Movie connections for
Chinatown (1974) More at IMDbPro »

Followed by

The Two Jakes (1990)

Edited into

Visions of Light (1992)
The Kid Stays in the Picture (2002)

References

The Maltese Falcon (1941)
Vertigo (1958)

Referenced in

"Action: Love Sucks (#1.13)" (????)
 -  Wendy mentions spending a lot of time on the set with Roman.
"Saturday Night Live: Raquel Welch/Phoebe Snow, John Sebastian (#1.18)" (1976)
 -  Mentioned in One Flew Over The Hornet's Nest
El desencanto (1976)
Porklips Now (1980)
Blade Runner (1982)
The Secret of NIMH (1982)
 -  Jeremy quotes J.J. Gittes's line, "When you're right, you're right, and you're right."
"Remington Steele: Steele Flying High (#1.12)" (1983)
 -  The film is mentioned by a character.
"The A-Team: Water, Water Everywhere (#2.10)" (1983)
 -  Title mentioned by Murdock
Clive James Meets Roman Polanski (1984) (TV)
 -  mentioned once
Fletch (1985)
 -  During Fletch's first interview, he is clumsily wearing a nose brace, similar to Jake Gittes' in Chinatown. Both are roughly similar Picaresque stories.
Angel Heart (1987)
Spaceballs (1987)
 -  References the line "When you're right you're right. And you're right."
Tequila Sunrise (1988)
"The Golden Girls: Sophia's Choice (#4.22)" (1989)
 -  This film is mentioned by name
"Dekalog" (1989)
The Adventures of Ford Fairlane (1990)
The Two Jakes (1990)
 -  Jake Berman sayin to Jake Gittes, the same quote that Cross said to Jake; "You may think you know what's going on around here, but you don't".
Killer Tomatoes Eat France! (1991)
Juice (1992)
"Mystery Science Theater 3000: 'Manos' the Hands of Fate (#5.24)" (1993)
 -  A character parodies the "She's my daughter. She's my sister" scene from "Chinatown."
Sunny Side Up (1994)
"The Simpsons: Secrets of a Successful Marriage (#5.22)" (1994)
 -  "Forget it, Marge! It's Chinatown!"
"Just a Minute: (#2.2)" (1994)
 -  Referenced by name
The Bitch Is Back (1995)
 -  The "She's my sister, my daughter, my sister and my daughter!" lines from Chinatown are quoted.
"Mystery Science Theater 3000: Danger! Death Ray (#7.20)" (1995)
 -  At one point, Mike makes a reference to this movie.
Hideaway (1995)
Tank Girl (1995)
 -  They use the "Water and Power" company name. This could have been a direct reference as they both are corrupt and stealing water in times of drought
Devil in a Blue Dress (1995)
Se7en (1995)
"Duckman: Private Dick/Family Man: Noir Gang (#3.1)" (1996)
 -  Referenced by name during Cornfed's case wrap up.
"NewsRadio: Houses of the Holy (#2.16)" (1996)
 -  in dialogue "it's Chinatown"
"NewsRadio: Sleeping (#3.21)" (1997)
 -  Dave imagines Jimmy would get an actor's name wrong from this movie
L.A. Confidential (1997)
Conspiracy Theory (1997)
U Turn (1997)
Good Will Hunting (1997)
The Big Lebowski (1998)
The Truman Show (1998)
 -  When Truman coughs to conceal that he is ripping a page from the fashion magazine in his office, this references when Gittes coughs to conceal that he is ripping a page out of book with a list of the names of the grove owners in the valley.
"Mystery Science Theater 3000: Hobgoblins (#10.7)" (1998)
 -  Crow: "Serpico. Dirty Harry. Jake Gittes. Kevin."
Rounders (1998)
Rushmore (1998)
The Best of Film Noir (1999) (V)
 -  Poster shown.
Man of the Century (1999)
 -  Navarro mentions Roman Polanski while wearing a bandage on his injured nose.
Road Kill (1999)
 -  The gangster tells the male lead that CHINATOWN is his favorite film.
The Ninth Gate (1999)
 -  Earlier Polanski film; Fargas ('Ninth Gate') is murdered in the same manner as Hollis Mulwray from 'Chinatown', by being drowned in his garden pool; Boris Balkan ('Ninth Gate') is based on some aspects of 'Chinatown' villian Noah Cross
"Mystery Science Theater 3000: Merlin's Shop of Mystical Wonders (#11.3)" (1999)
 -  Crow: I also have a script called Chinatown. I don't like it as much.
'Halloween' Unmasked 2000 (1999) (V)
"Action: Re-Enter the Dragon (#1.2)" (1999)
 -  Peter says 'Raffi' has written the best script since Chinatown
Wonder Boys (2000)
"Just Shoot Me!: A&E Biography: Nina Van Horn (#4.23)" (2000)
 -  Robert Evans mentions it.
"Angel: Are You Now or Have You Ever Been (#2.2)" (2000)
 -  The PI in this episode is named C. Mulvihill, a reference to the corrupt PI and former cop Claude Mulvihill. After being hit by Angel, he wears a bandage on his nose similar to that worn by Jack Nicholson.
Red Planet (2000)
"Six Feet Under: An Open Book (#1.5)" (2001)
 -  In reference to Brenda, Billy says to Nate: "She's my sister, my mother, my sister!" while slapping himself.
Going the Distance: Remembering 'Marathon Man' (2001) (V)
"Home Movies: Life Through a Fisheye Lens (#1.9)" (2001)
 -  The characters mention "Chinatown"
"Gilmore Girls: The Road Trip to Harvard (#2.4)" (2001)
 -  Rory quotes the film's famous last line.
"Spin City: Chinatown (#6.11)" (2001)
 -  title reference
Teknolust (2002)
 -  Plaster on Agent's nose (and later around his face)
Cinemania (2002)
xXx (2002)
 -  Cage makes a joke telling El Jefe he's short. Late in the same scene El Jefe threatens to cut of Cage's nose the same way the midget in Chinatown threatens to cut of Gittes' nose.
"The Sopranos: Whitecaps (#4.13)" (2002)
 -  Tony's line "bad for glass" references a key moment in the film
Easy Riders, Raging Bulls: How the Sex, Drugs and Rock 'N' Roll Generation Saved Hollywood (2003)
 -  referenced as part of the documentary
O Caminho das Nuvens (2003)
 -  The nose of the character played by Ravi Ramos Lacerda is cut exactly like Jack Nicholson's nose in Chinatown
"Gilmore Girls: The Fundamental Things Apply (#4.5)" (2003)
 -  Lorelai questioning Luke on what movies he's seen
Twisted (2004/I)
 -  During a pool hall scene between Ashley Judd and Samuel L. Jackson's characters, the Chinatown poster is seen.
"High Chaparall: (#2.4)" (2004)
 -  Mentioned by name
"Navy NCIS: Naval Criminal Investigative Service: Dead Man Talking (#1.19)" (2004)
 -  When explaining Amanda Reed and Cmdr. Voss is the same person Abby does the "She's my sister, she's my daughter" from Chinatown with slaps to illustrate it.
The Terminal (2004)
 -  The swordfish prop: in Chinatown appears hanging on two walls of the office of Mullray's associate
Empire of Dreams: The Story of the 'Star Wars' Trilogy (2004) (TV)
 -  mentioned once
Silentium (2004)
 -  Berti's line "Vergiss' es, Brenner, wir sind in Salzburg!" references the famous last line of Chinatown.
Harry Monument (2004)
 -  brilliant film on any budget
Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines (2004) (VG)
 -  The character Gary states "Forget it Boss. It's Chinatown" at the beginning of the mission that firsts unlocks the Chinatown area.
"CSI: NY: Rain (#1.7)" (2004)
 -  Stella quotes a line from the film, replacing the name "Jack" with "Mac".
Before, During and 'After the Sunset' (2005) (V)
 -  mentioned once
"Gilmore Girls: How Many Kropogs to Cape Cod? (#5.20)" (2005)
 -  Luke appears to be arguing with himself, and Lorelai teases him, quoting "My daughter, my sister, my daughter ..."
"Over There: Situation Normal (#1.8)" (2005)
 -  Open reference by a character
Rumor Has It... (2005)
"Charmed: 12 Angry Zen (#8.14)" (2006)
 -  A line from the movie is spoofed in this episode
"The Venture Bros.: Assassinanny 911 (#2.3)" (2006)
 -  The scene in which Brock repeatedly slaps the doctor, who cries out with every strike "Your mother! Your father!" culminating in "Your mother and your father!" references a climactic scene in "Chinatown".
50 Films to See Before You Die (2006) (TV)
 -  Makes the countdown, is talked about.
"Lost: Every Man for Himself (#3.4)" (2006)
 -  Sawyer calls Pickett, the man with a plastered nose, "Chinatown", refering to Jack Nicholson's character.
Hot Fuzz (2007)
 -  The line "Forget it, Nick. It's Sandford." Is similar to the last line in Chinatown: "Forget it Jake, it's Chinatown."
"South Park: Cartman Sucks (#11.2)" (2007)
 -  The opening shots of the pictures Cartman takes of Butters mirrors the opening shot of the pictures Jake Gittes took of Curly's adulterous wife
"Andy Barker, P.I.: Pilot (#1.1)" (2007)
 -  Simon says Andy's client is straight out of Chinatown.
Grindhouse (2007)
 -  Poster visible in taco bar
"Chuck: Chuck Versus the Sizzling Shrimp (#1.5)" (2007)
 -  Chuck asks Lo Pan if he's seen Chinatown.
Assassination of a High School President (2008)
 -  In the aftermath, a character says "Forget it, Funke. It's high school."
"CSI: Crime Scene Investigation: Two and a Half Deaths (#8.16)" (2008)
 -  At the end of the episode, Brass puts his hand on Grissom's shoulder and says, "Forget it, Gil. It's Burbank."
My Best Friend's Girl (2008)
 -  "Gynatown" porn title
I Bet You (2009)
 -  When Dan puts the blade to Shane's nostril, Matt says "you nearly did a Jack Nicholson there"
"The Flight of the Conchords: NewZealandTown (#2.8)" (2009)
 -  "Forget it, Murray. It's New Zealand town"
"Saturday Night Live: Ryan Reynolds/Lady Gaga (#35.2)" (2009)
 -  Mentioned by Arnold Schwarzenegger while talking about Roman Polanski on Weekend Update

Featured in

Precious Images (1986)
John Huston: The Man, the Movies, the Maverick (1989)
100 Years at the Movies (1994) (TV)
 -  bed scene between 2 "Taxi Driver " clips
"Cadillac Desert" (1997)
AFI's 100 Years... 100 Movies: America's Greatest Movies (1998) (TV)
 -  This film is #19 on the list.
Chinatown Revisited with Roman Polanski, Robert Evans and Robert Towne (1999) (V)
 -  Clips from the 1974 movie were included in this documentary "making-of" short.
AFI's 100 Years... 100 Thrills: America's Most Heart-Pounding Movies (2001) (TV)
 -  This film is #16 on the list.
A Decade Under the Influence (2003)
"Larry King Live: (2003-02-24)" (2003)
 -  clip shown
AFI's 100 Years... 100 Heroes & Villains (2003) (TV)
 -  Noah Cross is #16 on the "Villains" list.
Los Angeles Plays Itself (2003)
 -  footage appears throughout
"The Sopranos: The Test Dream (#5.11)" (2004)
 -  clip seen on TV
Z Channel: A Magnificent Obsession (2004) (TV)
 -  "Z Channel" documentary references and features scores of movies that were seen on the "Z Channel."
Masters of Production: The Hidden Art of Hollywood (2004) (TV)
 -  Discusses Production Design
"E! True Hollywood Story: Jack Nicholson" (2005)
 -  About his realtionship with the director
AFI's 100 Years... 100 Movie Quotes: America's Greatest Quips, Comebacks and Catchphrases (2005) (TV)
 -  The quote "Forget it, Jake, it's Chinatown." is #74 on the list.
50 Films to See Before You Die (2006) (TV)
 -  Clips shown.
AFI's 100 Years... 100 Movies: 10th Anniversary Edition (2007) (TV)
 -  This film is #21 on the list.
The Man Who Shot Chinatown: The Life and Work of John A. Alonzo (2007)
 -  documentary featuring work of Alonzo
Manorama Six Feet Under (2007)
 -  Roughly based on Chinatown. Also, seen playing on TV in one of the scenes.
Chinatown: Filming (2007) (V)
 -  clips shown
Chinatown: The Beginning and the End (2007) (V)
 -  clips shown
Chinatown: The Legacy (2007) (V)
 -  clip shown
Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired (2008)
 -  Clips used
AFI's 10 Top 10: America's 10 Greatest Films in 10 Classic Genres (2008) (TV)
 -  This film is #2 on the "Mystery" list.

Spoofed in

"Saturday Night Live: Madeline Kahn/Carly Simon (#1.19)" (1976)
 -  spoofed as a musical
The Cheap Detective (1978)
Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988)
Fatal Instinct (1993)
"Duckman: Private Dick/Family Man: Noir Gang (#3.1)" (1996)
 -  Spoofed by "it's my husband, it's my grandfather" scene.
The Curse of Monkey Island (1997) (VG)
"Six Feet Under: An Open Book (#1.5)" (2001)
 -  Billy mocks the "She's my sister, my daughter!" scene when introducing himself as Brenda's brother to Nate.
"Two and a Half Men: The Last Thing You Want Is to Wind Up with a Hump (#1.5)" (2003)
 -  The closing line "Forget it, Jake. It's Sherman Oaks." is a spoof of the closing line to Chinatown: "Forget it, Jake. It's Chinatown."
Stella Street (2004)
 -  Features a spoof of Chinatown (1974)
"Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law: Trio's Company (#2.2)" (2004)
 -  Reducto parodies the 'she's my sister/she's my daughter' speech
"The Starter Wife" (2007)
 -  Molly and Joan re-enact the scene in which the woman tells the investigator that the girl is her sister and her daughter. Molly says he's a killer and her lover.

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