Movie Locations of the Great Southwest! Visit locations in New Mexico and the Southwest where movies from the 1980s were made.

Original vintage poster from the 1988 movie "Twins."Twins

1988. Universal Studios, MCA Video, Color, Aspect Ratio 1.85 : 1, 107 minutes, Rated PG

Release Date: December 9, 1988

Twins is available at Amazon.com on DVD and VHS.

Movie Synopsis: Zany action-comedy-romance about two long-lost genetically-created fraternal twins (played by Arnold Schwarzenegger and Danny DeVito), who after finding each other at age 36, take off on a road trip to New Mexico to locate their biological mother.

Cast: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Danny DeVito, Kelly Preston, Chloe Webb, Hugh O’Brian, Trey Wilson

Director: Ivan Reitman

Thoughts on the Movie:
This is one of those formula movies that became so damn popular in the eighties. They just kept grinding ‘em out, one after another, one more silly and semi-idiotic than the one that had just come before. Some of them worked well enough, some of them didn’t. Twins is kind of in the middle: the premise was solid and the casting was right on, but the action meandered too far off the main plot for my taste. Still, I’d rate this film more on the positive side than the negative. It does have its moments.

It was fun to see Arnold Schwarzenegger play against type. That, however, made the character played by Danny DeVito even more of a cliche. But somehow the whole thing still worked. And having the two girlfriends along for the somewhat bumpy ride spiced things up a bit. For me, the trip the duo makes to Taos, New Mexico, to find their mother is the best part of the movie. But, clearly I’m biased. Give me New Mexico or give me death. ~Jean

The entry gate to the historic Mabel Dodge Luhan estate in Taos, New Mexico, was seen in the 1988 action-comedy movie “Twins.”The entry gate to the historic Mabel Dodge Luhan estate in Taos, New Mexico, was seen in the 1988 action-comedy movie “Twins.”
Location Site:
The Mabel Dodge Luhan House, Taos, New Mexico (see Map)
The grounds of this famous residence served as the fictional “Whispering Pines Artist Colony” where the “twins” find their mother. The four main characters are seen in front of the adobe gate leading to the house.

The Mabel Dodge Luhan House is located one mile from Taos Plaza, at 240 Morada Lane. This Pueblo Indian-style structure set on spectacular grounds, was the home of heiress Mabel Dodge Luhan. She arrived in Santa Fe in 1917, with her artist husband, Maurice Sterne, and caused a local scandal when she divorced him and married Antonio Luhan, an Indian from the Taos Pueblo. The many leading artists, writers, and musicians who were her guests include: Ansel Adams, DH Lawrence, and Georgia O’Keeffe (who later settled in nearby Aliquiu). Dodge is buried in the Kit Carson Cemetery in Taos.

Above Right: The entry gate to the historic Mabel Dodge Luhan estate in Taos, New Mexico, was seen in the 1988 action-comedy movie “Twins.”

About Taos, New Mexico:
Bonnie Bartlett plays the biological mother of the “experimental brothers” in “Twins.” They find her at an “artist colony” in Taos, New Mexico.Taos, New Mexico (population 4,700, elevation 6,969 feet; 36° 23’ 38” N, 105° 34’ 36” W) is located in northern New Mexico, approximately 60 miles north of Santa Fe, on US 84. Taos calls itself the “Town of Taos” and was incorporated as such in 1934. Taos is an enchanted town of romantic courtyards, cottonwood trees, narrow streets, and adobe walls. It is also a world-famous art and literary center (Taos boasts more artists per capita than Paris: approximately 1,336, with 96 galleries!). Taos is also a very popular ski resort in the winter and is adjacent to the historic Taos Pueblo.
To learn a lot more about Taos, see our Taos Information page.

Right: Bonnie Bartlett plays the biological mother of the “experimental brothers” in “Twins.” They find her at an “artist colony” in Taos, New Mexico.

Local Attraction:
Taos Pueblo is probably the most recognizable and picturesque site in the Taos area. Located about 1 mile northeast of town, Taos Pueblo is the area’s most popular tourist attraction. The Pueblo encompasses 95,000 acres and about 1,900 people live there, but only 150 or so live at the Pueblo full-time.

The Mabel Dodge Luhan House in Taos, New Mexico.
Lodging & Dining:
For Recommended Hotels, Motels and Lodges in Taos, see: Taos Lodging

For Recommendations for Dining in Taos, see: Taos Food

The Mabel Dodge Luhan House (pictured on the right)
Stay at the location itself: the 12 guest rooms in the main house are furnished with turn-of-the-century pieces; the 10 rooms in the newer guest house have regional hand-carved furnishings.

Hacienda del Sol. 109 Mabel Dodge Lane, Taos, New Mexico
Quiet, historic adobe with unique furnishings, fireplaces and views of the Taos Mountains. Once a part of the Mabel Dodge Luhan estate, and chosen by USA Weekend as one of “America’s Ten Most Romantic Inns.”

Movie Trivia:
• Arnold Schwarzenegger’s first real stab at comedy in Twins proved to be a big box office hit.
• This film set a precedent in film financing, with the stars taking nothing up front, and instead receiving a big part of the gross after the film was released.

Character Quote: “I don't know what the problem is, but I'm sure it can be solved without resorting to violence.” ~Julius Benedict (Arnold Schwarzenegger)