41° and Mist
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A Man Called Otto has made it to Netflix. The Tom Hanks Film was partly made in Niagara Falls in early May last year with scene filmed at the Moonlite Motel and on the Maid of the Mist.
Hanks didn’t actually visit but his son Truman and wife Rita Wilson were here.
Here’s the story I wrote for the Gazette at that time.
By Joe Genco
A new Tom Hanks film, “A Man Called Otto” was filming in Niagara Falls on Friday. The movie star was not on set but his son Truman Hanks was, as well as co-star Rachel Keller and Hanks’ wife, Rita Wilson were.
Shooting began shortly after noon at 7811 Niagara Falls Blvd. at the Moonlite Motel, in part to take advantage of vintage decor as well as the iconic neon sign, according to Commisioner of the Buffalo Niagara Film Office Tim Clark..
Niagara Falls Police, including new officers Brandon Claps and Cortez Bradberry and Richard Abramowski were present most of the morning directing traffic. Niagara Falls Boulevard was closed to one lane in the southbound direction.
Claps and Bradberry were sporting new ballcaps emblazoned NY Film Buffalo Niagara Film Office Police Movie Detail. Abramowski put his away to keep as a souvenir.
“It’s been going pretty good,” Clark said, “as if everybody is on the same page. The City of Niagara Falls and Mayor (Robert) Restaino once again rose to the occasion. Everybody is happy.”
In the afternoon, filming headed to the Maid of the Mist. Hospitality and technical trucks and tents were set up in the Niagara Falls Discovery Center parking lot for Friday afternoon shooting.
Clark said his commission handles all kinds of requests and that he was surprised the motel, owned by Marlena and Eddie Mazei had not been used for a film before now.
“It’s a very unique, appropriate setting,” Clark said. “There are architectural elements in Western New York everywhere.
“We handle all kinds of special requests, sometimes easy, sometimes more difficult. It’s part of the fabric of Western New York. Make sure they feel loved and well taken care of.”
“A Man Called Otto,”is a remake of the 2015 Swedish film “A Man Called Ove.” The feature also stars comedian and actor Mike Birbiglia ("Trainwreck"), Cameron Britton (“Mindhunter”), Manuel Garcia-Rulfo (“The Magnificent Seven") and Mariana Trevino. It is directed by Marc Forster ("World War Z") and began shooting in Pittsburgh in February.
Extras for the shooting were hired through www.castingbuffalo.com which has other opportunities available online.
