Reel to Real Filming Locations: April 2021

Saturday, April 17, 2021

Wham! - Careless Whisper (1985)

George Michael is filled with regret. And it's not about his outfit from the Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go video. He's strayed from his girlfriend and now he will never do the jitterbug again. Careless Whisper was the second single and second number one song from the Make It Big album. It was released as Wham! featuring George Michael (we all know where this is headed) and spent three weeks at the top spot. From the requisite sax riff to the poingant lyrics, Careless Whisper is a quintessential 80s ballad.

For the video, George frolics with his angelic blonde girlfriend until a brunette vixen cuts in who can't help but smirk when George's girl catches them together. She storms out and makes a dramatic exit in a seaplane. Haven't we all though? George is left to ponder his actions on the balcony of his high-rise building.

Location: The Dock

Address: S. Bayshore Drive & SW 27th Avenue, Coconut Grove, FL

Kenneth Myers Bayside Park

Location: Seaplane Takeoff

Address: 1000 MacArthur Causeway, Miami, FL

Location: George's Apartment Building

Address: 2843 S Bayshore Drive, Coconut Grove, FL

At the time of my visit, the building was undergoing renovations...

The Freedom Tower, which is located at 600 Biscayne Boulevard, can be seen in the distance as George gazes at the horizon...

Locations Visited: March 2021

Locations Master List

Sunday, April 11, 2021

Miami Vice (1984-1989)

It's Hill Street Blues meets MTV in NBC's groundbreaking series Miami Vice. James "Sonny" Crockett and Ricardo "Rico" Tubbs tackle an endless stream of drug and firearm lowlifes in a city so nice, you could say it thrice! And they did it in a pastel Armani suit draped over a t-shirt. In addition to Jan Hammer's masterpiece theme song, Miami Vice featured music from several artists of the day including Tina Turner, Glenn Frey, Billy Idol and ZZ Top. Perhaps the most memorable was Crockett and Tubbs' epic car ride set to Phil Collins' "In The Air Tonight." Between the fashion, the music, the cars, the boats and the facial stubble, Miami Vice was cemented in 1980s pop culture and changed the template for police dramas. It later served as the inspiration for the critically-acclaimed Grand Theft Auto: Vice City video game. Initially planned to shoot in LA, the then-deteriorating South Beach area of Miami was the main source of filming locations. Many thanks to Miami Vice Locations for their thorough research. Most of these locations were seen in the opening credits.

Miami Vice was filmed in Miami, FL

Location: Rolls Royce Dealership

Address: 5600 Biscayne Boulevard, Miami, FL

Location: Interterra Building

Address: 1200 Brickell Avenue, Miami, FL

This is also the spot where Harry lands the jet in True Lies (1994).

Location: Flagship National Bank of Miami

Address: 701 Brickell Avenue, Miami, FL

Location: The Courthouse

Address: 73 W Flagler Street, Miami, FL

Location: The Forge Restaurant

Address: 432 W 41st Street, Miami Beach, FL

Location: Seaplane Takes Off

Address: 1000 MacArthur Causeway, Miami, FL

Location: The Carlyle Hotel

Address: 1250 Ocean Drive, Miami, FL

First seen in the opening credits...

It is shown again in the first Miami scene of the pilot...

Location: Atlantis Condominium

Address: 2025 Brickell Avenue, Miami, FL

One of the most famous buildings in Miami's skyline is the Atlantis Condominium, which was built in the early 80s. The palm court features a red spiral staircase, a jacuzzi and a palm tree...