TURLOCK & MODESTO ON SCREEN
Turlock High slips into a cruising conversation. Modesto turns up in a scooter sales pitch, a horror sequel and an animated wedding. On television, its newspaper survives a nuclear disaster—and two dramas make the city part of the story.
Updated 2026.
Three local stories to explore
- Christian Mingle: Turlock’s coffee, sushi and hotdog dates—with an official trailer and downtown filming locations.
- American Crime: why John Ridley chose Modesto for the first season of his ABC drama.
- HBO’s Looking: a Modesto homecoming, a funeral and filming at familiar local places.
The Internship (2013): Modesto gets a sales pitch
“Go to Modesto, check out old age homes.”
Sammy in The Internship
In the Vince Vaughn–Owen Wilson comedy, Sammy’s phone conversation turns Modesto into a market for motorized scooters. His advice is blunt: look for customers at old-age homes. The town gets one quick joke in a film about salesmen trying to reinvent themselves. Read the dialogue around the scene.
Jericho (2008): The Modesto Bee after the apocalypse
Jake: “The Modesto Bee, huh?”
Jericho, season two, episode two, “Condor”
Utley: “Second largest paper in California now.”
Reporter Alex Utley introduces himself to Jake Green in a country devastated by nuclear attacks. His newspaper’s new ranking is a dark joke about what has been lost. Later, Jake entrusts him with a flash drive and tells him to drive straight to Modesto before contacting his editors. The Bee becomes a route for getting the truth out. Read the episode’s subtitle transcript or see Paramount+’s episode listing.
American Graffiti (1973): a question about Turlock High
“No. Does he go to Turlock High?”
A girl answers John Milner in American Graffiti
Milner pulls alongside a carload of girls who say they are from Turlock. He asks whether they know Frank Bartlett; the school question follows, and the encounter leads to Carol riding in his yellow coupe. Find it on printed page 18 of the screenplay. George Lucas’s Modesto youth inspired the film, while Bay Area locations, including Petaluma’s cruising streets, supplied its scenery.
Explore the real neighborhood in our older east Turlock guide and the filmmaker’s roots in our George Lucas profile.
Scream (2022): a call sends Sam back to Woodsboro
Sam Carpenter and Richie Kirsch are at a Modesto bowling alley before Sam learns that her sister has been attacked in Woodsboro. That news launches their return. The Bee’s 2022 report follows the Modesto connection; Wilmington’s tourism office identifies the actual filming site as Cardinal Lanes in North Carolina.
Monsters vs. Aliens (2009): a very unusual Modesto wedding
Susan Murphy is a Modesto bride when a meteor turns her into the enormous Ginormica. Her hometown anchors the ordinary life she is about to leave behind. A filmmaker production feature describes Susan’s background; DreamWorks introduces the film and cast.
Make it a local movie night
Browse our Regal Turlock guide, revisit Valley Cinemas on Geer Road, or explore local radio and television. Remember another scene? Send us the title, year and scene so we can take a look.
