My View of Life on the Dock
Joey at work! Behind the Scenes and podcast host portraits on site from Meg Jarrett
Photos: Joey getting ready setting up and broadcasting GloucesterCast podcast from Cigar Paradise in St. Pete, FLA. ©Meg Jarrett, 2/4/2023
A joyous read for Gloucester and movie fans everywhere, Gloucester Daily Times front page serves as a beacon to the triple Oscar winning film CODA with great reporting by Ethan Forman and Gail McCarthy and photographs by Paul Bilodeau.
Ethan Forman’s piece features multiple local interviews, businesses and locales.
“…CODA did not turn to special effects to tell the story on the water. Instead, it turned Capt. Paul Vitale’s 50 foot fishing vessel Angela + Rose into a working movie set in August and September of 2019.”
Ethan Forman. Gloucester Daily Times, March 30, 2022 | Read the complete article here
“They are definitely the little film that could,” said Meg Jarrett, of Gloucester, the liaison for Cape Ann for the Massachusetts Film Office, who spoke of the importance of CODA’s success, saying it will make it easier to film other productions on Cape Ann.”
Ethan Forman CODA coverage in the Gloucester Daily Times March 30, 2022
“This is Our Moment”: Deaf Community Celebrates 3 Oscar Wins for ‘CODA’
Gail McCarthy continues her excellent CODA chronicling
“Gloucester is at the center of an independent film that sent not a ripple, but a tidal wave throughout the Deaf community with its message being heard at the White House and around the world.
The cinematic pebble that started that ripple was the film “CODA,” which stands for Child of Deaf Adult(s), but coda is a term often linked more to the music world than the Deaf community.
That began to change Sunday night…”
Gail McCarthy, Gloucester Daily Times, March 30, 2022 read the full article here
See prior Gail McCarthy piece here
**updated: correction brain freeze – apologies for crediting Sean Horgan instead of Ethan Forman in the first pass! Sorry Ethan**
Beautiful read and interviews! More photos from the Vitale family and Film Cape Ann below.
“The charms of Gloucester exploded on the big screen at the local unveiling of the film “CODA,” a four-time winner at this year’s Sundance Film Festival.
The special event Thursday evening, intended for those who worked or assisted in some way with the film, turned out to be “the” premiere after director Sian Heder learned that the West Coast screening was canceled.
“Our premiere in L.A. isn’t happening so you are at the premiere,” she told the attendees at the Gloucester Cinema on Essex Avenue. “But I’m so excited to be here and share this with you. This is the first time I am seeing it with an audience. This film is a love letter to Gloucester…”
Gail McCarthy
‘A love letter to Gloucester’: Sundance winner ‘CODA’ premieres before local crowd
Gloucester Daily Times
published on line Saturday July 24, 2021, in print Monday
Read Gail McCarthy’s article here
Filmed in Gloucester in late summer and fall in 2019 before Covid, the movie benefited from the local Film Tax Credit (as will the upcoming movie, Confess, Fletch, starring John Slattery and Jon Hamm). Locations in town for CODA feature Pratty’s and the bandstand in Rockport. Many local hires involved, including Elana Lee, ASL interpreter.
“#FilmCapeAnn was thrilled to have CODA anchored in our area.
Productions that highlight the core beauty of our year round working waterfront depicted in CODA, and past films like The Perfect Storm & Manchester-by-the-Sea, are a huge part of the area’s contribution to the Massachusetts film industry, and making the Mass. Film Incentive permanent. We thank the MA Film Office and State Senator Bruce Tarr & Representative Ann Margaret Ferrante for their strong effort with this incentive as well.”
Meg Jarrett, Film Cape Ann
Photo credits below: Film Cape Ann
Photo credits below: Action! from the film shoot (early fall 2019, before Covid; and the big premiere night 2021. Courtesy the Vitale family
Next week!
Please join Karen Tibbetts, Meg Jarrett and Stephanie Tashjy on Thursday, November 21st at 6 pm at the Cruiseport to honor State Representative Ann-Margaret Ferrante and to hear the latest about the Arts in Massachusetts and how Cape Ann “plays a role”. Please feel free to bring a friend.
“Celebrating the strength of women and a discussion with Theater Innovators including Erica Lynn Schwartz General Manager of Colonial Theater and Colleen Glynn, First Female Business Director of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, Moving Picture Technicians, Artists and Allied Crafts.”
excerpt –
“…Then early last year, “Expedition Unknown,” a television show on the Discovery Channel, did a special on “The Secret” that set off a new frenzy of treasure hunters.
“I’ve been making travel adventure shows for 10 years, and I’ve never seen anything like the reaction to that show,” said Josh Gates, the show’s host, who is a Tufts grad and a native of Manchester-by-the-Sea. “So many people contacted me, and a lot of them were from the Boston area because it’s long been believed that one of them was hidden there.”
The Krupat children, 12-year-old Molly and 10-year-old Jack, saw the episode and called their parents into the room, knowing this would be right up their father’s alley. Jason Krupat makes his living as a puzzle and game designer. Soon, the family began making weekend trips into the city to work on what had come to be known as “the Boston verse.”
Great read. Hidden treasure, a family’s quest, and ‘The Secret’ by Billy Baker Boston Globe, here.
photos above – John Tlumacki Boston Globe “The Krupat family found buried treasure in Boston’s North End” and West Construction Corp., Halifax.
when productions prompt a double take- film & television magic!
Film Cape Ann shares call for Gloucester area residents who want to fish with a commercial crew for a new tv show email fishing@raw.co.uk
from the Cape Ann Museum- Gloucester Screening set for “Dead in the Water” FEB 10
The Cape Ann Museum, in collaboration with the Gloucester Fishermen’s Wives Association, is pleased to present “Dead in the Water”, on Saturday, February 10 at 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. The documentary film dealing with the devastating impacts of federal regulations on the lives of New England ground fishermen was produced and directed by Rockport native and professional filmmaker David Wittkower. A panel discussion with film participants will follow each showing. Tickets are $8 for Museum members and $10 for nonmembers. Reservations can be made at camuseum.eventbrite.com or call (978)283-0455 x10.
Two and a half years in the making, “Dead in the Water” is Wittkower’s fifteenth documentary film. It was shot in different coastal towns and features scenes and interviews with area fishermen, their spouses and other family members; advocates for fishermen; elected officials; and community activists. “This film opens the doors for the world to see how difficult and dangerous the life of a fisherman is,” said John Bell, a former three-term mayor of Gloucester (2002 -08). “On top of that, the impact of misguided federal regulations on fishermen has never been presented as powerfully as it is in ‘Dead in the Water.’ This film packs a real punch. It stays with you long after you’ve seen it.” The film also includes the song, “Gloucester Harbor Shore” by Grammy® Award winner, Paula Cole.
Wittkower, a graduate of the American Film Institute in cinematography, describes “Dead in the Water” as an examination of the “relentless destruction of the New England ground
Continue reading “That’s a big movie poster! Dead in the Water Cape Ann Museum premiere”
Salt Island, Good Harbor Beach and Brier Neck are naturally connected. The five acre Salt Island is about 1000 feet from Good Harbor Beach in Gloucester, Massachusetts. A sandbar links the island and beach at low tide. I’ve culled a few milestones in its history. Scroll down to 2017 to find the links for the Cape Ann Beacon and today’s Boston Globe.
History of the Town of Gloucester: Cape Ann, John Jame Babson’s published history includes a shipwreck of the vessel, Industry, at Little Good Harbor Beach near Salt Island in 1796
Joseph Parsons’ family operated a lobster business from Salt Island
silent movies were filmed on location
Parts of the Fox Film Corporation movie, Bride Number 13, were shot on location at Good Harbor Beach and Salt Island. The 15 part serial silent film –“the most costly pictures ever made…would consume expenditures of at least one million dollars.” It was conceived and written by Edward Sedgwick, directed by Richard Stanton aka “Salt Island’s Mighty Emperor”, and starred Marguerite Clayton, Jack O’Brien, and Ed Rossman. The script was inspired by Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves.
Here are a few fun excerpts from 1919 correspondence published in the book, “My father, a silent films pioneer,” by George E. Mcavoy:
“Again the picturesque Gloucester shores have been sought by a motion picture corporation for scenery and the noted Fox Film Company of New York, with its prominent director, Richard Stanton, has arrived at Hotel Harbor View, East Gloucester, to start immediately on the work of filming “Bride Number 13” at Salt Island off Brier Neck.
“It was decided that Salt Island in Gloucester, Mass., would be the setting of the silent film thriller, “Bride Number 13.” This island was an island at high tide and part of the mainland at low tide. Fox film Co. was building a wooden castle on the island, which was about one hundred feet high and hosted the actions of this silent film…”
“(This was five days before the real tornado blew the wooden castle out to sea.)”
Oct 24, 1919“Dear Mother: I left Mary and the babies in Gloucester. I am on my way through New Hampshire and Maine for a lumber camp location. I expect to be back in Gloucester Monday night…
the time for the blowing up of the castle on Salt Island and the rescue of the brides from the pirate band is rapidly approaching…
Billy Carr of Gloucester, Chief Gunner’s Mate on the Navy submarine R-1 that was assigned to the picture, was to play the hero who rescues one of the brides, slashes through the nest of cutthroats, leaps into the basket with her and off. It was now November 10th. A throng of 3,000 was at Good Harbor and all over Brier Neck to watch…On the fourth day Bill Carr was called away on duty and his place was taken by Tom Corbiey…”
“Mr. Sedgwick has achieved something heretofore unknown in moving picture production. He conceived the idea of the story, witnessed and helped direct the scenes, acted in them, had a hand in the grinding of the film, and in fact had a part in every process of the film production…”
“While all bid good-bye to Gloucester last night, there was a general expression of a desire to return and several of the company said that they intended to return here next summer for the vacation period if not in picture work.”
“The explosion was a heavy one and its shock was felt in all parts of the city. It shook the windows of houses on Mt. Vernon Street and vicinity, also at East Gloucester and as far as Rockport. It occurred at 4:20 o’clock and people who felt the shock readily attributed it to the blow-up of Salt Island.”
Then and now: filmmakers love Gloucester.
Fox Film Corporation returned to film the patriotic silent era Navy spy film, THE SILENT COMMAND on Good Harbor Beach, again on the Briar/Brier neck side.
1923 was a busy year for Gloucester, MA. In addition to the municipality managing the bustling tercentenary, Gloucester welcomed another major Fox movie production to shoot on location at Good Harbor Beach. The film was made in cooperation with the Navy. It was directed by J Gordon Edwards, and starred Edmund Lowe and Bela Lugosi in his first American film. It’s essentially a spy thriller with a honeypot formula: foreign power attempts to secure plans to the Panama Canal and blow it up. The villains are thwarted by the US Navy. The production required assistance from the city’s fire department and city electrician. The film crew stayed in Gloucester at the Harbor View Hotel and the Savoy. Local people were cast and spectators lined the beach to watch the thrilling production.
BEFORE CGI:
I love this excerpt from the Gloucester Daily Times describing the staged wreck and tremendous waves washing the crew (stuntmen and Gloucester locals) overboard:
“A crowd of several hundred thronged the (Good Harbor) beach for the picture taking and enjoyed the proceedings, which were interesting, and at times thrilling…The Good Harbor beach setting is a clever contrivance, and constructed to produce a natural rocking motion of a steamer in a heavy sea. The rocking is produced by four winches operated by a crew of 10 men…Storm scenes were filmed yesterday afternoon with local actors, Stuart Cooney, son of Marion J. Cooney, taking the part of the hero and making a thrilling climb into the rigging to the crow’s nest during the height of the storm. Fred Kolstee, a rigger, commanded the crew of the steamer. The crew were (locals) Alfred Marshall, Tony Amero, Tom Bess, Peter Rice, James Francis, James Whittle and William Byers. Rain was produced from lines of hose, and a most realistic effect was produced by two aeroplanes, the wind from the speeding propellors driving the water about, and rushing through the rattlings and rigging with all the vengeance of a real gale at sea. Three times the big tank of water was released and the thousands of gallons broke over the deck in a most thrilling manner. There was some concern among the movie men before the water was released that some of the men might get buffeted about and get hurt, and they were cautioned to hold on tight.
It was best expressed by Alfred Marshall when he stepped toward the ladder to leave the craft after the picture taking was done. Alfred was quite vexed. “Blankety, blankety, blank___, is this the best you can do? Blank, I’ve bailed bigger seas than that out of a dory. And he sung it right out so all could hear, too.”
Stuart Cooney ensured that the movie was a success from a technical perspective and “purchased the outfit and (took) it over” after the filming finished. He was a Gloucester pioneer in the film industry that’s still going strong. Film Cape Ann facilitates bringing local productions here, like the award winning Manchester by the Sea. The Wikipedia page doesn’t have any mention of Gloucester, but it helped me with an illustration for The Silent Command lobby poster.
See for yourself; here’s a link to the complete movie. A few of the Gloucester scenes (not all) 1:03:44, 1:08:54, 1:09:54 (some coast), 1:10:21, 1:10:52 (dory lowered from navy ship), 1:11:12 (beach island)
AFI for TCM brief synopsis: “This is one of those ‘Columbia, the Gem of the Ocean’ pictures. Full of the ‘Star-Spangled Banner,’ patriotic to the nth degree with the navy floating all over the screen. A real hero, a vamp, and a flock of thrills.” (from Var review.) Foreign agents, determined to destroy the United States Navy’s Atlantic Fleet and the Panama Canal, after an unsuccessful attempt to obtain from Capt. Richard Decatur information regarding mine positions in the Canal Zone, hire adventuress Peg Williams to vamp Captain Decatur, thereby putting him at their mercy. Decatur, advised by the Chief of Naval Intelligence, plays along with the spies to gain their confidence. He leaves his wife and is dismissed from the Navy as a result of his association with Miss Williams. Finally, he goes to Panama, thwarts the saboteurs, saves the fleet and the canal, and gains honorable reinstatement and the gratitude of his country for his heroism.”
Guy Parsons used one of the old family fishing shacks as a summer place
By now the fishing shacks were no longer visible
Parson family sold Salt Island
James Kimball purchased Salt Island for $2000
Yankee Magazine article about Bride Number 13 Lights! Camera! Disaster! by Joseph E. Garland
Gloucester Daily Times article mentions that James Kimball “has no plans for the island, although in the past he has thought of building a summer home on the island. When I was young my family spent their summers on Brier Neck…So when the island became available I jumped at the chance.”
One of the designated “Special places in Gloucester”
“Special places in Gloucester” appendix list for the MA Heritage Landscape Inventory Program, MA Dept of Conservation and Recreation Essex National Heritage
GMG abou the Filming of Bride 13 on Salt Island by Fred Bodin
“Where is this film? I’d love to know. All sources indicate that Bride 13 was either lost or destroyed, as happened with many silent films. The reference used for this post was the May 1972 Yankee Magazine article, Lights! Camera! Disaster!, authored by the late Joseph E. Garland of Gloucester.”
and September 9, 2011 GMG Filming of Bride 13 on Salt Island Fred Buck Cape Ann Museum adds photos from the location filming
Salt Island listed for sale $300,000 plus beach parking passes for the family
Salt Island listed For Sale $750,000
Sept 1 Cape Ann Beacon “Salt Island is for Sale” by Jason Brisbois
Today’s paper: Sept 16 Boston Globe “A Gem or a Rock: For $750,000 Salt Island Could Be Yours” by Billy Baker
“If somebody buys it and builds, it’s because these guys didn’t step up to the plate and protect it the way my father did when I was a little girl, ” said Maslow, who pointed out that she and her siblings are not rich people with big summer houses. “I can’t help it if someone buys it and paints it purple and puts pigs on it.” – Karen Maslow
“…this island has been available for public use informally for generations thanks to the goodwill of that family. That point should not be lost.” — Chris LaPointe, Essex County Greenbelt
Trulia listing for Salt Island exclaims “Showings available only at low tide!”
Apparently they have already cast the part of Jo Hopper (1883-1968), depicted sketching here in Gloucester on Good Harbor Beach, in a watercolor portrait by her husband, Edward Hopper (1882-1967), in the collection of the Whitney Museum.
From CP CASTING
CASTING MALE LEAD
Hopper’s Ghosts by Kevin Rice
Role: Edward Hopper, painter, age range, 40 – 55, tall, over 6’2″. Cultured, well-read, sophisticated, stoic, great sense of humor. Looking for experienced actor for two-character play about the famous realist painter Edward Hopper and his wife Jo.
Rehearsals begin August 21, 2017
and play runs September 6-17, 2017.
This is a Payomet Performing Arts Center production with performances at the Provincetown Theater. Looking for union and non-union actors. Housing provided. Please send resume and headshot to: Kevin Rice: ricenow@yahoo.com
Meg Montagnino Jarrett forwards this casting call from C.P. Casting, the firm that cast Manchester by the Sea, Spotlight, and more.
Here’s a website that I provided some photo contributions to help bring film makers and more production to our area. Poke around the site a bit. http://www.filmcapeann.com/main.php
From the site-
Welcome to
Film Cape AnnFrom Captains Courageous to The Proposal, Cape Ann continues to be captured in many a director´s lens. Rooted in the arts, with backdrops as spectacular and as diverse as it people, the area has much to offer a filmmaker. Culture. Character. History. Awe-inspiring scenery and architecture. Interested in filming on Cape Ann? Welcome to Film Cape Ann, the premier on-line resource for filming in Gloucester, Rockport, Essex, and Manchester-by-the Sea.
Good Morning Gloucester 