What High School Was Porky's Filmed At? Unraveling The Filming Locations Of A Classic Teen Comedy
For fans of classic 1980s comedies, the name *Porky's* likely brings a smile to their faces. It's a film, you know, that really captured a certain moment in time. This movie, which hit screens in 1981, or some say 1982, was a sex comedy written and directed by Bob Clark. It tells the story of teenagers getting into all sorts of escapades back in 1954, all set at a fictional place called Angel Beach High School in Florida. People often wonder about the actual places where these memorable scenes came to life, especially that high school. It’s a very common question, apparently, for those who remember the movie or are just now discovering it.
The movie, you see, left quite a mark on the teen film world. It influenced a lot of writers who went on to create similar stories. Plus, it spawned two follow-up films, making it a whole trilogy. The cast featured some faces that became quite well-known, like Kim Cattrall, Scott Colomby, Kaki Hunter, Nancy Parsons, Alex Karras, and Susan Clark. So, too, it's almost natural for folks to be curious about the real-world spots that stood in for the fictional Angel Beach. Where, exactly, did all those high school antics take place on film? That's what many want to find out, as a matter of fact.
This article aims to clear up some of that mystery. We'll explore the real locations that became Angel Beach High, giving you the actual school names that served as backdrops for this popular movie. It’s a bit of a trip down memory lane for some, and a discovery for others. Knowing the real places, you know, can sometimes add another layer to enjoying a film. So, let's just get into the details of where the cameras rolled for those famous high school moments in *Porky's*.
Table of Contents
- The Fictional Angel Beach High School
- The Real-Life School Locations
- Other Notable Filming Spots
- The Inspiration Behind the Story
- Frequently Asked Questions About Porky's Filming Locations
The Fictional Angel Beach High School
The story of *Porky's* centers around a group of Florida high school students in 1954. Their adventures, as the movie shows, often revolve around their school, which is known as Angel Beach High School. This place, you know, is the central spot where the main characters spend their days, or at least try to. The film really captures the spirit of that time and the kind of escapades teenagers might get into. It’s a rather important setting, actually, for the whole movie's plot.
The film itself, which some say came out in 1981 and others say 1982, was directed by Bob Clark. He also wrote the screenplay. The movie's plot, in a way, loosely builds on ideas from a place called Porky's or a bar of that name. These young students, for instance, are planning to lose their virginity. They end up going to Porky's, which is a nightclub located out in the Everglades, believing they can hire a prostitute there. This whole setup, you know, gives the movie its specific flavor and a lot of its humor. The fictional high school, in some respects, serves as the home base for these characters before they venture out.
The Real-Life School Locations
When it comes to where the fictional Angel Beach High School truly came to life on screen, things get a little interesting. It's not just one single place, apparently. Big sections of the entire *Porky's* trilogy were shot at a couple of different schools in the Miami area. This, you know, adds a layer of realism to the film, even though the school itself was made up. The choice of locations, in a way, helped set the scene for the 1950s Florida vibe the movie was going for. So, let's explore the actual buildings that stood in for Angel Beach.
Miami Senior High and Miami Beach Senior High
A significant portion of the high school scenes, including the outside views and the school courtyard, were filmed at a former school located in Miami Beach. This specific place was Miami Senior High. It's really quite something to think about, that a real school building played such a big part in a movie that became so well-known. The courtyard, for instance, is a memorable spot in the film, and that was captured right there. This particular Miami High building is still standing today, and it's actually still in use. That's pretty cool, you know, for a piece of film history.
The high school exteriors, as I was saying, were shot at this former school on Miami Beach, which is Miami Senior High. The text also mentions that the old Miami Beach Senior High School was used for big parts of the *Porky's* trilogy. This suggests that the production, you know, made use of more than one historical school building in the area to create the look of Angel Beach High. The memorable night dance scene, for instance, was also filmed at a former school in Miami Beach, specifically Miami Senior High. And, interestingly, the exterior secret entrance to the girls' shower was filmed there too. So, it seems Miami Senior High played a very, very central role in bringing the school setting to life.
Miami Northwestern Senior High School
Interestingly enough, another school is mentioned as the filming location for Angel Beach High School. The central location where the main characters attended school, the very heart of Angel Beach High, was filmed at Miami Northwestern Senior High School in Miami, Florida. This detail, you know, adds a bit of complexity to the filming locations. It might mean that different parts of the fictional school, perhaps some interior scenes or other specific areas, were shot at Miami Northwestern, while the exteriors and courtyard were at Miami Senior High. It's not uncommon, you know, for films to use multiple locations to create one cohesive fictional setting. This really shows how much effort went into making the school feel real.
So, we have Miami Senior High mentioned for exteriors, the courtyard, and the dance scene, and then Miami Northwestern Senior High School for "Angel Beach High School, the central location." This, apparently, highlights the patchwork approach that film productions sometimes take. It's a way, you know, to get the best visual elements from various spots. This kind of detail is something film buffs often find fascinating. It gives you a better sense, actually, of the work behind the scenes to create the world of the movie.
The Original 1920s Miami Beach High School
Further adding to the picture, *Porky's* was also filmed at the original 1920s Miami Beach High School. This building, you know, is now an adult education facility. It's rather interesting to see how these old school buildings, with their distinct architecture and history, get repurposed over time. The fact that a movie like *Porky's* used it for its setting just adds another layer to its story. This particular school, with its vintage feel, would have been perfect for depicting a 1954 high school. It really helps, you know, to transport the audience back in time, just a little bit. The age of the building, apparently, lent itself well to the film's period setting.
This location, the original 1920s Miami Beach High School, seems to be another key piece of the puzzle for Angel Beach High. It's possible, you know, that elements from all these schools—Miami Senior High, Miami Northwestern Senior High, and this 1920s Miami Beach High—were combined to create the complete look of the fictional school. Filmmakers often blend different real places to build their cinematic worlds. It's a pretty common practice, actually, in the movie business. So, the high school in *Porky's* is, in some respects, a composite of several genuine Miami-area school buildings.
Other Notable Filming Spots
Beyond the high school itself, the movie *Porky's* utilized other interesting locations to tell its story. The students, you know, embark on adventures outside the classroom. A significant location, as the title suggests, is Porky's, the nightclub. This establishment, located out in the Everglades, is where the group of students goes with a very specific, shall we say, objective in mind. It's a rather pivotal setting for the plot, actually, and gives the film its name. The atmosphere of such a place, you know, would have been quite different from the school, offering a contrast in settings.
The text also mentions some other locations, though their specific connection to the film's scenes isn't always fully detailed. For instance, the combined campuses of Central Beach Elementary School and Ida Fisher Jr. High School are noted. These schools, you know, are located near the intersections of 14th Street, near Española Way and Washington Avenue in Miami. It's not entirely clear what scenes, if any, were filmed there. But, you know, it does suggest that the production cast a wide net across Miami to find suitable backdrops. This kind of broad scouting is typical for a movie looking to capture a specific regional feel. You can find more details about film locations on a well-known film database, for instance, like Film History Archives.
The Inspiration Behind the Story
The writer and director of *Porky's*, Bob Clark, didn't just pull the story out of thin air. His inspiration, you know, reportedly came from his own experiences in high school. It’s a common thing for creators to draw from their personal lives, apparently. He based the story on actual occurrences, or at least elements of them, from his own high school antics. This personal connection, in a way, probably gave the film a more authentic feel, even with its comedic exaggerations. It’s always interesting, you know, to learn about the real-life roots of a fictional tale.
Specifically, Clark’s inspiration for the film was reportedly his high school antics at Boca Ciega High School in Gulfport, Florida. He also drew ideas from his time at Fort Lauderdale High. So, you know, the spirit of *Porky's* is rooted in the actual experiences of a Florida teenager in that era. This personal touch, in some respects, might be why the film resonated with so many viewers. It makes the escapades feel, you know, a little more grounded, even if they are played for laughs. It's a rather direct link, actually, from real life to the silver screen.
Frequently Asked Questions About Porky's Filming Locations
People often have questions about where *Porky's* was filmed. Here are some common inquiries and their answers, based on what we know.
Was Angel Beach High School a real place?
No, Angel Beach High School was a fictional place created for the movie *Porky's*. However, its scenes were filmed at several real high school locations in Miami, Florida. These real places, you know, helped give the fictional school its on-screen appearance. It’s a pretty common practice in filmmaking, actually, to use existing buildings to create fictional settings.
Which Miami schools were used for the filming of *Porky's*?
The film used several Miami-area schools. Miami Senior High was used for high school exteriors, the courtyard, and the night dance scene. Miami Northwestern Senior High School was also cited as the filming location for Angel Beach High School as a central location. Additionally, the original 1920s Miami Beach High School, which is now an adult education facility, was also a filming spot. So, you know, it was a combination of places.
Is the school building from *Porky's* still standing today?
Yes, at least one of the main buildings used, the Miami High building, is still standing and is actually still in use today. This is quite remarkable, you know, for a building that played such a significant role in a classic movie from decades ago. You can learn more about Miami Senior High's history on our site, and find more details about Miami Northwestern Senior High on this page.
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