Tyler Brooks
The 1984 coming-of-age classic Sixteen Candles was filmed in various towns in Illinois, USA, including Evanston, Skokie, and Highland Park. The film is set in the fictional Illinois town of Shermer, a fictional Chicago suburb, and director John Hughes gives a nod to his hometown of Evanston in the opening credits.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Film Name | Sixteen Candles |
| Film Release Year | 1984 |
| Film Director | John Hughes |
| Film Setting | The fictional Illinois town of Shermer, a suburb of Chicago |
| Filming Locations | Evanston, Skokie, Highland Park, Northbrook, Glencoe, Winnetka |
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What You'll Learn
The film's setting was a fictional Chicago suburb
The 1984 film Sixteen Candles was set in the fictional Chicago suburb of Shermer, Illinois. The film was written and directed by John Hughes, who is known for setting his films in the fictional town, including Ferris Bueller's Day Off, Home Alone, The Breakfast Club, Weird Science, Pretty in Pink, Uncle Buck, the Vacation movies, and Planes, Trains & Automobiles.
While Shermer is a fictional place, the film was shot in real-life Chicago suburbs, including Evanston, Skokie, and Highland Park. The Baker House, the home of the film's protagonist, Samantha Baker, is located in Evanston, where Hughes also filmed scenes for Uncle Buck and She's Having a Baby. Evanston is also the hometown of John and Joan Cusack, who had small roles in the film.
The unnamed high school in the film is Niles East High School, located in Skokie. The school has since been torn down, but it was a staple for Hughes, who also used footage of its exterior in Weird Science and Pretty in Pink. Both exterior and interior school shots were filmed at Niles East, including the auto shop scene. However, some scenes were also filmed at Niles North High School, another school in Skokie, including the famous dance scene in the gym.
Other locations in the film include Glencoe Union Church in Glencoe, Illinois, and New Trier High School in Winnetka, Illinois. Sixteen Candles may not have been a huge box office success when it was released, but it has since become a cult classic, known for its coming-of-age and teen-centric rom-com themes.
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Real-life locations included Evanston, Skokie and Highland Park
The 1984 film Sixteen Candles was filmed in several locations across Illinois, primarily in the Chicago suburbs of Evanston, Skokie, and Highland Park. The film's director, John Hughes, crafted a fictional Chicago suburb named Shermer as the setting for the film. However, in reality, the movie was shot in various real-life locations across Illinois.
Evanston, Illinois, served as a prominent filming location for Sixteen Candles. The Baker house, the home of the main character Samantha Baker, is located in Evanston. The town also holds significance as the hometown of actors John and Joan Cusack, who had small roles in the movie. Evanston receives a subtle nod in the opening credits of the film, with a pin that reads, "I *sorta* love Evanston."
Skokie, Illinois, another Chicago suburb, also featured heavily in the film. The unnamed high school in Sixteen Candles is Niles East High School, located at 7701 North Lincoln Avenue in Skokie. The school, which ceased operating in 1980, was a favoured filming location for Hughes, who used it in other films such as Weird Science and Pretty in Pink. Both exterior and interior school scenes were shot at Niles East, and its sister school, Niles North High School, also in Skokie, was used for certain scenes like the famous dance sequence in the gym.
Highland Park, Illinois, was another real-life location used for filming Sixteen Candles. While specific locations within the town are not mentioned, it contributed to the overall portrayal of the fictional suburb of Shermer.
Overall, the use of these Illinois towns helped bring the fictional suburb of Shermer to life, showcasing the unique charm of the Chicago suburbs and contributing to the enduring legacy of Sixteen Candles as a cult classic coming-of-age film.
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Niles East High School was used for many scenes
The 1984 film Sixteen Candles was filmed in several locations in the Chicago suburbs of Evanston, Skokie, and Highland Park, Illinois. The film's high school scenes were predominantly shot at Niles East High School, located at 7701 North Lincoln Avenue in Skokie, Illinois. The school served as a key filming location for the movie, with both exterior and interior shots featured on screen.
Niles East High School played a significant role in the filming of Sixteen Candles, as it provided the setting for many memorable scenes. The school's exterior and interior were utilised in the film, offering a realistic portrayal of a typical American high school. The production crew made effective use of the school's spaces, capturing essential moments in the lives of the characters. The auto shop scene, where Sam agrees to let the Geek pretend he has “bagged” her, was filmed at Niles East High School, adding authenticity to the scene's atmosphere.
The choice of Niles East High School as a filming location held extra significance. The school had ceased operating in 1980, and its vacant halls and classrooms provided an ideal backdrop for the film's narrative. The production team took advantage of the empty building, capturing intimate moments of the characters' high school experiences. The school's closure also meant that filming could take place without disrupting the education of real students, allowing for a more efficient and uninterrupted shooting schedule.
The use of Niles East High School as a filming location extended beyond the confines of the school itself. The school's surroundings and nearby areas were also incorporated into the film. The production team utilised the local environment to create a sense of place and establish the characters' daily routines. The neighbourhood surrounding the school may have influenced the film's aesthetic, contributing to the overall atmosphere and tone of the story.
In addition to Niles East High School, its sister school, Niles North High School, also located in Skokie, was used for certain scenes. The famous dance scene in the gym, for example, was filmed at Niles North High School. The production team likely benefited from the proximity of the two schools, allowing for efficient filming and a seamless transition between locations. The use of these two schools in close proximity demonstrates the importance of location diversity in filmmaking and the impact it can have on the overall production value.
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Evanston is the hometown of John and Joan Cusack
The 1984 film Sixteen Candles was set in the fictional Illinois town of Shermer, a suburb of Chicago. However, the movie was filmed in the real-life Chicago suburbs of Evanston, Skokie, and Highland Park. The film's director, John Hughes, gives a nod to Evanston during the opening credits, where someone can be seen wearing a pin that reads "I *sorta* love Evanston".
Interestingly, Evanston is also the hometown of actors John and Joan Cusack, who both had small roles in the film. John and Joan Cusack grew up in Evanston with their siblings Ann, Bill, and Susie, and their parents, Richard "Dick" and Nancy Cusack. The family moved to Evanston from New York in the early years of their marriage. The Cusack children were influenced by their father's drive to perform and were further inspired to pursue acting by their parents' friends Joyce and Byrne Piven, who founded the Piven Theater Workshop. Ann was the first to take the stage with the company at age 10, followed by Joan, John, and Susie.
John and Joan Cusack have appeared in several films together, including Sixteen Candles, where they played minor characters. They have also shared the screen in Broadcast News (1987), Say Anything... (1989), Grosse Pointe Blank (1997), Cradle Will Rock (1999), High Fidelity (2000), Martian Child (2007), and War, Inc. (2008). Joan Cusack has been nominated for two Academy Awards for Best Supporting Actress for her roles in Working Girl (1988) and In & Out (1997). She also won an Emmy Award for her role in Shameless. John Cusack, meanwhile, has had a prolific career spanning over 80 films and has been nominated for a Golden Globe for his role in High Fidelity.
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Baker House is located at 1411 Sycamore Lane, Northbrook
The 1984 film Sixteen Candles was set in the fictional Illinois town of Shermer, a suburb of Chicago. However, the movie was actually filmed in various locations across Illinois, including Evanston, Skokie, and Highland Park. The Baker House, where the main character, Samantha Baker, lived with her family, is located at 1411 Sycamore Lane, Northbrook, Illinois.
Baker House, located at 1411 Sycamore Lane, is situated in Northbrook, Illinois, in the Chicago metropolitan area. The property has been sold multiple times in recent years, with recorded sale prices ranging from $2,300,000 to $3,100,000. The house offers 1,880 square feet of living space, featuring three bedrooms and two bathrooms, with an additional basement area. The spacious layout includes a master bedroom on the main floor, along with a warm and inviting living area highlighted by a cosy fireplace.
The home boasts beautiful hardwood floors and an eat-in kitchen with granite countertops, oak cabinetry, and stainless steel appliances. It also has a large laundry room off the garage, providing ample space for a washer and dryer. The fourth bedroom, which could be used as an office or den, adds to the functionality of the floor plan. The property includes a charming deck and patio area, perfect for outdoor relaxation and entertainment.
Located in a desirable area, 1411 Sycamore Lane is situated near top-rated schools, shopping centres, and entertainment options. It is just moments away from Deerbrook Shopping Center and offers easy access to the IL-94 Highway. The property is also within close proximity to the Ravinia, Botanic Garden, Northbrook Court, and Expressway. Overall, the Baker House at 1411 Sycamore Lane, Northbrook, presents a charming and functional residence in a convenient and highly sought-after location.
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Frequently asked questions
The film was shot in several towns in Illinois, including Evanston, Skokie, and Highland Park.
The fictional town of Shermer, Illinois, is mentioned in the opening credits.
Director John Hughes also filmed scenes for "Uncle Buck" and "She's Having a Baby" in Evanston.
The Baker House is located at 1411 Sycamore Lane, Northbrook, Illinois.
The unnamed high school in the film is Niles East High School, located at 7701 North Lincoln Avenue, Skokie, Illinois.
