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SOMEWHERE IN TIME
by Grace Sydney
"Come back to
me."
The memory of a whispered
plea from an elderly woman haunts young playwright Richard Collier
and ultimately leads him to his destiny at Michigan's Grand Hotel,
where he finds that the love which had always eluded him in his
own lifetime is still waiting to be discovered-- in the past.
Ignored upon its initial
theatrical release in 1980, Somewhere In Time, starring Christopher
Reeve and Jane Seymour, found a new lease on life in this age
of video rental and now has a wide international fanbase of romantics
touched by the movie's theme that love is truly timeless.
FILMING LOCATIONS
Those who wish to
visit the sites associated with this romantic classic leave their
cares, as well as their cars, behind on a fifteen-minute ferry
boat excursion to Michigan's own time capsule-- Mackinac
Island. As no mode of motorized transportation is allowed,
upon your arrival there is nothing to hinder your appreciation
of the island's true heartbeat-- the steady clatter of horses
hooves from the multitude of surreys which slowly amble through
the streets of this idyllic retreat.
Even from a distance
the historic Grand Hotel's geranium-lined front porch, the world's
longest at 660 feet, can be seen, stretching out in a gesture
of greeting. Devotees of the movie's charm make an annual pilgimage
to this summer haven, which hosts a Somewhere In Time Weekend
as each autumn approaches.
Fans dressed in accoutrements
which once graced the pages of 1912's fashion Bible, The Delineator,
enjoy their own sojourn to a more refined age in a package weekend
which includes a large screen viewing of their favorite film,
the chance to mingle with cast members (attendees of 2002's event
were lucky enough to meet Somewhere In Time's heroine herself,
Jane Seymour), and a tour of the varied romantic locales captured
on film, such as the gazebo, Arthur's cottage, the Round Island
Lighthouse-- the island's former protector which was restored
to its former glory in 1995, and a site special to all who have
fallen under the movie's spell--the trees, under whose sheltering
branches the young lovers have their first encounter.
Known to fans as
the "Is it you?" trees, a few fortunate guests on the
tour get to perform a reenactment of the movie's most touching
moment. The next Somewhere In Time Weekend takes place October
17-19, 2003. Tickets to this always sold-out event are highly
coveted, so make your reservations at Grand
Hotel well in advance.
Mackinac Island (pronounced
"mackinaw") offers a myriad of activities for the romantic
at heart. Rendezvous at Wings
of Mackinac, a conservatory where exotic butterflies representing
the world's beauty float past, their delicate flight as flirtatious
as the flutter of a ladies' fan. Rent a bicycle and admire the
abundant Victorian architecture in the area, or walk hand-in-hand
down main street, where you cannot help but be transformed into
a "fudgie," the endearing sobriquet bestowed by the
island's permanent residents on the sightseers who succumb to
the temptation to nibble on the famous Mackinac Island treat.
As befitting a locale
steeped in the romance of the past,antique shops are generously
sprinkled throughout the area, decorated with the keepsakes on
a gentler age. While browsing through the treasures that once
bore witness to a time we can only dream of, you may notice a
sepia-toned portrait hanging on the wall. Before you pass it by,
look closely at the gaze which peers back at you from behind the
glass. Although you may convince yourself that it's only your
imagination...just perhaps, like the movie's hero, you too may
notice in their eyes a flicker of recognition.
FUN FACTS
The 14-century manor
St. Catherine's Court reflects the grace and elegance of its owner,
actress Jane Seymour. The fourteen-acre estate is located only
moments away from Bath, and the nine bedroom manor house is available
for short stays. A variety of activities are offered, and guests
can brush up on their tennis game, take a lesson in water color
to capture the beauty of the surroundings, and wind down with
a relaxing massage. To find out more about this haven, go to www.stcath.com.
In the novel Bid Time
Return, upon which the movie was based, events unfold at San Diego's
Hotel Del Coronado, which was immortalized on the silver screen
in the Marilyn Monroe comedy classic "Some Like It Hot."
Beneath the "Is it you?" trees can be found a commemmorative
plaque from the International
Network of Somewhere In Time Enthusiasts (INSITE), whose members
are dedicated to the promotion of this cinematic treasure.
The character of Elise
McKenna was inspired by real-life stage actress Maude Adams, a
much-loved theatrical performer in her day, who led a reclusive
existance in her later years.
The work
of Richard Matheson, author of both Bid Time Return as well as
the movie's screenplay, is well-respected in the field of science-fiction.
Once a writer for The Twilight Zone, he also penned the supernatural
romantic drama "What Dreams May Come." Look for Richard
Matheson in a cameo appearance in Somewhere In Time-- bumping
into actor Christopher Reeve in one scene, his fleeting performance
is billed as "astonished man" in the closing credits.
Jane
Seymour's twin sons, Johnny and Kristopher Keach, are named after
two men dear to the actresses' heart-- legendary singer/songwriter
Johnny Cash and her Somewhere In Time co-star, Christopher Reeve.
For
more on Mackinac Island, see
Lovetripper.com's article on this getaway.
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