One of the great (and perhaps unsung) Christmas movies in my humble opinion is 1983’s Trading Places. In this blog post, I’m taking the time to follow the footsteps of Dan Ackroyd and Eddie Murphy; the stars of this comedy classic. Follow me to these Trading Places Filming Locations.
Winthorpe Home
Louis Winthorpe and Billy Ray Valentine call 2014 Delancey Street, Philadelphia, PA home. Coleman the butler, played by Denholm Elliot, also called this address home. He proved pivotal in bringing the two together to defeat the Dukes.
Independence Hall
As “Louie” is explaining his situation to Ophelia in a taxi cab, he happens to cross paths with Billy Ray and Coleman in his old limo. They notice each other and Louis hangs out of the taxi window yelling “that’s my car!”
See my full post on Independence Hall.
The statue of George Washington watches it all unfold. John Landis loved using statues and paintings for reaction shots in this movie and in 1980’s the Blues Brothers.
Near Philadelphia City Hall
After Louis meets Ophelia outside of the Police Station, he takes her to his bank where he “has over $150,000” deposited. Unfortunately, his accounts are frozen by the IRS.
This is the view Louis would have seen as he crawled on his knees to Ophelia. Behind him is the 45-foot tall public sculpture “Clothespin” by Claes Oldenburg.
Duke and Duke Building
Now a Wells Fargo, the Duke and Duke building is unchanged from the 80s and remains as imposing now as it did on Billy Ray’s first day.
A drunk and destitute Louis stumbles out of the Duke and Duke Christmas Party here after stealing a massive salmon filet and shoving it into his Santa suit.
Louis then stumbles out of the building and onto a bus while Valentine gives chase. That street is Broad Street looking toward Philadelphia City Hall.
You can find the Duke and Duke building at 135 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA.
Other Trading Places Filming Locations
Billy Ray is arrested after walking away from Rittenhouse Square and bumping into Louis along Locust Street in front of “The Heritage Club.” The fictional Heritage Club is based on the very real, elite Union League which is actually located across the street from the Duke and Duke building.
They didn’t film anything there, but here’s a picture of it anyway.
The exterior of The Heritage Club is actually The Curtis Institute of Music located at 1726 Locust Street, Philadelphia, PA.
The filming location I’d really like to feature is from the last scene in the movie. Spoiler alert – Louis, Billy Ray, Ophelia and Coleman defeat the Dukes and retire to St. Croix in the US Virgin Islands. I’ll update this post when I eventually visit those beaches.
“Looking good, Billy Ray! Feeling good, Louis!”
Comments (12)
The Union League should have allowed them to use it for the fictional Heritage Club at a price. They are always looking for more funding. The UL now owns properties in NJ and DE too. Expanding the elite tentacles. I’ve visited, as a guest, a few times and stayed in it’s Inn overnight.
This picture is not the Curtis Institute of Music. This is the Union League of Philadelphia located at 140 South Broad Street.
Yes, as I say in the post the very real Union League is what the very fake Heritage Club from the movie is based on. As I say, “They didn’t film anything there, but here’s a picture of it anyway.”
Does anyone know info about the inside of the home where Louis & Billy Ray lived? Was it filmed inside a real house?
In my research, I found this:
“…according to studio production notes … an Upper East Side residence … was used for the interiors of Winthorpe’s home. The apartment of “Ophelia,” Barney’s Pawn Shop, and the interiors of the police station were all shot in New York City even though they had Philadelphia locations in the context of the film.”
From: https://catalog.afi.com/Catalog/MovieDetails/67293?cxt=filmography
So many mansions like that in Ardmore, Villanova, etc. Weird that they chose the one in Long Island for the Dukes!! “WE CAN MAKE IT, BABY….ME AND YOU!”
Who’s been putting out their Kools on my floor!?!?
It was a stone groove my man!
Finished watching the movie and I was just wondering what beach in St. Croix was the marvelous last scene filmed.
It’s such a classic. Glad you stopped by and commented!
I have been to St Croix it is Beautiful. My best friends parents are from there and have recently built a house there.