If you’re one of the Pacific residents who got yourself in the movies in 2006 when Hollywood came here to film a little family flick called Saving Shiloh, you might want to come to the Tri-County Senior Center on Friday evening to see yourself on the big screen – back when you were younger and looking for your big break.
Saving Shiloh is the second movie in the Senior Center’s monthly Movie Night, recently launched as fundraising activity for the center. True Grit, starring John Wayne was shown July 30.
The center is located at 800 West Union Street. Show time is 6:00 p.m. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Admission cost is $5.
Just like at the movie theater, there will be popcorn – thanks to the loan of the Lions Club popcorn machine. Hot dogs, and cold drinks will also be available.
Along with a cast of local extras, the movie, which stars Gerald McRaney, has typical bad buys and good guys and a brave little dog, Shiloh that jumps into a river to help save a young girl who accidentally fell in the water, gets caught in a current and is in danger of washing over a waterfall. As the name of the family movie indicates, Shiloh is saved.
There are quite a few opportunities to see Pacific landmarks and Pacific residents in the 90-minute drama.
The movie was filmed at several locations in Pacific. Leah’s Department Store, 125 E. St. Louis Street was the site of the Sue’s Beauty Salon and the Tyler County Sheriff’s Office.
Henry Hahn recalls that he and his wife Mary Jo were in one of the street scenes after they were recruited to walk along St. Louis Street, “look casual and stay back a little from the camera crew.”
I was allowed to observe and take still shots as the one-room country school was recreated and filmed in a classroom at Zitzman Elementary School. My friend Jeremy Bates and Zach Zerna were sixth grade students at the time and were in the scene.
I was also there for still shots that were filmed inside the Red Cedar Inn bar. I don’t recall all the locals who were in the scene but the Red Cedar Inn bar was packed for the scene.
The movie, directed by Sandy Tung, was based on the book of the same name written by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor. It was the third and final film in the trilogy. The two earlier movies were Shiloh and Shiloh Season.
The Tri-County Senior Center serves noon weekday meals, primarily to senior citizens but younger diners are welcome. The center offers Tuesday morning musical performances, and Wednesday and Friday 10:00 a.m. bingo.
Diners are asked to make a reservation by calling the center by 9:30 a.m. on the morning they wish to visit. Number is (636) 257-6264.
