Hollywood Calling
Hollywood Calling Top Hollywood director Tim Burton loves Blackpool so much he shot his latest blockbuster in the resort…..and what’s more is that he would come back again in a shot. He loves it so much that he was invited to switch on the Blackpool Illuminations in 2015 and didn’t hesitate in accepting the invitation. But what is it that makes Blackpool so special in a movie maker’s eyes? Quite simply, filming in Blackpool is huge. Over the last three years more than 150 film crews have spent time in the resort but it’s not a new thing. Film crews have been coming to Blackpool for years – who remembers Funny Bones, shot in 1995, or Bhaji On The Beach back in 1993? There was even the silent movie Hindle Wakes all the way back in 1927. But back to Mr Burton and it is quite clear that this legendary film maker is a Blackpool fan. In 2012 he was in town to film the music video ‘Here With Me’ for American rock stars, The Killers, using locations at Blackpool Pleasure Beach, The Blackpool Tower Ballroom and Dungeon and the wonderful beaches of the resort. This was big…but he then came back again in 2015 with the full Hollywood shebang as he filmed new movie Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children with A-list stars including Samuel L Jackson, Asa Butterfield and Eva Green. And why?
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www.visitblackpool.com
Well in his own words: “I love Blackpool, I’d love to do another film here. It’s an amazing place. It’s a place when I first came here it affected me so greatly. There’s something very special about this atmosphere and there’s only one Blackpool.”
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years of filming in Blackpool
1. A Taste of Honey: Released in 1961 with scenes shot in Blackpool.
So that’s Blackpool hitting big screens across the world in 2016, being seen by millions of people and what’s more Mr Burton will hopefully be back again soon. And he’s not on his own. Earlier in 2015 acclaimed British actor Timothy Spall spent several weeks in Blackpool filming the dark film AWAY with co-star Juno Temple and in 2013 a number of scenes from The Harry Hill Movie were filmed in Blackpool.
2. Coronation Street: Numerous episodes from 1961 to present day. The featured Roy and Hayley storyline of 2014 won the numerous awards at the National Television Awards, with scenes shot in Blackpool.
But it’s not just films. Oh no, any soap opera fan worth their salt can remember that fateful day when Coronation Street’s Alan Bradley met his maker as he chased Rita Fairclough across the tramlines. There’s even an official Blue Plaque on The Strand Hotel on the Promenade to mark it as the location where it happened.
5. The Parole Officer: Released in 2001 and starring Steve Coogan.
In recent years Coronation Street has been to Blackpool virtually every year to film some of their most memorable storylines. And then there’s TV dramas, advertising campaigns (remember those pesky meerkats?), children’s TV shows, documentaries and even music videos. So, next time you’re in Blackpool, keep an eye out for those camera crews because you just might find yourself strolling on to a film set!
3. Bhaji on the Beach: BAFTA nominated film released in 1993. 4. Funny Bones: Released in 1995 this multi-award winning film starred Jerry Lewis and comedian Lee Evans.
6. Blackpool: TV series ran for one season in 2004 starring David Morrissey and David Tennant. The show was BAFTA and Golden Globe award nominated. 7. The Magnificent Seven: BBC drama released in 2005 and starring Helena Bonham Carter. 8. Nowhere Boy: John Lennon biopic released in 2009 starring Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Kristin Scott Thomas. The film was BAFTA, British Independent Film Awards and Empire UK Awards nominated. 9. Robbie Williams: Advertising Space music video released in January 2009 set solely in Blackpool.