Our story of the month: July 2005

"We haven't had any trouble with local people. As a matter of fact, they have been very kind. Imagine having cameras and lights shining in your windows at midnight. And all the noise of the crewmen and cast echoing throughout the night. But we've never had a complaint. I think the people of York are tremendously tolerant."

During the filming of a boat scene, Roger Moore twisted his back. The next day spams wracked his body. "A very nice lady from a local hospital came along and gave me a few treatment and put it right. It's just fine now". People from all walks of the York community have been behind this filming, from civilians and extras, to hospital staff, and even the police. "You know I am an honorary Captain in the Maine State Police!", Moore proudly declares as he polishes an imaginary badge on his chest.

Col. DeMeers, Chief of the Maine State Police, honored Moore by presenting him with a badge and enlisting him as an honorary Captain. "There are only six others in the history of Maine", Mr. Moore informs me. "Others cities and states have given me honorariums. I mean, I have my share of city keys. But I could never find the locks they opened (he grins). This is quite an honor and I'm going to use it. Yup, the next time I get behind one of those dead drivers I'm going to pull him over and give him a ticket!".

As a celebrity, Roger Moore is naturally festooned with honors and adulation. "Bed & Breakfast" productions has limited the number of ceremonies and interviews that Moore is allowed to do, since these tend to slow down filming. However, in consideration of Roger Moore's civic sense, the most commonly approved interviews are those with charity connections.

Portland Maine's Cellular One branch office supplied "Bed & Breakfast" with several telephone hookups for cast and crew. The phone company then offered to donate these phones to various charities at auction. But first they hoped to get Roger Moore's signature on each phone to raise the bidding prices. "We're trying to put a little life into our business as well as into the community. Mr. Moore's generous consent to sign the phones will help raise a lot of money for charity. The first phone is going to the Multiple Sclerosis Society."

Roger Moore not only consented to sign the phones, but he posed for Cellular One and MS publicity photos and relaxed on Grey Stone's porch with the business and society representatives. Roger Moore's naturally courteous and gentlemanly manner won many hearts.

The following week, he was contacted by York's United Way representatives. "Would Mr. Moore allow us to photograph him with some prominent York residents for United Way's 'Sharing Is Caring campaign'?". Of course. A restaurateur, a pediatrician, a real estate owner, the United Way chairpeople and Roger Moore stood unter the trees outside the Cape Neddick Inn, holding the United Way banner.

"Many interviews can get burdensome", he confesses. "On days when there's a lot of them, it can create a lot of pressure. I remember on one James Bond movie I had 384 interviews and 90% wanted an in-depth interview! It's difficult to make a film when you're pulling away between scenes". In "Bed & Breakfast its been very controlled so I can work on a good script, discuss scenes, watch other actors work. I'm delighted".

Are photo sessions with charities different from interviews? "Of course. Naturally newspapers, magazines and charities all need a recognizable face. I'd prefer to do it all when filming is done, so I can concentrate on my work. But charities, especially with the Maine representatives who have been both patient and considerate, are a pleasure".

Roger Moore and his wife were both touched by the people and the landscape of Maine. "It would be interesting to come back here to ski", says Moore, "the only slope on this side of the Atlantic I have skied is in Calgary". But when would Roger Moore find the time? As soon as the shooting is over the Moore's leave for one week's rest at their home in France. Then off to Switzerland to his son's school, to London for his father's 85th birthday, and then on jos next production, a movie with Roger's 25 year-old daughter and veteran actor, Michael Caine.

If he does return though, his wife is sure to accompany him. Mrs. Moore enjoyed Maine very much, especially its shops. Bell Farm Antique Shop, on Route 1, in York, is one place the cast and crew have patronized. "It's really exciting to have them filming here. We've sold a few small pieces to the movie and rented a lot of others. And Mrs. Moore has been in here quite a few times, but the best part is that they are using a lot of local people in the production", says a Bell Farm worker. "Yes, even one of my own relatives is working on the film set. He's helping with the carpentry while others are involved in props and as stand-ins". A few select shops and lodgings have profited financially from the production of "Bed & Breakfast". "I think Roger and his wife have hit every restaurant in York", says Executive Producer Jack Schwartzman. "And Talia and I love the people. We're considereing buying a summer house here".

Colleen Dewhusrt's stay at the Stage Cape Neddick Inn may not have been a financial turning point for the hotel, but it did inspire other rentals. Everyone hoped to get a peek at the star. Michael Tomasini, general manager of Best Western/York Commons Inn told me, "having Talia Shire, her family, Roger Moore's son, and all the crew staying with us was a treùendous blessing. This is usually our slow season. But this time, we were full the whole summer. It was great not having to worry about bookings, but the best part was the people. They are all very cooperative, we're happy to have them around. I'm really going to hate to see them go, they are great customers, quiet, undemanding. But mostly, they're interesting. It was an honor to have them here."

On the local scene, Cape Hardware, in Cape Porpoise, was used as the movie's hardware store. The Goodwin's Cape Neddick House, an actual Bed & Breakfast, rented antiques to the production. "Six years ago we opened our inn", says Dianne Goodwin, "at that time there were only about half a dozen bed and breakfast houses in the town of York. Now, six years later, there are forty. And in all of Maine bed and breakfasts number about 2.000!".

Laura Butterworth of the Portland Models Group, was selected to cast Mainers as extras and stand-ins for "Bed & Breakfast (she also helped with the casting for Steven King's 'Pet Semetary', filmed in Maine last year). Barbara Grieg Bracy was cast as one of the stand-ins. , This Brunswick art teacher/Ogunquit resident has spent two months this past summer, filming 12 hour days and nights, facing the lights and learning about the business.

(...)

While the majority of York's business community has not felt a major change, excitement among them is still high, because Hollywood has left the screen and, for a while, moved to York. With it has come stars and the unexpected. Any day, Roger or Mrs. Moore could drop into one of your stores, Colleen Dewhurst might have dinner at your restaurant or Talia Shire and her family might stay at your motel.

"Bed & Breakfast" has certainly brought excitement to Maine as well as some unexpected visitors. The morning show, "Good Morning America" conducted one of its August broadcasts from Cape Neddick. They filmed entirely from Maine showing all of America York's lovely coastal view.

Read our previous stories of the month

August - September - October - November - December 2003

January - February - March - April - May - June - July - August - September - October - November - December 2004

January - February - March - April - May - June 2005