Let's All Go To The Movies

Plymouth's Leading Man.>>>>>>>>>>>>


Plymouth, MA is historic, rural and bucolic with scenic a shore line, pristine ponds and forty five miles separating it from Boston's urban intensity. While the state is stuck in a no-growth mode, Plymouth has seen significant growth as people continue to recognize it as an attractive and pleasant place to live.

What would make Plymouth even more desirable? If you said a movie studio, you would find yourself in agreement with the vast majority of Plymoutheans who voted yes on a non-binding referendum, last spring, supporting Plymouth Rock Studios and its quest to establish a "Hollywood East" beach head here in America's Home Town. Out-of-towners should click HERE before you think we are all hallucinating.

Recently, the studio announced it had reached agreement with Mark Ridder, owner of The Waverly Oaks Golf Course to buy the entire 240 acre site and use it as the location of the new studio. Many have been quick to latch on to the expectation of job opportunities and new tax revenues, no small concern for a Massachusetts town. In addition, homeowners and Realtors are envisioning a re surging real estate market as all the studio execs rush to buy local homes. But amid all the celebration, questions are being raised and the rumor mill is on double shifts.

First the fun stuff. Rumors of celebrity sightings are ramping up. Just recently, Ben Affleck, Matt Damon and at least one of the Walburgs was reported to be playing a round of golf on the Waverly links. Damon reportedly said that this was his favorite golf course. If true, Matt had best enjoy it now as the third fairway will soon be the site of one of the ten sound stages planned by PRS. Local subscriptions to People Magazine are on the rise.

Speculation is also high as to exactly what type of movies will be made by PRS. One idea would be to produce a film showcasing the studio's new location. It could be sort of a remake of Jaws only in this version, the monster is a giant amphibious Moray eel that crawls up on Plymouth Beach threatening Sandy's and all the hottie lifeguards standing around in case there is a Bay Watch sequel. The contemporary story could be interspersed with historic flashbacks of Miles Standish leading the local militia against an attack of raging Dutchmen, who, when rebuffed, travel on to New Amsterdam and spawn future generations of Yankee fans. Appearing in cameo as Miles Standish will be our own Chairman of the Board of Selectmen, Dicky Quintal. The role will be in reward for his tireless cheer leading for the Town to accommodate PRS.

Of more immediate concern, however, will be the unveiling of the plans as to just what actually will be built on the site. There is talk of sound stages and back lots, but also hotels and concern about the Town's building height limitations. All eyes will be on the Planning Board as the details are made known. And while the site has great visibility from Route 3, especially when they remove those pesky view-obstructing trees, the access to the site is somewhat problematical as it is located between two Route 3 exits. While there is talk of re-configuring one or more of these exits to full cloverleafs, that still might not do the trick. Immediate access to the Waverly Oaks site is from Long Pond Road, a quiet meandering little two lane country road that feeds a swath of well established residential neighborhoods. Turning it into a multi-lane autobahn would be a real bad idea. Btw, did I mention the location of the High School-Middle School complex right next door to the studio? So how about a dedicated exit from rte 3? Surely the state could see its way clear even though Deval Patrick is stopping just short of gathering state house soda bottle deposits to balance the new state budget. But if they could come up with the funds, maybe the state could also get around to fixing the Rte 53 bridge at the Hanover Mall which has been under repair, and short a lane, for five years and counting.

I hate to rain on the parade, but I just can't help but see this whole Hollywood East phenomenon as if a giant alien spacecraft has suddenly landed in our community and indicated its intentions to establish a "friendly" colony in our midst. It's still early in the story and the locals are all trying to figure out whether this might lead to a much better way of life, or if the aliens are really sizing us up as a source of food. Wait! This could be a movie. How about Dicky Quintal as Captain Kirk. "Beam me up Scotty. there's no hope for this planet."