Ben Carter
The 1984 coming-of-age comedy Sixteen Candles was filmed in the Chicago North Shore suburban communities of Evanston, Skokie, and Highland Park, Illinois. The story takes place in the fictional town of Shermer, Illinois, a name inspired by Northbrook, Illinois's former name, Shermerville. The film follows Samantha Sam Baker, a high school sophomore who is disappointed that turning 16 hasn't transformed her life and is shocked when her family forgets her birthday.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Filming locations | Chicago North Shore suburban communities of Evanston, Skokie, and Highland Park, Illinois |
| Niles East High School, 7701 North Lincoln Avenue, Skokie, Illinois | |
| Niles North High School | |
| 3022 Payne Street, Evanston, Illinois | |
| Glencoe Union Church, 263 Park Avenue, Glencoe, Illinois | |
| Setting | Shermer, Illinois (a fictional town) |
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What You'll Learn
Filming locations in Evanston, Skokie, and Highland Park, Illinois
The 1984 coming-of-age comedy film "Sixteen Candles" was filmed primarily in the Chicago North Shore suburban communities of Evanston, Skokie, and Highland Park, Illinois. Here are the filming locations in these three towns:
Evanston, Illinois
The Baker house, located at 3022 Payne Street, was used for exterior shots of the family home in the film. The house was built in 1931 and is located at the intersection of Payne and Central Park.
Skokie, Illinois
Niles East High School, located at 7700 North Lincoln Avenue, was the unnamed high school that featured in the film. Both exterior and interior school scenes were filmed here, including the auto shop scene. The school has since been torn down and replaced by Oakton Community College.
The school lunch line and cafeteria scenes were filmed inside Niles North High School, another school located in Skokie. The gym interiors were also filmed at Niles East High School.
Highland Park, Illinois
Jake Ryan's house can be found at 1407 Waverly Road in Highland Park. The house was built in 1891.
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The Baker House in Evanston
The 1984 film Sixteen Candles was filmed primarily in and around the Chicago North Shore suburban communities of Evanston, Skokie, and Highland Park, Illinois. The Baker House, home to the film's protagonist, Samantha "Sam" Baker, is located at 3022 Payne Street in Evanston. While some interior shots were filmed on built sets, the exteriors of the Georgian-style home and certain interior scenes, such as the stairs Sam sits on in the opening sequence, were filmed at this Evanston location.
The film's writer and director, John Hughes, drew inspiration from Northbrook, Illinois, which was formerly known as Shermerville, to create the fictional town of Shermer, Illinois, where the film is set. Hughes also attended high school in Northbrook. Interestingly, Evanston is the hometown of actors John and Joan Cusack, who coincidentally have small roles in the movie.
The choice of the Baker House as a filming location contributed to the authenticity and charm of Sixteen Candles. The house's architecture and interior details helped establish the character of Sam's family and their dynamics. The iconic stairs, featured in the opening sequence, have become synonymous with the film, even after the house underwent renovations.
Overall, the selection of Evanston and the Baker House as key filming locations played a significant role in shaping the narrative and aesthetic of Sixteen Candles, contributing to its enduring legacy as a beloved coming-of-age classic.
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Niles East High School in Skokie
The 1984 coming-of-age comedy film Sixteen Candles was filmed primarily in and around the Chicago North Shore suburban communities of Evanston, Skokie, and Highland Park, Illinois. The film's high school setting is Niles East High School, located at 7701 North Lincoln Avenue, close to downtown Skokie. The school ceased operating in 1980 and has since become a filming location for several John Hughes films, including Weird Science and Pretty in Pink.
Most of the exterior scenes and some of the interior scenes of Sixteen Candles were filmed at Niles East High School. The auto shop scene, in particular, was shot at the school's auto shop. The Baker house, where the film's protagonist, Samantha Baker, lives, is located at 3022 Payne Street in Evanston. The exterior and some interior scenes of the house were filmed on location, including the stairs that Samantha sits on in the film's opening sequence.
The film's director, John Hughes, drew inspiration for the fictional town of Shermer, Illinois, where the film is set, from Northbrook, Illinois, which was formerly known as Shermerville. Hughes attended high school in Northbrook. The film also gives a nod to Evanston, Illinois, during the opening credits, which coincidentally is the hometown of actors John and Joan Cusack, who have small roles in the film.
Hughes began developing Sixteen Candles in 1982 and started filming in July 1983. The film stars Molly Ringwald as Samantha Baker, Michael Schoeffling as Jake Ryan, and Anthony Michael Hall as Ted "The Geek" Farmer. It was Schoeffling's first screen role and launched the careers of Ringwald, Schoeffling, and Hall.
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Glencoe Union Church in Glencoe
The Glencoe Union Church in Glencoe, Illinois, is a religious institution with 11-50 employees. Located at 263 Park Avenue, Glencoe, Illinois, 60022-1349, the church is known for its traditional services, featuring hymns accompanied by organ or piano music. The congregation is described as one that loves to sing and is often led by its choir in learning new songs. Their worship services aim to honour God, nurture faith, relate to everyday life, and inspire hope. Communion is celebrated on the first Sunday of each month, and it is open to all. Following the worship service, the congregation gathers for fellowship and refreshments, creating a welcoming atmosphere for visitors.
The Glencoe Union Church holds a notable place in pop culture history as one of the filming locations for the 1984 American coming-of-age teen comedy film "Sixteen Candles." The church and its parking lot served as the setting for the final scenes of the movie, which starred Molly Ringwald, Michael Schoeffling, and Anthony Michael Hall. The film, written and directed by John Hughes, revolves around Samantha "Sam" Baker, a high school sophomore who is disappointed that her 16th birthday goes unnoticed by her family due to her older sister's upcoming wedding.
"Sixteen Candles" was primarily filmed in the Chicago North Shore suburban communities of Evanston, Skokie, and Highland Park, Illinois. The choice of locations reflected the film's theme of suburban teenage life. The Baker House, which served as the family home in the movie, is located at 3022 Payne Street in Evanston. The unnamed high school in the film is Niles East High School, located at 7701 North Lincoln Avenue in Skokie.
The Glencoe Union Church, with its charming architecture and location, added a fitting conclusion to the story of "Sixteen Candles." The church's appearance in the film has undoubtedly contributed to its recognition among fans of the movie, further enhancing its cultural significance.
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The fictional town of Shermer
The 1984 coming-of-age comedy Sixteen Candles takes place in the fictional town of Shermer, Illinois. Shermer is a fictional location, but the film was primarily shot in and around the Chicago North Shore suburban communities of Evanston, Skokie, and Highland Park, Illinois. The film's writer and director, John Hughes, drew inspiration for the name Shermer from Northbrook, Illinois, which was formerly called Shermerville.
The film follows Samantha "Sam" Baker, a high school sophomore who is disappointed that turning 16 hasn't transformed her appearance and is shocked when her family forgets her birthday due to her older sister Ginny's upcoming wedding. The Baker House, where Sam lives with her family, is located at 3022 Payne Street in Evanston, Illinois. The exterior and some interior scenes were filmed at this location.
The high school that features prominently in the film is Niles East High School, located at 7701 North Lincoln Avenue in Skokie, Illinois. The school ceased operating in 1980, and Hughes also used footage of its exterior in his films Weird Science and Pretty in Pink. Several interior scenes were also filmed at Niles East, including the auto shop scene, while others were filmed at Niles North High School, including the cafeteria and gym scenes.
The final scenes of the film take place at a church and parking lot in Glencoe, Illinois, at 263 Park Avenue.
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Frequently asked questions
The film '16 Candles' takes place in the fictional town of Shermer, Illinois.
'16 Candles' was filmed primarily in and around the Chicago North Shore suburban communities of Evanston, Skokie, and Highland Park, Illinois.
The Baker House is located at 3022 Payne Street in Evanston, Illinois.
