My Cousin Vinny, the 1992 comedy classic starring Joe Pesci, Marisa Tomei, and Ralph Macchio, remains a beloved film for its sharp wit and fish-out-of-water humor. The movie follows two New Yorkers, Billy Gambini (Macchio) and Stan Rothenstein (Mitchell Whitfield), who find themselves wrongly accused of murder in rural Alabama. Enter Vinny Gambini (Pesci), Billy’s inexperienced cousin and lawyer, and his colorful fiancée, Mona Lisa Vito (Tomei), who arrive to defend them, creating a hilarious clash of cultures. But the question many fans ask is: Where Was My Cousin Vinny Filmed?
While the movie is set in Alabama, the charming and distinct locations you see on screen are actually in Georgia. Let’s take a road trip and explore the real-life filming locations of My Cousin Vinny, bringing the movie’s memorable scenes to life.
Rural Georgia Roads – Opening Montage
The film opens with a scenic montage showcasing the rural beauty of the South as Billy and Stan drive towards their college destination. These idyllic shots, meant to establish the setting, were filmed around Monticello and Eatonton, Georgia. Specifically, two locations south of Bostwick, Georgia on Georgia State Road 83 at Nolan Store Road captured the essence of this Southern landscape.
Just a short distance north of the previous spot, another memorable location features a sign proclaiming “FREE MANURE.” This quirky detail adds to the film’s comedic charm and highlights the rural setting where the New Yorkers find themselves completely out of their element.
Sac-O-Suds Convenience Store – 195 State Hwy 16, Monticello, GA 31064
The infamous Sac-O-Suds Convenience Store, the catalyst for the entire plot, is a real place located on Georgia State Road 16 near the Ocmulgee River in Monticello, Georgia. In the movie, Billy and Stan stop here for snacks, and Billy’s unintentional shoplifting of a can of tuna sets off a chain of events leading to murder accusations.
The filmmakers cleverly changed the state road signs in the movie to reflect Alabama, while keeping the correct road numbers, adding to the fictional setting while filming in Georgia. Interestingly, the Sac-O-Suds had fallen into disrepair and closed for a period. However, it has since been rebuilt and reopened, becoming a popular spot for movie fans to visit.
Inside the Sac-O-Suds, we see Billy and Stan’s fateful snack selection, including the tuna can. This seemingly minor incident spirals into a major legal battle.
Visitors today, like the author in this image, can explore the aisles of the Sac-O-Suds, imagining the scene where Billy’s pocketed tuna changes his life.
The moment Billy places the tuna in his pocket is a pivotal point in the movie, demonstrating how easily misunderstandings can occur, especially in unfamiliar environments.
Overloaded with snacks and preoccupied, Billy’s forgetfulness leads to his arrest, showing a relatable moment of absentmindedness with dramatic consequences.
Even the Slush Puppy machine at the Sac-O-Suds plays a small role in the unfolding events, highlighting the everyday details that contribute to the film’s authenticity.
The current owner, Cary, has revitalized the Sac-O-Suds, making it a welcoming destination for both locals and tourists interested in the movie’s legacy.
Leaving the Sac-O-Suds, Billy and Stan unknowingly drive towards their legal troubles, unaware of the murder that has just occurred.
The seemingly innocent tuna can becomes a symbol of the accidental confession and the escalating absurdity of the situation.
Across the street from the Sac-O-Suds, the now-gone trailers of prosecution witnesses Mrs. Riley and Mr. Tipton were located. These characters provide crucial, albeit flawed, eyewitness testimony.
The parking lot of Sac-O-Suds is also significant as the location where Mona Lisa Vito’s tire track photos become pivotal evidence, proving the innocence of Billy and Stan.
Vinny’s interview with Mrs. Riley in her trailer, though humorous, is a key part of his initial investigation, showcasing his unorthodox approach to lawyering.
Monticello Town Square – Monticello, GA 31064
The charming town square of Monticello, Georgia, serves as the backdrop for numerous scenes in My Cousin Vinny, portraying the fictional town of Wahzoo City, Alabama.
Vinny and Lisa’s arrival in Wahzoo City and their car trouble scene were filmed here, perfectly capturing the culture clash between the brash New Yorkers and the curious locals.
The scene where a local explains the mud in Vinny’s tires highlights the humor arising from Vinny and Lisa’s unfamiliarity with rural life.
The Jasper County Courthouse in Monticello stands in as the Wahzoo County Courthouse for all exterior scenes. While interior courtroom scenes were filmed on a set in Covington, the exterior shots lend authenticity and grandeur to the legal drama.
Mitchell’s Department Store on the square provided the only suit deemed “lawyerly” enough for Vinny. The store, still present today, plays a small but significant role in Vinny’s transformation, however comical it may be.
The vintage sign of Mitchell’s Department Store adds to the nostalgic charm of the town square and the movie itself.
The secondhand shop, now a nail salon, is where Lisa finds Vinny’s infamous “cloth” suit after his original one is ruined. This suit becomes a running gag and source of judicial disapproval.
Vinny’s disastrous first courtroom suit is a visual representation of his initial struggles to fit into the Southern legal system.
Close up of Vinny's ill-fitting and comical "cloth" suit, a source of humor in My Cousin Vinny.
Driving scenes around the town square, like this one heading to the prison, showcase the altered state road signs, reinforcing the Alabama setting while filming in Georgia.
Another driving shot in the town square, panning across Forsyth Street (GA 83), maintains the illusion of Wahzoo City.
Conversations between Vinny and Lisa, like this one about Judge Haller, often take place against the backdrop of Monticello’s town square, seamlessly blending into the narrative.
The courthouse steps become a location for key moments, such as Stan thanking Vinny, highlighting the developing trust in their initially doubted lawyer.
The final scene on the courthouse steps, where Judge Haller praises Vinny, provides a satisfying conclusion to Vinny’s improbable legal victory.
Dave’s Bar-B-Que and Soul Food, formerly Dave’s Bar-B-Q and Seafood, near the courthouse square, provided a location for Vinny and Lisa’s tense but ultimately productive lunch. Lisa’s automotive expertise emerges during this pivotal scene.
Maddox Street & 7 Island Road, Jasper County, Georgia
The hunting scene between Vinny and District Attorney Trotter, a moment of forced camaraderie, was filmed around Maddox Street & 7 Island Road in Jasper County, Georgia.
Lee Arrendale State Prison – 1978 Lee Arrendale Rd, Alto, GA 30510
For authenticity, the Lee Arrendale State Prison in Alto, Georgia, served as the filming location for the prison where Billy and Stan are held. Scenes were filmed both around and inside the actual prison facility.
Vinny and Lisa’s Motel Stops
Vinny and Lisa’s less-than-comfortable accommodations add to the comedic fish-out-of-water narrative. Their various motel stays were filmed at different locations:
General Putnam Motel – 774 Madison Rd, Eatonton, Georgia
The General Putnam Motel in Eatonton, Georgia, represented one of Vinny and Lisa’s initial lodging attempts, characterized by its less-than-glamorous amenities.
Susie Agnes Hotel / Town Hall – 103 Main St, Bostwick, GA 30623
The Susie Agnes Hotel, actually Bostwick City Hall in Bostwick, Georgia, served as another unfortunate hotel stop, plagued by the sounds of a nearby pig slaughterhouse.
Wahzoo City Hotel / AirPower – 2180 Old Covington Hwy NW, Mansfield, GA 30055
Finally, the Wahzoo City Hotel, actually AirPower in Mansfield, Georgia, was their last motel, troubled by the disruptive train that passed by every morning.
Across the street from AirPower, a building served as the “Pool and Chicken” bar/pool hall in the movie, adding to the Wahzoo City setting.
My Cousin Vinny’s enduring appeal is not just in its witty script and stellar performances, but also in its authentic portrayal of its setting, even though “Alabama” was actually Georgia. Exploring these where was My Cousin Vinny filmed locations offers a fun road trip for movie fans, bringing the laughs and charm of this classic comedy to life.
