Stars fell on Warren -- Hollywood stars, that is -- in April 1979 when a cast headed by Alan Arkin, Madeline Kahn, Fred Gwynne and Adolph Green descended on the Mt. Horeb Methodist Church to film scenes for "Simon," a satirical comedy released by Orion Pictures in February 1980. "A driver whizzing up Mt. Horeb Rd. yesterday might have glanced to the side and wondered what that pack of people milling about in the fallow cornfield was up to," wrote the Courier-News. "If he slowed down and looked more carefully, he might have noticed microphones swinging, cameras dollying and screen star Alan Arkin adjusting his costume." "The actor, decked out in an oversized purple woolen cap, star-studded shawl, olive moon boots and a dress (don't ask why) arrived in Warren with a crew of 75 in tow yesterday to shoot scenes for his new comedy, Simon." The cornfield, said the newspaper, was chosen because an isolated location near New York City was needed to represent Maine in autumn. The Mt. Horeb Church, where some indoor scenes were shot, added a typical New England look, said the paper. Other scenes were filmed in Westchester County, Long Island and New York City. "Simon" was released to mixed reviews. The Echoes-Sentinel called it a silly movie, but a funny one. "The rolling Watchung Hills are immediately recognizable, and the Mt. Horeb Church, which serves as Simon's refuge during a part of the film, looks striking, indeed," said the local paper. "Simon is a funny movie, combining slapstick and the more subtle, psychological brand of humor often employed by Woody Allen." Another reviewer said the movie was an "unsatisfactory, smug satire...." Vincent Canby in the New York Times called it "an extremely amiable comedy" that was never as funny as its premise, that of a college professor who is duped into thinking he is an alien. The only Hollywood film shot in Warren is available on video for $19.98. WHV 22007V. 90 min. Color. PG. |