Hollywood Transforms Danbury Park Into 1970s Backdrop For New Film

DANBURY, CT — Hollywood will be turning back the clock on several locations throughout scenic western Connecticut, including Tarrywile Park in Danbury, during the filming for the Vietnam-era feature film "Summerhouse."

Malcolm McDowell ("A Clockwork Orange," "Star Trek: Generations," "Bombshell") is the headliner in the movie, produced by Bob Yari, whose latest work includes the popular "Yellowstone" series. Newtown-based Chair 10 Productions will be producing and providing production services.

Jonathan Black, producer and partner in Chair 10 Productions, said the "idyllic setting surrounding Candlewood Lake, combined with the availability of top-notch talent and crew in the area," along with the state’s attractive tax credits for the film industry made Connecticut the perfect location for the film.

"We can pull great talent into this part of the state because of our proximity to New York, but also because many talented crew members already live here," Black said in a news release. "They live or grew up in Connecticut but work out of state. Ideally, we’d like to change that and bring them back to Connecticut."

The film will employ more than 125 cast and crew during the next several weeks of filming. Other filming locations include Squantz Pond in New Fairfield, and Bank Street in downtown New Milford.

The film follows Jacob Ward ("Summer in Queens") as Ned Stern, a college student waiting to get drafted into the Vietnam War. Ned spends his last summer of freedom taking care of a belligerent, wealthy alcoholic (McDowell) at his lakeside mansion. There, he falls in love with a free-spirited girl and begins to question his commitment to his country, according to promotional materials provided by the producers.

Black said local officials have been wonderful to work with and very supportive of the project.

Filming is slated to begin on Wednesday, May 29.