PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM 77 George of the Jungle Swings by Filoli High School Musical Sings at Stanford Remember the plucky cast of High School Musical? As the theater kids and athletes ponder where to attend university in the trilogy’s final film, Vanessa Hudgens’ character chooses Stanford. As she settles into college life, we see her walking the courtyard behind Wallenberg Hall. She and Zac Efron also share a sweet song and dance in the Papua New Guinea Garden— right after he stares deeply into her eyes and murmurs, “My prom is wherever you are.” Ah, young love. A university known for its advancements in the sciences, Stanford also has a cameo in multiple episodes of the long-running TV show Myth Busters. Hosts Adam and Jamie tested out the college’s driving simulator at the Volkswagen Automotive Innovation Lab for an experiment on driving with hands-free devices, tried out a mass spectrometer in an episode on germs and recruited the rowing team at the Stanford Rowing and Sailing Center to attempt the theoretical and outlandish sport of “row-skiing” (waterskiing behind a row boat). Bill Nye the Science Guy also filmed on campus, meeting with biologist and professor Chris R. Somerville to explore “Pollution Solutions.” Pick a genre, any genre, and there’s probably a film that features Filoli. Fantasy, action, rom-com, drama, soap opera, thriller, musical—they’ve all been shot on its grounds. Is it any wonder? Those who have wandered the historic estate’s idyllic gardens and admired its ambitious architecture understand its magic. You’ll spot an aerial view of Filoli’s mansion and clocktower in the opening credits of every episode of the iconic 1980s soap opera Dynasty, and glimpse the estate’s gravel driveway during an unsettling scene in The Game, a thriller starring Michael Douglas. Filoli’s ballroom, covered in murals and etched in ornate gold trim, has long drawn filmmakers. It’s been the site of a seductive dance during a pre-war Shanghai flashback in The Joy Luck Club and where Joanne and Maureen of Rent belt out the song “Take Me or Leave Me.” In George of the Jungle, everyone’s favorite ape man horrifies high society when he piles food from the buffet onto a serving tray lid he’s turned into a makeshift plate, then tucks a banana into his tux. This luxurious hall is also Joe’s home gym in Heaven Can Wait, a harp positioned right beside a rack of weights. PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF: JEFF BARTEE / BRANDON PRICE
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