveway leading west past some suburban yards. go ahead and follow it.
soon, you’ll see a little park with swings and a jungle gym just south of the path you’re on. head over to it.
the next reel is sitting on the edge of a picnic table, just past the jungle gym.
31. the lady from shanghai
at the intersection of 1st street and council street (in the middle of the "h" in wilshire, as seen above), there’s a large, open park behind a two-story brick building. head into it and move west of the building.
toward the west end of the park is a baseball diamond; the lady from shanghai is sitting on the pitcher’s mound.
32. the third man
just west of where beverly boulevard curves south is a line of houses on the north side of the street. behind them is a park; for best results, turn north between the houses pictured below:
you should see a swingset and some benches ahead. swerve around them like a lunatic and keep going to the north end of the park.
at the north end, you’ll see this path leading up onto a little cliffside lookout point. get out of the car and head up there.
the next reel is on the ground, between some benches and a tree.
33. the killers
one block west of the corner of 1st and kenmore, you’ll find the southern entrance to the elysian fields development. head for the window of the under-construction house near the billboard.
once inside, navigate the maze of timbers and head for the northwest corner of the house. the next reel is on the floor, in an unfinished room.
34. m
from vermont avenue, take the dirt road just north of middlebury street and head west.
not too far in, you should see this unassuming white house on your left. your destination is its yard.
specifically the seesaw.
look underneath the seesaw, and you’ll find m hiding on the ground.
35. crossfire
at the corner of melrose and heliotrope, you’ll find a southwestern gas station and a repair garage. your destination lies in between them.
past the gas station and the garage, you’ll see the side of a storage building. head over to it.
the next reel is sitting in the shadows in front of a doorway, just past the gas station’s parking lot.
36. thieves’ highway
just north of rosewood avenue, between harvard and kingsley, you’ll find a drive-in diner by a circle k. head inside.
once you’re in there, you’ll find the next reel sitting out on the counter, next to a register. go ahead and take it. it’s for you.
film reels ╟ hollywood
37. white heat
in between mariposa and alexandria are a bunch of two story apartment buildings. you’re looking for the big green-and-beige one just south of the center of a short, unmarked street.
head around to the south side of the building, and you’ll find a staircase going up. take it.
at the end of the walkway above, you’ll find the next reel.
38. the narrow margin
just northwest of the intersection of two unnamed streets between hobart and ardmore, you’ll find a red-roofed mansion behind a hedge wall. here’s what it looks like if you’re heading south on the north-south unmarked street:
head into the mansion’s driveway and continue to the area behind its garage.
there’s a whole garden back there, and your destination is at its west end.
head up to the fountain and you’ll see the next reel waiting for you, plain as day.
39. sunset boulevard
in hiding sunset boulevard anywhere other than sunset boulevard, team bondi missed a small opportunity to look clever. but whatever. you’ll find the next reel at a little shopping plaza on the north side of melrose, near the western end of the street.
look underneath the tree at the plaza’s center, and the next reel is yours.
40. the woman in the window
this one’s a little tricky, just because it involves finding your way through a row of idential dwellings. from wilton, turn onto lemongrove, and take a left between second and third houses to the south.
behind the houses, you’ll see a small common area, at the center of which is a picnic table.
get close to the picnic table, and you’ll find the next reel sitting on its edge.
41. the spiral staircase
just east of santa monica and wilton, you’ll find samuel’s deli on the north side of the street. your destination is the little park next door to it.
once you’re in there, look left toward the building, and you’ll find the next reel sitting under a large tree
42. the night of the hunter
at the eastern edge of fountain avenue is the hillside motel, and at its southeast corner, you’ll find its front entrance. go ahead and stroll on through.
jog north past the parking lot, and you’ll find a large common area with a swimming pool.
at the northern end of the pool, you’ll find the night of the hunter.
waiting.
for you.
43. odd man out
a few blocks northwest of the hillside, you’ll find a tract of squat little houses. your target is the sea-green one in the southern row, second from the street if you’re coming from st. andrews place.
yeah, this one right here. head around to the other side of it.
on the back porch, you’ll find your next reel.
44. in a lonely place
some distance west from the last reel, you’ll find a miniature golf course on el centro, just south of santa monica. go ahead and drive on in.
not far from where you entered (assuming you entered from el centro), there’ll be a slight hill leading up to the northeast. jog up there.
at the top of the hill, you’ll see this horseshoe-looking hole. your next reel is at its center.
45. where the sidewalk ends
from the mini-golf course, follow el centro north until you can take a left onto sunset. look to the north side of the street, and you should see the palladium theatre.
where the sidewalk ends is laying just behind the ticket booth. looks like the projectionist got careless.
46. gilda
at the triangular intersection of homewood, cahuenga and cole, you’ll find an imposing circle k that looks like this:
drive around to the back of the station, to where the restrooms are.
walk into the secluded rear of the station, and you’ll find the next reel laying on the ground (probably attached to a restroom key).
47. the letter
head over to the crossroads of the world outdoor mall (near the center of the "o" in hollywood), and head north along the right side of its main building.
you should see a giant reddish-brown staircase to the north, so go ahead and climb it.
once you’re past the big stairs, keep running north and you’ll see a smaller staircase on your right.
climb it, and you’ll find the next reel hiding on the landing.
48. brute force
from the last reel’s location, head a block or two northeast until you’re at the corner of selma and schrader. take schrader north, and then turn left at the first unmarked street that looks like this:
the street is a dead end overlooking a football field, but there on the pavement at the west end of it is the next reel.
49. nightmare alley
just off franklin at the northern edge of the map, you’ll see a big, red-roofed shopping center. enter its parking lot as indicated by the arrow below:
once you’re in the lot, head for the western end of the building.
from there, climb up onto the walkway and head around the side of the building to the alleyway.
there, nestled amid a billboard and some dumpsters, is the reel for nightmare alley.
50. the big sleep
for the final reel, just follow hollywood boulevard west. just before the street ends, you’ll notice that the train tracks veer off to the left. follow them.
the tracks will bring you to a little depot. head on through; your target is the little water tower that the arrow’s pointing to.
sitting on the ground next to the water tower is the final reel. go and grab it!
landmarks ╟ central
for the landmarks, we’re going to do things a little differently. since many of you are likely still in the early stages of l.a. noire, we’re starting in the middle of central ╟ where you’ll spend roughly the first half of l.a. noire ╟ and then heading east. after we’ve pointed out everything east of macarthur park, we’ll we’ll use it as the next starting point and then move steadily northwest to wilshire and hollywood. got it? let’s begin.
1. the mayfair hotel
just east of 7th street and columbia avenue, you’ll find the mayfair. be advised that you may have to circle it a little before the game will register it as "discovered."
2. good samaritan hospital
two blocks north of the mayfair and just south of 6th street, you’ll find good samaritan between witmer and lucas,
3. intolerance set
it seems the presence of intolerance’s infamous babylon set here is something of an anachronism, seeing as the real structure was reportledly torn down in 1919 - and was actually located at the corner of hollywood and sunset. but its glorious decrepitude is a highlight of noire’s version of central l.a. (and its third traffic case), so we’re not complaining. you’ll find it at the corner of 8th and francisco.
4. christ crown of thorns
just southwest of the intolerance set, you’ll find this abandoned church. the story will take you there eventually, but if you’d like to get its discovery out of the way immediately, now you know you can find it just south of 9th street, west of francisco.
5. los angeles public library
another gimme from the story, the l.a. public library is on 5th street, between flower and grand.
6. pershing square
two blocks southeast of the library, you’ll find this little park with its conspicuous public fountain. it’s got a pretty distinct shape on the map, so it’s kind of hard to miss.
7. rko theatre
two blocks southwest of pershing square, you’ll find the rko theatre at the corner of hill and 8th.
8. los angeles examiner
near the southwestern edge of central la, you’ll find the long, red-roofed examiner building at 11th and broadway.
9. main street terminal
don’t be fooled by the extreme close-up above - the main street terminal is huge. look for it at 6th and los angeles, where it takes up an entire block.
10. the bradbury building
head back north along broadway, and you’ll find the bradbury building where broadway intersects with 3rd street.
11. angels flight
a train built expressly for getting up one hill, angels flight can be found at 3rd and hill, two blocks southwest of the central police station.
12. hall of records
it’s hard not to discover the hall of records by accident, seeint as it’s less than one bock northeast of the central police station, but in case you haven’t found it yet, here’s where to look:
13. el pueblo de los angeles
a couple blocks northeast of the hall of records, you’ll find el pueblo, easily recognizable by the distinct circle on the map.
14. union station
practically across the street from el pueblo is union station. the second traffic case will likely take you here automatically, but just in case, here’s where to find it:
15. chinatown
head back to broadway and follow it to the north end of central, and you’ll eventually reach the gates of chinatown, sadly devoid of creepy hoods played by roman polanski.
16. la cold storage co.
from chinatown, head over to alameda and follow it south. just past 3rd street, you should discover the massive cold storage building.
17. 4th street viaduct
from cold storage, turn around and head north up alameda, then take the first right onto 4th place. follow it as it becomes 4th street and head across the bridge. you should automatically register this one when you’re halfway across.
18. 6th street viaduct
after crossing the 4th street viaduct, head south and turn right onto whittlier boulevard. once again, the landmark should register when you’re halfway across the bridge.
19. national biscuit company
driving west on 6th street, take a left and head south on mateo street. you’ll find the blocklike nbc building just south of industrial street.
20. macarthur park
heading back to the west end of central, you’ll find macarthur park in a big, distinctive square. it might not be melting in the dark, but at least it’s easy to find.
21. park plaza
park plaza is hard to miss, but you might anyway. after exiting the park’s west side, immediately turn right on parkview and you can add another landmark to your tally.
landmarks ╟ wilshire
22. westlake tar pits
like a lot of other landmarks on this list, you’ll have to visit the tar pits as part of a case - but if you’d like to see them before then, you can find them just south of san marino street, at the southern edge of the wilshire district.
23. l.a. county art museum
just two blocks north of the tar pits, you’ll find the sprawling art museum and its impressive hedge maze by driving past on hoover.
24. bullocks wilshire
to take in a less culturally significant sight, head north from the museum on hoover, then hang a left onto wilshire. you should be able to log this one pretty quickly.
landmarks ╟ hollywood
25. the brown derby
disappointingly, this isn’t the original, hat-shaped brown derby, but so long as the iconic restaurant is in here somewhere, we’re happy. it’s the easternmost landmark in hollywood, and you can find it just south of hollywood and vine, on the eastern side of the street.
26. crossroads of the world
from the brown derby, head south on vine and make a right onto sunset. you’ll find this open-air mall just after seward street, but if you hit las palmas you’ve gone too far.
27. musso & franks
musso & franks is still a hollywood institution, and it can be found by taking las palmas north from the crossroads of the world, and then making a right onto hollywood boulevard.
28. max factor building
from musso & franks, follow hollywood boulevard west, then turn left on highland. it’ll be on your left.
29. grauman’s theater
to find the world-famous grauman’s chinese theater (which is disappointingly lacking in celebrity handprints), just follow hollywood boulevard west. it’s right between orchid and orange.
30. hotel roosevelt
directly southwest of grauman’s theater, you can unlock the roosevelt by following orange drive just south of hollywood boulevard.
with that, you should have all 30 landmarks, and the star map achievement/trophy. enjoy the slight bump in gamerscore/level, and check back soon for videos and for more l.a. noire guides.
may 18, 2011
