Ohio Goes to the Movies screenings are delighting audiences with special messages from Buckeye stars and filmmakers connected to the movie or venue: Tim Robbins, Beverly D’Angelo, Lee Daniels, Clancy Brown, Keith Caradine, Chris Columbus, Lee Unkrich and more. These heartfelt stories and special greetings connect the stories on screen to their communities. Here are a few recent messages.
Director Chris Columbus gave a recorded introduction to his hometown audience at the Robins Theatre (Warren) screening of “Mrs. Doubtfire” in July.
“I have really special fond memories of being in this particular theater. In fact, I think this is sort of the epicenter for me of where I really became passionate about wanting to make movies. I didn’t understand it at the time, but I knew I loved film. And I went to Robins Theatre with my cousin Art Mattiotti, who happens to be shooting this (video), ironically. We’re both in New York at the same time,” said Columbus. His comments continued:
“We saw so many incredible movies here. And we’d stay and we’d watch certain movies like ‘Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.’ We came, we watched the movie; we stayed and watched it a second time. We saw ‘Dracula Has Risen from the Grave,’ midnight showings of the Marx Brothers’ ‘Duck Soup’ and ‘Horse Feathers.’ Those movies, those weird combinations of movies, inspired me to want to become a filmmaker right here in the Robins Theatre.
“So, it’s an honor for me to be introducing ‘Mrs. Doubtfire,’ which is a movie that’s very close to my heart for a lot of reasons. I got to work with Robin Williams, who became one of my great friends and one of my great collaborators. And it was my first experience in San Francisco, and as you’ll see in the movie, the movie is basically a love letter to the city of San Francisco. I came to San Francisco for the first time to direct this film and all of these locations I saw for the first time and said to myself, sort of like Dorothy in the land of Oz, I’ve got to put this on film. I was in awe of the city, and I call it my home right now. And I really, really am enthusiastic about you guys seeing this with a full audience. This is the way ‘Mrs. Doubtfire’ was meant to be seen. And I’m honored to be part of this. So, enjoy the film. I wish I could be there with you. And thank you so much.”
View Chris Columbus’ video here.
In July, Beverly D’Angelo appeared virtually to introduce “Coal Miner’s Daughter” at Capa’s Ohio Theatre in Columbus.
“Hi, I’m Beverly D’Angelo, born and raised in Columbus, Ohio, and I want to welcome all of you to our beautiful Ohio Theatre. Today, in a collaboration between the Columbus Association for Performing Arts and Ohio Goes to the Movies, we present ‘Coal Miner’s Daughter.’ Now ‘Coal Miner’s Daughter’ was nominated for scads of Academy Awards; in fact, Sissy Spacek won an Oscar as Best Actress for her portrayal of Loretta Lynn in this film. And guess what? I played Patsy Cline, and I did all my own singing. That’s right, no Hollywood overdubs for this Buckeye. I hope you enjoy it, and most of all, I hope you enjoy the experience of gathering together in a darkened theater with your friends, family and community, and experiencing the magic of movies. I’m there with you in spirit. Enjoy!”
The Age of Steam Roundhouse Museum (Sugarcreek) screening of “Emperor of the North” opened with a surprise video introduction by actor Keith Carradine.
“Hello, all you vintage rail enthusiasts. Welcome to the Age of Steam Roundhouse Museum and the unveiling of the newly restored old Number 19 and a screening of the film that I made using that locomotive back in the early ‘70s with Lee Marvin and Ernest Borgnine, ‘Emperor of the North.’ I had a heck of a good time making that film, and I have very fond memories of the whole experience, especially working with Lee and with Ernie, both of whom were friends of mine until they passed. And I’m really delighted to hear that the old Number 19 has been brought back and completely restored. I’m excited for you all to see it and I certainly hope you all enjoy the screening of ‘Emperor of the North.’”
When the Star Theatre in Upper Sandusky screened “The Shawshank Redemption,” many of the attendees had connections to the film. Star Tim Robbins sent a personally recorded video message.
“Tim Robbins here. Sorry I can’t be with you this weekend. Thanks to Ohio Goes to the Movies for setting up the screening at the Star Theatre and for all the events that follow. ‘The Shawshank Redemption’ is dear to my heart, and I want you all to know how grateful I am for the support and love over the years. Have a great time this weekend. Sending you love and best regards from Cal-i-for-ni-a.”
Also, during the same screening, organizers arranged a virtual panel discussion with author Mark Dawidziak (“The Shawshank Redemption Revealed”) and actor Clancy Brown, who starred in the film as the head prison guard. Together they shared behind-the-scenes stories with the audience and memories from moviemaking more than 30 years earlier.
Local Students Provide Questions For “Toy Story 2” Director
One of the most creative uses of video talent came during Chagrin Documentary Film Festival’s (CDFF) June screening of “Toy Story 2.” Before the event, CDFF collected questions for director Lee Unkrich, a native of Chagrin Falls, from area students in grades 2 through 10. Unkrich sent his responses via video.
Megan from the sixth grade asked if there were any hidden Easter eggs in “Toy Story 2,” and Unkrich responded, “No, but there are several in ‘Toy Story 3.’ I made Andy’s high school mascot the Tigers for obvious reasons: Go Tigers! There’s a tiger sticker on the side of Andy’s toy chest in this room. The license plate frame on Andy’s mom’s car says, ‘Tiger Pride,’ and the license plate on Andy’s car when he heads off to college is CF131, which was my mom’s longtime license plate. CF is for Chagrin Falls, and 131 was the address of the house I grew up in on Fairview Road. Thanks for your question, Megan, that was great.”
Noran in the fourth grade asked what was the most challenging scene to create in “Toy Story 2.” He guessed the scene that depicts the Buzz Lightyear video game with all the robots and lasers but was curious if that was actually the hardest scene. “Oh yeah, Noran,” answered Unkrich, “that opening video game sequence was pretty complicated as I recall, but I think the most complicated sequence in the movie was that whole section behind the scenes at the airport where the toys are all navigating the luggage conveyor belts. We had to make the toys not only run around everywhere but they were running on a moving conveyor belt that was going all kinds of different directions, and they were sometimes jumping between them, so yeah, I remember that being really, really challenging. Thanks for the great question, Noran.”
Second-grader Drew asked, “Who is your favorite character in ‘Toy Story 2’?” Unkrich responded, “Well, Drew, it’s always really hard for me to pick my favorite characters because I really do like all of them, but if I had to pick one from ‘Toy Story 2,’ it would probably be Weezy the Penguin. He’s a great, funny character, and he was voiced by my good friend and collaborator, Joe Ramp, who unfortunately died too young, so I always appreciate getting a little bit of my friend Joe every time I watch ‘Toy Story 2.’ Joe also happened to be the voice of Heimlich the caterpillar in ‘A Bug’s Life,’ if any of you have seen that Pixar movie. Thanks for the great question, Drew.”
From hometown memories to behind-the-scenes stories, these special messages add a personal connection that goes beyond the screen. By bringing Ohio’s moviemakers and audiences together, Ohio Goes to the Movies continues to celebrate the people, places and stories that make the state’s film legacy so strong.