Bride on a bridge, Paris.
If you're a film buff who loves Paris, then you'll appreciate Paris Movie Walks, a new book by Michael Schurmann. The book guides you on ten tours through the city, featuring famous movie locations.
Paris Movie Walks describes filming at Le Grand Colbert for the American film Something's Gotta Give:
"In the restaurant Le Grand Colbert at 2-4 rue Vivienne, Jack Nicholson 'gate-crashes' Diane Keaton's diner-a-deux with Keanu Reeves in one of the key scenes in the Oscar-nominated Something's Gotta Give. The restaurant displays the movie poster alongside its menu in the window and a 2004 newspaper article tells you what life was like for the restaurant's staff during the nine days of shooting and for a time after the movie became such a big success.
"The table where the couple dined - at the wall opposite the entrance - was apparently booked solid for months. What's more, the clients all ordered the same dish. "We serve nothing but chicken, chicken, chicken," the maitre d' complains in the article. He goes on to describe Keanu Reeves as "polite, but distant," while adding rather icily that Diane Keaton "mainly ate in her trailer."
"Jack Nicholson, on the other hand, apparently ordered copious amounts of brandy and was soon best friends with everyone. We also learn that Le Grand Colbert had to increase its portions for the film. Apparently, they were afraid that the American public would question the main characters' wisdom in travelling halfway around the world for a kid's portion of roast chicken."
(Ed. note: Europeans, when traveling to America, are shocked by the huge amounts of food served at restaurants, with a single portion enough for three French people.)
Paris Movie Walks guides you to locations for An American in Paris, Amelie (Le Fabuleux Destin d'Amelie Poulain), French Kiss, Funny Face, Gigi, The Last Metro, The Bourne Identity, The Devil Wears Prada, La vie en Rose, Marie Antoinette, Moulin Rouge, A Man and a Woman, The Pink Panther, Paris, je t'aime, Sabrina, The Sun Also Rises and many other well-known films.
All 260 pages of Paris Movie Walks are packed with photos, maps and interesting facts about movie-making in France. The book is published by The Intrepid Traveler.
see my pic: just married in Paris
http://www.flickr.com/photos/21484776@N00/3665632734/
others here
www.ginaspics.net
have a great weekend friends
Gina from Germany
Posted by: Gina | 03 July 2009 at 18:40
I just ordered this. We're going to Paris next year, and we MUST know all of these things!
Posted by: Chris | 01 July 2009 at 23:38
I would totally join this tour. But that restaurant scene in 'Something's Gotta Give' is shot in Paris? The script didn't even take them to the city, if I remember correctly. Wow!
Posted by: jen laceda | 25 June 2009 at 03:54
I was devastated when Diane Keaton threw over Keanu for Jack!
Posted by: Judy | 24 June 2009 at 21:46
Hi!
I think your blog is fantastic.I'm wating your visit.
http://amigadamoda.blogspot.com
Posted by: kinha | 24 June 2009 at 18:33
This is an odd segue, but your post made me think of an odd movie link of my own. Let me tell you, rural Missouri does not bring out the film crews. There could never be a Missouri Movie Walks. Not in the whole state. We have only one claim to movie fame around here. Did you watch the second Bourne movie with Matt Damon? Remember at the end when she tells him that he's from Nixa, Missouri? I teach at an elementary school in Nixa. Let me tell you, that was BIG NEWS in my neck of the woods. Ha.
Posted by: Relyn | 24 June 2009 at 06:25
I always think American restaurants serve too much too. I have gotten to bringing half home for another meal. I always get in better shape in Paris by walking alot and eating better and smaller portions, even with the pastries. I can't wait for a good croissant and macaron.
Posted by: Marilyn | 24 June 2009 at 06:12
I have watched "Something's Gotta Give" several times...and wondered about the location. Thanks for the "fun facts." (I need this book.)
On a similar note, we ate at Mystic Pizza the other day and I blogged about it. We have been eating there since before the movie was made. Even this weekend (decades later) we observed waitresses are still being asked to take customer photos. And, I took a photo the drawbridge from the window through a screen no less. The bridge is also part of the movie. Factoid: the scenes were actually filmed in the next town over.
On a different note, your bride on the bridge is wonderful! Recently the NY Times had a photo essay of brides in Manhattan. Seeing brides in city settings is really wonderful!
Posted by: Helen | 23 June 2009 at 22:25
PS: That picture is glorious!!! Wow! Wow!
Posted by: Christina | 23 June 2009 at 18:41
Hmm... portion size, huh?? ; ) As an american chef, I will leave that one alone. lmao. Okay, maybe I won't leave that one alone.... hee. I will just say this... Being in the field for over 20 years, I have noticed when we have international visitors, there is way more liquor than food consumed. I get so damn jealous at those times when the bar is hoping and the kitchen is slow. ; )
I so want this book.
xo
Posted by: Christina | 23 June 2009 at 18:39
I am constantly appalled by the size of portions in American restaurants!
As a result, I generally order a salad and an appetizer ... .
much to the waiters' chagrin.
Jjjj
Posted by: judith | 23 June 2009 at 17:28
Thanks for the book recommendation- I love recmmendations!
but Tara, this photo is stunning. I absolutely love it.
Posted by: elsa | 23 June 2009 at 16:57
no way...Diane Keaton ate in her trailer!!
tss...tss..
how could she??
Tara, this book sounds like a real find!
hope summer is nice for you in Paris and all is well...
:-)
Posted by: my castle in spain | 23 June 2009 at 16:34