Talk about a wild success! The Burritt’s Rapids Community Hall was packed to overflowing, mainly filled with locals and former locals who lived in the village – and appeared as extras in the film – during the 1986 shooting of “The Boy in Blue” starring Nicolas Cage. Unlike most screenings where silence is encouraged, participants laughed, and hooted and shouted out when they saw someone or something they recognized on screen.
I did a call in with CBC’s “All in a Day,” who had reached out to some of the stars of the film. Unfortunately, Mr. Cage was in Eastern Europe on another film shoot and couldn’t be reached for comment. We were, however, tickled, to find wandering the streets of Burritt’s Rapids and amendable to posing for a few pics. #FanGirl
Looking to 2018, it’s going to be hard to top this year’s event, but I hope to discover another curiosity to screen that will pique everyone’s curiosity.
See also:
CBC – 6 of the most unique places to see a movie on National Canadian Film Day 150
Facebook – Nicolas Cage in Burritt’s Rapids
Press Release
NICOLAS CAGE RETURNS TO BURRITT’S RAPIDS
For Immediate Release April 17, 2017
On April 19th, 2017, actor Nicolas Cage will make a return visit to Burritt’s Rapids, a tiny village in the southwest corner of Ottawa.
In 1986, a 22-year-old shirtless Cage starred as world-champion sculler Ned Hanlan in the Canadian film production of “The Boy in Blue,” partially shot in the village of Burritt’s Rapids over eight days in September 1984. This time around fans will have to settle for the sweaty, celluloid version.
Despite being released 31 years ago, “The Boy in Blue” has never been publicly screened in the village. “For years we’d talked about getting together for a group screening but it never came together,” said local event organizer, Andrea Cordonier. “Then over the winter I stumbled across National Canadian Film Day 150.”
National Canadian Film Day is REEL CANADA’s annual day-long celebration of Canadian film, facilitating free screenings and other film-related activities across the country. REEL CANADA sourced the film and have made it available to the community for a one-day screening.
“The Boy in Blue” is set in England with the Rideau Canal standing in for the Thames River. It is based on the life of Toronto sculler Ned Hanlan and his early adoption of the sliding seat, a key invention at the time. The cast includes Nicolas Cage, Cynthia Dale (Street Legal), Christopher Plummer (The Sound of Music, Girl with the Dragon Tattoo), David Naughton (American Werewolves in London, Sharknado 5) and Sean Sullivan (2001: A Space Odyssey, The Dead Zone). As many locals were extras in the film, attendees can expect much shouting and finger pointing as familiar faces pop up on screen.
The production was not only a curiosity, it offered a long-term benefit for the small community. A local group of volunteers calling themselves “The Geriatric Builders” used surplus set materials to build an annex on the community hall.
The movie was a co-production of the CBC, Regatta Productions & Téléfilm Canada.
Production photos, press clippings and items related to the production will be on display. An informal sharing of the anecdotal history of the film’s production will follow the 90-minute screening. Anyone with stories, photos or related movie memorabilia and questions are encouraged to get in touch with Andrea Cordonier through the Facebook page Nicolas Cage in Burritt’s Rapids or by email andrea@habicurious.com
The event is free and open to the general public. Seating is offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Free popcorn and non-alcoholic beverages will be served, compliments of the Burritt’s Rapids Community Association (BRCA). Costumes and props are welcome. And, of course, there will be some special swag to give away.
Please note that the film has an R rating due to full frontal nudity in a single scene. As the characters remove articles of clothing, viewers will have ample time to shield the eyes of any children or prurient onlookers. Sensitive adults may wish to turn their eyes to the wall and think of England until the moment passes.
When: Wednesday, April 19th, 2017 Doors: 6:30pm/Screening: 7:00pm
Where: Burritt’s Rapids Community Hall, 23 Grenville St. Burritt’s Rapids, ON
What: Free, first public screening of Nicolas Cage’s movie “The Boy in Blue” (1986) that was partially shot in Burritt’s Rapids in 1984
Why: In celebration of National Canadian Film Day 150
Bring: Your enduring love of kitschy cinema in general and Mr. Cage in particular Social Media: Facebook page – Nicolas Cage in Burritt’s Rapids or www.burrittsrapids.ca
– 30 –
About “The Boy in Blue” From IMDb
The Boy in Blue is a 1986 Canadian drama film directed by Charles Jarrott and starring Nicolas Cage. A wild, uncontrollable youth, Ned Hanlan (Cage) is adopted by a gambler named Bill (Naughton), who promotes the boy on the sculling circuit for his own monetary gain. A businessman named Knox (Plummer) assumes control of Hanlan’s career, but when Ned discovers just how ruthless Knox can be, he casts his lot with the first honest man he has met, inventor- speculator Walter (Sullivan). Hanlan’s professional success is capped by his marriage to Margaret (Dale), Knox’s previously unattainable niece. http://www.imdb.com
About National Canadian Film Day 150
National Canadian Film Day is REEL CANADA’s annual day-long celebration of Canadian film, through screenings, events, panel discussions, and conversations (both on and offline) across the country. REEL CANADA provides the film, promotional materials and swag, while local organizers host and promote individual events. For Canada’s 150th, the lineup of screenings is at 1,700 and growing. https://canadianfilmday.ca
About Burritt’s Rapids
Burritt’s Rapids belongs to both the City of Ottawa and the Municipality of North Grenville. It is a community physically divided by the Rideau River but united by history. The village was founded in 1793 by United Empire Loyalists and retains much of its old-world charm and connection to nature. Living in Burritt’s offers a life lived with one foot in the city and the other in the country.
For more information, please contact:
Andrea Cordonier, Event Organizer
andrea@habicurious.com or Tel: (613) 269-4585
Facebook Page: Nicolas Cage in Burritt’s Rapids/@NicCageBurrittsRapids