The Arcade - "Fast Times at Ridgemont High"

Mall Arcade
Ridgemont High student Jeff Spicoli (right, played by Sean Penn) greets Charles Jefferson (Forest Whitaker, left) and friend. Note "Mall arcade" banner in background.
Years active	Unknown
Number of games	15-25
Located	U. S. A.
Status	Unknown

Background[]

Growing up as a teenager in 1982 means nothing more than sex, drugs, and rock n' roll. Follow the daily lives of Stacy Hamilton, Mike Damone, Mark Ratner, and Jeff Spicoli as they learn the ups and downs of life through sex, parties, and work, all of which never truly prepare them for adulthood. (overview)

Fast Times at Ridgemont High was an American movie released in 1982 in regards to a group of students' lives at a southern California high school.

An arcade was shown during several scenes in the movie.

The arcade[]

This seemed to be a fair-sized arcade with maybe 15-25 games. The arcade had a snack bar that served food (pizza, cookies and corn dogs) and drinks. Mike Damone (played by Robert Romanus) was known to run his "business" there at times in obtaining concert tickets for students, as he told Charles Jefferson (Forest Whitaker) at one point that he would try to get a few for an upcoming Earth, Wind and Fire concert for him and his little brother.

Known games, video[]

The games ran on quarters.

Asteroids
Defender
Gorf
Lunar Rescue
Missile Command
Pac-Man
Pleiades
Space Invaders Deluxe
Star Castle
Super Cobra
Tempest

Trivia[]

The movie was filmed at the real-life Sherman Oaks Galleria (although a sign during the opening credits states "Ridgemont Mall"). According to the Tarp Report web site, the arcade was possibly one of the Time Out arcade chains, although the actual arcade from there was located elsewhere in the mall. A banner during a scene (where Spicoli greets Jefferson and his friend) just reads "mall arcade" (see infobox photo). The sign also states that change for games can be made at the nearby W. C. Chicken restaurant.
In a deleted scene, Spicoli is comparing Pac-Man to life. Stoner Bud (Anthony Edwards) then suggests they go play Asteroids. The scene ends with Damone being there, as usual, lamenting on how high schoolers are dressing nowadays.

Gallery[]

This arcade was featured in September, 2018.