Hollywood Comes to Rockport

Did you know that Cape Ann in general and Rockport in particular has become a huge draw for the movie-making industry? In part due to Massachusetts' favorable tax breaks but more so due to the quaint feeling of our town along with its natural beauty, Rockport is a huge hit with the studios, directors and actors alike.

The last movie which was shot in town was "The Proposal" in 2009, starring Sandra Bullock, Betty White and Ryan Reynolds. This was the movie for which Sandra was nominated for an Oscar, by the way. For the movie, our downtown area was transformed into Sitka, Alaska, with a totem pole erected downtown in our "Dock Square". Many of the retail shops changed their names for the duration of the shooting, and the town magically received a mountain range as its backdrop. All the cast were courteous and very down-to-earth, but Sandra and Betty in particular were favorites among the townsfolk. (Your author didn't get to meet any of the stars, unfortunately, but I did get to see the back of Sandy's head in a truck going the wrong way down School Street, which I thought was pretty special.)

Some of the other stars and movies shot in town include Matt Damon in "Stuck On You", Cher in "Mermaid", Hal Holbrook in the classic I'll Be Home for Christmas" and McCauley Culkin in "The Good Son". For a complete list of all the movies shot in Rockport and throughout Cape Ann, please link to Cape Ann Films.

So the next time you come to stay with us or just come to visit the town, keep your eyes peeled, because who knows, you may be hobnobbing with the stars!