A Night to Remember: Reliving Movie Magic in Laporte
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THE TM 911 Franklin Street Weekly Newspaper Michigan City, IN 46360 Volume 22, Number 29 Thursday, July 27, 2006 A Night to Remember: Reliving Movie Magic in LaPorte by Laurie Wink Some came for a glimpse into the rarified world of Hollywood celebri- ties and films. Others came to rem- inisce about the time they made movie magic here in LaPorte County. The program, “Behind the Scenes with John Hancock” attracted more than 100 people to the LaPorte County Public Library on July 12. They heard director John Hancock and community members talk about filming “Prancer” and “A Piece of Eden” in LaPorte County and south- western Michigan. “Making movies here has been a great pleasure,” Hancock told the audience. “One of the reasons we moved back here was because it was such a good experience making ‘Prancer’ and ‘A Piece of Eden.’ Film director John Hancock is introduced by Cherri Struss to Beacher reporter Laurie Wink (right). About a dozen cast members and contribu- tors to the two films spoke during the library program organized by Cherri Struss, program specialist, and Lisa Nielsen, marketing coor- dinator. They shared anecdotes about work- ing with Hollywood celebrities such as Sam Elliott, Cloris Leachman, Abe Vigoda and Michael Constantine. And they thanked Hancock for giving them the opportunity of a lifetime. Bob Dure talks about his humorous encounters with film star Cloris Leachman. Movie Magic Continued on Page 2 THE Page 2 July 27, 2006 THE 911 Franklin Street • Michigan City, IN 46360 219/879-0088 • FAX 219/879-8070 In Case Of Emergency, Dial e-mail: News/Articles - [email protected] email: Classifieds - [email protected] http://www.bbpnet.com/ PRINTED WITH Published and Printed by TM Trademark of American Soybean Association THE BEACHER BUSINESS PRINTERS Delivered weekly, free of charge to Birch Tree Farms, Duneland Beach, Grand Beach, Hidden 911 Shores, Long Beach, Michiana Shores, Michiana MI and Shoreland Hills. The Beacher is also Subscription Rates delivered to public places in Michigan City, New Buffalo, LaPorte and Sheridan Beach. 1 year $28 6 months $16 3 months $10 1 month $5 Movie Magic Continued from Page 1 and saying, “That was my shot.” Although Zimmerman Marcia Porter was a freelance writer working on didn’t get face time in “Prancer,” he seemed delight- a story about the “Prancer” auditions when she was ed with his involvement in the production. photographed by casting director Susan Willett. Bob Cutler initially didn’t want anything to do Porter was surprised to receive a call to read for the with “Prancer.” He said his wife “badgered” him part of Mrs. Fairburn, the teacher. She nailed the audi- into being part of the church scene. Cutler remembers tion and secured billing as a cast member of the receiving $35 for a full day of filming. When the movie 1989 movie, filmed mostly in Three Oaks, Michigan. came out, he couldn’t believe he made it on the screen, To her grandchildren, it’s called, “The Grandma wearing a bright red necktie and holding a candle. Movie.” “All my friends who wanted to be in the movie “There’s magic in movies,” Porter said. “I do not didn’t make it,” Cutler said. “And little me, who understand why or how, but it’s the magic that’s this didn’t want to be in it, was in it.” man (Hancock).” Another magical moment for Porter Following the movie’s release, Cutler and other came later, when she went to Chicago to see Cloris cast members talked about being contacted by fam- Leachman in a theater production about Grandma ily and friends they hadn’t seen or heard from in Moses. While seated in the audience, Porter got a note years. And they continue to receive movie residuals. to visit the actress backstage. She was amazed when Leachman came running out to greet her, like a long- lost friend. Eric Sardeson was a fifth grad- er when he land- ed the role of Boy #2 in “Prancer.” At the cast reunion, several young adults spoke of Sandy Olson, now a LaPorte library employee, took the podium to talk the lasting impact their childhood involvement in about her role as Town Woman. “Prancer” has had on their lives. Eric Sardeson, now Sandy Olson is another local woman listed as a cast 28, was a fifth grader in Rolling Prairie when he member of “Prancer.” Playing the part of Town was cast as Boy #2. “It was wonderful,” he said. “I Woman, Olson had one line during a brief scene in down- just can’t explain what it was like to be a kid and have town Three Oaks that took three days to film. She con- fun with these great actors. They’re just people.” He tinues to appreciate the movie’s impact. has since followed the careers of other young actors “It made LaPorte light up when it was filmed, and in the movie, including Rebecca Harrell who had the during the premier here,” said Olson, who now works lead children’s part in “Prancer.” in the children’s department of the LaPorte County Michelle Arens Harbich, now a mother of 5-year- Public Library. old son Alexander, was 10 years old when she was cast Bob Zimmerman was in the street scene with as a stand-in for Harrell. During the month of film- Olson. He explained his untitled part in “Prancer” ing, she recalled being tutored on the set, playing many by putting on the same raincoat and hat he wore for games of Go Fish, and making money from actor the movie, turning his back to the library audience Sam Elliott. THE July 27, 2006 Page 3 Open ‘til 6 p.m. Evenings www.littlehousefashions.comElegant Apparel for the [email protected] Conscious Woman Women’s Apparel SIDEWALK DAYS At the podium, Michelle Arens Harbich was cast as the stand-in for Spring & Summer 30%-50% Off actress Rebecca Harrell with an “He gave a quarter to any kid who heard him swear,” Harbich said. “One day, I was sitting in a truck Additional 10% off the last sale price with him while he was opening mail. Every time he opened a new piece of mail, he would let out with anoth- New Fall Arriving Daily!!! er obscenity. I thought about asking him for $5 but he seemed pretty mad.” Jim Quartuccio had a connection to Sam Elliott and both Hancock films. Before retiring, he owned sev- eral shoe repair stores and Elliott came in to one to have his boots cleaned. “He said to me, ‘Do you know who I am? I’m Sam Elliott,’ ” Quartuccio recalled. “I said, ‘I don’t care if you’re Sam or Bill or whoever you are. You’re a cus- tomer and you’ll pay me.’ He gave me a $50 bill.” Quartuccio played a limousine driver in “A Piece of Eden,” a 2000 movie with Tyne Daly and Frederic Forrest. As the limo driver, he took the character Victor Hardwick from the airport to the farm. The scene becomes a wild ride, with lots of swerving and near accidents. Quartuccio’s one line was, “Where do you want this?” referring to Hardwick’s suitcase. Khangura Lagoon One-Button Cropped Jacket… Khangura's versatile jacket with Seafoam background and random floral design is unique and can be worn as an after five look or very casual. Jacket designed with one button closure, corded bind- ing and mandarin collar that can be worn over coor- dinating rayon blend pant and shell. 33% rayon, 10% cotton, 31% polyester and 26% acrylic, dry clean Sizes S-XL. Tent Sale - 50% off plus another 40% off Jim Quartuccio managed to connect with actors in both local Hancock productions. Early birds gets the …! While the local actors talked about the lengthy process of filmmaking, those who worked behind the scenes felt more of a time crunch. Don Bowman built Meet Us For Lunch And A Style Show the architectural scale model of Three Oaks that WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 9 - HANNAH’S, NEW BUFFALO appears in “Prancer” as a reindeer’s eye view of the 409409 Alexander StreetStreet, LaPorte, IN 326-8602 town and surrounding countryside on a moonlit night On Hwy 35 - 5 Blocks South of Lincolnway with fresh snowfall. He had a short time to photograph TurnTurn Rightright on AlexanderAlexander Monday-FridayMonday - Friday10 am 9:30to 6 pmto 7 Saturday Saturday 9:30 9:30 am to to5 5 pm Movie Magic Continued on Page 4 THE Page 4 July 27, 2006 John Hancock and Scrapbooks Cherri Struss talk with and photo Bob Cutler, who albums were on appeared in “Prancer”. display for attendees to view. Hancock does indeed know music. His father was an accomplished musician with steady work in Chicago. John shared his father’s talent, becoming a violinist and concertmaster of the Chicago Youth Movie Magic Continued from Page 3 Orchestra. As a Harvard undergraduate, John got all the buildings in Three Oaks and build the model, involved with all-student theater productions and which will be on display at the new LaPorte County discovered his passion for directing. Museum opening soon. “I lied and said that I had directed in high school,” Alan Barcus composed music for “A Piece of Eden.” Hancock recalled. After graduating from Harvard in A LaPorte native and veteran musician, Barcus has 1961, he headed for New York City and the Actors Studio. composed music for 13 films and also wrote the Hancock served as artistic director of the Pittsburgh Chicago Cubs’ Fight Song.