Huntsville, Alabama–Hollywood Down South

There is almost a European-like energy here where everyone was not just friendly, but engaged. I suddenly had this revelation that what I had put on page actually existed and it was Huntsville, Alabama.

–Jordan Walker-Pearlman, director of the movie “Constellation”

My first exposure to Huntsville, Alabama was in the James Michener novel Space. Having previously lived in Birmingham and Nashville prior to moving to Huntsville in 1993, I can recall thinking that my adopted hometown was just a touch too tame. I mean after you’ve visited the U.S. Space and Rocket Center and stood at the base of that 363 foot Saturn V rocket which sits beside I-565, what else is there to do?

Well, as it turns out, quite a lot. Huntsville is growing by leaps and bounds and has attracted the attention of high tech industries and government as well as a few Hollywood movie producers. The movie “Constellation” is the latest to have been filmed in Huntsville and opened on February 2nd with a gala premiere at the Hollywood 18 Theater. I have the day off today and plan to grab Eyegal and take her to see that one. Who knows? Maybe we accidentally stumbled into a scene and didn’t even know it.

Of course, this isn’t the first time that Hollywood has turned to Rocket City, U.S.A. for “European-like energy” to help fuel one of its movies. Among others that have been filmed in or around Huntsville are:

• “Like Moles, Like Rats” (2007-in production)
• “Tom and Huck” (1995–starring Jonathon Taylor Thomas)
• “Space Camp” (1986–featuring a very young Joaquin Phoenix)
• “Ravagers” (1979–sci-fi flick starring Richard Harris and Ernest Borgnine)

CNN.com recently featured Huntsville in it’s travel section (h/t JRB), so if CNN says that Huntsville is cool, then it’s got to be true. Of course, I’m telling you too, so there.

So if you’re wandering down Alabama way, come check out that little oasis of culture, high tech and good taste that sits between the Tennessee River and the Tennessee state line. If you’re lucky, you might get a good meal and a movie credit to boot.