As with the original Nightmare on Elm Street, I saw the sequel on VHS the day it was released. The film was admittedly missing some of the magic and mythology from the original. Considered the pink sheep of the series, the film has found a following of its own and despite derailing some ideas planted in the first movie, it should at least be commended for doing something different. Be sure to check out my article for Horror's Hallowed Grounds in HorrorHound magazine!
The first shots of the film were actually found last. I had been searching for the street from the opening titles where the bus comes down the street, lets some kids off, and we get to see Robert Englund sans makeup. Located in West Hollywood, the bus pulls off North Orange Grove Avenue (yes, the Wallace and Doyle street from Halloween), and onto De Longpre Avenue. The bus drives past Ogden Drive and “Elm Street” itself, North Genesee Avenue. The bus makes its first stop at the corner of De Longpre and North Spaulding Avenue.
For the remainder of the bus shots, we move 60 miles north to the Palmdale area. The bus first travels south down Mahonia Avenue.
Driver you missed my stop! The bus is traveling east on E Ave R-12 passing the corner of Mahonia Avenue.
For the final drive through the neighborhood, the bus is traveling south on 51st Street East before crossing East Ave S and into the desert. According to director Jack Sholder, this neighborhood was specifically chosen for its unique property of having a fully-developed neighborhood adjacent to the stark desert. Unsurprisingly, the area is no longer barren and now has residential and office buildings.
The latest incarnation of Springwood High School is located at 5607 Capistrano Avenue in Woodland Hills. Formerly known as Charles Evans Hughes Junior High School, it has been featured in many films, most notably The Karate Kid and Summer School. The main parking lot has changed very little since filming three decades earlier.
Children from the Midwest are always mystified by the outdoor hallways and lockers!
The baseball fields have also remained relatively unchanged and is to the north of the school. The baseball diamond in the film is at the corner of Capistrano Avenue and Hatteras Street.
The motel has changed a bit since filming. Now called the Hollywood City Inn, it is located at 1615 North Western Avenue. Jesse walks past the drive heading north to Carlton Way.
Now I'm not too sure about the bar, but I think it may be what is now called the Black Bar at 6202 Santa Monica Boulevard. Below is a picture of the backdoor which looks like it may be a match.
Jesse and Lisa make their way through this Hancock Park neighborhood, traveling south on Wilcox Avenue as it turns into Rosewood Avenue.
The boiler room was shot at the Kaiser Steel Mill in Fontana, California. The particular part of the mill they shot in has been demolished unfortunately. The mill continues to be used in a number of productions, most recently in Madonna's music video for Ghosttown.
The site of the memorable pool scene, Lisa's house has been a mystery for many years. Thanks to director, Jack Sholder, the mystery has been solved. The house is at 721 Madre Avenue in Pasadena. I was able to stop by the house and the lovely owner (and fellow Madonna fan!) was kind enough to let me take some shots. The pool has since been moved to a different location in the backyard, but all still very familiar.
Glenn's house makes a brief appearance!
For the final bus ride, the bus is traveling north on Genesse Avenue from De Longpre to the Elm Street house.
The final bus stop is located at the corner of North June Street and Oakwood Avenue, just a few houses down from Kirsten Parker's house from Nightmare on Elm Street Part 4: The Dream Master (450 North June Street).
And last but not least is the Elm Street house itself, located at 1428 North Genesee Avenue. Not since The Amityville Horror has a house received so many beauty shots in one film, cementing its icon status into the Nightmare series. The production appropriately painted the door blood red for this entry and through the series up until Wes Craven’s New Nightmare when it was returned to the original blue. As many fans know, the house was renovated and the facade restored to a glorious shiny appearance.
I've been fortunate to meet some of the cast and crew over the years:
Click below for a map of the entire series’ filming locations.
