Drive Inns In Pa
As a rookie reporter McKeesport (Pa.) Daily News I have an early education work in the minds of local politicians and first-hand to see the movie two young actors who are now legends of the screen.
It was the summer of 1977 and was suffocating in Pittsburgh. As a beat reporter for the City of Clairton – it was my job know everything that was happening in the community – including its policy, police and fire activities, and schools.
Clairton is located along the banks of the Monongahela River – 14 miles southeast of the City of Pittsburgh. It was (and now) a city in distress. It was the home of Coca-Cola Clairton – and in 1977 already had its share of unfavorable press coverage resulting from a high unemployment rate rising crime and declining economic base.
But residents are proud of their city and worked hard at all times to avoid any unfavorable perception that could damage the city.
So it was no surprise when Mayor Lloyd Fuge – a brilliant and successful lawyer – he asked me to accompany him and the unit (Lloyd, who had lost his sight in an accident as a child) to the Holiday Inn Pittsburgh International Airport about 30 miles away, where he hoped to meet a young filmmaker named Michael Cimino.
The mayor had been told that Cimino was directing a film that was to take place in a small town called Clairton steel. Feared that once again the city would be on the receiving end of bad press – this time on the big screen before a national audience.
The aim of the meeting was convince the director to change the name of the city, where the film would take place. Although I had no idea what the movie was or how the city would be presented – I feared the worst.
We arrived at the motel and went straight to the reception where the mayor Fuge asked the receptionist to find Mr. Cimino to him. When asked who he should say was asking him – the mayor turned over authority to open a police officer "badge" and simply said: "I am".
As mayor, Mr. Fuge was head of Clairton Police Department (though he had no jurisdiction in this place), but his film style unusual tactic had the desired effect – a worried Mr. Cimino arrived within minutes.
We sat in the lobby of the motel where Mayor Fuge first apologized for its innovative approach to get the attention of Mr. Cimino – then articulated his concern that could be adversely Clairton portrayed in his film. At one point Mayor Fuge said it may seek an injunction to stop the director from using the name Clairton in the film.
The director was concerned and went to great lengths to reassure the mayor that the film in any way damage the image of Clairton – "It's about the relationships of people," said, describing the script.
The mayor welcomed and the meeting ended – but as part of the solution and demonstrate transparency – Mr. Cimino asked me to see the film the next day to see for myself that the city of Clairton was not the focus of the film.
I came on a high ridge in Duquesne, Pennsylvania, for the filming of a scene from the funeral the following day. The film crew had taken an abandoned piece of property and turned into a makeshift cemetery. This was a 90-degree day – which leaves around dyed red / orange and large fans were brought in to create the illusion a day of cold autumn wind.
The film was The Deer Hunter – Winner of the Oscar for Best Picture in 1978. Mr. Cimino won the Oscar for Best Director.
The day after the funeral scene – Mr. Cimino took me to a modest trailer where he set an interview for me with one of the actors movie – someone with the name of Robert DeNiro. We talked briefly about the film and its method as an actor.
As the interview ended, he went an actress in the same trailer, and said: "I want to interview the star of the movie – meet Meryl Streep.
The Deer Hunter put the actress on the map, and the City of Clairton, too.
Robb Austin is a former newspaper reporter and elected Member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and has successfully run numerous Congressional campaigns. Learn more at http://robbaustin.com
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