Hollywood isn't the only place where movies are made. The city of Lowell has provided the setting for some great movies with its historic buildings, cobblestone streets and scenic views. Between 'Professor Marston and the Wonder Women', 'Proud Mary' and 'The Fighter', the last few years have been great for filmmaking in Lowell.
Next time you go to the movies, keep your eyes peeled: you might see some familiar sights!
The Invention of Lying
Outsiders might not realize 'The Invention of Lying' was shot in Lowell, but to Lowellians there's no mistaking the landmark architecture featured in the film. Central Street, the Merrimack River, City Hall, The Dubliner, the Cox Bridge, are some of the Lowell landmarks featured in this fantasy romantic comedy written and directed by Ricky Gervais and Matthew Robinson. Gervais was quoted as saying he chose Lowell because "it looks so good on film". Go watch it now if you haven't!
The Fighter
There's a big difference between scenes from a movie shot in Lowell and a genuine "Lowell movie." The Fighter, definitely fits the second category. A look at the early years of boxer "Irish" Micky Ward and his brother Dicky, who helped train him before going pro in the mid 1980s, the movie takes place on location in the Mill City. Its boxing matches were shot at the Tsongas Center at UMass Lowell, and gym scenes at Arthur Ramalho's West End Gym, one of the real-life facilities where Ward had trained. Cupples Square, East Merrimack Street and Top Donut are some of the other Lowell locations shown in the movie.
Professor Marston and the Wonder Women
The movie, directed by Angela Robinson, is a biographical drama about American psychologist William Moulton Marston, who created the fictional character Wonder Woman. Crucial period exteriors were shot in downtown Lowell. "We were fortunate in all these locations were run by incredibly generous historians and curators." says production designer Carl Sprague. "Even the location of the Marston house in Lowell belonged to Seth Cooper of the Tsongas Industrial History Center. All these people were as excited as we were to bring life to a past that is so beautifully preserved in these places."
Proud Mary
Last year crews descended on the city to film scenes for Screen Gems' action thriller "Proud Mary", starring Taraji P. Henson. Proud Mary tells the story of Mary, a hit woman working for an organized crime family, whose maternal instinct is awakened when she meets a young boy. In the film you'll see glimpses of actual Lowell locations: Palmer Street, Central Street and Moulton Avenue for scenes shot inside WCAP Studios, and Bridge Street over the Merrimack River.
School Ties (side note)
If you remember 'School Ties', Dana's Luncheonette on Gorham Street had a major part in the opening credits, plus some additional scenes were filmed inside the now defunct market.