Fitler Famous: A Cinematic Walk Through The Neighborhood

By Jessica Quiroli

Philadelphia is the birthplace of freedom, yes, but did you know that it’s also the birthplace of Kevin Bacon? Ok, that’s probably a pretty well-known fact. But getting more specific, Kevin Bacon is uniquely connected to Fitler Square.

There’s more! 

Let’s take a stroll through the Fitler neighborhood. I guarantee there are a few things you didn’t know, or might be interested to know more about. Let’s start with the degrees of separation between Bacon and Fitler. Zero! Let’s go. 

Kevin Bacon’s Childhood Home

West Philly born and raised? Nope, Kevin Bacon is Fitler, er, raised. Born in Philadelphia, he spent his formative years in the Filter neighborhood before moving to New York City for his breakout roles on soap operas Search For Tomorrow and The Guiding Light, followed by his big movie break in Animal House as Chip Diller ("all is well!") Then came his big breaking role in the classic 80’s dance-drama Footloose.

Philadelphia architect Edwin Norwood Bacon, Kevin’s father, served as executive director of the Philadelphia City Planning Commission and is known as “the father of modern Philadelphia.” The Bacon family spent many years in this house. 

Kevin Bacon’s father, Edwin Norwood Bacon, was considered “the father of modern Philadelphia.” He added the fourth floor to their home, pictured here.

Mansion Once Owned by The Good Earth Author Pearl S. Buck

The 1937 film The Good Earth was adapted from the classic tale by Buck, who lived at 2019 Delancey Place, and also ran her foundation there.  She spoke about the home very romantically: “I knew the moment I entered that house it was the right one. But the house itself is beautiful in its simplicity and its lines. It is a French house, more than a century old.” You can see that inside, yes, the house is beautiful. But her comment about the “simplicity” of its lines is also on point.

2019 Delancey Place, which was previously owned by Pearl S. Buck.

Dr. Malcolm Crowe’s Home in The Sixth Sense

Bruce Willis, as psychiatrist Dr. Crowe, lives at 2006 Delancey Place, where his life, um, changes. Below is a daytime shot of the home today, and a still from the film on Delancey at night. Looks a lot less scary during the day, don’t you think? 

Eddie Murphy’s Star Rises in Philly-Centered Trading Places

Just down the block is where an 80’s classic about white wealth and crime begins. The lovely, pristine home at 2014 Delancey Place has all the charms of historic Philadelphia. Eddie Murphy had departed Saturday Night Live, already a star, and was riding high off the success of 48 Hours, with Beverly Hills Cop just around the corner.

Trading Places teamed him with fellow SNL alum Dan Ackroyd and Jamie Lee Curtis, who was thus far known for a lot of screaming in Halloween and Prom Night. This Philly classic endears all three of them to Philly and little ole Fitler Square.

Here it is today…

…and in the movie: 

Coleman (Denholm Elliott) grabs the paper. 

Oh, and have a look at the credits—a beautiful, rainy shot of Delancey Place 

1979 Sitcom Angie

We’re really reaching into the vault for this one. How about this: a sitcom created by Garry Marshall (Laverne and Shirley, Happy Days, Hocus Pocus, A League Of Their Own), and starring Doris Roberts, whom you likely know best for her portrayal of Marie, Ray’s mom, on Everybody Loves Raymond.

The show in question is Angie, which aired from 1979 to 1980.

Opening Credits…

…and today: 

The actual character of ‘Angie’ was played by Donna Pescow, best known for her heart-wrenching portrayal of Annette in 70’s dance-drama (another one!) Saturday Night Fever. The comedy—which we might say was feminist for its focus on a single, working mom—debuted in 1979 and lasted two seasons, and in its debut was nearly as popular as hits of the day like Three’s Company and Mork and Mindy. 

Why can’t Philly-focused shows make it??!! Ah well, maybe someday. 

Philly Cop Show

Philly was a legal drama that ran for one season in 2001, starring Kim Delaney as Kathleen Maguire, a defense attorney.

Delaney being a born and raised Philly girl makes the show all the more special, so it’s a shame that it only lasted one season. Delaney’s character lived with her son in Fitler Commons just across the street from Fitler Square.

Here is the Commons in cherry blossom season…

…and in a location shot from the show:

Servant Hits A Café

M. Night Shyamalan loves using cities throughout Pennsylvania, where he grew up, for his films, and that extended to his foray into television. The alumni of Waldron Mercy grammar school (Penn Valley) and Episcopal Academy (Merion Station) takes great pride in basing his stories in PA. And he’s made good use of the beauty and creepiness of the Fitler Square neighborhood.

In his television series Servant, he filmed a scene just outside of Café Lutecia (which I previously wrote about here). The scene was post-storm, as you can see. In the video shared on the café’s Instagram account, the rooster looks on.

And in the photo below, taken by yours truly, this is the window from which that scene was viewed. Our friend looks on, once again. 

I hope you enjoyed this tour! Wouldn’t it be amazing if Fitler Square was used even more in filmmaking in the years to come? I wouldn’t be surprised…