After Rockport starred in this summer's box office smash hit, "The Proposal," in the role of the seaside village, Sitka, Alaska, fans of the movie quickly discovered where the romantic comedy was shot.
Even more found out about the film's true location by listening to lead actress Sandra Bullock gush about Rockport on a late-night talk show.
Now, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association has put the film back in the spotlight with a Golden Globe nomination for Bullock's role in this year's first romantic comedy hit. And according to local and state officials, the movie and Bullock's kind words have generated interest in Cape Ann — and especially in Rockport.
"We had many visitors who came to Rockport this past season, at least in part, because of the movie," said Rockport Chamber of Commerce manager Peter Webber. "Several visitors with whom I spoke at the information booth mentioned seeing Sandra Bullock on either the (David) Letterman Show or Regis (Philbin) and Kelly (Ripa) speak in glowing terms about Rockport and with her experience here while filming the movie."
Others talked about how they recognized a number of Rockport scenes in the film, he said.¬
"Ms. Bullock's favorable comments about Rockport during her promotional tour for the film's opening definitely gave Rockport tourism a boost this year," Webber added. We are pleased and very grateful that she had such a positive experience here and that she has so generously shared this with her fans around the world.
"We congratulate her on the tremendous success of 'The Proposal' and for her great achievement in being nominated for a Golden Globe," he noted.
Nicholas Paleologos, executive director of the Massachusetts Film Office, termed Bullock's kind words a "love letter to Rockport."
"It's great news about 'The Proposal'," Paleologos said. "She went on and on about how great it was to work there and that it was her first time there."
The Golden Globe awards will be handed out Jan. 17.
Quick hits
Due to the Christmas holiday, Town Hall will close at noon Thursday, Dec. 24, and will be closed on Friday, Christmas Day.
Also, Town Hall will be closing at 1 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 31, and closed on New Year's Day, Jan. 1.
Are you interested in acting? Would you like to try your hand at Shakespeare, but have hesitated at the thought of plunging into a full length play? Then perhaps you might find that doing a short scene is the perfect way to start.
Cape Ann Shakespeare Troupe is putting together an evening of scenes of famous and infamous couples from the plays of William Shakespeare and his contemporaries. The production — "An Elizabethan Valentine" — will be performed at Rockport's Spiran Hall on Feb. 12, 13 and 14. Rehearsals begin Tuesday, Jan. 5, and for most of the time will only require a commitment of one evening a week.
For more information, e-mail Joseph Stiliano at cast2008@prodigy.net, write a note to Cape Ann Shakespeare Troupe, 7 Gale Avenue, Rockport, or visit the nonprofit community group's Web site at capeannshakespearetroupe.blogspot.com.
People in the news
There will be an open house at Town Hall Tuesday afternoon to welcome new Town Administrator Linda Sanders to Rockport.
The reception is scheduled to run from 3 to 4:30 in Conference Room A. The event is open to the public.
Sanders is coming to Rockport from Ashby where she served as town administrator for the past dozen years. She is scheduled to begin work in Rockport early next month.
Rockport Ramblings is compiled each week by reporter Jonathan L'Ecuyer. If you have an item for Ramblings, call L'Ecuyer at 978-283-7000, ext. 3451, or e-mail jlecuyer@gloucestertimes.com.
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