"Never Been Kissed"

In "Never Been Kissed" (20th Century Fox, 1999) Drew Barrymore is seen coming down the stairs in front of the projection booth of the Variety Theatre, 5253 W. Adams Blvd. The film is set in Chicago and she's a reporter for the Sun-Times. On the quest of a big undercover story she goes back to high school. The Variety is used as Delloser Hall, a dance club where she gets stoned. 

The film also features David Arquette, John C. Reilly, Molly Shannon, Garry Marshall, Octavia Spencer and Leelee Sobieski. Raja Gosnell directed. The cinematography was by Alex Nepomniaschy.

 

Meeting one of her teachers, Michael Vartan, at the bar in the Variety Theatre. Yes, there will be a romance. That's the teacher's soon to be ex-girlfriend approaching on the left.

Thanks to Lindsay Blake, of I Am Not a Stalker fame, for including the film in her article about the theatre. She has many, many screenshots from the films and TV shows that have been shot at the Variety and the adjacent Club Fais Do-Do. She credits Owen, of the When Write Is Wrong blog, for spotting the theatre in the "Never Been Kissed."

 

Drew on stage with a feather boa and exhibiting conduct unbecoming a high school student after eating some ganja chocolate cake. 

See the page about the Variety Theatre on the Los Angeles Theatres site for more about the building's history and interior photos.

 

The El Monte Drive-In was another filming location, used for The Court, a teen hangout. 

 

Another shot at the El Monte. Drew and her high school friend Leelee Sobieski aren't deemed cool enough so they're chased away.

Prom interiors were done at the Ebell Club on Wilshire Blvd. A number of other L.A. area locations were also used. 

On IMDb: "Never Been Kissed"