It’s ironic that Jacksonville is a contender for not being a setting for movies or TV shows, since it was once the “The Winter Film Capital of the World.” It was “Hollywood” before Hollywood became “Hollywood.”
Loads of movies have filmed in Jacksonville FL
Cool Hand Luke
GI Jane
Monster House
Devil’s Advocate
The Manchurian Candidate (2006)
Tigerland
Sunshine State
Even the last on the list, College Station TX can claim Revenge of the Nerds, The Best Little Whorehouse In Texas and The Bear.
One of the greatest movies of all time was set in San Antonio Viva Max starring Peter Ustinov, Jonathan Winters, et al.
And a big “duh” to me for forgetting that every movie based on the Alamo would be in San Antonio as well.
If Charlotte qualified in the TV realm it just got disqualified. The current limited-run TV series Secrets & Lies on ABC is set in Charlotte.
LurkerInNJ, you did a fine job compiling that list of Jacksonville films!
I have nothing but good faith and admiration for gents from New Jersey, the notorious state of my birth and upbringing…unless you’re one of those North Jersey, “what exit do you live off”, miscreants—then, you’re dead to me. Kidding :D; I like you because your post allows me to segue into this post…
You failed to list the most important Jacksonville set film of all time!—that being Lonely Hearts.
It is unquestionably the most important film of all, because…well, guess who starred in that major motion picture?
Me, that’s who!
…well, ok, technically, I didn’t “star” in the film, “co-star” would be more accurate.
…ok, maybe “co-star” is also a bit of a stretch.
…but, I was in the movie. I was. Really. I was an extra.
I may have alluded to this story in passing once or five times before, but it warrants an expanded telling, not so much for your entertainment, but because it allows me to stealth brag (is it still stealth if I announce it?).
The movie studio advertised a cattle call downtown, and on a lark, I took my family there to apply for “extra” roles. When we arrived, the audition line was deceptive, it didn’t look at all long. But, that was just the line to get into the main door. Once into the main lobby, the line was ungodly huge, doubling back and forth until finally reaching the audition rooms. We never would have waited the hours in the inner line had we not already invested over an hour in the outside line. Our Saturday was already shot; why not stick it out?…
Incredibly, they chose three of the four of us to be extras (they didn’t choose my youngest daughter, age 3 at the time, who was the most photogenic of all—loser!).
The film was shot in a variety of local venues, all of which we attended. It was an experience I’ll never forget. Seeing the magic involved with producing a major motion picture was spellbinding (e.g., they shot an outdoor scene at midnight [real time] when the weather was bone dry and they made it look like a thunder-stormy midafternoon day! They did this with industrial sprinklers, advanced Foley and a massive array of Klieg lights. It was impressive—as was most everything else in the production.
Starting on day one of shooting, they had all of us extras sequestered in an upstairs room. Then, before each scene, someone (assistant director?) would come in and choose all the extras needed for the following scene. Some extras were never chosen for a scene (losers!). My ex and daughter were chosen for a couple of scenes. For some reason I still can’t fathom, I got chosen for a number of scenes (I’m pretty ordinary looking, but I guess that’s what they look for in extras).
All of us extras were dolled up in period late 40’s garb and haircuts, curtesy of the studio. It was like playacting in the neighborhood as a kid, but with a big budget.
There were some embarrassing moments, to be sure: my ex and I were in one scene together that was quite complex: there were a lot of intricacies going on; most of the many stars and co-stars were in the scene, and I’m sure it was an expensive scene to set up.
After everything was set just so, the director yells, “action!” and the scene begins to unfold. My ex didn’t hear “action!” because she was busy yapping her big flappy lips at me (as usual) about something stupid. The director yells “cut!!”, walks the long distance across the set to where my ex and I were, and he proceeded to ream us both out pretty thoroughly (I kept darting my eyes toward my ex to indicate she was the guilty party; he probably thought I had an eye tic).
My daughter was in an outdoor market scene holding the hand of her attractive “mother” (not my ex). She caused the scene to be reshot because she placed a banana into her “mother’s” bag, instead of the script-written orange. I was standing next to Todd, the director, and mumbled, “sorry, she takes after her mother, not me.”
I was chosen for one scene that made me nervous as hell. It took place inside a large old-style post office (a dilapidated bank in reality). I was directed to walk around the corner of the lobby and toward a side door leading outside. The camera was positioned just on the inside of the door and aimed toward me. As I passed the camera to the left, John Travolta, James Gandolfini and Scott Caan were instructed to enter the scene from behind the camera on the right…then, big action was to ensue. But, for the ~10 seconds it took me to walk toward the camera—I was the only person in the scene. And, I figured as I was about to pass the camera, my body, then my face, would fill the entire film frame! Even Audrey Hepburn didn’t get that much screen real estate…and she was possibly cuter than me! (do I still have that pimple on my nose?)
You can imagine my disappointment when I watched the released movie and saw that my big scene was cut. They started the scene just as I was passing the camera and the stars appeared. I’m guessing they didn’t like the affected gait I performed— gave it a little Dustin Hoffman “Ratso” gait. Ah well, the viewing public’s loss, not mine.
My other big scene took place in a dimly lit bank. The camera was behind the teller aimed at Travolta and Gandolfini, who were facing the teller. I was directly behind (less than 2 feet) and between the two stars (Travolta, Tibby, Gandolfini, maybe they’ll release that as the official movie poster!).
I was again disappointed when I watched the movie. The “magic” of Hollywood lighting somehow darkened me to complete silhouette, while keeping the stars faces illuminated, film noir style. Ah well, no swooning females would be in that movie audience.
But, all in all it was a wonderful experience. I was particularly struck by the openness and gregarious nature of most of the stars. I was expecting tight security and prima donna personalities.
I exchanged pleasantries with Laura Dern, Jared Leto and Salma Hayek (she even apologized when her dog peed on my foot). John Travolta was downright chatty with me. During set up and between takes of the Bank Scene, he kept turning around to talk to me. He said I looked good in my baggy suit and fedora. I told him he had some great dance moves in Saturday Night Fever. Gandolfini was a little stand-offish, but I got the impression he was more shy than affected.
Despite a great cast and good story, the movie kind of tanked at the box office; I blame my ex for that.
What a cool story! Thanks!
My pleasure, D.Deth, MD. I aim to entertain and enlighten. It’s what I do.
But, yeah, if they ever have a cattle call in your city for a movie with A-list actors, give it a shot, it’s pretty cool!
Questions like these are impossible to answer. Sometimes I wonder if there’s ever actually an answer to them or if they’re just trick questions. People can give answer after answer and there will always be someone who knows of a tv show or movie that took place there.
I’m sure there would be SOME answer, eventually, but I’m guessing that the “largest” city will turn out to be a small town or village that sort of defeats the “large” part of the title.
Even then that would be wrong, Viva Max, movie came out 1969 IIRC was set there as were others.
The last thread was limited to TV series.
And of course the all time Aggie favorite, We’ve Never Been Licked.
How many years ago would you have said Cleveland? Before all of these films were made?
Salt Lake City?
But again, the answer is San Jose, CA.
There’s one indie film which is based upon a event which occurred in San Jose, but the city is not mentioned.
Salt Lake City?!?
Hell’s bells, the only thing noteworthy about that place is that it’s an hour and a half drive to the Bonneville Salt Flats, where Craig Breedlove used to toodle around in his souped up jalopy, Spirit of America.
Yawn
Of much greater interest…did I ever tell you about the major motion picture I made with my bud, John Travolta and my main squeeze, Salma Hayek?
…Oh, I see that I did.
…Would recounting the same story twice in the same thread seem in any way redundant or excessive?