The Society Times
December 2006
South Pittsburg, Tennessee
Volume I, Issue III
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Documentary Filmed at Princess Theatre
By: Dennis Lambert
Editor
It snowed in South Pittsburg Sunday afternoon, December 17, 2006, despite a clear sky and a 60 degree temperature. That's right, it snowed for a brief time during the filming of a portion of a documentary detailing the life of legendary film producer, K. Gordon Murray who was "the king of kiddie matinee" with his import and redubbing to English of Mexican made children's films.
Daniel Griffith, 30, of nearby Chattanooga, and portions of his film crew arrived in South Pittsburg on Saturday and worked the front of the Princess Theatre over for use as a prop for the staging of a scene for his documentary work.
The next afternoon, many area children formed a line waiting to receive tickets at the theater's ticket booth for a mock showing of Murray's 1960 film, "Santa Claus."
In addition, many vintage automobiles belonging to members of a local car club came to town with their rides to help Griffith set the stage and transform a portion of downtown South Pittsburg back to the 1960s.
Griffith has been interested in Murray's work since seeing "Santa Claus" as a child. For the past seven months he has been juggling his full time job while traveling across the country to interview folks who were connected with Murray during his lifetime.
Originally intending on writing a book about Murray, Griffith decided to shoot a documentary about him instead and in doing so, had to stage many scenes for a past look at how Murray's films were greatly enjoyed by children across the country.
Griffith approached the South Pittsburg Historic Preservation Society a few months back about using the theater for part of his documentary. With the blessing and assistance of the Society, Griffith also convinced the City to close Cedar Avenue in front of the theater the afternoon of the filming.
Griffith and team spent about five hours Sunday making final preparations and shooting the film scenes. Christmas decoration were placed to set the scene along with vintage movie posters. Snow making machines were set on top of the theater to help create a winter look.
Santa Claus arrived from a nearby building and delivered candy to the children standing in line at the ticket both. Children from the area were dressed in period clothing and turned out to take part in the film.
Griffith next plans to shoot another scene for the documentary at the Dunlap, Tennessee drive-in. He hopes to have the film completed sometime early in 2008. The film will first be shown at film festivals and later be made available for viewing in South Pittsburg.
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Photograph by Dennis Lambert
The Princess Theatre in downtown South Pittsburg served center stage for filming of a documentary detailing the life K. Gordon Murray, a legendary film producer. Here a 1950s two-door Ford drops off a child for the mock showing of "Santa Clause," one of Murray's imported films from 1960. Cedar Avenue from Second to Third Street was closed for about four hours during the filming. Snow making equipment can be seen on top of the theater and fake snow falling towards the marquee.
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Photograph by Dennis Lambert
Pictured are many area children and parents who turned out for the filming of a documentary on the life of legendary film producer, K. Gordon Murray who was "the king of kiddie matinee" with his import and redubbing to English of Mexican made children's films. Pictured from right to left are: Hailey Pedigo, Angela Talerico, Becky Davis, Taylor Butner, Danielle Greer, Samantha Greer, Zoe Frank and Tyler Butner.
Photograph by Dennis Lambert
Pictured at the camera is Daniel Griffith along with a member of his crew. Cedar Avenue from Second Street to Third Street through the downtown was closed to traffic for several hours during the filming of Griffith's documentary about K. Gordon Murray.
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Page added to web, January 4, 2007
Updated January 7, 2008
Photograph by Dennis Lambert
The Princess Theatre marquee is set up to advertise the mock showing of "Cinderfella" starring Jerry Lewis and K. Gordon Murray's import film, "Santa Claus."
Photograph by Dennis Lambert
Bob Sherrill, former SP mayor and Society member, is shown here on a setup sidewalk bench along with June Griffith during the documentary filming at the Princess Theatre.
Photograph by Dennis Lambert
Kevin Sexton, of Dalton, Georgia, a member of Daniel Griffith's film crew, works the two snow making machines set up on the roof of the Princess Theatre during the documentary filming.
Photograph by Dennis Lambert
A small boy and his parents look at the movie poster outside the Princess Theatre during Daniel Griffith's filming of a portion of a documentary about the life of K. Gordon Murray.
Photograph by Dennis Lambert
Another member of Daniel Griffith's crew works one of the two snow making machines at the Princess Theatre during the documentary filming.
Photograph by Dennis Lambert
Several area children stand in front of the ticket booth of the Princess Theatre as fake snow fall around them.
Photograph by Dennis Lambert
Several area residents with children turned out on Sunday, December 17, 2006 for the filming of a portion of a documentary about the life of K. Gordon Murray. Daniel Griffith of nearby Chattanooga hopes to have the film completed by 2008.
Photograph by Dennis Lambert
Elliott and Elise Hall stand with Santa Claus outside the Princess Theatre on December 17, 2006. Justin and Renee Hall of Chattanooga are the proud parents of the two children. Derrick Edmondson of Chickamauga, Georgia played Santa for the documentary filming.
Photograph by Dennis Lambert
Avery and Lillian Murphy pose with with Santa Claus on the sidewalk in front of the Cornbread Festival headquarters near the Princess Theatre on December 17, 2006. Avery and Lillian are the children of Katrina and Barry Murphy of Ft. Oglethorpe, Georgia. Derrick Edmondson of Chickamauga, Georgia played Santa for the documentary filming.
Photograph by Dennis Lambert
Many vintage automobiles were brought in to make Cedar Avenue look like a scene from the late 1950/60s. The cars belong to members of a local car club.
Photograph by Dennis Lambert
A vintage Ford and Chevy stand ready to drag race down Cedar Avenue from Third Street towards Second in the 1950s. Just kidding! They are actually prepared to make a drive up Cedar Avenue towards the Princess Theatre as part of the documentary filming on December 17, 2006.
Photograph by Dennis Lambert
South Pittsburg police officers Brian Malhoit (left) and Tim Hudson stand by the barricades that closed off a portion of Cedar Avenue during the filming of the documentary at South Pittsburg on December 17, 2006.
Photograph by Dennis Lambert
This guard cat watched from the window of a business next door to the Princess Theatre with much interest and curiosity while the documentary filming was taking place at South Pittsburg on December 17, 2006.
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Film expected to be complete by Spring 2008
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