Connecticut in the Movies: From Dream Houses to Dark Suburbia

With its proximity to New York City, abundant playhouses to nurture new talent, and primary residences for many actors, writers, directors, and producers, Connecticut has been the subject of and/or the backdrop for nearly 200 feature films. From Sherlock Holmes (1916), to Mystic Pizza (1988), to Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008), the state has had an impressive amount of cinematic attention for its small size. In this book actress and writer Illeana Douglas not only explores the reasons for this, but also identifies the film genres derived from how the state is perceived: the New England rural fantasy as depicted in Christmas in Connecticut (1945) and Holiday Inn (1942); the home-grown drama of Long Days Journey Into Night (1962 and 1996); the suburban angst of The Ice Storm (1997); the social deconstruction of The Stepford Wives (1972 and 2004); and several others from horror to slapstick comedy. The book also includes photos of film locations then and now, and short biographies of Connecticut natives who have made names for themselves in film. Throughout the book Douglas's love for both the movies and her native state shine through, making this a keepsake for denizens of the state and a resource for film buffs everywhere.