They're doing a remake of Hairspray

[Telly Savalas]

Check it out: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0427327/

It looks like John Travolta will play Divine's part. (Yipes.)

The reason I bring this up is that it's being filmed near where I live. It's pretty amazing how much they've transfigured the street to give it a Retro-Baltimore feel. Some pics:



Before I realized they were filming, I was excited by the prospect of a "Food-o-Rama" opening in the neighbourhood. Turns out it's not real. Bummer.



The fake retro music store.



One hour "Martinizing". Hell yeah!



The old Bank of Montreal building is now "Mr. Pinky's Hefty Hideaway", a faux plus-size store.



The original businesses keep those banners up while there's no shooting, so that everybody will know it's a place to get Halal meat, and not an old hardware store.

[nerddem]

1. pretty neat

i remember when they were filming national treasure in philadelphia they had to close the broad and market intersection and everyone was complaining about the traffic mess it caused

[babylonsister]

2. And here are the two stars, one pretty famous:

[terrya]

3. By any chance, is that anywhere near Roncesvalles?

That area really looks familiar. :-)

They did a great job making the street look like something from the 60's. It's sort of ironic that it's being filmed in Toronto...since John Waters' movies have been shot in Baltimore. And "Hairspray" especially references Baltimore.

[Telly Savalas]

4. It's Dundas and Roncy.

The movie still takes place in Baltimore. It's just being filmed here.

They've even installed a few outdoor trash bins that say "Baltimore is Your City: Keep it Clean".

It's blown me away how much they made it look like the 60's. However if you look closely in the photo with the record store, you can see a Cheri DiNovo NDP sign in the 2nd floor window.

[terrya]

6. That's what I thought.

I know the area pretty well...my b/f lives on Roncy. It's a terrific neighborhood. :-)

LOL on the Cheri DiNovo sign. Not the sign itself...but it would be interesting if the editing people didn't catch it before the film is released.

[Telly Savalas]

7. We used to live on Roncesvalles...

but now live on one of the side streets. There's a lot of great neighbourhoods in the city, but I think Roncesvalles Village is the best in which to live.

[Redstone]

5. You live in Balmer?

John Waters is one funny son of a bitch. I haven't seen any of his movies, but I've read his writing. He's a riot.

Redstone

[Telly Savalas]

8. Nah, Toronto. But that area is pretending to be Baltimore for the filming

I'm not sure how much John Waters is involved in the remake. The original was made into a Broadway musical and I get the impression that the remake is an adaptation of the musical back to the big screen.

My favourite Waters film is "Pecker". It's pretty amazing that a movie with jokes about teabagging can still look at the world from an innocent perspective, but Waters pulls it off.

[IntravenousDemilo]

9. Hi, neighbour!

I eat at the "Food-o-Rama" generally once every weekend. Terry and I have gone there lots of times, and I sing at the church where Cheri DiNovo ministers (for now). She's a woman of outstanding character, whom I've known for three years. You should hear some of the scathing things she has to say about Bush/Harper from the pulpit.

And I certainly hope Cheri wins on Thursday, though it means we would be getting a new minister. I mean, I voted for Sylvia Watson for city council, and I'm pissed off that she's leaving before completing even one term. On the off chance that Watson wins, would she jump ship for federal politics before the next election? Who knows? It all smacks of opportunism.

[Telly Savalas]

11. Howdy!

Back when we were motivated on Sunday mornings, our family went to EHP Church on occasion. I agree that Cheri's pretty amazing. I think we could do a lot worse than Watson too, but I've lost quite a bit of respect for her after reading this:

http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1158054428134&call_pageid=968256289824&col=968342212737

I actually made it to church that day and heard that whole sermon, and what the Liberals are trying to do with it is just sleazy. I realize that she's getting desperate and that the idea was probably some cynical party strategist's and not hers, but she's gotta have some standards.

Make sure you make it to the polls on Thursday! (I wish I could.)

By the way, the choir sounds great.

[IntravenousDemilo]

12. I'm a DRO on Thursday and I've already voted.

And thanks for the compliment on the choir. We need more men for balance; there's just Neil and me and six women. Do you sing?

[Telly Savalas]

15. My voice is awful.

Sorry.

[Mutley]

10. It does look like Baltimore.

:D

[IntravenousDemilo]

13. Well, you certainly would know, wouldn't you? n/m

[Lautremont]

14. A friend of mine did all those signs.

Nice to see them - thanks for the snaps.