Boyz II Men - Motownphilly (1991) - Filming Locations
In the summer of 1991, the airwaves were dominated by one sound: The debut song of Boyz II Men. You couldn't turn on the radio or watch MTV without seeing the high-energy music video for their song Motownphilly. As the breakout single that propelled the group to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, the video did more than just launch a career — it put the "Philly Sound" back on the global map.
An Early 1990s Time Capsule of Philadelphia
The Motownphilly music video was filmed on location throughout the band's hometown of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Today, the footage serves as a valuable visual time capsule of the city's architecture and street life during the late 20th century. Filming locations included:
- Penn's Landing: On the Delaware River offering great views of the city and the Benjamin Franklin Bridge.
- Geno's Steaks: A Philadelphia institution, started in 1966 and still serving up famous Philly cheesesteaks.
- The Academy at Palumbo: Located on the southwest corner of South 11th Street and Catherine Street.
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Watch The Quick Preview Video NowCyndi Lauper - Time After Time (1983) - Filming Locations
The 1983 music video for the Cyndi Lauper song Time After Time is more than just a pop masterpiece; it is a beautiful cinematic journey through Northern New Jersey.
Rustic Northwest New Jersey As Filming Location
Filmed primarily on location in the towns of Wharton and Morristown, the video captures the authentic, small-town atmosphere that perfectly complements the song's emotional depth.
- Downtown Wharton: A driving scene through the downtown district of town shows off the sleepy atmosphere that persists to this day. And each building seen in this part of the music video is still standing today.
- Cyndi's "Home" In The Video: The unassuming house featured in the video still stands today, with very few changes to the exterior.
- The Morristown Train Station: A landmark that has stood since 1913, both the exterior and interior look exactly the same today as they did in 1983.
Time Sometimes Does Stand Still
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Watch The Quick Preview Video NowDexys Midnight Runners - Come On Eileen (1982) - Filming Locations
People either love this song or hate it, but there's no question that the 1982 music video for the Dexys Midnight Runners song Come On Eileen is a fascinating time capsule of early 1980s London.
In this filming locations then and now Quick Preview video, we journey to the heart of South London to explore the streets around West Square. This filming locations video takes you on a tour of the primary filming sites around Brook Drive and Austral Street, along with several more obscure locations used in the 1982 production.
The good news for film historians and fans alike is that this neighborhood has remained beautifully preserved. The historic buildings of West Square are all still standing and look just as vibrant in the 21st century as they did when Kevin Rowland and the band danced through these streets over 40 years ago.
Brook Drive - The Main Artery of Come On Eileen
In the music video, the on location filming was done on Brook Drive at both Hayles Street and Austral Street. Several other scenes were filmed on the block of Hayles Street just north of Brook Drive.
The apartment buildings are all unaltered from 1982, with the exception that they all look sparkling clean as opposed to what we see in the music video. This is likely due to the fact that these are now very expensive residences!
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Journey back to this London neighborhood in 1982 in this Quick Preview Filming Locations Then and Now Video and retrace the steps of Dexys Midnight Runners and Eileen!
Watch The Quick Preview Video NowMadonna - Borderline (1984) - Filming Locations
Downtown Los Angeles Filming Locations
Take a virtual tour of the Los Angeles filming locations from one of the most iconic music videos of all time: Madonna's Borderline, released in February 1984.
Early in her career, Madonna frequently used the streets of Los Angeles as a backdrop for her visuals, and the Borderline music video is a prime example.
The Arts District Of Downtown Los Angeles
This music video was filmed extensively in the Arts District of Downtown Los Angeles (DTLA), a neighborhood that has long been a popular destination for film and television productions.
The historic 4th Street Bridge serves as a filming location anchor for the music video, with several scenes shot alongside and on the western approaches to the bridge on both 4th Street and 4th Place. Today, each of these filming locations looks just as they did back in the music video.
The Pool Hall Hangout
The one building seen in the music video that is not standing is the pool hall building. Today, that site at the corner of East 6th Street and Alameda Avenue is a surface parking lot.
Rest In Peace, Louie Louie
Madonna's love interest in the music video was Louis Cordero (July 10, 1962 – March 20, 2026), better known as Louie Louie. After filming Borderline he went on to have some success as a singer/songwriter and spent most of the rest of his life performing in Las Vegas. He was 63 at the time of his death.
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See Madonna, Louie Louie and the filming locations in this Quick Preview Filming Locations Then and Now Video.
Watch The Quick Preview Video NowMadonna - La Isla Bonita (1987) - Filming Locations
Maryland Street In Los Angeles Filming Location
In this Quick Preview Filming Locations Video tour, we explore the Los Angeles settings for Madonna's popular 1987 music video, La Isla Bonita.
The La Isla Bonita music video was filmed entirely on the 1300 block of Maryland Street, located on the outskirts of Downtown Los Angeles (DTLA). This neighborhood has changed very little since 1987, with one exception.
The Auto Garage Filming Location
Unfortunately, not every building manages to stand the test of time, and the auto garage building seen behind guitarist Marcos Loya has been demolished and in its place is a surface parking lot. However, all the other buildings seen in the music video are still standing with very few - if any - alterations.
The Death of Madonna's Co-Star
In the years since the filming of La Isla Bonita, guitarist Marcos Loya fell on hard times and experienced homelessness. Sadly, Marcos Loya passed away in April of 2026.
The La Isla Bonita Neighborhood Today
For fans looking to visit this iconic Madonna filming location, overall the neighborhood serves as a remarkable time capsule, as you'll see in this Quick Preview Filming Locations Then and Now Video.
Watch The Quick Preview Video NowMadonna - Open Your Heart (1986) - Filming Locations
Los Angeles Filming Location Then And Now
Explore the Los Angeles filming location of Madonna's music video for her 1986 hit, Open Your Heart. While the music video was considered scandalous by 1986 standards, its heavy rotation on MTV propelled the song to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 on February 7, 1987.
This virtual tour takes you to the intersection of West Court Street and Toluca Street, located just on the edge of Downtown Los Angeles (DTLA). This specific neighborhood served as the primary backdrop for the video's exterior scenes.
The Site of the Famous "Adult Theater" Set
For location hunters, this area of Los Angeles remains remarkably preserved since the late 1980s, with one major exception: The "Adult Theater" Site.
This filming location wasn't just a vacant lot, it was an active oil drilling site. If you look closely during the dance scene of Madonna and Felix Howard on the corner, you can see the oil well pumping away in a fenced in structure right next to the sidewalk!
The vacant lot that once housed the specially constructed "Adult Theater" set has since been developed. Today, a large apartment building occupies the site where the iconic peep show set once stood.
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Keep a lookout for that oil well as you watch this Quick Preview Filming Locations Then and Now Video.
Watch The Quick Preview Video NowMichael Jackson - Thriller (1983) - Filming Locations - Part 1
The Famous Los Angeles Movie Theater Filming Location
Michael Jackson's 1983 masterpiece, Thriller, was a groundbreaking cinematic event. With its unprecedented budget of half a million dollars and nearly 14-minute runtime, it feels more like a horror short film than a standard music video.
Because there's so much location filming in Thriller, I have divided the then and now filming locations tour into four parts. The first Quick Preview video takes us to 630 South Broadway in the heart of Downtown Los Angeles (DTLA).
The Historic Palace Theatre in Downtown Los Angeles
The landmark featured prominently at the start of the video is the historic Palace Theatre:
- Architecture: Built in 1910 and opened in 1911, it originally opened as the Orpheum Theatre.
- History: It was renamed the Palace Theatre in 1926 and remains one of the most recognizable structures in the Broadway Theater District.
- The Video: This is the site where Michael and his date are seen leaving the theater at the beginning of the iconic 1983 production.
Watch a quick excerpt from the "Then and Now" Filming Locations Tour Video
Today, the venue still hosts events, though you would never guess by looking at the outside of it as you'll see in this Quick Preview Filming Locations Then and Now Video.
Watch The Quick Preview Video NowMichael Jackson - Thriller (1983) - Filming Locations - Part 2
A Visit To The Boyle Heights Filming Location
In the second installment of our Thriller filming locations tour, we visit the site of the legendary "Zombie Dance" street on Union Pacific Avenue just west of South Calzona Street in the Boyle Heights section of Los Angeles.
Big Changes At This Thriller Filming Location
This particular 1983 music video location is currently undergoing a significant transition. As the area shifts from vintage warehouses to modern industrial spaces, the area around the "Zombie Street" is changing rapidly:
- The Modern Shift: On the south side of Union Pacific Avenue, just west of Calzona Street, the landscape has modernized with several new structures replacing railroad tracks and storage silos.
- The Vanishing Warehouse: The original corrugated metal warehouse featured prominently in the music video has been demolished. In its place now stands the brand-new Union Commerce building.
Watch a quick excerpt from the "Then and Now" Filming Locations Tour Video
Take a look at the changes to this filming location in the Quick Preview Then and Now Video.
Watch The Quick Preview Video NowMichael Jackson - Thriller (1983) - Filming Locations - Part 3
The Zombie Dance Filming Location
The tour of the iconic 1983 Michael Jackson Thriller filming locations continues at the junction of Union Pacific Avenue and Calzona Street. While the south side of the street has modernized, the north side remains a perfect time capsule of the "Zombie Dance" scene.
Unlike the developing industrial lots nearby, this side of the street is completely unchanged since Michael Jackson and his cast of zombies performed the famous dance routine here.
Filming Location Landmark: The Red Brick Wall
The most prominent landmark in this sequence is the rear side (on Union Pacific Avenue) of the property located at 3700 East Olympic Blvd:
- Historic Architecture: Built in 1941, this imposing structure is defined by its massive red brick wall, which serves as the primary backdrop for the dance choreography.
- Preservation: From the masonry to the street-level appearance and the red brick wall, this filming location remains exactly as it was when it was captured on film for Thriller in 1983.
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Watch The Quick Preview Video NowMichael Jackson - Thriller (1983) - Filming Locations - Part 4
The Famous Haunted House Filming Location
Wrapping up our then and now tour of the iconic 1983 Michael Jackson Thriller filming locations, we head to the historic Angelino Heights district of Los Angeles. This neighborhood is home to one of the most famous residences in music video history: the Thriller haunted house.
The climax of the music video was filmed at 1345 Carroll Avenue. This stunning residence is part of a world-renowned block of Victorian-era homes constructed in the late 1800s. Thanks to its status as a Historic Preservation Overlay Zone (HPOZ), the area remains meticulously maintained, looking much as it did a century ago.
About the Haunted House in Thriller
- Historic Pedigree: Built in 1887, the house at 1345 Carroll Avenue has been "dressed" by its owners to maintain its "haunted" appearance.
- Cinematic Legacy: Beyond its role in Thriller, this house appeared in films like Mystery Men, Skinner, and the 80s cult classic Teen Witch.
A Historic Block of Houses
This particular block of Carroll Avenue is a goldmine for location hunters. Several neighboring homes have also been featured on screen:
- 1329 Carroll Avenue: Famous as the Halliwell Manor from the TV series Charmed.
- 1320 Carroll Avenue: Featured in a 2000 episode of the series Primrose Empath.
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Watch The Quick Preview Video NowSpandau Ballet - Gold (1983) - Filming Locations
A Tour Of Leighton House Museum In London
The iconic 1983 music video for the song Gold by Spandau Ballet features a setting as opulent as the song itself. Interestingly, the band chose the exact same London filming location used just one year prior by The Stranglers for their hit Golden Brown. Read all about THAT music video a bit further along on this page!
Located on the west side of London, the Leighton House Museum serves as the primary backdrop for this music video. While the Arab Hall - famous for its golden mosaics and intricate Middle Eastern tiles — features prominently as a filming location in the music video, Spandau Ballet utilized several additional sections of the historic estate, each easily recognizable today.
Leighton House Museum: Music Video Filming Location
- Historic Preservation: Because Leighton House is a meticulously maintained museum, the rooms look virtually identical to how they appeared during the 1983 production.
- The Arab Hall: A must-see filming location for 1980s music video fans, this is where the small indoor fountain and pool is located.
- Travel Tip: If you are visiting (or live around) London, I highly recommend a trip to Leighton House for any fan of 1980s music videos or Victorian architecture.
Watch a quick excerpt from the "Then and Now" Filming Locations Tour Video
The Complete Filming Locations Then and Now Video available for current members takes you through the various rooms of Leighton House seen on screen in this music video. Click the Watch The Video Now button below to view a Quick Preview of the complete filming locations video.
Watch The Quick Preview Video NowThe Stranglers - Golden Brown (1982) - Filming Locations
The Beauty Of Leighton House Museum In London
While The Stranglers started out in the 1970s punk scene, their 1982 hit Golden Brown marked a sophisticated shift in their sound. Featuring a prominent harpsichord — probably the first and only time this instrument was used by a rock band — the song charted globally and was accompanied by an elegant music video.
The Golden Brown music video was filmed entirely at the Leighton House Museum on the west side of London. The production perfectly utilizes the building's 1920s international elegance, with the band performing in formal tuxedos to match the opulent surroundings.
Exploring Leighton House in London
- The Arab Hall: Most of the video’s iconic imagery was captured in the Arab Hall section of Leighton House, known for its intricate golden mosaics and Middle Eastern tilework.
- The Entrance Scene: A brief sequence at the beginning of the video was filmed in an adjacent room within the museum, showcasing the transition between the building's unique architectural styles.
If this London filming location looks familiar, you have a great eye for 1980s pop culture! Just one year later, the band Spandau Ballet returned to Leighton House to film the music video for their 1983 hit Gold.
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Watch The Quick Preview Video NowWhite Town - Your Woman (1997) - Filming Locations
Touring Filming Locations In Derby, England
The 1997 hit song Your Woman by the band White Town was a global phenomenon with a unique origin story. The "band" is actually a solo project by Jyoti Mishra, who famously produced the track instrument-by-instrument on a 4-track analog cassette deck in his spare bedroom. This landmark achievement is widely considered the first worldwide #1 hit created in a home "bedroom studio."
White Town is based in Derby, England, and the music video for Your Woman serves as a beautiful cinematic tour of the city’s downtown core. I was pleasantly surprised during my visit to Derby to find that so many of these 1990s filming locations have been perfectly preserved over the last 30 years.
A Late 20th Century Time Capsule Of Derby, England
Most of the 1997 locations used in the music video remain standing today, making Derby a perfect destination for filming location hunters, including:
- The Guildhall Theatre: This historic venue remains a centerpiece of the city's cultural scene.
- Derby City Council and The Derby Cascade: Iconic civic landmarks that appear prominently in the music video.
- The Derby Ram Statue: A famous local monument that looks exactly as it did during the 1990s production.
If this London filming location looks familiar, you have a great eye for 1980s pop culture! Just one year later, the band Spandau Ballet returned to Leighton House to film the music video for their 1983 hit Gold.
Watch a quick excerpt from the "Then and Now" Filming Locations Tour Video
Watch the Quick Preview Filming Locations Then and Now Video below to start your virtual tour of Derby and the filming locations for ur Woman.
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