St. Elmo's Fire took a lot of heat ;-) from critics for assembling seven of the most loathsome, self-indulgent characters committed to celluloid. But what a better time for them to ignite ;-) the big screen than in the decade of greed and excess. Most of The Breakfast Club (1985) cast reunite along with a few other Brat Pack members to deal with a time in life that everyone can relate to - entering the real world. Each has their own little post-grad scenario, some more outlandish than others (like trying to freeze to death in 40 degree weather), but no matter how hectic life gets, there's always time to knock back a few at St. Elmo's Bar. Amidst the betrayals, disappointments and worries, these seven friends see each other through to a new horizon. ;-)
I don't care what critics say, St. Elmo's Fire is a classic! With moments like Billy's sax wailing (Let's Rock!), Leslie and Alec's record album separation, Jules' 40 degree suicide attempt, Mrs. Beamish's stage whispers, and of course, Naomi, how can you not like this movie? In addition, David Foster's love theme and John Parr's pop perfection that is St. Elmo's Fire (Man in Motion) certainly add fuel to the fire. ;-) Buggala, bug gala, buggala! Ha! Ha! Ha!
St. Elmo's Fire was filmed in College Park, MD, the Georgetown area of Washington, DC and Universal City, CA
Location: Georgetown University
Address: University of Maryland - Fraternity Row, Washington, DC
The University of Maryland filled in for Georgetown University, who objected to some of the material in the script.
This area is seen later on when Billy visits his old fraternity. They come out of house #4. I don't know if it was the same one used in the opening credits.
This area was also sorority row in The House on Sorority Row (1983)
Location: Georgetown Establishing Shot
Address: Wisconsin Avenue & Prospect Street, Washington, DC
Location: Georgetown Theater
Address: 1351 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC
Location: St. Elmo's Bar Exterior
Address: Universal Studios Backlot - Courthouse Square, Universal City, CA
11/4/17 - I didn't realize it at the time, but I recently discovered the exterior for St. Elmo's Bar was filmed on the Universal Studios Backlot. Unfortunately the tram didn't go down the road, so this photo is from a distance. You can get a glimpse of where St. Elmo's Bar was behind the tree on the left where the white truck is. To the right of it is a building with three arches. This area was destroyed by a fire back in 2008, but the rebuilt structures still look somewhat similar to what was standing there before...
Location: St. Elmo's Bar Interior
Address: 1226 36th Street NW, Washington, DC The Tombs
The interior of St. Elmo's Bar was not actually shot here, but it was modeled after The Tombs watering hole...
Location: Chesapeake & Ohio Canal
Address: M Street & Thomas Jefferson Street, Washington, DC
Looking west on Thomas Jefferson Street...
Location: Leslie & Wendy Stroll
Address: Between 31st Street NW & Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC
Just down from the establishing shot of the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal is where Wendy talks to Leslie about her Billy addiction.
Location: The Antique Shop
Address: 3214 O Street NW, Washington, DC
Location: Wendy & Jules' Shop
Address: 3216 O Street NW, Washington, DC
Right next door is where Jules gets ogled by a bunch of guys as she leaves the shop with Wendy.
Location: Alec & Billy's Restaurant
Address: 1218 Wisconsin Avenue, Washington, DC
Billy, on his never-ending quest to get laid, puts on the charm outside this joint.
Location: Fluff And Fold Laundry
Address: 2414 18th Street NW, Washington, DC
I'm not entirely sure about this one, but I googled the 2429 address seen outside the Fluff And Fold laundry, which led me to 18th Street. The buildings don't quote match up, but it has been over thirty years so it is a possibility. If anyone has an info contrary to this, please let me know.
Location: Dale Biberman's Apartment
Address: 3005 P Street NW, Washington, DC
Dale Biberman, Kirbo's odd-as-hell obsession with the personality of a dial tone, resided here along with her deadpan roomie.
Location: Dale's Cocktail Party House
Address: 3053 P Street NW, Washington, DC
Locations Visited: March 2016, February 2017
Still Need To Locate:
The Hospital
The Beemish House
Noami's Alley
Jules' Apartment Building
Riding in Jules' Car
The Van Buren Hotel
Wendy's Cafe
Billy's Bus Station
Leslie never worked at the antique shop. She was buying a couch there for Alec and her apartment. You can see her sitting on the couch, writing a cheque, and giving it to the shop owner whose selling it. In the very first scene in their apartment at the start of the movie, you see Leslie on the floor measuring for a new couch, and deciding they need a long one. Later comes the antique shop scene, and then later still, when Leslie returns to their apartment with a box to get her belongings, you see the same couch, still wrapped in paper, presumably from being freshly delivered by the antique shop. Hope this helps clear that up. Cheers!
ReplyDeleteAh, yes, thank you. I forgot she was measuring for the couch earlier.
DeleteMy name is Gustavo. I'm Brazilian and I found your blog on google researching some things about this classic movie that marked my adolescence and many people around the world who experienced the same positive and negative emotions as the characters in the movie. I wish I had those same friends in my life too. A hug from a St. Elmo's Fire and here in Brazil this film is called "The first year of the rest of our lives".
ReplyDeleteHi Gustavo, thanks for visiting! It's such a good movie. That's interesting to know the Brazilian title of the film.
Delete