Photos of the Brat Pack filming 'St. Elmo's Fire' in 1985

Cool club

Fire of St. Elmo cast members, including Rob Lowe, Ally Sheedy, Demi Moore, Emilio Estevez, Mare Winningham, Judd Nelson and Andrew McCarthy, posed for a photo outside the film's fake namesake bar, St. Elmo's in Washington, D.C.

Screen stars

Andrew McCarthy and Emilio Estevez filmed a scene from the movie. In PEOPLE's review, the critic wrote that McCarthy was one of the few actors in the film who “comes off admirably.”

More from Moore

In The kids, Demi Moore reflected on her time filming the film and praised director Joel Schumacher for how he “took the risk for me.”

“It's not like I had a draw at the box office,” she told costar Andrew McCarthy, according to THIS. “We were just getting started. I didn't have anything that really warranted him to stay by my side. They paid to have a sober companion with me 24/7 for the entire shoot.”

Epic Sax

According to a 1984 PEOPLE story, Rob Lowe attended a series of Bruce Springsteen concerts to study E Street Band saxophonist Clarence Clemons. The musician's advice to the star? Buy a Selmer tenor saxophone.

Bad blood

Director Joel Schumacher told PEOPLE that he was not allowed to film at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. “because of the premarital sex in the film.” But, he added, “it didn't matter. The University of Maryland was only too happy to have us.”

First pair

Demi Moore and Emilio Estevez — then a couple — were the epitome of cool while promoting the film.

Bar time

Star Judd Nelson told PEOPLE in 1984 that his mother, a state legislator, was pleased with his role in the film — that of an “ambitious, well-dressed Washington congressional aide,” the magazine reported.

“My mother doesn’t understand why I’m considered abandoned and why I don’t wear nice clothes,” he said. “After reading the script of St. Elmo's Fire'Your character is a bit rubbish, but at least you'll look good.' “

Double Dipping

In a 1985 interview with PEOPLE, Andie MacDowell recalled feeling intimidated when she arrived on set.

“There were all these young Hollywood actors, and I’m from Gaffney, this tiny little corner of South Carolina,” she said. But going bowling with the cast and attending Rob Lowe’s 21st birthday party helped her feel comfortable, as did spending time with her co-star Emilio Estevez.

“I told him I was scared and he told me not to worry, that acting was like dancing, you just have to get up and do it,” she said. said about his “adorable” counterpart. “I don't know what it's like to have a famous father and grow up in Hollywood, but I don't think Emilio was spoiled. »

baby face

“We were attacked” Fire of St. Elmo Co-writer Carl Kurlander tells PEOPLE about a 1984 drive with Rob Lowe on the set of the University of Maryland. “Everywhere Rob Lowe went, women wanted him.”

Magic of cinema

St. Elmo's Fire The film grossed $37 million at the box office. It is currently available to stream on Hulu.