Where was Old School filmed?
2003
City Locations
Los Angeles, California; Cambridge, MA
Location Types
House, Retail, Schools/Colleges, Diners/Coffee, Church/Temple
Location Styles
Colonial, Georgian/Southern, Hotel/Motel Style, School
About Old School
Old School, a 2003 American comedy film, harks back to the raw and straightforward filmmaking style of the ‘80s. Directed by Todd Phillips and featuring a star-studded cast including Will Ferrell, Luke Wilson, Vince Vaughn, Leah Remini, Juliette Lewis, Jeremy Piven, and Perrey Reeves, the movie doesn't shy away from its lack of subtlety or finesse.
The narrative centers around three men in their thirties trying to recapture the glory of their college years by establishing a fraternity. Mitch (Luke Wilson) returns from a business trip to find his wife, Heidi (Juliette Lewis), in bed with two unfamiliar individuals. Feeling alienated in his own home, he leases a property near his former college campus, where he is soon joined by two old friends: Beanie (Vince Vaughn), an audio equipment salesman, and Frank (Will Ferrell), who recently tied the knot with Marissa (Perrey Reeves). A housewarming party thrown for Mitch attracts an unexpected crowd of students, and as the parties grow wilder and more frequent, they catch the attention of Pritchard (Jeremy Piven), a dean at the college.
The movie premiered on February 21, 2003, and had a mixed reception from critics while making $86 million globally. Renowned critic Roger Ebert rated the film one star out of four, remarking, "Despite its few amusing moments and Ferrell's commendable performance as a seemingly habitual nudist, it isn't a humorous film." On the review aggregation site Rotten Tomatoes, it holds a 60% approval rating, calculated from 167 critic reviews, and an average score of 5.6/10.
Old School Locations
Taking place mainly in Los Angeles, the movie was primarily shot at two iconic California locations: UCLA's Westwood campus and Pasadena. Known for their sunny skies and diverse geography, the backdrop of these locations provided an ideal setting for the film.
Most scenes were filmed at UCLA's Westwood campus, situated on the west side of Los Angeles near Beverly Hills. The aerial views in the movie mimic Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, but with some added California flavor. Westminster Presbyterian Church, located in North Pasadena, also featured prominently as the location of Frank’s wedding. Lastly, downtown LA’s Quality Coffee Shop and Pasadena’s 1803 Bushnell Avenue provided some memorable settings for parts of the movie.
A trip to all these locations would be worthwhile for any fan of Old School. Experiencing the beauty and charm of each area — from UCLA's iconic campus to Pasadena’s historic landmarks — would undoubtedly be a treat for any fan looking to immerse themselves more deeply into this classic comedy. With its varied geography, from bustling cities to rolling hillsides, LA provides a beautiful backdrop for this legendary film.
Mitch encounters Nicole at a wedding scene in Old School
Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1757 N Lake Ave, Pasadena, CA 91104, USA
Mitch runs into his high school crush, Nicole (Ellen Pompeo), at his friend Frank's wedding. The interaction is awkward and leaves a lasting impression on both of them.
The wedding scene was filmed at the Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1757 North Lake Avenue at Atchison Street, in north Pasadena. The church has been a popular choice for filming due to its majestic French Gothic architecture. It also served as a filming location for Wedding Crashers, featuring Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson.
The Westminster Presbyterian Church remains open to visitors and largely unchanged from its appearance in the film. It continues to be a preferred venue for wedding ceremonies, offering a touch of Hollywood glamor to the proceedings.
This location is easy to get to from downtown Los Angeles. If you choose to drive, it will only take 20 minutes in light traffic via CA-134 E.
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Harrison University campus scenes in Old School
Eliot House, 101 Dunster St, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
Following Frank's wedding, Mitch moves into a house situated next to the fictional Harrison University campus in upstate New York. This relocation sets the stage for the hilarious antics as Mitch and his friends attempt to recapture their youth.
Several scenes in the film feature Harvard University standing in for the fictitious Harrison University. These shots are likely aerial footage originally captured for director Todd Phillips’ earlier film Road Trip. The sections of the iconic university shown in the film are located at Eliot House, Harvard University, Cambridge.
Established in 1962, the Visitor Center at Harvard University serves as the welcoming point for global visitors. This is where students meet and greet guests, introducing them to the intriguing facts, secret treasures, legendary figures, renowned traditions, and daily peculiarities that make up Harvard's rich tapestry. You can delve into all these aspects through the official Harvard tours.
To reach this destination from downtown Boston, you would take Storrow Dr and Soldiers Field Rd. The duration of the journey can vary depending on traffic conditions, typically taking around 20 minutes.
Browse Boston Filming Locations
Mitch-a-Palooza party scene in Old School
1803 Bushnell Ave, S Pasadena, CA 91030, USA
One of the most memorable scenes occurs at a housewarming party thrown by Mitch's friend Bernard (Vince Vaughn), dubbed "Mitch-A-Palooza." The party escalates into an uproarious event, with Frank getting drunk and streaking, much to the shock of his wife Marissa and her friends, causing tension in their newlywed lives.
This iconic scene was filmed at the fraternity house located at 1803 Bushnell Avenue in Pasadena, California. Interestingly, this street was used for the McFly home in the classic film Back To The Future. However, fans of Old School who wish to visit this location need to be aware that the house is privately owned. As such, interior access is not permitted. But exterior observation of the house is possible, allowing fans a glimpse of this iconic piece of film history.
To get to this location, you would need to head to South Pasadena, California. If you're in downtown Los Angeles, it's just a short drive northeast via the US-101 N and I-110 N highways.
Frank's streaking scene in Old School
Honolulu Avenue, La Crescenta-Montrose, CA, USA
One of the most memorable scenes features Frank, who, in a state of intoxication, decides to go streaking. This reckless act is unfortunately witnessed by his wife and her unimpressed friends.
The iconic streaking scene was filmed on Honolulu Avenue, between Market Street and Ocean View Boulevard, in Montrose, California. Committed to authenticity, Ferrell reportedly stripped down entirely for this unforgettable sequence. Today, this area of Montrose remains a bustling hub, with various cafes and restaurants for visitors to enjoy. Additionally, the beautiful Descanso Gardens, known for their botanical collections, are a short drive away and well worth a visit.
To get to this location, if starting from downtown Los Angeles, head northeast on US-101 N. The journey will take approximately 20 minutes, depending on the traffic.
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Mitch meets Darcie scene in Old School
1238 W 7th St, Los Angeles, CA 90017, USA
Mitch finds himself in a predicament that is as hilarious as it is awkward. He's been christened "The Godfather" by his fraternity brothers, a title he tries to keep separate from his professional life. However, the lines blur when Darcie (Elisha Cuthbert), the high school graduate daughter of his boss, Mr. Goldberg (Terry O'Quinn), visits him during a meeting. To his surprise and embarrassment, Mitch realizes that rumors have spread around the office about him supposedly hooking up with Darcie at the party, which he vehemently denies to safeguard his reputation.
Quality Cafe, located at 1238 West Seventh Street in downtown Los Angeles, served as the filming location for this scene. This spot has a rich cinematic history, with credits in well-known films such as Se7en and Training Day. Unfortunately, the coffee shop is no longer open, meaning the interior won't match what fans remember from the film. Despite this, the surrounding neighborhood maintains the same ambiance.
To reach this location from downtown Los Angeles, you’ll need to journey around two miles northeast. It’s a trip of around five minutes by car.
Los Angeles Filming Locations Exploration
The boys discuss saving their fraternity scene in Old School
2325 Honolulu Ave, Montrose, CA 91020, USA
Dean Pritchard threatens to expel the students involved in their unsanctioned fraternity. The fraternity house is subsequently boarded up due to alleged violations of various university policies. This scene unfolds at the University Cafe, where the fraternity members resolve to overcome all the challenges posed by the conniving Dean Pritchard.
This memorable location was the Montrose Home Bakery at 2325 Honolulu Avenue, west of Ocean View Boulevard. Those familiar with film locations might also recognize the plain brick wall adjacent to the bakery from its appearance in The Wedding Singer. Regrettably, the establishment has permanently shut its doors, allowing fans to only admire its exterior.
To reach this distinctive filming location, beginning from downtown Los Angeles and heading northeast on US-101 N is the way to go. The journey will take around 20 minutes in light traffic.
Conclusion
Old School is an energetic and raucous comedy that will keep you entertained from start to finish. Will Ferrell's performance as “Frank the Tank" is the highlight of the movie, and his fearless and surreal energy helps to elevate the otherwise hackneyed material. The rest of the cast is also talented, although they can't quite reach the heights of Ferrell's performance.
The script for Old School is serviceable but nothing groundbreaking. It relies on some cliches and tropes seen in other college comedies, but it does have enough laugh-out-loud moments to make it enjoyable. While it doesn't quite reach the heights of Animal House or Revenge of the Nerds, it still manages to be an entertaining watch that successfully captures some of the spirit of those classics while adding its own unique twist.
Overall, Old School is worth watching if you like Will Ferrell's comedic style or want a good laugh. It may not be one for film buffs or those looking for deep meaning, but this should make your list if you're looking for a lighthearted comedy with plenty of laughs.