Music Videos

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In the summer of 1991, the airwaves were dominated by one sound: The debut of Boyz II Men. You couldn't turn on the radio or watch MTV without seeing the high-energy music video for Motownphilly. As the breakout single that propelled the group to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, the video did more than just launch a career—it put the "Philly Sound" back on the global map.

The Motownphilly music video was filmed on location throughout the band's hometown of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Today, the footage serves as a valuable visual time capsule of the city’s architecture and street life during the late 20th century.

In this Quick Preview of our complete filming locations then and now tour, we revisit the iconic Philly spots featured in the music video. From Penn's Landing on the shores of the Delaware River to Geno's Steaks, you'll see how much the city has transformed - and stayed the same - since 1991.

Take a virtual tour of these classic music video locations in our Quick Preview video and see the Motownphilly legacy today. Click the image above to watch the video now.

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The 1983 music video for Cyndi Lauper’s timeless hit Time After Time is more than just a pop masterpiece; it is a beautiful cinematic journey through Northern New Jersey. Filmed primarily on location in the towns of Wharton and Morristown, the video captures the authentic, small-town atmosphere that perfectly complements the song’s emotional depth.

For those who grew up in this part of the Garden State, revisiting these sites is a truly nostalgic experience. From the scenes filmed at "Cyndi's home" to the historic Morristown train station, these locations have become landmarks for fans of 80s music videos.

In this filming locations then and now tour, we return to these iconic spots to see how they remained almost unchanged over the last four decades. Whether you are a lifelong fan of Cyndi Lauper or a New Jersey local, this Quick Preview video offers a fascinating then and now comparison of these classic filming sites used in one of the most beloved music videos in MTV history.

Visit these historic filming locations where Cyndi Lauper filmed one of her most famous music videos. Click the image above to watch the video now.

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People either love this song or hate it, but there's no question that the 1982 music video for the Dexys Midnight Runners song Come On Eileen is a fascinating time capsule of early 1980s London.

In this filming locations then and now Quick Preview video, we journey to the heart of South London to explore the streets around West Square. This filming locations video takes you on a tour of the primary filming sites around Brook Drive and Austral Street, along with several more obscure locations used in the 1982 production.

The good news for film historians and fans alike is that this neighborhood has remained beautifully preserved. The historic buildings of West Square are all still standing and look just as vibrant in the 21st century as they did when Kevin Rowland and the band danced through these street over 40 years ago.

Watch our Quick Preview video for a then and now comparison of these iconic London music video locations. Click the image above to watch the video now.

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Take a virtual tour of the Los Angeles filming locations from one of the most iconic music videos of all time: Madonna’s Borderline, released in February 1984.

Early in her career, Madonna frequently used the streets of Los Angeles as a backdrop for her visuals, and the Borderline music video is a prime example. This production was filmed extensively in the Arts District of Downtown Los Angeles (DTLA), a neighborhood that is a popular destination for film and television productions.

Journey back in time to the wonderful 1980s to visit these historic filming locations! Click the image above to watch the video now.

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 In this Quick Preview filming locations video tour, we explore the Los Angeles settings for Madonna’s iconic 1987 music video, La Isla Bonita.

The La Isla Bonita music video was filmed entirely on the 1300 block of Maryland Street, located on the outskirts of Downtown Los Angeles (DTLA).

For fans looking to visit these iconic Madonna filming locations, the neighborhood serves as a remarkable time capsule. Aside from the original car repair garage (which has since been demolished), nearly every building featured in the 1987 production is still standing and remains largely unchanged today.

Head back in time to visit this important street in music video filming location history. Click the image above to watch the video now.

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Explore the Los Angeles filming locations of Madonna’s music video for her 1987 hit, Open Your Heart. While the music video was considered scandalous by 1986 standards, its heavy rotation on MTV propelled the song to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 on February 7, 1987.

This Quick Preview then and now video tour takes you to the intersection of West Court Street and Toluca Street, located just on the edge of Downtown Los Angeles (DTLA). This specific neighborhood served as the primary backdrop for the video's exterior scenes.

For location hunters, this area of Los Angeles remains remarkably preserved since the late 1980s, with one major exception: The "Adult Theater" Site.

The vacant lot that once housed the specially constructed "Adult Theater" set has since been developed. Today, a large apartment building occupies the site where the iconic peep show storefront once stood.

Take a quick journey back to 1986 and visit the filming location for Madonna's iconic music video Open Your Heart. Click the image above to watch the video now.

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The 1997 hit song Your Woman by White Town was a global phenomenon with a unique origin story. The "band" is actually a solo project by Jyoti Mishra, who famously produced the track instrument-by-instrument on a 4-track analog cassette deck in his spare bedroom. This landmark achievement is widely considered the first worldwide #1 hit created in a home "bedroom studio."

White Town is based in Derby, England, and the music video for Your Woman serves as a beautiful cinematic tour of the city’s downtown core.  I was pleasantly surprised during my visit to Derby to find that so many of these 1990s filming locations have been perfectly preserved over the last 30 years. 

Most of the 1997 locations used in the music video remain standing today, making Derby a perfect destination for filming location hunters, including:

• The Guildhall Theatre: This historic venue remains a centerpiece of the city's cultural scene.

• Derby City Council & The Derby Cascade: Iconic civic landmarks that appear prominently in the music video.

• The Derby Ram Statue: A famous local monument that looks exactly as it did during the 1990s production.

Watch this Quick Preview filming locations video for a fascinating look at the streets of Derby as they appeared in 1997 and a then and now comparison showing how little has changed 30 years later. Click the image above to watch the video now.

Click the image above to watch the filming locations Quick Preview video.  

The 1927 silent comedy Why Girls Say No offers a stunning visual tour of the beautiful Larchmont Village neighborhood in Los Angeles. This production focuses on the 100 block of North Larchmont Blvd, serving as a detailed 100-year-old time capsule of one of LA's most charming districts.

This Quick Preview filming locations video opens with rare, historic footage of a Los Angeles Railway streetcar operating in the center of Larchmont Blvd. This is the exact same streetcar line featured in the 1936 film False Alarms starring The Three Stooges.

The Three Stooges were frequent visitors to this specific block; several of their movies that filmed here are also covered here on our website.

Beyond the transit history, this filming locations then and now video provides detailed sidewalk views of the shops lining North Larchmont Blvd. Almost all the original buildings captured on film in 1927 are still standing today, retaining their vintage architecture.

If you are planning a trip to Los Angeles, the 100 block of North Larchmont Blvd is a must-see destination for film historians and urban explorers alike.

Click the image above to watch the then and now tour of the Why Girls Say No filming locations and see the historic streetcars of Larchmont Village.

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While Hal Roach Studios is famous for using the streets of Culver City as filming locations, they weren't the only ones. The nearby Pathé Studios also took full advantage of the city’s downtown core, using its historic architecture as a versatile backdrop for their productions.

In 1930, Pathé released the comedy short Traffic Tangle starring Nat Carr. Because the movie was filmed almost entirely on location, we have divided our then and now filming locations tour into two parts. This first Quick Preview video focuses on the legendary Main Street in Culver City.

The Laurel and Hardy Connection: Fans of the "Boys" will recognize the familiar storefronts that appeared in many Laurel and Hardy silent movies, including the classic Leave 'Em Laughing. The then and now comparisons in this video vividly illustrate a rare feat of urban preservation—every single building seen on Main Street in this 1930 production is still standing today.

Click the image above to watch Part 1 of our Traffic Tangle tour and see how this historic 1930 filming location has remained unchanged for nearly a century.

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Our then and now tour of the 1930 comedy Traffic Tangle continues as we move from the commercial center of Main Street into a classic Culver City residential neighborhood. This installment provides a rare glimpse into the suburban landscape of Southern California during the early sound era.

The production utilized the 9000 block of Carson Street, capturing a row of homes that were brand new at the time of filming. Today, these residences serve as an incredible architectural record of the mid-1920s:

• 9020 Carson Street: Built in 1924, this home is featured prominently and remains a stunning example of the era’s craftsmanship.

• 9025 & 9015 Carson Street: Constructed in 1926 and 1929 respectively, these neighboring homes appear almost exactly as they did when Nat Carr filmed here nearly a century ago.

As you'll see in this Quick Preview filming locations video, the level of preservation on Carson Street is miraculous. While much of Los Angeles has been redeveloped, this specific block has remained remarkably unchanged, allowing you to journey back to the Culver City of 1930.

Click the image above to watch Part 2 of our Traffic Tangle tour and see these historic homes in a fascinating then and now video comparison.

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The 1933 comedy short Beauty and the Bus stars the iconic duo Thelma Todd and Patsy Kelly on a chaotic driving adventure through the Westwood Village section of Los Angeles. Beyond the laughs, the film is a fascinating look at early 1930s production techniques and the birth of one of the most iconic neighborhoods of Los Angeles.

By 1933, studios were increasingly utilizing rear-projection (process photography) to film driving sequences. In Beauty and the Bus, you can see a mix of this studio-bound technique alongside authentic on-location filming in the heart of Westwood. This provides a unique perspective on how early sound films balanced technical limitations with real-world backdrops.

Because development in Westwood Village only began in 1929, this film serves as an important visual record of the neighborhood in its infancy.

The movie captures the Mediterranean-style charm of the village just four years after its inception. In the 90+ years since production, many of the landmark buildings featured in the 1933 footage remain standing and beautifully preserved.

Click the image above to take a virtual tour of early Westwood Village and see how these classic filming locations look today.

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In the early 1930s, producer Hal Roach sought to recreate the magic of his most famous duo by teaming Thelma Todd and Zasu Pitts as a "female version of Laurel and Hardy." Their 1932 comedy short Sneak Easily is a standout of the series, notable for its extensive use of iconic Los Angeles area landmarks.

Our Quick Preview filming locations video begins with a visit to the Beverly Hills City Hall. At the time of filming, this architectural masterpiece was brand new. Recognized for its stunning Spanish Renaissance style, the building was officially declared a Historic Preservation Landmark in 2013. In this Quick Preview filming locations then and now video, you'll see how this building has been meticulously maintained since its appearance in the 1932 production.

The tour then travels east to the Silver Lake neighborhood for a rare look at the Pacific Electric Railway Fletcher Viaduct. While this massive railway structure was unfortunately demolished in the mid-20th century, the landscape still tells its story. The contours of the original railroad right-of-way remain recognizable, and the massive concrete footings—now a designated Los Angeles Historical Monument—are still visible today.

Click the image above to join Thelma and Zasu on a journey through these historic sites and see our detailed then and now filming locations comparison.

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Part comedy, part thriller, and entirely a masterpiece, The Ladykillers (1955) is a quintessential British black comedy classic. Starring cinema legends like Alec Guinness and Peter Sellers, the film is equally famous for its extensive and gritty on-location filming, serving as a remarkable visual time capsule of post-World War II London.

The majority of the filming locations were centered in the immediate area surrounding London’s St. Pancras train station. In the mid-1950s, this district still bore the atmospheric scars of the war, providing the perfect backdrop for the gang's criminal exploits.

This Quick Preview filming locations video takes you deep into the heart of the St. Pancras district to see how much has changed:

• Inside the Station: Explore the iconic platforms and architecture of St. Pancras station as they appeared in 1955 compared to the modern-day international hub.

• The Side Streets: We tour the surrounding streets that served as the setting for Mrs. Wilberforce's lopsided house and the gang's various activities.

Click the image above for a fascinating tour of mid-20th century London and see what these historic The Ladykillers filming locations look like today.

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Buster Keaton created some of the most enduring masterpieces of the silent era. His 1921 short film, The High Sign, serves as a remarkable visual time capsule of Southern California’s coastal landscape from over a century ago.

While Keaton filmed across several iconic coastal spots—including the Pike Amusement Park in Long Beach as well as Redondo Beach—this Then and Now tour focuses on the historic Venice Beach filming locations.

This Quick Preview then and now filming locations video provides a side-by-side comparison of the 1921 production footage and the modern-day landscape, featuring:

• Windward Avenue: See the dramatic transformation of one of Venice's most famous streets. Sadly, all but one of the historic buildings featured in the film have since been demolished.

• Ocean Front Walk: Witness the shift from a quiet, residential beachfront to the world-famous, bustling commercial district it is today.

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Click the image above to watch this then and now video tour and step back in time to the Los Angeles beach towns of 1921.

Click the image above to watch the filming locations Quick Preview video. 

Charlie Chaplin provides a remarkable historical record of the Southern California coastline in his 1915 comedy classic, By The Sea. This "Then and Now" filming locations tour takes you back over a century to explore the early days of Santa Monica and Venice Beach.

In this video preview, we revisit the exact spots where the Little Tramp caused coastal chaos, comparing the 1915 production footage with the modern landscape:

• Palisades Park (Santa Monica): See a fascinating side-by-side comparison of this world-famous park. We take you to the precise location where Chaplin filmed, offering a rare glimpse of the the park as it looked in 1915.

• 1 Westminster Avenue (Venice Beach): Built in 1913, this historic building is a miracle of preservation. Most remarkably, the corner seen in the movie remains unchanged.

• The Brickwork Test: We demonstrate how the original brick patterns from the 1915 film match up perfectly with the building today—a definitive "fingerprint" for film historians.

Witness the evolution of the Los Angeles coastline from a quiet seaside getaway to a global tourist destination. Click the image above to watch this Quick Preview of the filming locations used in By The Sea.

Click the image above to watch the filming locations Quick Preview video. 

In his 1921 classic The Idle Class, Charlie Chaplin utilized a diverse array of locations across the Los Angeles area. From the luxury of Beverly Hills to the historic railroad station in Pasadena, this film serves as a vital visual record of Southern California during the early 20th century.

Our filming locations tour follows the Little Tramp through several iconic sites, comparing 1921 production footage with the modern landscape:

• Pasadena Train Station (260 South Raymond Avenue): The film opens with Chaplin arriving at this historic train station. While the station remains an active part of Pasadena’s transportation infrastructure today, our video highlights the extensive modernization that has occurred over the last century.

• The Los Angeles River (Los Feliz Blvd): Perhaps the most remarkable footage in the film is the view of the Los Angeles River in its natural state. See the river as it looked before the massive 20th century engineering projects transformed it into the concrete stormwater channel it is today.

• Will Rogers Memorial Park (Beverly Hills): We conclude our tour at this beautiful Beverly Hills landmark. As you will see in our "Then and Now" comparison, the park’s layout and atmosphere remain beautifully preserved and largely unchanged since 1921. Interestingly, Laurel and Hardy filmed scenes from their 1932 feature film Pack Up Your Troubles in this exact same spot.

Step back in time to explore the lost landscapes of early 1920s Los Angeles. Click the image above to watch this "Then and Now" video tour of the historic filming locations used in The Idle Class.

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Much like Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton, silent comedy legend Harold Lloyd treated the streets of Los Angeles as his personal movie backlot. His 1920 masterpiece, Get Out And Get Under, serves as a premier example of his extensive on-location filming, capturing the Los Angeles area landscape prior to its rapid evolution in the mid-20th century.

This then and now filming locations tour follows Lloyd's journey across the city, highlighting the dramatic changes to these historic neighborhoods:

• The Palms Neighborhood (West Los Angeles): The first half of the film offers a look at the West Side in 1920. At the time of filming, Palms retained a quiet, small-town atmosphere with wide-open spaces. This then and now video provides a vivid contrast between this undeveloped era and the massive urban density found in the area today.

• North Spring Street & Ord Street (Downtown LA): Explore fascinating footage filmed on the edge of DTLA. The comparison features the historic building at 808 North Spring Street. Built in 1916, this structure is still standing today and serves as a magnificent anchor for identifying these century-old scenes.

• Historic Time Capsule: From the dirt roads of the West Side to the burgeoning industrial districts near downtown, this film is a vital record of the Los Angeles area from over 100 years ago.

Step back into the world of 1920s cinema and see how these iconic landmarks have transformed over the last century. Click the image above to watch this Quick Preview filming locations tour of Get Out And Get Under.

Click the image above to watch the filming locations Quick Preview video.  

In the 1924 silent comedy classic All Wet, Charley Chase delivers a masterclass in physical comedy as he battles a massive mud puddle that threatens to swallow his car. Filmed almost entirely on a single residential street, this production serves as an incredible visual record of the birth of a Culver City neighborhood.

This then and now filming locations tour takes you to the 8800 block of Carson Street, offering a rare glimpse of Southern California’s suburban expansion during the mid-1920s:

• A Neighborhood Under Construction: Witness Carson Street as it was being built over a century ago. The film captures the raw landscape and early architecture of the area before it became the established neighborhood it is today.

• The Our Gang Connection: Film historians will recognize this exact location from the 1923 Our Gang / The Little Rascals movie, Dogs of War, filmed just one year prior.

• Dramatic Transformation: Our video comparison shows the striking shift from a muddy, developing construction site to the quiet, tree-lined street of today, featuring beautifully preserved 100-year-old homes.

Step back into the silent era and see how this historic piece of Culver City has evolved over the last century. Click the image above to watch this Quick Preview filming locations tour of All Wet.
 

Click the image above to watch the filming locations Quick Preview video. 

Released during the early "talkie" era, the 1930 Charley Chase comedy classic Fast Work serves as a vibrant visual record of pre-war Los Angeles. As a Hal Roach Studios production, the film utilizes several iconic locations that remain staples of Hollywood’s cinematic geography.

Our filming locations tour begins at a historic mansion in Los Angeles:

• The Mansion at 3500 West Adams Blvd: Early in the film, Charley Chase appears at this opulent estate in the West Adams Historic District. Architecture and film buffs will recognize this as the same historic mansion used in the 1930 Laurel and Hardy comedy, Another Fine Mess.

• The Hal Roach Connection: Since both films were produced by Hal Roach Studios in the same year, the site remains a fascinating example of how the studio maximized its location deals. Most remarkably, the mansion is still standing today and remains beautifully preserved.

This then and now comparison continues with the a chase sequence involving an escaped lunatic:

• 1861 Whitley Avenue: The high-energy collision between Charley and the lunatic was filmed at the corner of Franklin Avenue and Whitley Avenue.

• Architectural Time Capsule: The apartment building at this intersection is still standing. Our then and now video analysis shows that the structure remains virtually unchanged since 1930, offering a rare "fingerprint" of classic Hollywood architecture.

Step back into 1930s Los Angeles and see how these historic landmarks have stood the test of time. Click the image above to watch our "Then and Now" video tour of the filming locations used in Fast Work.

 Click the image above to watch the filming locations Quick Preview video.  

Released in 1933, the Charley Chase comedy short His Silent Racket features incredible on-location footage from the Palms neighborhood on the West Side of Los Angeles. This "Then and Now" tour explores the historic intersections that served as a real-world backlot for both Chase and the legendary Hal Roach Studios.

This video preview takes you to the exact spots where cinematic history was made, featuring then and now comparisons of:

• Motor Avenue & Tabor Street: This intersection is a landmark for film historians. Beyond its appearance in His Silent Racket, it was famously used in the Our Gang / The Little Rascals classics Dog Heaven (1927) and Bouncing Babies (1929).

• Motor Avenue & Woodbine Street: Located just a few blocks away, this site was a favorite for Hal Roach directors. It is most prominently featured in the 1929 Our Gang / The Little Rascals comedy Boxing Gloves and appeared in numerous other Our Gang  / The Little Rascals shorts throughout the 1920s and early 1930s.

• A Neighborhood Transformed: Witness the striking evolution of these West Los Angeles streets, comparing the quiet, suburban atmosphere of the 1930s with the densely developed modern-day landscape.

Whether you are a fan of Charley Chase or a dedicated Our Gang / The Little Rascals location hunter, these sites are a must-visit. Click the image above to watch this Quick Preview filming locations tour of His Silent Racket.

Click the image above to watch the filming locations Quick Preview video. 

Filmed in 1925, the Charley Chase silent comedy His Wooden Wedding provides a stunning visual record of Culver City in its infancy. This "Then and Now" tour focuses on the area surrounding one of the most famous landmarks in the area.

This video preview takes you to the heart of the "Heart of Screenland," featuring then and now

 comparisons of:

• The Culver Hotel (9400 Culver Blvd): Witness this architectural masterpiece when it was less than two years old. The film captures the building's original elegance and its early role as a hub for silent film stars and studio executives.

• The MGM Studios Water Tower: Look closely at the background of the 1925 footage to see the iconic water tower that stood for decades on the main MGM Studios lot—a landmark that has since become synonymous with the Golden Age of Hollywood.

• The Pacific Electric Railway: See the historic "Red Car" tracks that once ran directly down the center of Culver Blvd. Our video highlights this lost transit artery that connected Downtown Los Angeles to the beach communities of Playa del Rey and El Segundo.

Step back into the mid-1920s and witness the dramatic evolution of this world-famous filming location. Click the image above to watch our Quick Preview filming locations tour of His Wooden Wedding.

Click the image above to watch the filming locations Quick Preview video.  

Following the tradition of his 1925 classic His Wooden Wedding, Charley Chase returns to the heart of the Culver City in the 1928 comedy masterpiece, Limousine Love. This film provides an incredible, detailed visual tour of Downtown Culver City during the peak of the silent film era.

This then and now filming locations tour features extensive footage of the world-famous Culver Hotel (9400 Culver Blvd). Our video comparison highlights:

• Detailed Views: See the historic hotel from several unique angles as it appeared in 1928.

• Restoring 1920s Elegance: We contrast the vintage footage with the building’s current state. Since its multi-million dollar renovation in the mid-2010s, the hotel has been meticulously restored to its original 1920s elegance.

• Downtown Culver City Tour: The second half of the film serves as a moving time capsule, taking viewers through the commercial district as it looked nearly a century ago. This part of the filming locations tour is available to current members of the site.

Experience a then and now journey through time and witness the preservation of one of Los Angeles’ most iconic landmarks. Click the image above to watch our Quick Preview filming locations tour of Limousine Love.

Click the image above to watch the filming locations Quick Preview video.  

Released in 1933, the Charley Chase comedy classic Midsummer Mush serves as an outstanding visual time capsule of two legendary Hal Roach Studios filming locations. This then and Now tour explores how these iconic Los Angeles intersections evolved over several decades of cinematic history.

This video preview takes you to the exact spots where some of Hollywood’s most famous comedy movies were filmed:

• Motor Avenue & Tabor Street (Palms): The first half of our tour focuses on this historic Palms intersection. Film historians will recognize this site from the 1929 Our Gang / The Little Rascals short Bouncing Babies. Remarkably, this same location was used 50 years later in the Target Angels episode of the hit TV series Charlie's Angels.

• Main Street & Culver Blvd (Downtown Culver City): The second half of our tour shifts to the heart of the "Heart of Screenland." This intersection was a favorite for local studios in the 1920s and 30s. It features prominently in the 1928 Laurel and Hardy masterpiece Leave 'Em Laughing and the 1930 Nat Carr comedy Traffic Tangle.

• Cinematic Crossovers: Both of these locations are covered extensively elsewhere on our site, illustrating the incredible staying power of these real-world "backlots."

Take a then and now journey through time and see why these Culver City and Palms landmarks are a must-visit for any film history enthusiast. Click the image above to watch our Quick Preview filming locations tour of Midsummer Mush.