Reel to Real Filming Locations

Saturday, March 18, 2017

The House On Sorority Row (1983)

By 1983, the slasher craze was bleeding out. ;-) Most Halloween (1978) and Friday the 13th (1980) imitators left much to be desired. And while the prank-gone-awry plot had been done to death ;-), The House on Sorority Row still pledges ;-) to entertain a bloodthirsty crowd with some decent characters and a suspenseful atmosphere. The film is noted for having one of the worst actresses ever to appear in a horror movie who shockingly only has one credit to her name. The House on Sorority Row achieved moderate success at the box office, no thanks to it's poster. It looks like the cover of a cheap romance novel, the kind that the drugstore sells. Nothing about it screams horror movie and the misleading and vague taglines do the shivering sorority girl no favors. If only Mrs. Slater had a word with the marketing department.

Location: Sorority Row
Address: The University of Maryland - Fraternity Row, College Park, MD

This area was also seen in St. Elmo's Fire (1985)

Location Visited: February 2017

Locations Master List

Thursday, March 9, 2017

Webster (1983-1989)

In the early 80s, NBC was riding high thanks to a cute little black kid on Diff'rent Strokes (1978-1986). Not to be outdone, ABC went out and got their own cute little black kid in the shape of Emmanuel Lewis. Originally meant as a vehicle for real life husband and wife Susan Clark and Alex Karras, focus quickly turned to the little tyke from the Burger King commercial, causing major tension behind the scenes. Set in The Windy City, Webster was adopted by his godfather and new wife after his parents' untimely demise. Originally they lived in a high-rise apartment building. In the second season, they moved into a Victorian home belonging to Bill and Cassie Parker after a fire destroyed their apartment. In 1987, Webster found itself in good company with the likes of Charles in Charge, Mama's Family (1983-1990) and Punky Brewster (1984-1988) who lived on in syndication after their network cancellation.

Little ;-) Known Fact: Gary Coleman and Emmanuel Lewis would find themselves airing together on Friday nights when Diff'rent Strokes moved to the alphabet network for it's final season.

Location: The Papadopolous Apartment Building
Address: 10438 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA

Location: The Parker's Victorian House
Address: 1432 North State Parkway, Chicago, IL

Locations Visited: October 2016

Locations Master List

Sunday, March 5, 2017

Donna Summer - She Works Hard For The Money (1983)

Gloria Gaynor would not survive ;-) the disco era but Donna Summer certainly did. In 1980, she parted ways with longtime collaborator Giorgio Moroder...cause she's a wanderer ;-) and was the first artist signed to David Geffen's new label. The Queen of Disco's music took a different direction toward new wave and pop/rock as she frequently butted heads with the media mogul.

While her 80's efforts didn't quite match those of the bellbottom era, Donna did manage to score one of the biggest hits of her career with She Works Hard For The Money. The empowering female anthem brought Donna back to form and in control...with her finger on the trigger ;-) The song was inspired by Onetta Johnson, an overworked restroom attendant who had fallen asleep after already working her day job when Donna noticed her at Chasen's restaurant in LA. She ended up appearing on the back cover of the album and getting a shout-out in the lyrics.

In the video, Donna plays a non-threatening stalker tracking Onetta, who is portrayed by a middle-aged white woman, as she works an endless parade of blue collar jobs to support her two demon spawn. Reaching the breaking point, she takes to the streets with a bevy of career-oriented females and lives out her lifelong aspiration of being a dancer. The video is noted as being the first by a black female artist that was put into heavy rotation on the channel formerly known as MTV, paving the way for future artists who wouldn't have to work so hard for it, honey ;-)

She Works Hard For The Money was filmed in Los Angeles, CA

Location: Onetta Walks To Work
Address: Figueroa Street & 7th Street, Los Angeles, CA

Location: Onetta's House
Address: 750 E 31st Street, Los Angeles, CA

Thanks to Paul H for finding this location. The house has undergone some remodeling and is almost completely hidden now due to landscaping but the second story windows on the side of the house are still recognizable.

Location: The Old Train Tracks
Address: San Pedro Street, Los Angeles, CA

Located behind the house is the old train track ally she walks down carrying groceries.

Location: The Diner
Address: 501 S Broadway, Los Angeles, CA

I'm not a hundred percent sure about this but it seems like the diner was located at 501 S Broadway, which is now a 7-Eleven. Although it looks a bit different, the building you can see across the street at 460 S Broadway sort of matches up.

Location: Girl Power Dancing
Address: Main Street between 5th & 6th Street, Los Angeles, CA

The 522 Club billboard you get a quick glimpse of above Donna's head clued me in to this location. It's actually still there! This area has been built up considerably since the video was filmed.

Locations Visited: October 2016

Locations Master List

Wednesday, March 1, 2017

Mannequin (1987)

Upon first viewing, Mannequin may seem like an SNL sketch turned movie. But any dummy ;-) can see that it's a cult classic that only the decade of excess could bring us. Emmy is an Egyptian princess reincarnated as a department store mannequin in modern day Philadelphia. Her maker: down-on-his-luck artist Jonathan Switcher. She comes alive only when they are alone, and together, they bring to life the most spectacular window displays that make the Saks Fifth Avenue ones look like amateur hour. Their creations turn the failing business into the hottest ticket in The City of Brotherly Love, despite the efforts of a rival department store and some bumbling evil-doers. The Oscar nominated (yes, you read that right) film concludes as Jonathan and Emmy outdo all previous window displays with their exchanging of vows. Mannequin has all the parts ;-) to make it an 80's classic - a montage, a hit theme song, a Golden Girl, a Designing Man on fire and James Spader in one of his most demanding roles. It also had a resolved ending, so no need for Mannequin Two: On The Move... To The Nearest Theater Exit.

Mannequin was filmed in Philadelphia and Camp Hill, PA

Location: Establishing Shot of Philadelphia
Address: 2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia Philadelphia Museum of Art

These 72 iconic stone steps were seen in Rocky (1976). And while I'm not a huge fan of that franchise (I know, I know), I did make the trek...

Location: Jonathan Creates Emmy
Address: 1021 Callowhill Street, Philadelphia, PA

This location was not previously known but the Naythons sign was a nice clue. It's a display fixture company that now resides at 919 Wallace Street.

Location: Napoli's Pizza
Address: 944 E Passyunk Avenue, Philadelphia, PA

I can see why Napoli's Pizza has been serving Philly for over 50 years. Their pizza is magnifique, and that's coming from a New Yorker. Although the inside seems to have undergone many changes, you can see this building entrance with the awning in the background as Jonathan creates a delectable pie that's almost too pretty to eat.

The decor made it feel just like 1987 again...

Location: Roxy Ditches Jonathan
Address: near 2030 Sansom Street, Philadelphia, PA

I'm not entirely sure about this location. You can see Essene Market in the background, which used to be located at 2030 Sansom Street.

Location: Prince & Company
Address: 1313 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA

Most of the action takes place at Prince & Company, both interiors and exteriors. It is now a Macy's, but it used to be John Wanamaker's flagship store. It was first department store in Philadelphia and one of the first in the United States.

Jonathan first lays his eyes on Emmy traveling down Chestnut Street. You can see the grate and manhole cover are still there...