On Golden Pond/What About Bob

[glennsteely]

All I can do is watch On Golden Pond now.....and believe me, I do, at least 1 time a week.....

[Lady Di]

Do you really watch it once a week? I can only handle it about once a year....then I am a soggy wreck.

It's not enough that I am away, (which, by the way, was as much my choice as not), but that was the summer I was getting divorced, living in Gilford. There was a casting call for extras, and I almost went, but wasn't quite up to it.

I even cry when I hear the music. There has NEVER, in my opinion anyway, been a sound track that so PERFECTLY fit the story.

The day here today in Central Florida is like the most perfect Fall day up there. Just like most of the time when I was there in late August, just like the day of the Forum get-together.

[Rinkerfam]

I too enjoy "On Golden Pond" on an anual basis. I agree that the soundtrack is one of the best of all times. My wife and I took a boat tour on Squam Lake several years back that took us by the cottage where the film was shot. The tour also brought us to Purgatory Cove and to the fuel dock where Norman Thayer had his little run in with the local youth.
Good Times!!

[glennsteely]

I had it on video and 2 or 3 years ago my mother in law found it on dvd for me for Christmas. I love the movie, when it came out my Grandmother and I went to see it in the movies. The movie is a little closer to my heart than most people I guess. We had a cottage in Meredith bay that my Great Grandparents had built, it was passed to my Grandparents who in turn passed it on to my Parents, who sold in divorce a few years ago. I spent my every summer of childhood at the lake. With my Grandparents, who were a lot like Norman and Ethelberry, and I in my pre-teen and teen years was the same rebel kid character as the movie portrays....... dont get me wrong, I wasnt dumped there......I couldnt wait to get up to the lake for the whole summer.....my parents would come up for a week here and a week there, but they had to work and it would be just me and Pop Pop riding in the boat, or me and Mom Mom picking strawberries and blueberries, laying in the yard reading books, getting up at dawn to fish, swim........Yes, it is one of the tools I use on a weekly basis to keep the lake close to my heart and mind. Oh yea, it is a great soundtrack. There is only one thing I dont like about the movie, When the boy gets to take the boat out, and starts going in circles, you can see the shadow from the helicopter that is doing the filming......I guess that is my way of seeing that film is not perfect.....only the lake is......GS

[Rinkerfam]

glennsteely,

have you checked out the special features of the dvd? There are interviews with the author of the play/playwright, the director and a handful of castmembers. It is really worth a look. One other thing. In the scene where Billy-Ray takes the Thayer IV out for a cruise, look closely and you'll not only see the shadow of the filming hellicopter, but you'll see Rattlesnake Island in the background. The films producers took advantage of Winnipesaukees size to film parts of that scene.

Enjoy

[webmaster]

Originally Posted by Rinkerfam

...you'll see Rattlesnake Island in the background. The films producers took advantage of Winnipesaukees size to film parts of that scene.

[glennsteely]

You know, I thought some of the film was taken on Winnipesaukee, something about it was too familiar......I never noticed Rattlesnake though......Thank you for pointing that out, I cant wait to tell my Dad, He swears it is all Big Squam. I can see it clear as day. Yes, I have checked out the special features somewhat, is it mentioned that some of it is filmed on Winnipesaukee ?

[PROPELLER]

Although On Golden Pond was filmed on Squam & Winni, the story was supposed to take place on the Belgrade Lakes of Maine. I read that in an issue of Yankee Magazine.

[HUH]

Growing up , my dad had that exact boat.. When they were filming OGP they came and looked at it as it was for sale .. They offered 3000 as it was in disrepair ..My dad refused the offer and sold it years later for 300..
Ya that sure looks like a shot down the broads at rattlesnake to me .. Whats that small island? Looks familiar

[HUH]

1948 Chris Craft 22 Utility ..

[Joe G]

Loons migrate to the coast and spend their winters there. You can see them in relatively large numbers off the coast of ma,nh, me

[Mee-n-Mac]

Originally Posted by HUH

Ya that sure looks like a shot down the broads at rattlesnake to me .. Whats that small island? Looks familiar

I'm not sure but in the 2'nd picture I think you're looking at one of the Varney Islands in the foreground with Barndoor I in the background right and the point past Clay Pt in the background left. However if I'm correct then I'd expect to see some markers just about where the boat is in the picture so I dunno ........... Anyone else know ?

[Lady Di]

Now I will have to get the DVD for the extra features.

Thanks.

[Cal]

After reading all this about OGP , I have to see it again , it's been a while. It never ceases to amaze me how much younger Jane Fonda looks everytime I watch it Or is it just me getting older

OGP...One of the all time classics

[Rinkerfam]

Propeller,
I am pretty sure you're right about the story originally taking place in Maine. It was Kate Hepburn who convinced the producers to shoot in NH as opposed to Maine because of the folliage advantage. She was quoted as saying something like "You can't shoot it in Maine....the leaves don't turn orange in Maine. You have to shoot it in New Hampshah".

[Rinkerfam]

Does anyone remember a show called "Newhart"? This particular Bob Newhart show featured the actor as an inn-keeper/how-to writer named Dick Louden. His inn was Called the Stratford and was supposedly located somewhere in Vermont. Anyway, enough background The shows opening credits featured footage that was left over from the opening footage from On Golden Pond. It's the same brown Olds. Delta 88 cruising along some beautiful NH roads. There's even a shot that shows the car as it goes through the town of Center Sandwich (the sign is impossible to read, but that's where it is). Call me a stickler for detail, but I have always wondered if anyone else picked up on this.

[glennsteely]

After work yesterday, I rushed to my Dads with copy of dvd in hand......it is settled, He recognized Rattlesnake as soon as I hit the pause button......score: Me "1" Dad "0" Thanks everybody !

[Mr Port Jefferson]

I remember whan they were filming that movie- WLNH used to make announcements as to what streets were closed and how to get around the filmming and the traffic.
I love the movie and always thought those shots were on Winni! Thanks for the info, now I too gotta get the DVD!

[ghfromaltonbay]

The opening scenes of the Newhart show were indeed from OGP outtakes. This fact was mentioned in an article in TV Guide when "Newhart" was on the air. Although the Stratford Inn was supposed to be located in Vermont, I believe it was also mentioned that both the car scenes and the inn itself were not in that state.
I had also heard from friends in Tamworth that when OGP was filmed back in 1981, Miss Hepburn's secretary called the Barnstormers' Theater to get tickets for Sat. night's play performance. She was told by the old box office veteran that the show was sold out. When she said she was Miss Hepburn's secretary she got the same reply -- "Sorry it's sold out". Ayuh! Apparently that didn't impress them.

[PROPELLER]

I believe I read (maybe Yankee again) that the Inn they show at the opening of the show was shot in Vermont of an actual Inn. It was named something like Blueberry Inn, not sure & I can not remember the town this Inn was in.

[KBoater]

In one of the boat scenes the boat house on Little Mud(a Varney) is very recognizable. Also the crash scene is the rocks in the loon area of the Varneys

[Island Girl]

I am just not seeing that being Rattlesnake Island. Could someone describe the what is to the left and right of it. Where exactly is Billy's boat. I don't see any of the islands that are near Rattlesnake.

Some time ago Island Guy and I took the tape of the movie and stopped it in several places at this scene and just could not reconcile the location.

Thanks for the help

[PROPELLER]

I knew it was a something berry. Well actually the real Inn used in the opening scenes of Newhart was The Waybury Inn in Middlebury VT. Found it on a Newhart site & confirmed on the The Waybury Inn site. The photo on the Inn site confirms it. Looks just like the one used on the show.

[glennsteely]

I think it is a view from the broads, if the shot was bigger, I think you would see Diamond island to the upper right of the frame. The mainland in the background to the right and top is on the way to Alton. I could definitely be wrong, it just looks like that to me.......does anyone know for sure ? You cant tell me you dont recognize that hump, that is definitely Rattlesnake.....

[PROPELLER]

Rinkerfam quotes Frost at the bottom of his post. The Waybury Inn, used in the opening Newhart scene was a favorite of Robert Frost, according to their website.

[KPW]

[QUOTE=Island Girl]I am just not seeing that being Rattlesnake Island. Could someone describe the what is to the left and right of it. Where exactly is Billy's boat. I don't see any of the islands that are near Rattlesnake.

I believe that was filmed from the area around Orchard Cove - Cow Island.

[KBoater]

From the position of the Belnaps in the background and the island my guess is that the picture was taken from somewhere around Sandy Island looking southeast. Anyone have some pictures of their own to review this? Also I'm not sure if the picture was taken from the air or water. They did use helicopters for much of the film.

[DRH]

Originally Posted by Mee-n-Mac

I'm not sure but in the 2'nd picture I think you're looking at one of the Varney Islands in the foreground with Barndoor I in the background right and the point past Clay Pt in the background left. However if I'm correct then I'd expect to see some markers just about where the boat is in the picture so I dunno ........... Anyone else know ?

My guess is the same as yours, M&M, but I also wonder where those markers are!

[SIKSUKR]

While were on the movie tie-in to lake winni, Does anyone know if the movie starring Richard Dryfus and Bill Murray, called What about Bob, was filmed at Winnipesaukee?

[DRH]

There was a thread here a few years ago discussing the "What About Bob?" movie, which was actually filmed at a lake in Virginia. Does anyone remember the name of that lake?

[webmaster]

Smith Mountain Lake in Virginia

Click here for more info:

http://www.lynchburgonline.com/smithmtlake.html

[Cal]

Rumor has it the film schedule was for after labor day when the crowds were reduced and things would be quieter. Since they were portraying summer the fall foliage was a problem. This brought them to Smith Mountain Lake Va. where they were green longer.
The first time I saw the movie , I was straining my eyes and mind to make out anything familiar. One problem was the scene where Bill Murray was learning to swim off the dock...the water wasn't clear enough
Then at the closing credits I saw it was SML and was really disapointed

[itchin for fishin]

Great thread guys. The only bummer is that is sure is a hot stove thread and it will be a while before we can be cruising the lake ourselves.

[gtxrider]

The markers could have been removed from the shots just as things are added to movies. Just look at Forrest Gump and the new Mustang commercial with Steve McQueen.

I also seem to remember that in the shots of Billy driving around in the boat the frame was refeversed so the driver is on the left. Am I wrong?


And What about Bob? Dr. Marvin, Dr. Leo Marvin!

[Grant]

Originally Posted by Island Girl

I am just not seeing that being Rattlesnake Island. Could someone describe the what is to the left and right of it. Where exactly is Billy's boat. I don't see any of the islands that are near Rattlesnake.

Some time ago Island Guy and I took the tape of the movie and stopped it in several places at this scene and just could not reconcile the location.

Thanks for the help

Good point. I'll have to confirm with pictures I've taken, but in the still with the kid and the sailboat, that *could* be Rattlesnake's northern end on the left side of the photo. I can't definitively make out Diamond Island to the north, however. But if Rattlesnake is in that picture, it could only be the sliver on the left -- taken from the east just south of Cow.

[Gilly 20]

We watch the movie at least once per month-- and have the DVD also. Just a note to share your sentiments to the best piece of heaven we know! --we have lots of the same memories-- and- I'm glad we are here in Florida now! Had the boat out yesterday!

Originally Posted by Lady Di

Do you really watch it once a week? I can only handle it about once a year....then I am a soggy wreck.

It's not enough that I am away, (which, by the way, was as much my choice as not), but that was the summer I was getting divorced, living in Gilford. There was a casting call for extras, and I almost went, but wasn't quite up to it.

I even cry when I hear the music. There has NEVER, in my opinion anyway, been a sound track that so PERFECTLY fit the story.

The day here today in Central Florida is like the most perfect Fall day up there. Just like most of the time when I was there in late August, just like the day of the Forum get-together.

[Rinkerfam]

I am sooo tempted to throw OGP into the DVD tonight. The only problem is that it will make the next several months seem that much longer. I think, instead, that I will toss a Warren Miller flick in instead

[glennsteely]

Ah! Go ahead and watch it, it does make time until your next trip seem a little longer, but it satisfies the instant gratification end of it......plus, it is getting cold down here, so I know it is cold up there. What is better, watching it in your warm living room, wherever you are and day dreaming about the next trip, or standing on the public docks at the weirs in 12 degree 45 mile an hour winds, trying to remember the last boat ride ? Spring will be here before you know it, and we all will be enjoying the sun and water of The Great Lake Winnipesaukee once again........

[Rinkerfam]

glennsteely-thanks for the nudge. I think at the very least I will watch the documentary portion of the bonus features once again. After that who knows. The beauty of DVDs is that you can pick and chose the scenes you'd like to "re-live". Thanks again

[glennsteely]

No problem, I am, by nature a "nudging" kind of guy...hope you enjoy the flick !

[CableBob]

The shot with Billy driving that old boat with the wind in his hair was my desktop for a long time just because it represented freedom of being out on the lake.

As far a Bob goes, well lets just say Baby steps! Both good flicks in different ways. What a nice thread!

[Island Girl]

It has taken me a while to prove that the hump is not Rattlesnake Island, but here it is... this is a shot of Black Point in Alton.

Watch the movie and you will see all of the same mountain formations as in this picture.

[Cal]

It sure looks like you're correct IG. Good job. That had to be a labor of love .

[JTA]

Very nice IG, but I notice that the boat is running in water, not ice. The scene must be somewhere in the Carribean.

[glennsteely]

But, it still proves it was filmed on the lake right? Great job IG, and what a beautiful picture, how cold was it out there?

[Grant]

Being able to see Mt. Major in your photo provides an additional reference point not visible in the still from the movie. Good stuff!

g

[DRH]

We looked at the individual frames showing that scene with Billy too, and IG's absolutely right about the location.

By the way, gtxrider is correct, too, in his 11/13/04 post about Billy being on the wrong side of the boat. In most of the shots he is (correctly) on the right side, but in one short scene they reversed the image and he is driving on the left side.

[Old Hubbard Rd]

After reading all these comments I just had to go to ebay and buy a dvd of On Golden Pond. Got a great deal too!! Only $4.11 plus shipping!!

[glennsteely]

It is one of the greatest films of all time......command acting from the whole cast.......Good Watching......GS

[DRH]

Being retired has its advantages ... spare time!

I found a frame of Billy in the boat that matches IG's picture almost perfectly. There's no doubt that she has correctly identified the background in that scene. Here's a comparison of her picture to the new frame from the movie:


Island Girl's Photo (slightly cropped version of her original picture)


Scene From Movie

[Island Girl]

Good job, DRH... You got a good match! You have a good excuse, retirement. I am not sure what mine is. Dogged persistence perhaps.

[gtxrider]

Originally Posted by Island Girl

It has taken me a while to prove that the hump is not Rattlesnake Island, but here it is... this is a shot of Black Point in Alton.

Watch the movie and you will see all of the same mountain formations as in this picture.

Island Girl,

Were you heading away from Alton Bay or towards the Bay?
Tell me you shot the picture heading home driving backwards at speed.

Anyway, nice shot! I wish I were ice and snow or open water.

[Island Girl]

LOL...

I am hoping for a little more snow. My sled comes out of the shop this week and I would like another weekend or two out there. Then a quick ice out.

[Mee-n-Mac]

Originally Posted by Island Girl

Good job, DRH... You got a good match! You have a good excuse, retirement. I am not sure what mine is. Dogged persistence perhaps.

Amazing detective work ! Did you have a hunch about the locale or did you just happen to "see it" one day ?!? In either case you have a very good eye for detail !!

So now (to everyone) who can ID, and match with a picture, the other photo posted by the Webmaster. Again I beleive it's in the Varneys but there's buoys missing if I'm correct. As soon as the boat goes in I'll be up there to try to match the pic (unless IG beats me to it, drats I have no "hard water" craft )

[Island Girl]

I just knew it was not Rattlesnake Island. If you watch the movie frame by frame you will see that there was no Diamond Island , no Sleeper's Island and no Copple Crown where they should have been. Also at some point the viewer should have seen two humps. I could see what looked like Rt 11 in the background and went looking for a view with that in the background and a "hump". The geology of the area has many humps and points, much like the volcanos in Hawaii. Rattlesnake's two humps are so prominent because they sit in the middle of the lake, but there are many other humps like them that surround the lake...... or I spend too much time sitting around looking at the mountains!

I do not know the exact location of the island in the other picture, but am pretty sure it is in the Varney's. Someone else must know...

[Bizer]

The island in the other picture is Long Pine, the southernmost of the Varney Islands. Barndoor is the island behind Long Pine. Clay Point can be seen behind and left of Barndoor Island. The camera is facing almost due west.

[Mee-n-Mac]

Originally Posted by Bizer

The island in the other picture is Long Pine, the southernmost of the Varney Islands. Barndoor is the island behind Long Pine. Clay Point can be seen behind and left of Barndoor Island. The camera is facing almost due west.

So now the question is where are the buoys ? Am I correct in thinking that theres a big rock just off the end of the island (Long Pine) and that there are a couple of buoys marking it ? Or am I thinking of the wrong Varney ? You can go btw the island and the buoy or the shore and the companion buoy but don't split the buoys ! I would have thought they would have been visible in the picture. Of course (as previously suggested) they may have been "Photoshopped out".

[GWC...]

A memory refresher for those more distant from the Lake...

Hint: Look at lower right portion of map for area being discussed.

[MikeWelsch1559]

Mike Welsch is back to swim from Alton Bay to Meredith August 7th.or 8th.
20 mile swim, starts at Midnight

[Rattlesnake Gal]

Originally Posted by MikeWelsch1559

Mike Welsch is back to swim from Alton Bay to Meredith August 7th.or 8th. 20 mile swim, starts at Midnight

This has to do with On Golden Pond/What About Bob because you will be swimming by where the photo was taken?
Good luck with your swim and remind us as it gets closer.
Nice catch IG. I couldn't quite see our island in the photo either. Thanks for solving it!

[DRH]

I will try to go over to that specific area tomorrow by snowmobile and take a picture for comparison.

[Grady223]

Island Girl, still not sure I understand which veiw this is. Is it looking west with my back to Wolfeboro toward the mouth of Alton Bay?

[Island Girl]

It is looking south. The mouth of Alton Bay is in the middle of the screen.

Wolfeboro Neck was behind me.

[DRH]

Mee-n-Mac is right ... there is a black & white marker just south of Long Pine Island ... but it's not there in the movie. (In fact, it wasn't there today either! A winter casualty, maybe?) Maybe they "Photoshopped" it out in the movie, or maybe they just weighed it down below the surface while they made the shot.


Photo Taken Today of Long Pine Island


Billy Going By Long Pine Island

[Mee-n-Mac]

Originally Posted by DRH

Mee-n-Mac is right ... there is a black & white marker just south of Long Pine Island ... but it's not there in the movie. (In fact, it wasn't there today either! A winter casualty, maybe?) Maybe they "Photoshopped" it out in the movie, or maybe they just weighed it down below the surface while they made the shot.

That makes it 2 'fer 2 on photo ID's ! You're probably right about weighting down the bouys for the shoot. I hadn't even thought of that Too much time spent at the computer I guess Looking at Billy's course I would have thought he was mighty close to that rock off the end of the island but I'll guess he's just inside of it, towards the island end. I'm amazed on how similar the island trees look after all these years.

So anybody know of any other scenes filmed on Winni we can positively ID ? Someone else thought the boat crash scene was in the loon sanctuary ... ? I wonder if there's an OGP forum out there asking just where on Winni certain scenes were filmed

[glennsteely]

Better To I.d. The Lake With My Dear.......you Guys Are Truly Amazing.....thanks For The Research, And The Flicks......gs

[Rattlesnake Gal]

In response to the Ice-Out/Springtime Rituals thread…

Another continuity goof is in scene 3 when Norman and Ethel are in the canoe watching two loons with binoculars. When a motorboat comes into view, the loons take on a fake, wooden, un-loon-like look. (You can’t fool me with bad decoys! )
(I hope I didn't miss seeing this tid-bit in a previous post! )

[Grant]

Loon Actor's Guild (LAG) guidelines mandate the use of wooden stunt loons in scenes involving motoboats.

[mcdude]

Nothing on the Squam Lakes webpage but there is this blurb on the Squam Lakes Chamber of Commerce Page

Squam Lakes Chamber of Commerce

Squam Lakes Forum link seems not to be functioning.

[Weirs guy]

Originally Posted by DRH

Photo Taken Today of Long Pine Island

A little off topic, but what a diffrence a year makes. Today we're watching the ice disappear before our eyes, last year it still looked like winter.

[Orion]

The boat crash scene and the house are on Squam Lake. I think "Purgatory Cove" is on the north side of Moon Is or one of the adjacent islands. It's been a while since I've been there. The house is on the SW side of Center Harbor Neck on Squam.

[wildwoodfam]

Watched it this evening - a good primer to the start of the season!

I had seen a documentary on the filming - the boat crash scene was filmed on Winnipesaukee over near Kensington - the loon sanctuary area. The boat ride scene was filmed in the broads on Winnie - everything else was on Squam. Except the interiors - which were filmed in studio in Hollywood.

GREAT MOVIE!! A real tear jerker - but gets you in the mood to head to the lake!

[Gatto Nero]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/13319129/

[4Fun]

Great movie... Of the two screen shots shown how many RSAs can you see being broken!!

150ft Rule (both shots)
Give way boat (1st shot)

[NHKathy]

Believe it or not, I just finally saw On Golden Pond for the 1st time this past weekend. I had never seen it even though I had heard so much about it -(was not a huge "movie renter" until I finally joined Netflix). What a great movie! I am definately gonna have to BUY it now - I could watch it over and over again, just for the wonderful scenery alone! I must own it! Neat to know that my 1st viewing of the movie was in it's 25th anniversary year!
Awesome movie!

[jceria]

I remember seeing a episode of the Three Stooges. If I remember right....
Moe ask's Curly, "where were ya born?" Curly replies..."Lake Winnipasaukee!"
Moe: "How do ya spell it?" Curly" W-I-N-N-I......never mine I was born at....."

[Harborist]

Originally Posted by jceria

I remember seeing a episode of the Three Stooges. If I remember right....
Moe ask's Curly, "where were ya born?" Curly replies..."Lake Winnipasaukee!"
Moe: "How do ya spell it?" Curly" W-I-N-N-I......never mine I was born at....."

You might want to check the title of this forum for the correct spelling of the lake in question.

[mcdude]

follow the link for CONCORD MONITOR ARTICLE

little known fact from the article....

"Clair" the loon, one of two decoys used in the film, is twice the size of a live loon, so the bird could be better seen on film. Viewers of the Concord exhibit can see the bird and its netted underside where an underwater diver controlled the bird's movements.

[tis]

We were invitied to the filming of OGP. We were "too busy" and didn't get there. I have regretted it ever since.

[Gatto Nero]

According to this article in the Citizen it is now at Meadowbrook.

http://www.citizen.com/apps/pbcs.dll...222/-1/CITIZEN

[NHKathy]

Well, I watched On Golden Pond again, for the 1st time this year!
Love this movie!

[HomeWood]

I usually watch On Golden Pond once a week in the summer and then it get's put away for the winter. Around October or November, "Grumpy Old Men" and "Fargo" come out as my winter movies and get me siked for ice and snow for the Rotary Derby. On Golden Pond comes back out around May. I have my weird little traditions.

[Rinkerfam]

I watched the documentary portion of the DVD last night. I enjoy that almost as much as the movie. It's pretty cool to know that the Playwrigh/Screenplay writer ended up living on Squam after shooting the film there.

[Nauset]

Years before we got married my wife cornered Jane Fonda in the bathroom of the old Jade Island Restaurant and got her autograph on a paper towel. She was very gracious about it.