Latest news with #filmanniversary
CTV News
an hour ago
- Entertainment
- CTV News
New Hampshire city in ‘Jumanji' marks 30th anniversary with animal costume race
Actor Jonathan Hyde enjoys a moment with crew during filming of Jumanji on Nov. 17, 1994 in Keene, N.H. (Maureen E. McHugh via AP) Madeline Murphy remembers the instructions she was given on the set of 'Jumanji' when she was an extra some 30 years ago: 'Pretend you're frightened and you're screaming because an elephant's coming after you.' So, that's what she did in the Central Square of Keene, New Hampshire, running back and forth, over and over, on a long day in November 1994. 'I was pretty tired by the end of the day, and it was cold,' said Murphy, 61. She got a check for US$60.47 — and several seconds of screen time. Murphy was one of about 125 extras cast in the classic Robin Williams film, which is marking its 30th anniversary. It's spawned several sequels, including one planned for next year. The city of about 23,000 people in the southwestern corner of the state is celebrating its ties to 'Jumanji' this weekend. A featured event is a 'Rhino Rumble Road Race' saluting the film's stampede scenes of elephants, rhinos and zebras on Saturday. Runners in inflatable animal costumes are sprinting about a quarter mile (less than half a kilometer) around the square. There's also a cast party, a parade, and a scavenger hunt, among other events. Keene gets picked thanks to coffee craving Based on the 1981 children's book by Chris Van Allsburg about a mysterious jungle adventure board game, the movie version of 'Jumanji' is set in the fictional small town of Brantford, New Hampshire. Veteran location manager Dow Griffith was crisscrossing New England in search of the right spot. A coffee lover who grew up in Seattle, he recalled feeling desperate one day for a good brew. He was a bit east of Keene at the time, and someone suggested a shop that was near the square. 'I took my cherished cup of double dry cappuccino out to the front porch, took a sip, looked to my left — and by God — there was the place I had been looking for!" he told The Associated Press. 'So really, we have coffee to thank for the whole thing.' Scenes were filmed at the square that fall and the following spring. The fall scenes show a present-day town that had declined. Extras played homeless people and looters, in addition to panicked runners fleeing from the jungle animals. Joanne Hof, now 78, had needed her son's help to spot herself behind the elephants, running with her hands up. Hof, a reading specialist, bought a videotape of 'Jumanji' and showed it to the kids she worked with. 'They were very impressed that I was in the movie,' she said. The spring scenes, appearing early in the film, depict the town in 1969. Extras drove classic cars around the pristine-looking square and others walked around, dressed for that time period. 'I told the makeup person, 'Do you know how to do a French twist?'' recalled Kate Beetle, 74, of Alstead, who said she can be seen for 'a micro-second' crossing a street. 'They just found me the right lady's suit and right flat shoes, and then the hair is kind of what I suspect did it.' The city helped transform itself The 'Jumanji' crews worked well with the city in getting the permits to transform Central Square into a dilapidated, neglected piece of public property, recalled Patty Little, who recently retired as Keene's clerk. 'They brought in old, dead shrubbery and threw it around and made the paint peel on the gazebo,' she said. Items such as parking meters and lilac bushes were removed and a large Civil War-era statue was brought in to cover a fountain. Graffiti was on the walls and crumpled vehicles in the stampede scene were anchored in place. Everything was restored, and fresh flowers were brought in the following spring, she said. Crews spent a total of about a week in the city for both settings. Little, whose classic 1961 Ambassador is caught on camera, could see everything happening from her office window. 'Did I get a lot of work done? I don't know during those days,' she said. Locals watch and meet Robin Williams A crowd turned out to watch a long-haired, bearded Williams run down the street in a leaf-adorned tunic. In the movie, he had just been freed from the game that had trapped him as a boy for years. 'He's shorter than I thought he was!' one viewer said, according to local chronicler Susan MacNeil's book, 'When Jumanji Came to Keene.' Others said, 'He has great legs — muscular, isn't he? But so hairy!" and 'Isn't he freezing dressed like that?' The mayor honored him with a key to the city. Williams, noticing the mayor was a bit shorter, suddenly announced at the presentation, ''I am the mayor of Munchkinland,'' with a voice to match, City Councilor Randy Filiault recalled. He stayed in character for 15 to 20 minutes, 'just bouncing off the walls,' approaching people in the audience and pulling their hats over their eyes. Eventually, he stopped, ending with a solemn 'Thank you,' Filiault said. 'I am really seeing something cool here,' Filiault remembered thinking. 'How fortunate we were.' When Williams died by suicide in 2014, people left flowers and photos beneath a painted 'Parrish Shoes' wall sign advertising a fictional business left over from 'Jumanji.' Former Keene police officer Joe Collins, who was assigned to watch over then-child actors Kirsten Dunst and Bradley Pierce, also died by suicide, last year. Festival organizers planned a discussion about mental health and suicide prevention to pay tribute to Williams and Collins. 'I think Robin would have been impressed with that,' said Murphy, who met Williams and shook his hand. Kathy Mccormack, The Associated Press If you or someone you know is in crisis, here are some resources that are available. Canada Suicide Crisis Helpline (Call or text 988) Crisis Services Canada (1-833-456-4566 or text 45645) Kids Help Phone (1-800-668-6868) Hope for Wellness Helpline (1-855-242-3310) for Indigenous people across Canada If you need immediate assistance call 911 or go to the nearest hospital
BBC News
an hour ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Memories of 1975 film shot in Guernsey sought for anniversary
Islanders who worked as cast and crew of a 1975 French historical drama filmed in Guernsey are being invited to share their memories to celebrate the 50th Story of Adèle H. is about the daughter of Les Misérables author Victor Hugo and her obsessive and unrequited love for a British Army Victor Hugo Centre and The Victor Hugo in Guernsey Society said they planned to use recollections of the film to create a short film for the 50th anniversary in Bott, chairwoman of the society, said: "The film won multiple other international awards and is thought to be the only Oscar nominated film ever shot in Guernsey." She added: "Beyond the accolades and the reels of footage, lies a wealth of untold stories and memories from the people who were there - on the set, behind the scenes or simply watching as history unfolded."Those interested in the project were asked to contact The Victor Hugo Centre for more information.
Associated Press
8 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Associated Press
New Hampshire city in 'Jumanji' marks 30th anniversary with animal costume race
Madeline Murphy remembers the instructions she was given on the set of 'Jumanji' when she was an extra some 30 years ago: 'Pretend you're frightened and you're screaming because an elephant's coming after you.' So, that's what she did in the Central Square of Keene, New Hampshire, running back and forth, over and over, on a long day in November 1994. 'I was pretty tired by the end of the day, and it was cold,' said Murphy, 61. She got a check for $60.47 — and several seconds of screen time. Murphy was one of about 125 extras cast in the classic Robin Williams film, which is marking its 30th anniversary. It's spawned several sequels, including one planned for next year. The city of about 23,000 people in the southwestern corner of the state is celebrating its ties to 'Jumanji' this weekend. A featured event is a 'Rhino Rumble Road Race' saluting the film's stampede scenes of elephants, rhinos and zebras on Saturday. Runners in inflatable animal costumes are sprinting about a quarter mile (less than half a kilometer) around the square. There's also a cast party, a parade, and a scavenger hunt, among other events. Keene gets picked thanks to coffee craving Based on the 1981 children's book by Chris Van Allsburg about a mysterious jungle adventure board game, the movie version of 'Jumanji' is set in the fictional small town of Brantford, New Hampshire. Veteran location manager Dow Griffith was crisscrossing New England in search of the right spot. A coffee lover who grew up in Seattle, he recalled feeling desperate one day for a good brew. He was a bit east of Keene at the time, and someone suggested a shop that was near the square. 'I took my cherished cup of double dry cappuccino out to the front porch, took a sip, looked to my left — and by God — there was the place I had been looking for!' he told The Associated Press. 'So really, we have coffee to thank for the whole thing.' Scenes were filmed at the square that fall and the following spring. The fall scenes show a present-day town that had declined. Extras played homeless people and looters, in addition to panicked runners fleeing from the jungle animals. Joanne Hof, now 78, had needed her son's help to spot herself behind the elephants, running with her hands up. Hof, a reading specialist, bought a videotape of 'Jumanji' and showed it to the kids she worked with. 'They were very impressed that I was in the movie,' she said. The spring scenes, appearing early in the film, depict the town in 1969. Extras drove classic cars around the pristine-looking square and others walked around, dressed for that time period. 'I told the makeup person, 'Do you know how to do a French twist?'' recalled Kate Beetle, 74, of Alstead, who said she can be seen for 'a micro-second' crossing a street. 'They just found me the right lady's suit and right flat shoes, and then the hair is kind of what I suspect did it.' The city helped transform itself The 'Jumanji' crews worked well with the city in getting the permits to transform Central Square into a dilapidated, neglected piece of public property, recalled Patty Little, who recently retired as Keene's clerk. 'They brought in old, dead shrubbery and threw it around and made the paint peel on the gazebo,' she said. Items such as parking meters and lilac bushes were removed and a large Civil War-era statue was brought in to cover a fountain. Graffiti was on the walls and crumpled vehicles in the stampede scene were anchored in place. Everything was restored, and fresh flowers were brought in the following spring, she said. Crews spent a total of about a week in the city for both settings. Little, whose classic 1961 Ambassador is caught on camera, could see everything happening from her office window. 'Did I get a lot of work done? I don't know during those days,' she said. Locals watch and meet Robin Williams A crowd turned out to watch a long-haired, bearded Williams run down the street in a leaf-adorned tunic. In the movie, he had just been freed from the game that had trapped him as a boy for years. 'He's shorter than I thought he was!' one viewer said, according to local chronicler Susan MacNeil's book, 'When Jumanji Came to Keene.' Others said, 'He has great legs — muscular, isn't he? But so hairy!' and 'Isn't he freezing dressed like that?' The mayor honored him with a key to the city. Williams, noticing the mayor was a bit shorter, suddenly announced at the presentation, ''I am the mayor of Munchkinland,'' with a voice to match, City Councilor Randy Filiault recalled. He stayed in character for 15 to 20 minutes, 'just bouncing off the walls,' approaching people in the audience and pulling their hats over their eyes. Eventually, he stopped, ending with a solemn 'Thank you,' Filiault said. 'I am really seeing something cool here,' Filiault remembered thinking. 'How fortunate we were.' When Williams died by suicide in 2014, people left flowers and photos beneath a painted 'Parrish Shoes' wall sign advertising a fictional business left over from 'Jumanji.' Former Keene police officer Joe Collins, who was assigned to watch over then-child actors Kirsten Dunst and Bradley Pierce, also died by suicide, last year. Festival organizers planned a discussion about mental health and suicide prevention to pay tribute to Williams and Collins. 'I think Robin would have been impressed with that,' said Murphy, who met Williams and shook his hand. ___ In the U.S., the national suicide and crisis lifeline is available by calling or texting 988. There is also an online chat at
The Independent
10 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Holiday hotspot overrun with movie fans celebrating Jaws' 50th anniversary
Martha's Vineyard has been overrun with movie fans celebrating the 50th anniversary of the 'Jaws' film. The Steven Spielberg film debuted on June 20, 1975, and became a quick success in the film industry. It broke box office records and won three Oscars for best music, best film editing and best sound. The thriller takes place on the fictional Amity Island, which is based on Martha's Vineyard off the Massachusetts coast, and follows police chief Martin Brody, who works to hunt down the antagonist great white shark, with the help of others. Fifty years later, those who made 'Jaws' popular are flocking to Martha's Vineyard to celebrate the film, and the locals have a bunch of fun activities in store for them. Martha's Vineyard is already a popular tourist destination with as many as 200,000 visitors during the summer, USA TODAY reported, citing the local Chamber of Commerce. This weekend, officials expect tens of thousands more visitors than usual. Hotels are fully booked and Jaws fans are ready for a plethora of movie-themed events, including the film, a documentary about its production, a live performance of the movie's score and more, according to the Chamber of Commerce's Executive Director Erica Ashton and Deputy Director Alessandra Hagerty. 'There's like 'Jaws' mania, pretty much,' Hagerty told USA TODAY. Visitors can also attend parties with some of the 'Jaws' cast and crew, get 'Jaws'-themed merchandise at the local shops and restaurants, and attend a baseball game for the local Sharks team. Michael Currid, owner of Edgartown Tour Company, told USA TODAY that he's already had 'exponentially more' advance bookings for his 'Jaws' walking tour, where visitors can follow the path taken by police chief Brody in the film, than he has in 15 years. 'I'm confident that, at least from the 'Jaws' side, this will be my biggest season ever,' he said. While the 'Jaws' anniversary has inspired some fun events that are sure to support Martha's Vineyard's tourism effort, it's also important to remember the essential role sharks play in the ecosystem and how to keep yourself safe in open waters. Great white sharks are the only natural predators of seals in the waters along Cape Cod, according to the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy. 'When apex predators are absent, food web dynamics can be disrupted - populations of prey species can grow unchecked and may in turn limit populations of their prey,' the conservancy wrote on its website. While sharks can be interesting to learn about, it's important to follow a few safety tips so you don't encounter them in the wild. The National Park Service says to be aware that sharks hunt for seals in shallow water and to stay close to the shore where rescuers can reach you. It's also important to limit splashing and avoid murky water, according to the service.
