Celebrating “Somewhere In Time”

Oct. 9, 2014

The movie "Somewhere in Time" is a romantic cult classic and it’s one of the few bigtime movies filmed right here in northern Michigan, on Mackinac Island.

While island visitors of all ages often stop to see the various locales from the film during the summertime, there’s an entire contingent of "Somewhere in Time" fans that take things a step further–and the island’s Grand Hotel accommodates them in grand style with their Somewhere in Time Weekend, which takes place every October.

CELEBRATING A FILM

"The weekend celebrates the movie itself, which was filmed at the Grand Hotel in 1979 and released in 1980," explained Ken Hayward, vice president of marketing at the Grand Hotel. "While the film wasn’t a huge box office success, the movie, based on a theme of romance and traveling back in time, quickly developed a very loyal following."

The agenda for the Somewhere in Time Weekend is developed in cooperation with IN- SITE (International Network of Somewhere In Time Enthusiasts), complete with perspective on the movie from various members of its cast and crew.

Both of the movie’s stars–Christopher Reeve and Jane Seymour–made appearances at the event in the past. Hayward says that whenever they could not attend in person, they often sent a video message or called in to take panel questions.

This year, fans can look forward to appearances by Sean Hayden, who played young Arthur in the movie, as well as Isidore Mankofsky (director of photography), Jeff Gourson (film editor), Dan Dewey (location coordinator), and Ali Matheson, daughter of the late Richard Matheson (screenwriter).

But meeting celebrities isn’t all that the Somewhere in Time Weekend is about; it’s also about stepping into another "time" entirely.

AUTHENTIC COSTUMES

Guests at the Somewhere In Time Weekend are encouraged, although not required, to don attire appropriate to the setting of the film–1912, or the Edwardian era. Roughly three-quarters of the guests opt to do so.

For women, tall stiff collars, broad hats lushly trimmed, "Gibson Girl" hairstyles and long, elegant skirts define the look; skirts often had a train or a small bustle. Girls wore similar dresses in knee-lengths, usually with black shoes and stockings, while their hair was worn long and decorated with ribbon.

Men’s fashion included short hairstyles, high waistcoats, cuffed and creased trousers and all manner of hats, from top hats to bowlers and, for casual occasions, boater hats. Clothing for boys included Russian-style blouses, knickerbockers (baggy knee-length trousers) and flat caps.

"Many guests choose to dress up," Hayward pointed out, "but it is certainly not a requirement. Guests would not feel out of place if they did not wear vintage clothing, but if they chose to, they would find many others doing the same thing."

FUN FANDOM

This year’s Somewhere In Time Weekend runs Oct. 24-26, with the Grand Hotel offering special weekend packages that include a variety of amenities.

The activities list for the weekend is long and varied and will include talks on Victorian clothing, a Q&A session, autograph and meetand-greet gatherings, a "Somewhere in Time" trivia contest and the grand finale–the Costume Promenade on the event’s final evening.

Of course, the extra influx of visitors is terrific for the Grand Hotel at what would otherwise be a slower time of year and "Somewhere in Time" fans love that they can actually walk the same grounds and hotel corridors as their hero and heroine, Reeve’s Richard Collier and Seymour’s Elise McKenna.

Hayward said that what he enjoys most about the event is seeing people from all across the country traveling to Mackinac Island in October, many for the first time.

"The enthusiasm of the fans is exhilarating," he concluded.

For more information on the 2014 Somewhere in Time Weekend and Grand Hotel packages, call the hotel at 1-800-33-GRAND or visit: www.grandhotel.com