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The Most Recognizable High School In The U.S. Is In Los Feliz
That jerk Steff trying to talk to Andie in Pretty in Pink, 1986.
Is Los Feliz's John Marshall High School the most recognizable school in the U.S.? From Grease to Pretty In Pink to Hannah Montana to Van Halen's "Hot for Teacher" video, it's been a go-to spot for productions in need of an educational institution. It's "that school." It has turned up in so many TV shows, movies, and music videos, it probably deserves a star on the Walk of Fame.
Rebel Without A Cause is the first movie listed as being filmed at the school (via IMDB), though that was mostly interior shots. One of the first major productions to hit the campus was Grease in 1978. While most of Rydell High's exterior shots were from Venice High School, and the interiors from Huntington Park High School, the carnival finale was from John Marshall H.S.:
Here are the other movies and TV show that filmed at this school:
- Buffy the Vampire Slayer (film)
- Mr. Novak
- Bachelor Party
- Boy Meets World
- The Wonder Years
- Smart Guy
- Sister, Sister
- Grosse Pointe Blank
- A Nightmare on Elm Street
- Can't Hardly Wait
- Raiders of the Lost Ark
- Supernatural
- Boston Public
- Hannah Montana
- Pretty in Pink
- Good Burger
- Zapped!
- Like Father Like Son
- Girls Just Want to Have Fun
- Lucas Tanner
- Amityville 4
- Charlie Bartlett
- Slaughterhouse Rock
- Cirque du Freak
- The Suite Life of Zack & Cody
- Cory in the House
- Room 222
- School of Rock
- Home Room
- iCarly
- Who's the Boss?
- True Crime
- Grease
- Space Jam
Located at 3939 Tracy Street, the school opened in 1931 and is still open today. According to the school's website, there have been a few changes since, including a football and track stadium that was added in the '80s. The school's most filmed building has survived, but it almost didn't make it—"Following the major 1971 earthquake, some of Marshall's buildings were condemned. The cafeteria was torn down but the Los Feliz community actively campaigned to save the unique Collegiate Gothic Main Building. In 1975, this building was closed for structural strengthening and all classes moved to temporary bungalows. In September of 1981 the refurbished Main Building was opened. A new building now houses the library, cafeteria, and science classrooms." Here's the exterior as seen in Nightmare On Elm Street.
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According to someone who is definitely not a stalker, the school also has some famous alum, including "Julie Newmar aka Catwoman, Judge Lance Ito, Heidi Fleiss, countless sports heroes and Leonardo DiCaprio. Leo attended the school for only one semester before landing his role on Growing Pains," which, naturally, filmed at John Marshall High.
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