11344 Edbrooke Avenue (the number is referred to as "one hundred thirteen forty-four") is a small, old, run-down house which exists on the wrong side of the tracks in Grand Rapids, Michigan. It is where Billy the Lonely Boy lives.
Role in the film[]
The Polar Express stops in front of the house to pick up Billy, much to the surprise of Know-It-All, who thought Hero Boy was supposed to be the last one on. The Conductor steps outside and introduces the train in the same manner as he did to Hero Boy. Billy initially turns it down, but as the train leaves, he changes his mind. However, the train is moving too fast for him to get on until Hero Boy, under a suggestion by Know-It-All, pulls the emergency brake, stopping the train.
While at the North Pole, Hero Boy, Hero Girl and Billy find a present with the address, along with Billy's name, on it.
The train stops in front of the house again on the return journey to drop off Billy. Know-It-All initially questions Billy why he is getting off, not knowing they stopped at his house, until Billy explains it. He also thanks Hero Boy for stopping the train for him before going home. After Billy gets home, he finds the present he saw earlier and rushes outside to show Hero Boy and Hero Girl that Santa has been to his house.
The Conductor also announces the address as the next stop at the end of the Polar Express song.
Trivia[]
- Billy's house, just like Billy himself, does not appear in the book.
- The address was inspired by the address of the childhood home of Robert Zemeckis, the director of the film. The house in real life is in the south of Chicago, Illinois.
External links[]
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