THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, March 28, 1996 TAG: 9603270140
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 16 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY FRANK ROBERTS, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: FRANKLIN LENGTH: Medium: 52 lines
The ``Deuce Coupe'' has traveled around, and is returning to town.
The movie, filmed in Suffolk, Norfolk and Virginia Beach - but mostly in Franklin - will open Friday at Regal's Armory Drive Cinemas.
The community shut down Main St. for the filming, which began in 1989, continuing sporadically through 1992 when a theater-packed ``world premiere'' was held. That showing was a rough cut.
Friday, you can see the movie that was shown in California and is going into its second week at major theaters in Virginia Beach and Chesapeake.
``With just three screens, there is a lot of competition for the Franklin theater,'' said Bob Sloat, producer of the movie. ``But Regal knows that the people of the city, and the surrounding area, are anxious to see their community on the screen.''
According to director, Mark Deimel, it was Franklin's main street that first attracted the production to Virginia.
``We needed a town that could look like a prosperous community in the '50s - not a place that was old and run down,'' he said. ``Franklin was perfect.''
The PG-13 movie tells of two brothers coming of age in 1958, their loves, ambitions and the fastest hot rod in town.
In addition to Main St., Franklin contributed to several other scenes in ``Deuce Coupe.''
An early sequence has star Brian Bloom tumbling shirtless out of a Thunderbird into a rainy summer evening. In fact, the air temperature was 16 degrees. The rain emanated from Franklin Fire Department hoses.
Also on the screen are Suffolk High School and Suffolk Raceway plus several residential neighborhoods and back roads.
There is a scene involving an old train depot. The sign says ``Franklin,'' but the filming was done in Suffolk.
Many area residents appear in bit parts or as extras, and the scores of classic cars were supplied by local collectors. MEMO: AT A GLANCE
What: ``Deuce Coupe.''
When: Opening Friday, Regal's Armory Drive Cinemas.
Where: Armory Drive, Franklin.
Call: 562-4004. ILLUSTRATION: File photo by JOHN H. SHEALLY II
The crew mounts a camera to one of the cars featured in ``Deuce
Coupe.''
by CNB