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...

Location: Crockett's Marina Houseboat

Address: 401 Biscayne Boulevard, Miami, FL  Bayside Marketplace

Location: Miami Vice Headquarters

Address: formerly at 615 SW 2nd Avenue, Miami, FL

Season 1, Episode 2: "Cool Runnin'"

Location: La Carreta Restaurant

Address: 3632 SW 8th Street, Miami, FL

Locations Visited: March 2021

Related Location: 

Glenn Frey - You Belong To The City (1985)

Locations Master List

Cape Fear (1991)

 

Psychopath Max Cady is on a mission.  And who wouldn't be after 14 years in prison?  He hunts down his former lawyer, Sam Bowden, after finding out he buried evidence that could've cleared him of his rape and battery charges.  Max makes life hell for Sam and his family as he stalks and harasses them continually.  After Max murders a private investigator and maid in the Bowden house, the family flee to their houseboat on Cape Fear.  Max climbs aboard and several brawls ensue on the stormy waters until he meets his demise shackled to the boat as it goes under.

Martin Scorsese tackles a remake of the 1962 film, which was adapted from the novel The Executioners.  Robert Dinero and Juliette Lewis rightfully earn their Academy Award nominations.  The film was a commercial success and received mostly positive reviews from critics.  The original was set and filmed in Georgia and while the remake was also set in Georgia, it was actually filmed in Florida, including Ft. Lauderdale, Miami, Hollywood and Davie.

Location: The Bowden House

Address: formerly at 2991 SW 45th Street, Ft. Lauderdale, FL

The Bowden House was torn down in 2003 and replaced with The Oaks at Hidden Harbour condominiums, however you can still see the spot where Max and Leigh interact.  Thanks to Paul H of Halloween Filming Locations for researching this location...

Location: The Courthouse

Address: 73 W Flagler Street, Miami, FL  Miami-Dade Courthouse

Location: The Ice Cream Parlor & Parade

Address: 1907 Hollywood Boulevard, Hollywood, FL

Location: Sam's Office Building

Address: 4000 Hollywood Boulevard, Hollywood, FL   Suntrust Building

 

Location: New Essex High School

Address: 3501 SW Davie Road, Davie, FL  Broward College

Leigh drops Danielle off in front of the Admissions and Student Affairs Center...

Location: New River Groves

Address: 5660 Griffin Road, Davie, FL

This canal is on the other side of where the condos are located in Griffin Marine Park.  I have no idea is this is the actual spot you see the Moana set sail, but it makes for a nice comparison shot...

Locations Visited: March 2021

Locations Master List