Like certain actors, some houses just have that “it” factor. Case in point? A handsome residence situated on a leafy street in South Pasadena that boasts such a prolific film and television resume, it rivals that of most movie stars! American Foursquare in style, the pad is a definite classic and has become one of the city’s most oft-shot spots, which is a true feat considering the sunny SoCal burg is a virtual bastion of filming activity, hosting more than 300 days of production each year!
Awash with Anywhere, U.S.A. allure and a plethora of curb appeal, it is no surprise the charming structure has become popular with filmmakers, most notably popping up as the home of KHEY radio manager Doug Simpson (Tony Danza) and his two daughters, Katie (Ami Dolenz) and Bonnie (Laura Mooney), in the 1989 comedy “She’s Out of Control.” Currently streaming on Amazon Prime, the coming-of-age story opens with Katie undergoing a staggering makeover, transforming from a bookish 15-year-old with coke bottle glasses and a mouth full of braces into a stunning swan with golden locks and an enviable wardrobe favoring white bubble skirts and thigh-highs. (The fab attire was fashioned courtesy of costume designer Marie France, who also collaborated on the 1984 rock musical “Purple Rain” and the pilot episode of Fox megahit “Beverly Hills, 90210.”) It does not take long for boys to take note of Katie’s metamorphosis, of course, and to come calling in droves, much to the chagrin of Doug, who spends the remainder of the movie virtually unraveling at the seams as he attempts to protect his daughter from various local lotharios.
Critics did not exactly laud the comedy. Roger Ebert and Gene Siskel were especially biting, with Siskel claiming watching it caused him to become “so depressed I actually thought about quitting my job as a film critic, feeling as though the movies had abandoned me.” Ebert, who included the production on his Most Hated list, similarly espoused, “A movie like this is a crime because what it does is it robs life from people by requiring them to spend two hours having such a terrible experience.” Ouch!
Those who grew up in the ‘80s weren’t nearly as dismissive. As a quick search for #shesoutofcontrol across social media proves, the film still holds a special place in the hearts of many viewers of a certain age, who can still be found lauding its merits on Instagram, Facebook and the like. In fact, I challenge you to find any Gen Xer who didn’t regularly attempt to reenact Katie’s big makeover reveal on the staircase of their own home with the strains of Frankie Avalon’s 1959 hit “Venus” playing in the background.
As such, the Simspon family home remains a beloved location for “She’s Out of Control” fans everywhere.
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Image Credit: Lindsay Blake for Dirt In real life, the charming abode can be found tucked on a 0.17-acre lot at 1960 La France Ave. in South Pasadena’s historic La France Craftsman District. Originally built in 1908, the residence hasn’t changed hands in over four decades, last selling in 1979 for $140,000. Considering the filming revenue the place has generated over the years, I wouldn’t part with it either! While pertinent property details are relatively scant online due to the longevity of ownership, the dwelling boasts four bedrooms and one bath in 2,800 square feet, per most real estate websites, and is worth north of $2.3 million today. (Please remember this is a private home. Do not trespass or bother the residents or the property in any way.)
MLS imagery is obviously nil, but photos posted on Malibu Locations (one of Los Angeles’ preeminent location management services) grant us an excellent glimpse of the interior and its many attractive amenities, including a formal dining room with a built-in buffet and fireplace, a living room, a laundry room, an enclosed sleeping porch and a decidedly retro kitchen with a suite of authentically old-fashioned appliances. Exterior features consist of a large front porch with a seating area, a grassy expanse in the rear yard and a detached two-car garage.
Though the pad boasts a thoroughly traditional aesthetic, its history has been anything but, with location managers flocking to it like teenage boys to a newly made-over high school girl. Just a few of the A-listers who have roamed its halls for the many shoots that have taken place there include Jennifer Aniston, Ben Stiller and Dustin Hoffman. And, of course, Tony Danza and Ami Dolenz (who just so happens to be the real-life daughter of The Monkees’ Mickey Dolenz)
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Image Credit: Columbia Pictures -
Image Credit: Lindsay Blake for Dirt The residence is seen regularly throughout “She’s Out of Control,” serving as the film’s central location.
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Image Credit: Columbia Pictures Only the property’s exterior appears onscreen. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but, sadly, the inside of the Simpson home – including the famed staircase where Katie makes her grand entrance after being made over – was nothing more than a set constructed by production designer David L. Snyder inside of a soundstage for the shoot and heartbreakingly dismantled after filming wrapped. The residence’s actual staircase, though situated in the same spot as its big-screen counterpart, is far smaller and split, sectioning off to both the kitchen as well as the second level.
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Image Credit: New World Pictures Other features to showcase the dwelling include the 1987 psychological thriller “Flowers in the Attic,” in which it pops up as the home Mother (Victoria Tennant), Cathy (Kristy Swanson) and Chris (Jeb Stuart Adams) share before moving in with Grandmother (Louise Fletcher). The residence only appears in a very brief establishing shot early in the movie, with all actual filming captured elsewhere.
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Image Credit: Trimark Pictures The property portrays the residence of the Griffith family, where teen superhero Spencer (Joseph Mazzello) lives with his father, Roland (Richard Gilliland), and sister, Stacey (Ashlee Levitch), in the 1997 family film “Star Kid.”
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Image Credit: Universal Pictures In the 2003 comedy “Bruce Almighty,” it serves as the home of Grace Connelly’s (Aniston) sister, Debbie (Lisa Ann Walter), where the elementary school teacher seeks refuge after breaking up with her boyfriend, career-obsessed newscaster Bruce Nolan (Jim Carrey).
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Image Credit: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer The pad plays the residence of the Doyle family, where resilient Haddonfield, Illinois teen Laurie Strode (Scout Taylor-Compton) babysits youngster Tommy Doyle (Skyler Gisondo) in Rob Zombie’s 2007 “Halloween” reboot.
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Image Credit: Universal Pictures Greg Focker (Stiller) and his wife, Pam (Teri Polo), remodel the dwelling in the 2010 comedy “Little Fockers.” Greg’s father, Bernie (Hoffman), even pops by at one point and shows off his flamenco moves in the backyard.
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Image Credit: Hulu Izzy Richardson (Megan Stott) and April Jarvis (Isabel Gravitt) attend a party there in the episode of “Little Fires Everywhere” titled “Picture Perfect.”
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Image Credit: Netflix And on the Ryan Murphy series “Ratched,” the residence is featured several times as the home of maniacal Lucia State Hospital nurse Betsy Bucket (Judy Davis).