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Home , George Clooney, Griswold Street, Grosse Pointe, Jack Nicholson, Jeffrey Wright, Marisa Tomei

Ides of March

A political set in the area starring as a charismatic presidential candidate who gets a crash course in dirty politics on the campaign trail Politics, corruption and betrayal

Featuring an all-star cast! George Clooney, , , , and .

The central character is Stephen Meyers (Ryan Gosling), who, as a press secretary, is required to basically lie as a living. He works for Pennsylvania Governor Mike Morris (George Clooney), an idealistic liberal.

A tangled web is weaved when a fling develops between young intern Molly Stearns (Evan Rachel Wood) and the press secretary. Dirty personal secrets are revealed that could destroy political careers. Ida Horowicz (Marisa Tomei), is the hard hitting New York Times reporter who is hungry for a scandalous story.

The movie was filmed in and Ohio. Visit the movie locations in Michigan where Ides of March was filmed, hear the behind the scenes stories of the filming and visit the same places where some of the big stars enjoyed their free time in Michigan. Campaign Headquarters Building made the ballroom a centerpiece of the Studio Center 1263 Detroit new hotel. Be sure to dine at Edison’s, one 23689 Industrial Park , Farmington Hills In the movie, Ides of March, the campaign of the hotel’s finest restaurants named after A Grace & Wild soundstage was home to headquarters is referred as being located in ’s good friend, . the airplane set used for a scene where Cincinnati, Ohio. But it was actually located Guests will love the décor and large arched George Clooney and Ryan Gosling take a in a building in . windows overlooking the beautiful grounds. very bumpy flight. This is where presidential nominee, Mike Not to be missed and located just across the The studio is where a flying version of iconic Morris, parked his presidential campaign street from is the world’s auto dealer Mel Farr was created in 1997 for bus. In the movie, all the windows in the largest history attraction, . TV commercials. building were covered with posters of Cliff Bells Clooney’s face (as Morris). Power Center for the Performing Arts On a side note: this is the same place where 2030 Park Avenue, Detroit 121 Fletcher Street, Ann Arbor video specialists worked for the police to Cliff Bells is the nightclub where character Private Home The campaign event being held by Governor improve the quality of a tape of the 1994 Stephen Myers (Ryan Gosling) and his 271 Lone Pine Road, Bloomfield Hills Morris at Kent State University is really the attack of figure skater Nancy Kerrigan in boss, Paul Zara (Philip Seymour Hoffman), In this scene, Zara visits Senator Power Center for the Performing Arts on Detroit. discuss presidential candidate, Mike Thompson () to see if he can the campus of the University of Michigan– Morris’s (George Clooney) chances with count on his support. This beautiful private Ann Arbor. Nick’s Country Oven journalist Ida Horowicz (Marisa Tomei) in home, built in 1949, has six bedrooms and 511 West 14 Mile Road, Clawson the nightclub Ninth and Vine. eight baths It sits on over four acres in this Founded in 1880, the University of Michigan In the movie, Ides of March, Myers drives upscale neighborhood. School of Music, Theater & Dance is one Molly to the (fictitious) Oakley Women’s Oh, if only these walls could talk…Steeped of the finest performing arts schools in the Clinic of Cincinnati, which was really filmed in history, Cliff Bells is one of Detroit’s Historic Dearborn Inn U.S. The Power Center offers extraordinary at 14 Mile Road in Clawson, just north of oldest and best jazz clubs! The interior of 20301 Oakwood Boulevard, Dearborn performance opportunities all year long. Detroit. Afterwards, as Molly waits for him this 1935 historic club is wood paneled and In the scene filmed here, Mike Morris at the nearby Nick’s Country Oven, Meyers, features lavish art deco. Known for classic debates the death penalty with talk show unfortunately, never shows up. drinks and exceptional jazz music, Cliff host Charlie Rose in the Alexandria This local eatery was voted the best family- Bells is a top gathering spot in downtown Ballroom of the Dearborn Inn. friendly restaurant in the area. Detroit. Don’t miss it! Henry Ford had this historic hotel built Firebird Tavern as the world’s first airport hotel. The red 419 Monroe Street, Detroit brick, colonial Georgian-style hotel opened Meyers has a clandestine meeting with in July 1931. The Dearborn Inn was built Morris in the darkened kitchen of Marilyn’s on 23 acres across from what was the Ford restaurant. In this scene, Myers arranges a Airport. Henry Ford used many of his own secret meeting with presidential hopeful, design ideas for hotel. Mike Morris, and forces him to dump Zara.

The Alexandria Ballroom was based on a This popular club, formerly known as room Henry Ford had seen in Alexandria, Marilyn’s On Monroe, is the new Firebird Virginia. Henry and Clara’s love for dancing Tavern and is in the heart of lively PHOTO: JANET KASIC PHOTO: ANN ARBOR CVB Greektown. The tavern just opened after This church was the brainchild of Cranbrook House and Gardens renovation of the 120-year-old building. newspaper magnate George G. Booth ATTRACTIONS 380 Lone Pine Road, Bloomfield Hills Originally constructed in the 1880s, the and his wife, Ellen. In 1904, the Booths The Big House Cranbrook House was designed in 1908 for spot first operated as a saloon, then an auto bought a 175-acre farm in Bloomfield Hills 1000 South State Street, Ann Arbor the founders of Cranbrook, George Booth upholstery shop, local café, and barber shop. and built their home, Cranbrook House. The Big House is the football stadium for and Ellen Scripps Booth, and served as The historic woodwork, stained glass, and They later built an elementary school in the the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. their family home for 40 years. The estate exposed brick has all been restored. early 1920s. is now the centerpiece of the Cranbrook It is the largest college-owned stadium in Educational Community campus, a National The main bar features more than 40 beer This magnificent church was completed in the nation, the second largest stadium in Historic Landmark. offerings with a focus on Michigan brews. 1928. Note the beautiful sculpture on the the world, and the 34th largest sports venue. The tavern also has great selection of exterior of the church, “The Dawn Men.” Guided tours are available that feature Designed in the English Arts-and-Crafts- specialty cocktails and wines. This is a great Notice a belfry that displays a cross and the access to the locker rooms and press box. style, Cranbrook House is the oldest stop before or after local sporting events. figures of Mary, “the Mother of Our Lord,” surviving manor home in . and John, “the Beloved Disciple.” There The house showcases handcrafted furniture, Christ Church Cranbrook is a bronze bell in the belfry with words tapestries, tiles, stained and leaded glass 470 Church Road, Bloomfield Hills inscribed:, “Rejoice with them that rejoice; from all over the world. Step inside for a The West Virginia church where Molly’s weep with them that weep.” Many of the tour of this magnificent estate.

funeral is held is actually Christ Church sculptures on the exterior of the church PHOTO: CIRCLE MICHIGAN Cranbrook in the upscale neighborhood of were awarded the gold medal for sculpture Bloomfield Hills. George Clooney visited at the 1929 exhibition of the Architectural this church at least three times before finally League of New York. deciding this was the church to be featured in the film for the funeral scenes. PHOTO: PEGGY DAHLBERG PHOTO: ANN ARBOR CVB

Kerrytown Ann Arbor Kerrytown is a historic district in Ann Arbor. It is known for its brick streets, diverse array of shops, and vibrant culture. You’ll love it here. www.kerrytown.org PHOTO: PEGGY DAHLBERG DETROIT CASINOS Meadowbrook The Henry Ford Three large casinos are featured in 350 Estate Drive, Rochester 20800 Oakwood Boulevard, Dearborn A must see is Greenfield Village, an outdoor downtown Detroit. Each has first-class Tour a national historic landmark. The world’s largest indoor/outdoor history history park and a part of the Henry Ford hotel accommodations. Meadowbrook is the historic home built by attraction and a national historic landmark! complex. Be sure to visit another national Matilda Wilson, widow of automotive The 12-acre showcases a massive historic landmark, the Ford Rouge Factory. MGM Casino pioneer, John Dodge. It is the largest and collection of artifacts and exhibits Witness the newest Ford truck being built at 1777 Third Avenue, Detroit most elaborate home in the Midwest. that celebrate America’s ingenuity and one of the most environmentally factories in PHOTO: CIRCLE MICHIGAN innovation. the world. Greektown Casino 555 East Lafayette Street, Detroit MotorCity Casino Hotel 2901 Grand River Avenue, Detroit Play dice. Play cards. Play hooky from the outside world. When you step into MotorCity Casino, you enter a world that’s been fine-tuned for action. Neon lights, music, excitement and at least six dining options are offered here with the hot spot, Soundboard, for nightclub entertainment.

2800 West Big Beaver Road, Troy Edsel and Eleanor Ford House PHOTO: CIRCLE MICHIGAN Shop til you drop! Somerset Collection is 1100 Lake Shore Road, Shores an upscale, luxury mall with more than 180 Head over to the serene lakeside estate of specialty stores. From high end shopping Edsel and Eleanor Ford. Built in 1929, this to unique boutiques, Somerset satisfies an 60-room mansion is nestled among 86 acres array of shopping needs. of magnificent gardens. PHOTO: CIRCLE MICHIGAN PHOTO: CIRCLE MICHIGAN Several other local faces can be George Clooney particularly loved the features The church’s “hospitality center” was used spotted in the movie, including of the high ceilings in the Christ Church to feed extras, parishioners, film crew and Detroit musician Bob Mervak, who Cranbrook. Clooney thought it was extremely the big stars. The production staff used the can be seen singing “We’ll Meet beautiful and loved the country setting it was in. hospitality center for catering a second time Again” in a scene at Cliff Bells, a George Clooney commented how lovely it was during the filming of the mansion scenes in DID YOU Detroit jazz club. Mervak, who spent that the children of the parish were at the church Bloomfield Hills. three days on the set, played a rented in their own programs while church services were KNOW? $70,000 range Steinway for a scene being held. Although the church in the film was supposed to involving Gosling, Hoffman, who plays be a , Christ Church is really an Gosling’s boss on the campaign, and Tomei, who Clooney was asked what he thought of filming Episcopal church. George Clooney needed altar plays a reporter. Ides of March in Michigan. Exclaimed Clooney, boys, which traditional Catholic services provide. “We loved it there. First of all, Ann Arbor is So the Episcopal Church used several young boys Bob Mervak describes Clooney’s directing style an amazing . We got there on St. Patrick’s from their church to pose as the altar boys in the Ides of March was nominated for an Oscar at as “pretty chill” and says the director wanted Day, and everyone was drinking green beer, and film. Even the church’s own rector had a part in the for best writing of a screen everything subdued for the performance. At one everyone was screwed up. And I was like, ‘Oh, Ides of March, as a priest! Talk about an impostor! play and nominated for a Golden Globe for point, as they talked music, Clooney modestly this town was made for me.’ We loved shooting Ryan Gosling Best Actor in a Motion Picture dropped a name. “He said, ‘I don’t know if you’re on the campus there. We loved shooting in Extras and parishioners for the church scenes Detroit and in Ann Arbor. When you go to were told to dress in dark clothing and not too Drama. Another Golden Globe Award for George familiar with my aunt, ,” Clooney for Best Director and Best Writing for Detroit, you see a town that’s just resilient, that’s casual. Everyone was staged at the Kingsley Inn Mervak recalls. a . just fighting to win again. There’s an energy to for inspection by the film crew before shooting like that. And just watching a city fight could begin at the church. Extra clothing and Detroit and Ann Arbor both played big roles You never know who you might see at Giovanni’s to get back on its feet, and watching the inner accessories were on hand and provided by the in providing locations for the speeches, rallies Ristorante in Detroit. While in town, George strength of a city like that, is just tremendous.” production team. A few purses were switched and office meetings in the . With Clooney, Ryan Gosling, , and Paul out between the extras, some had scarfs added, three University of Michigan buildings used Giamatti made themselves at home…eating, The filming of Ides of March brought an and blazers were added to others. as sets, hundreds of U-M students wound up laughing and horsing around with the owners and excitement, a synergy, to the community and being extras. staff. After his visit, Giamatti commented on his parishioners of the church in Bloomfield Hills. Ryan Gosling brought his dog with him to stay in Detroit: “I went to a great Italian place During filming, it so happened the church was Michigan. After filming on the campus of In addition to Cliff Bells, the production filmed called Giovanni’s. Amazing pasta…fantastic woman trying to raise money for one of their outreach University of Michigan one day, Gosling returned who owned the place.” in downtown Detroit at the Colony Club, inside projects. The producers of the film needed more to his on-site trailer to pick up his dog…no one of the Detroit Welcome Center and at the Gem extras for the funeral scene at the church; George knows where he went with his personal pet… If you go, be sure to check out the seating chart Theatre’s kitchen. Clooney wanted the church to be full for the maybe he just wanted to get his dog some much as you enter the dining room to see where your shoot. The production staff had hired about 100 needed exercise? Gosling was also spotted favorite celebrity dined. Visit the restroom for This is the third film Clooney has worked on in extras but needed 400. A lightbulb went on with shopping for groceries at Whole Foods Market a language lesson and take a peek at the “Walk metro Detroit—he filmed scenes here for 1998’s the church staff and they decided as part of their in Ann Arbor. of Fame” hallway. Other Hollywood stars have and 2009’s Up in the Air. He didn’t church fundraiser, to auction off pew seats to their dined at this hidden gem as well: Barbara and talk to local media during filming of Ides, but own church members which would allow them to The movie received nearly $5 million in , together with Martha and William those who met him say he was charming and be “an extra” in the film. The extra seats sold out Michigan film incentives and it was expected Clay Ford, hosted a private dinner party in the down-to-earth. and the church raised nearly $12,000 to be put to generate about $12.5 million in spending in Speak Easy room. It was a top secret affair…and back into the community. the state. after dinner Mr. Sinatra told the owner, “This is When filming was completed, George Clooney great Italian food!” and fellow producers stopped in at the Apex Bar Ryan Gosling sat in one of the church pews George Clooney joked and bantered with extras in Detroit, a spot where John Lee Hooker (known for the funeral scene. George Clooney was involved in the scenes shot on campus at U-M in Danny DeVito and called on around the world as the “King of the Boogie”) used a gentleman and talked and joked with local Ann Arbor. Clooney mentioned the dinner he Giovanni’s to cater dinner while they were in to play. fans and parishioners. Between takes, Clooney had at Ann Arbor’s Pacific Rim and joked with town shooting the movie Hoffa. When the cast walked up to the casket placed at the front of the extras about the rivalry between U-M and of “American Idol” were in town, Ryan Seacrest, Members of the cast were spotted all over the the church for the movie, knocked on the top of Ohio State. Paula Abdul, Simon Cowell and Randy Jackson city of Detroit. Several actors stopped at the it and quipped: “Anybody in there?” came in for dinner. Pat Benatar, Celine Dion, Red hipster watering hole, Café D’Mongo’s. It’s at Now this is really cool—while filming, many Skelton, , and Michael 1439 Griswold Street in Detroit. It took just one full day to film the church of the crew members were wearing Detroit Bolton all dined at this iconic restaurant. If you scene—new landscaping, signage and plantings branded logo wear: Tigers t-shirts, Kid Rock want a chance to get a glimpse of the stars…come were inserted to the exterior of the church. logos, and “Made in Detroit” hoodies. to Giovanni’s. It’s located at 330 South Oakwood The next day, everything was returned to its Boulevard in Detroit. previous condition. The Michigan Film and Digital Media Office (MFDMO) was created in 1979 to assist and attract incoming production companies and to promote the growth of Michigan’s indigenous industry. Since its inception, the MFDMO commissioner has been responsible for implementing a program that lives within the parameters of Michigan law and works to ensure the program runs efficiently and effectively. Today, the MFDMO is working diligently to guarantee the film and digital media program accomplishes key results of private investment and workforce development by encouraging high wages, high-tech jobs and talent retention.

Ides of March tour is the sole property of the Michigan Film & Digital Media Office. Special thanks to Janet Kasic of Circle Michigan for content creation.

[email protected]  tel 800 477 3456  fax 517 241 3689  MichiganFilmOffice.org

3627-160509