Everyone is in a festive mood, what with Hanukkah upon us and Christmas approaching. What better time than now to do a fun post about Cleveland's Hollywood connection. Did you know that a lot of movies were filmed here? That we have a vibrant independent film community? And that (drum roll) the Christmas Story House is now a museum in Cleveland's Tremont neighborhood? Let's start with The Christmas Story movie.
The Christmas Story movie came out in 1983 - I saw it in the theatre. Who knew it was going to become the cult classic it is, now featured every year in a Christmas Day Marathon on cable's TNT channel. I left the photo large so you cultists can see the leg lamp in the window. BTW you can buy them in at least three sizes at the Museum; one for every budget! lol
Fast forward to 2006, Thanksgiving Weekend. I am driving in my car and a DJ on the radio is interviewing his mother who was in the movie! The Grand Opening of the Museum was that weekend and what a frenzy it was. TV coverage, radio coverage, parties, etc. The Museum and Ralphie's house from the movie are on W. 11th Street in Cleveland, just South of Clark. I checked it out last Wednesday. There were over 38 people in the Museum's souvenir shop (buying things like the famous fishnet covered leg lamp!), and people on tour in The House. I decided to walk the neighborhood. Met quite a few neighbors, chatted with two long time residents on their porch and a visitor from two streets away named Tyrone. Tyrone hit it right on the head when he said "...this section of Tremont is now the hip place to be, not around all those galleries and fancy restaurants..." Who can argue with that? Not me!Check out The Christmas Story House website and stop for a visit when you get a chance...it's fun! This made me feel really good: a fellow Realtor® was serving our Country in Korea when the movie came out. Terry Deininger was telling how he sat down to watch and quickly started recognizing some of the locales. He kept saying 'that's Cleveland!' and his buddies thought he was crazy until they got farther into the movie. He said it was really special to see those 'clips' of home while he was so far away overseas.
Other movies made here? How about this list: Spider man III (just last year), and Airforce One, from 2003. Yes Harrison Ford was in town. Antwone Fisher was an Ohio man who grew up having to overcome so much you would expect to have never heard about him. Wrong. He joined the armed forces, became a screen writer, is a positive influence and mentor to many, wrote an autobiography called Finding Fish, and had a namesake movie directed by none other than Denzel Washington. Both the book and the movie are awesome. There are plenty others: The Fortune Cookie (1960s), The Deerhunter, (1970s) and of course the hysterical Major League to name a few. My suggestion is to enjoy a piece of Cleveland movie history over the Holidays and check out one of these films.
What movies have you seen that feature your area of the world? And for you Northeast Ohioans: what other 'Cleveland movies would you like to give a shout out to?
I enjoyed my real estate blogging break here (although I did write about a house, even if it was a movie house!). Post to you later. Peace out - 3C (cleveland carole cohen) (my new nickname courtesy of my pal from Chicago, Stager Craig Schiller)
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I loved that movie...I even had it in VHS and thought about buying it in a DVD format!!! No movies in my neck of the woods :(
Maybe I should move out your way!!!