Less than three years after the original, it was no surprise a sequel showed up and once again Axel had to return to Beverly Hills. I remember seeing this opening night. Even though I was only seventeen, I had enough film sense that we were in a new age of overly-rapid cutting that would make your head spin. This is a solid movie even though it doesn’t break any new grounds. I believe Eddie Murphy called it the most successful mediocre film of all time. I tried to visit many of these locations on my last visit, for a few others I used Google streetview shots, especially around downtown.
I need to come back and get proper locations for this spot, but the opening jewelry heist scene was shot at 1666 North Highland Avenue in the heart of Hollywood, my least favorite place of LA! I happened to have this pic for quick reference.
Supposedly still in Detroit, Axel stops by the bar which was in reality the Formosa Cafe at 7156 Santa Monica Boulevard in Los Angeles.
For the Beverly Hills Police Department, they used two locations. For quick establishing shots, they used the original film’s 455 North Rexford Street in Beverly Hills.
For the remaining scenes, they filmed at Pasadena City Hall at 100 Garfield Avenue in Pasadena, California.
According to most sources, the shooting was shot in front of 724 North Bedford Drive in Beverly Hills.
Here are a few shots from the Beverly Hills montage. Most places or signs are long gone.
Axel squats in this house at 614 Walden Drive in Beverly Hills.
Back at Pasadena City Hall…
The location for the gun club was also used in the original film as the Harrow Club. It is located at 551 South Hill Avenue in Pasadena.
Back to Axel’s stolen house…
The building was torn down a long time ago, but the club was originally located at 385 N. La Cienega Boulevard in Los Angele.
The phone booth was around 112 West 5th Street in Downtown Los Angeles. (Google streetview photo for this one.)
These chase scenes were shot around 227 East 2nd Street in Downtown Los Angeles, Google streetview pictures here.
This is the corner of Main and East 2nd Streets in Downtown Los Angeles, also Google streetview pics.
Using some old shots I took for The Terminator, this was shot at 555 Ramirez Street in Downtown Los Angeles.
Movie magic! We are back in Pasadena at Union Street and North Euclid Avenue.
The chase continues at West 2nd and South Spring Streets in Downtown Los Angeles, Google streetview pics here.
I need to go back and get a better shot, but I recognized this spot being next to the mansion in Who’s That Girl at 1050 Arden Road in Pasadena.
This was shot at the corner of Clinton Street and Normandie Avenue in Los Angeles, Google streetview pictures here.
Back to Beverly Hills where you can see the gates to 10224 Charing Cross Road in the background, and they eventually drive up to the Playboy Mansion at 10236Charing Cross Road.
Sidney’s office was at 1801 Century Park East in Century City.
This was shot at the corner of Oakwood and Normandie Avenues, Google streetview pics here.
And this was shot at Normandie Avenue and 5th Street, Google streetview pics.
A couple locations not seen here include the horse track, which was demolished for the new stadium in Inglewood, California. Also in Inglewood are the often-used oil fields, which are not accessible to the public.
Finally we end back at Axel’s stolen house….
