Trying to come up with new and interesting themes for Movie Geeks Club, I thought about how Springfield has fit into films I have seen. Then I wondered if there were even five films that did portray Springfield in some way. There are at least five that I can find. Note: I didn't have to put Legally Blonde 2 in the mix because it was shot here but not portrayed to be in Springfield. Thank goodness for that. Of the five films nominated, amazingly all of them are high quality films.
Only two of the five films were actually shot in Springfield that I know of. Of course, The Informant! had a couple of scenes that were shot and portrayed here in 2008. And the other, Call Northside 777 was most likely filmed here. I have never heard anything to support that but the director was meticulous about shooting on location. So I suspect Jimmy Stewart was in Springfield at some point to shoot some scenes. I hope someone could shed some light on that.
Call Northside 777
When a woman places an ad in the Chicago Times offering a $5,000 reward for information that will exonerate her son, the newspaper assigns report P.J. McNeal to look into case. He learns that 11 years earlier, Frank Wiecek was convicted of killing an on duty police officer in a speakeasy and was sentenced to 99 years in prison. McNeal is quite skeptical as to his innocence and only slowly comes to realize that there was a miscarriage of justice. The real question is whether he can find evidence that would convince the pardon board and obtain Wiecek's release. (IMDB.com)
The Informant!
Mark Whitacre has worked for lysine developing company ADM for many years and has even found his way into upper management. But nothing has prepared him for the job he is about to undertake - being a spy for the FBI. Unwillingly pressured into working as an informant against the illegal price-fixing activities of his company, Whitacre gradually adopts the idea that he's a true secret agent. But as his incessant lies keep piling up, his world begins crashing down around him. (IMBD.com)
Abe Lincoln in Illinois
Covers the period from Lincoln's early years as a Kentucky woodsman until his election to the Presidency in 1860. Included are his first love, his marriage, the Illinois law practice and his debates with Stephen Douglas. (IMBD.com)
Young Mr. Lincoln
Ten years in the life of Abraham Lincoln, before he became known to his nation and the world. He moves from a Kentucky cabin to Springfield, Illinois, to begin his law practice. He defends two men accused of murder in a political brawl, suffers the death of his girlfriend Ann, courts his future wife Mary Todd, and agrees to go into politics. (IMBD.com)
White Heat
Cody Jarrett is the sadistic leader of a ruthless gang of thieves. Afflicted by terrible headaches and fiercely devoted to his 'Ma,' Cody is a volatile, violent, and eccentric leader. Cody's top henchman wants to lead the gang and attempts to have an 'accident' happen to Cody, while he is running the gang from in jail. But Cody is saved by an undercover cop, who thereby befriends him and infiltrates the gang. Finally, the stage is set for Cody's ultimate betrayal and downfall, during a big heist at a chemical plant. (IMDB.com)
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