Short Circuit (1986)

This 80s classic is about a military robot ("Johnny 5") who escapes a government weapons facility to the coastal town of Astoria, Oregon.

The "Nova Laboratories" building was a powerhouse building at the Bonneville Dam on the Columbia River, between Washington & Oregon.

After escaping from Nova Labs, Johnny 5 hides out at a gas station that was filmed on Highway 202 in Astoria, just south of the 101 bridge to Warrenton. The building, gas pumps and shipwreck are now gone but the pilings remain.

As the armored car pursues Johnny 5, this quick shot is shown of it driving down the highway. This is just SE of the above location on Highway 202, across from Astoria High School at 1001 West Marine Drive, Astoria. The 101 bridge is visible in the background.

*Note: as you drive between the two locations you'll pass the "Bayview Cottages," seen in Kindergarten Cop.

The armored car is next seen chasing Johnny 5 over the Astoria-Megler 101 bridge, the large bridge leading into the north side of Astoria.

After falling off the 101 bridge, Johnny lands on Steph's van as it drives down West Marine Drive below the bridge.

She then turns onto Columbia Avenue and heads up the hill. The building on the corner in this shot has been remodeled & is unrecognizable, but the bridge supports make a good landmark.

197 Hume Avenue in Astoria is the house where Stephanie (Ally Sheedy) lives in the film.

When Johnny 5 takes control of Steph's van, he takes it down Columbia Ave. past the Doughboy monument (right side of above photo)...

...through the intersection and left onto West Marine Drive toward the bridge (the same spot where he landed earlier).

The boat ramp scene was filmed in Cascade Locks, OR - across the Columbia River from Stevenson, WA.

This shot looks west back toward the locks themselves. The dock in the background is used for the Columbia Gorge, a steamboat that leaves from here.

The Bridge of the Gods that crosses the Columbia into Washington west of here is visible in the background of this shot. It was also featured in an opening shot of Twilight.

The viewpoint where Newton & Ben stop on their search is the Crown Point State Park east of Portland, OR. The Vista House can be seen in the background.

The desert scenes at the end of the film were at Vasquez Rocks County Park outside Agua Dulce, CA. This is where countless movies & TV shows have filmed desert scenes over the years.

Google Map

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