Take 1
Fans turn out in Winslow for 'Empire Falls' filming
Copyright © 2003 Blethen Maine Newspapers Inc.
WINSLOW — Movie fans crowded the curbs early Wednesday to catch a glimpse of Paul Newman and Ed Harris on their first day of filming "Empire Falls" at Bee's Snack Bar on Lithgow Street.
Actor Ed Harris walks with a crew member on Wednesday morning during the first day of filming for ŗEmpire Falls,˛ at Beešs Snack Bar in Winslow. Harris plays main character Miles Roby in the movie. Behind Harris is Beešs owner Ryan-Marie Maroney. click to enlarge
And they got their wish.
"Hey Paul!" the fans yelled, as Newman walked out of the diner and eventually waved to them as they stood across the street in front of Cumberland Farms.
One fan ran into the parking lot of nearby D&S Auto Sales, shouting Newman's name. She quickly snapped his picture before being asked to move out of the forbidden camera range.
"Thanks, sorry!" she said, running away.
It was a jubilant scene as cast and crew of the HBO movie based on Richard Russo's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel launched the filmmaking process after weeks of preparing sets in Skowhegan, Waterville and Winslow.
The movie is about a struggling Maine mill town where a shirt factory has closed. The story revolves around main character Miles Roby, played by Ed Harris, who runs the Empire Grill.
Bee's is the setting for a doughnut shop where Harris and Newman, who plays Roby's father, Max, meet with the town cop, Jimmy Minty, played by William Fichtner.
Before dawn Wednesday, crew members were scurrying around Lithgow Street, their big trucks carrying equipment parked along the road. Stars were still twinkling in the night sky and a big orange moon hovered low over the horizon off Bay Street as the crew worked in chilly temperatures.
At about 5:30 a.m., a large flatbed truck arrived with an old blue police cruiser purchased from the Skowhegan Police Department, except that the emblem on the door said "Empire Falls Police Department." Two old brown Volkswagon Jettas also were on the truck, to be used by Harris.
An excited Janice Bradbury, 70, of Waterville arrived outside Bee's Snack Bar with a friend, Karyn Williams, to catch the action.
"All the years I've seen Paul Newman and Ed Harris on the screen and it's just wonderful to see them, hopefully, in person," Bradbury said. "I used to stop here in the 1950s for hot dogs and hamburgers and I never dreamed they would be filming a movie here in 2003."
Action around the set increased quickly as Falls Films Inc. location manager Lynn "Kip" Kippax moved about, orchestrating activities and cordially asking spectators to move across the road.
By 6:30 a.m., crews were bringing in carts containing everything from directors' chairs to doughnuts. They also set up camera and sound equipment and giant 12,000-watt lights on wheels.
Organized and efficient, workers moved fast, saying "Good morning" to fellow crew members and frequently joking with each other as they passed.
Waterville City Solicitor William A. Lee, out for an early morning jog, stopped in front of Bee's just in time to see Newman arrive on the set in the passenger seat of a green Volvo station wagon.
Wearing a gray sweatshirt, brown corduroys and pointed brown boots and sporting a white beard and longish hair, Newman climbed out of the car and headed into the diner.
"He looked like a real, down-to-earth guy," a star-struck Lee said. "It's nice to see he gets up early in the morning."
Former Waterville fire Chief Raymond W. Poulin arrived in a large van. Since retiring last month, Poulin has been working as a driver for the film.
"Today, I'm transporting the "B" guys to different scenery locations and they're going to take pictures — still shots," Poulin said. "It's kind of exciting to get a front-row seat to see what's happening. It's amazing to see what's involved in this."
At 7 a.m., as movie director Fred Schepisi worked both in and outside the diner and Bee's owner Ryan-Marie Maroney helped officials on the set, Newman stepped up on a bench in front of a window and rapped on it as part of a scene. Fichtner leaned against the cruiser, now parked beside the diner. Then, Fichtner walked into the building.
As the action continued, trucks from McCormack Building Supply on Lithgow Street continued to go up and down the road, which remained open to traffic.
A movie official rounded up star look-a-likes, including a man with white hair and a beard who resembled Newman.
"Stand-ins, step inside to watch rehearsal, please!" she said, as the group hurried into the diner.
Harris, also sporting longish, unruly hair, emerged from the diner at 7:30 a.m. and talked with Fichtner on the steps. Harris later left the set wearing a green baseball cap and smoking a cigarette. He gave a movie official a hug before heading to a trailer on Lithgow Street.
Area residents who agreed to donate use of their cars for the set Wednesday drove by sporadically, asking where they should park. Newman eventually got back into the Volvo station wagon and was driven away.
Bradbury, the fan who had been waiting to see him, appeared, beaming. She said she was thrilled about her once-in-a-lifetime experience.
"This has been great," she said. "He actually turned and waved to a group of us."
Lea Girardin, director of the Maine Film Office, arrived to watch the activities. Afterward, she said she was delighted HBO chose Maine for the film.
"We couldn't be happier that it's here, it's starting, and it's a wonderful thing for the area," she said. "We're sure it's going to be a wonderful production and we're grateful for it."
Filming at Bee's was scheduled to continue throughout the day Wednesday and resume a half-day today.
Amy Calder — 861-9247
acalder@centralmaine.com