[UPDATE – The Monte Carlo Restaurant is NOT where “Beat It” was filmed. The iconic video was actually shot at the Special Café, located just a few blocks away. You can read all about it here. Even though this post contains erroneous information, I am leaving it up as it chronicles an important part of the long, arduous journey my fellow stalkers and I embarked upon to track the locale down.]
For months now, it seems, Mike, from MovieShotsLA, and I have been trying to track down the diner which briefly appeared in Michael Jackson’s iconic music video for his 1983 hit song “Beat It”. Being that the video was produced well over 25 years ago in a part of L.A. that is rapidly changing, this proved to be one rather difficult stalking venture. Even though we knew that “Beat It” was filmed in its entirety in Los Angeles’ Skid Row area, finding the exact locations used so long after the fact was literally like trying to locate a needle in a haystack. At one point I even went so far as to email Bob Giraldi, who directed the video, to see if he could provide me with any location information, but he, unfortunately, never wrote back. Not usually one to give up, I actually thought our hunt was pretty much dead in the water, until last week when I mentioned the quest to my friend and fellow stalked David who lives in Spain. David is a huge, longtime MJ fan and I thought he might be able to provide some insider insight as to where the video was filmed. And, as fate would have it, he did! David mentioned that he had just purchased a book named Michael Jackson: Before He Was King written by photographer Todd King. At the very end of the book there is a photograph of MJ inside of the “Beat It” cafe, the caption of which states that it was taken at a real life diner on Fifth Street in what David said was the “Five Cents” area of Los Angeles. Well, I mentioned that info to Mike while we were out stalking this past Friday and, after first stopping by the set of CSI: Miami and then the Academy Awards red carpet, the two of us immediately headed over to Downtown L.A. in search of that cafe!
Even though Mike was born and raised in Los Angeles, he was unfamiliar with the area which David had described as being called “Five Cents”. I, too, had never heard that term used before. Mike eventually called up one of his friends who works for the LAPD to see if he could point us in the direction of Five Cents, L.A., but he, too, was at a loss. It was at that point that I figured out that something might have gotten lost in David’s translation of the photo’s caption and so I got to Googling on my blackberry. As it turns out, the place the caption had been referring to is a small section of Fifth Street in Los Angeles’ Skid Row, a part of town which has long been dubbed “The Nickel”, or in other words five cents. 🙂 Once that little mystery was solved, Mike and I headed over to Skid Row and proceeded to walk around the area. I should mention here that I have always been a bit of a skittish person. I don’t like venturing into “bad” or dangerous parts of town and I am literally afraid of my own shadow. So, because it was already getting dark when we arrived in Skid Row, an area which can be a bit sketchy even during the day, I told Mike that as much as I wanted to find the cafe, we’d have to come back at a later date – preferably during daylight hours. I was highly disappointed that we had to turn around after coming so close to locating the restaurant, so when I arrived home I immediately got to cyberstalking Skid Row. Well, let me tell you, I just about had a heart attack when I saw the above pictured Google Street View image of the Monte Carlo Restaurant appear on my screen. With its curved countertop and half green/half cream colored walls, I was fairly certain that I had found the “Beat It” cafe. And, of course, the very next day I dragged my fiancé right out to stalk the place.
As soon as I walked through the doors of the Monte Carlo Restaurant, with my camera in hand, one of the patrons asked if I was visiting the place because it had been featured in “Beat It”. Well, let me tell you, I just about fell over! I asked her how she knew it had been used in the video and she said it was pretty common knowledge in the neighborhood. I couldn’t believe that here I had spent MONTHS searching for the location and all the time it had been “common knowledge” to some. She then called the owner over so that I could ask a few questions. And while the owner hardly spoke English, she did confirm to me that Michael Jackson had filmed a video there “over twenty years ago”. Twenty-seven, to be exact. The owner told me she has had the restaurant for over thirty years and that she was there the day filming took place, but said she didn’t get to meet Michael. 🙁
While I had always hoped that I would someday be able to track the “Beat It” cafe down, never in my wildest dreams did I EVER think that twenty seven-years later the place would still look EXACTLY the same. So, you can imagine how floored I was to discover how little of the restaurant had actually been changed since 1983 when the video was filmed. There are, of course, some differences, such as the fact that the front doors have changed, the counter has been cut in half lengthwise, and a false wall has been added to the back of the cafe, hiding the kitchen area. Other than those minor alterations, though, the Monte Carlo Restaurant still looks almost exactly as it did in “Beat It”. YAY!
When I got home, though, and started to watch “Beat It” more closely, some doubts about the location were raised in my mind. The video, or short film as Michael liked to call it, opens up in the diner where two gang members, while eating, hear word of a scuffle and immediately head out the door so that they can join in the fight.
Later on in the video, Michael enters the diner, which is now empty, and does a little dance before the scene cuts to him getting jiggy with it in a pool hall.
As you can see in the above screen captures, though, what started to confuse me was the fact that building which appears in the background when the gang members are shown exiting the cafe does not match the building which appears in the background when Michael is shown entering it.
And neither building matches the one that is located across the street from the diner in real life.
It also appears that the window which the gang members walk by on their way to the diner’s front door is flat, while the window that appears behind Michael is popped out.
And, there is also an address number of “416” visible in the background behind Michael in the above screen capture, which doesn’t match the 109 address number of the Monte Carlo Restaurant. So now, it seems, I am even more thoroughly confused than I was before I tracked the place down. LOL I thought of a few different explanations, though, which might clear up the contradictions. One – it might just be a coincidence that the Monte Carlo Restaurant bears such a strong resemblance to the “Beat It” cafe and the owner and patrons were simply lying to me about it being used in the video. Although, I am not sure what reason the owner would have for lying, other than to drum up business, which seems unlikely to me. If she really wanted to do that, why not just hang a sign in the window touting the restaurant’s famous history? Another option is that the Monte Carlo moved from one location on Fifth Street in Downtown L.A. to another and that the original dwelling was where the video was shot, which would account for both the change in address numbers and the difference in buildings located across the street. That scenario also seems highly implausible, though. Another explanation still – fellow stalker Chas from the ItsFilmedThere website recently tracked down the pool hall which appeared in “Beat It” [that will be Monday’s post :)], which, as fate would have it, was also a cafe located on Fifth Street in Downtown Los Angeles, so it’s entirely possible that photographer Todd King was mistakenly talking about that location when describing the photograph he had taken in the diner. Which would mean that the diner might not actually be located on Fifth Street at all and that I am right back at square one. I am really hoping that option is not true. A fourth possibility is that part of the video was filmed at the actual Monte Carlo Restaurant and then the interior was later recreated on a soundstage for some re-shoots, which would explain the differing buildings seen in the background behind the gang members and Michael. And yet another option still is that the owner of the Monte Carlo Restaurant was such a fan of MJ that she opened up a diner on the same street where “Beat It” was shot and then modeled her cafe after the one in the video. But being that there wasn’t a single solitary MJ photograph on the wall or a piece of MJ memorabilia in the place, that last scenario is also pretty doubtful. And finally, it’s entirely possible that director Bob Giraldi had set dressers add the “416” to the front window as decoration, but somehow that just doesn’t seem likely. So, if I’m so unsure about the Monte Carlo Restaurant, why write this post at all, you ask? Well, I just can’t get past the fact that the restaurant looks so incredibly similar to the “Beat It” cafe or the fact that both the patrons and the owner told me that it was, in fact, the diner used in the video. I am hoping that someone out there will know more about the filming of “Beat It” and will either be able to confirm where it was shot or at least point me in the right direction. So, I am putting it to you, dear readers. What are your thoughts on the matter? Am I right to be in doubt or am I just seriously over-thinking the issue?
And whether the Monte Carlo Restaurant was the actual “Beat It” cafe or not, I just had to do a little MJ dance while there. 🙂
Until next time, Happy Stalking! 🙂
Stalk It: The Monte Carlo Restaurant, aka the probable “Beat It” cafe, is located at 109 East Fifth Street in Downtown Los Angeles. The cafe is just on the outskirts of skid row, so while it is safe to stalk it during daylight hours, I can’t really recommend going there at night.
I had so much fun reading this post! Are there any updates as to whether it is, officially, the right location?
Hey so I know I am late to this train, but I am not sure if you realize this, the buildings across the street from the diner were also changed after Beat It was filmed. I currently live in Ohio so I can’t do more digging but according to your county records, the properties across the street underwent construction in 1988, but not enough to change the assessor rating, which is still at its original year. I am almost wondering if the change was adding the green gates to the exterior, covering the pale colored walls you see in the Beat It video. You’ll have to check with county to see if they have more details.
Also, it is clear Michael just has something blocking his view from people on the streets behind him. It could be a bus. That isn’t unthinkable. Look at the black and white photograph some one else posted. There were fans pressed against the window. They would definitely block his view from fans.
So I hope this helped.
This diner is also in a will smith movie but I can’t recall which one.
Job well done Lindsay, i’m sure this is the actual cafe! i can’t wait to go myself now. i’ve always wanted to find the Beat It locations 🙂
just a thought though.. would 417 have been directly across the street from 416?.. if so check out 417 on the same street, this building has almost similar sort of windows like the ones behind MJ in the video.. 412 is across the street but right next to a parking lot .. could 414 and 416 have stood on that parking lot back in 1983 !?
the Beat It cafe was indeed 416 East 5th Street… possibly demolished one year later in 1984.. it’s now a parking lot. .
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i258/waldo109/across_street_zps70287f2b.jpg
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i258/waldo109/video1_zps1fa89ae1.jpg
Special Cafe 416 East 5th Street taken in 1955……
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i258/waldo109/1955_zps879252c9.jpg
OMG this is AMAZING! Thank you SO much for this! How did you find out all of this? I am heartbroken that the cafe was torn down. Do you know why it was?
while this LOOKS like the cafe,I must admit there are a lot of places in that area all built around the same time and look the same style as this.I have a friend who may know for sure.The “Five Cents” area is also known as “Nickle Alley” due to the many short streets that run around downtown(Winston Place behind old 23’s).The Skid Row residents would ask “Ya gotta nickle?” to those walking down the streets.LA has plenty of names from the past like this like “Dog Town” which is an area near Union Station that used to house the dog pound for LA.Being an LAPD/LAFD historian,I know facts like this.These names come up in police reports from the past all the time.
My first thought seeing the “buildings” across the street while Micheal was walking in was, It isn’t buildings, its a bus. It has a little detailing on it as well.
Based on the pics, and everyone else’s responses, this certainly does seem like it’s the place. Things change over 25 years later which would explain some of the minor discrepancies. And I think you may be right in that “part of the video was filmed at the actual Monte Carlo Restaurant and then the interior was later recreated on a soundstage for some re-shoots, which would explain the differing buildings seen in the background behind the gang members and Michael.” Otherwise it may be different because of the point April made. Set designers certainly do redecorate the set even if shot on location, so that is a definite possibility. IMO, I think you found it. Classic.
– Paul (Owen’s brother)
You guys seriously ROCK! Thanks for all of the input. I am still not 100% sure if it’s the place, but Chas has managed to track down someone from Bob Giraldi’s production team who is going to look into it so hopefully we can get a definitive yes or no soon. 🙂 Will keep you posted! And John, you’re right – it is fun to overanalyze this stuff. 😉
COOL! Cant wait to hear the update!!!
Lindsay,
It seems to me that the portions of video with gang members sitting at counter are filmed at one location (the one that you stalked) and where Michael enters and dances is another location. The countertops and outside of door frame are completely different. Doorframe is much further from wall in one than the other. I think part was filmed where you stalked and other portion was filmed elsewhere (with a 416 across the street). So, I do not think the lady was lying. That might also explain why she did not see MJ. I am not an expert though. Great work, Lindsay!
It’s possible what you say, but I think that the diner with the gang members at the beggining of the video and the one where MIchael enters are the same, and I think there’s no replica at a soundstage. Take a look at this:
http://img119.imageshack.us/img119/9655/comparacionv.jpg
What you see in this picture is a comparison of two screen-caps of the video with the picture of Todd Gray’s book that he said was taken in a REAL cafe at Downtown LA, even you can see fans through the windows (and this time the sign as CLOSED! :p) As you can see, there are lots of papers and sticked signs that look EXACT the same in the three pictures. You can even see a ball of paper that appears in MJ’s entering sequence! Besides, I think there’s no reason to pretend two different (but identical) dinners, neither a replica at a soundstage, when you have a perfect one, and as REAL as the real gang members that joined the video, as Michael wanted to be everything REAL. So, I have no doubt that the dinner in the video is just ONE, and a real one. If it’s what Lindsay stalked, I don’t know, but I’m pretty sure, at least at 99% :p
Wow, after looking at that Todd King image, I definitely think it is the same place! I’m wondering if maybe the fans were too aggressive, so they put up a screen or something behind Michael when he was dancing to block out the fans and that is why the backgrounds are different.
Hey Davidete,
Does that book have any photos that could provide further intel regarding the warehouse/dance location? I think I found it a couple of days ago and sent Lindsay the info. She thinks I’m right and I’ve got a friend who knows someone who danced in the video so he’s trying to confirm. If that book has some photos from the filming of the dance/warehouse scene, that would help immensely.
Very interesting post!! For your sake, I hope this turns out to be the same place but I do see some other things that don’t match up. The pole mounted seats are similar but not the same. In the MJ video, the metal pieces that hold up the back of the seat are round and chrome plated (shinny). The metal pieces in you current shots have a flat shape and are painted black. The other thing I noticed is the the shape of the counter top. At the corner sections of the counter, the inside edge is diagonal and straight (a chamfer) in the MJ video and in your current photos those inside edges are round. Also, the countertop appears taller in the MJ video than it does in the current shots based on the way peoples arms are resting on it. Of course the seat and the countertops could all have been replaced over the years so who knows. I’m guessing this overall layout was common for dinners of this era and that there could easily be another location that matches that layout and that would explain why the buildings outside the door don’t match as you pointed out.
Did you notice in the photo of you standing in front of the building, you see an “OPEN” sign with red letters that is the exact same sign that you see in the screen shot of MJ coming through the door? If this really is the same diner, then theres a chance that could be the same sign. You should go back and offer to buy the owner a new sign if you she gives you the old one.
Great points, John! You are incredible observant 😉
You are right with the counter top, but I’ve always assumed that they would have changed or fixed, in fact, the diner in the video looks so much old, even ruined… However, you are very right with the seats, but if you look carefully it only happens with the ones near to the window, take a look to the ones of the left side (where actually Michael walks through in the video) and you’ll find that they’re identical, or at least that’s what I see.
Regarding the “Open” sign… my god!!! I can’t believe I didn’t see it! Linsday, you MUST go back and see its back side, to check with the “Closed” in white that we can see in the video!! :p
Hummm…. They still look different to me (video vs. current day) for all the seats regardless of where they are. I also noticed that the seat backs in the MJ video are curved on both sides (front and back) while the current day photos show the seat backs being curved on the side facing the customers back but flat on the opposite side.
I just made another observation… when you look at the tiled floor of the current day photos, that floor does not look like its been updated in the last 25 years… the wear and tear on that floor looks much older that 25 years and yet in the MJ Video, the floor is not tiled at all.
I do think that scene was filmed in a real diner (possibly one that went of business) and not a studio backlot because I don’t think a set designer would go to the trouble of putting individual wear marks in the countertop at each location where a dinner plate would be placed. They are experts at making things look old and worn but I don’t think they would need to go to that detail. Its fun to over analyze this stuff.
In fact, in this picture you’ll see that Lindsay’s sign (in colour) is EXACT to the video’s (in b/w), same font, same colour, same black square:
http://img28.imageshack.us/img28/8798/img6118g.jpg
I don’t know if they could be physically the same (27 years of difference and they look identicall!), but there’s no doubt that they’re the “same edition”. Whatever, it’s an incredible coincidence, a big clue for thinking THIS is the real Beat It Café.
By the way, if that was the REAL same sign, I’d definitely die for having it! So Lindsay, don’t lose your chance for having your own piece of memorabilia!!! :p
I don’t think it’s the exact sign that appeared in the video, because if you look at the current one, the space behind the “E” is blacked out and it wasn’t in the video. But it is for sure of the same edition, like you said. I’d be happy to go get it for you anyway, David. Just let me know. 🙂
I can’t say either way, but bravo to your detective work.
One thing to consider is that when producing a video or a film, set designers redecorate the set even if shot on location. The address numbers and some of the decor could have been added by set decorators. And the gang members walking in the building could have been shot in a different location, perhaps a back door or employee entrance of the same building or another.
A great example of this is in the film Lost Boys. When the kids are on the Boardwalk in Santa Cruz, the walk into a comic book shop. That comic book shop was actually located 4 or so blocks away, but the editing makes it look as if it is right on the Boardwalk.
Hey Lindsay,
As I shared in my email….this is absolutely it. The shot of Michael through the door shows a different background then the gang member shot because the angle of the camera is different. Behind Michael the 3 windows you can see are CLEARLY VISIBLE in Google Street view. YOU DEFINITELY FOUND IT!!!!! No doubt WHATSOEVER.
Looks like the video spot to me. How LUCKY! I’d love to visit this site, I was big fan of MJ he was born very close to Cincy just one state over in Indiana! We’ve past Gary before but never stopped in to stalk his house…maybe someday! Looking forward to the daily posts and to visit in April 🙂
How exciting……a little mystery going on!!! I am very hopeul that someone out there in cyberland, who is in the know, will see this post and contact you with details that will clear up the mystery. I look forward to hearing whatever you may find out! Nice post Linds!!!
Great!!!!
Oh, my god, I LOVE this theme! :p
Well, I’ll write you later, but Lindsay, I have NOT doubts that THIS is the Café. If you look carefully, the form of the entrance is exact like the video, with the door a little inside the cafe, although all the green wooden structure has changed for a shop window; the rolling chairs are exact, sticked to the floor, and the counter looks identical, even if you look to it’s low part where it emerges from the floor. The little entrance inside the bar where Michael enters is there! Even the green pipe I told you about is there!!!!! If you look your third picture, you’ll see a pipe held to the low part of the right wall: that pipe is easely seen in the very first scene of the two gang members leaving the café 😉
And yes, the café looks very much shorter, but if you look from sky with google earth, you will see that the building is large enough to hold the cafe that appears in the video: it’s clear that they had cut it for hiding the kitchen. The “Special Café” sticker in the window doesn’t have to be the name of the café, it could be just a sing, an advert.
The only thing that confuses me is what we can see OUTSIDE the cafe, but now I’m more confused about it when I see that the ouside of the two gang members leaving scene is not the same as the one of MJ’s entering… Could it mean that all we can see are just big paiting-murals so the café looked darker and gloomier, or something??? Because the ‘actual outside’ doesn’t really fit with the video, with the supposed location of that dinner, don’t you think? (my god, today’s not my best in english :p)
And sorry for the “Five Cents” mistery….XDD! I must say that you were right, I have the spanish version of the book, and it appears exactly as “Cinco Céntimos”, I’d never imagine that Todd Gray had written “The Nickel”… :p
Thanks for this A-M-A-Z-I-N-G post!!!!! (and for finding the place, of course!)
Good post! The restaurant really looks like the one in the Beat It video. I must say that you’re great observer, that’s very interesting what you’ve noticed. I don’t dare geuss which solution that you suggested is the right one… Surely I won’t be the one to help you solve this mystery 🙂 I was just thinking, if the thing being seen behind MJ couldn’t be a bus or something and not a building. But it’s unlikely, I suppose.