As of December 2020, the Hudson Valley Film Commission has started working with the Putnam County Economic Development Corporation to bring more film production to the Mid-Hudson Valley region.
“Putnam County is only 50 miles north of New York City, and readily accessible,” said Kathleen Abels, president of the Putnam County Economic Development Corporation. “In addition to majestic views of the Hudson River, idyllic lakes and nature preserves and charming period-piece Main Streets, Putnam County features many incredible locations.”
“A lot of industry vendors, as well and professional cast and crew members live in Putnam County. Many are already on the Hudson Valley Film Commission directory,” said Laurent Rejto on behalf of the film commission. “We already work very closely with Dutchess Tourism, so this is a natural extension that will benefit both counties, as well as productions."
Select locations include Boscobel House and Gardens, Brewster’s Tudor-style train station, Castle Rock, The Chapel Restoration, the Great Patterson Swamp, Magazzion Italian Art Museum, Massaro House, the iconic 1814 Putnam County Courthouse, mysterious Stone Chambers, Tilly Foster Farm, the West Point Foundry Preserve, among many more.
A few select film productions that have filmed in Putnam County over the years, include:
HELLO, DOLLY (1969)
Directed by Gene Kelly and starring Barbra Streisand and Walter Matthau, "Hello, Dolly!" used Garrison to look like Yonkers circa 1890. It's features Vandergelder's Hay and Feed Store where the "Put On Your Sunday Clothes" dance number was filmed. See clip.
MALCOLM X (1992)
The opening scene of Spike Lee’s MALCOLM X was filmed in Putnam Valley. The scene focused on the burning of Malcolm Little’s childhood home in Lansing, Michigan. The house was burned to the ground by the Black Legion, a white supremacist group. See clip.
MONA LISA SMILE (2003) & THE SOPRANOS (2007)
You're probably wondering what Mike Newell's "Mona Lisa Smile," starring Julia Roberts, Kirsten Dunst and Julia Stiles can possibly have in common with The Sopranos 2007 episode "Soprano Home Movies,” starring James Gandolfini, Michael Imperioli and Dominic Chianese. Apparently both projects filmed at a home on the Lake Oscawana, owned by the late Roy Scheider ("Jaws,"The French Connection," "All That Jazz").
Paul Rudd and Laurent Rejto at special screening of OUR IDIOT BROTHER
OUR IDIOT BROTHER (2011)
Paul Rudd stars as easygoing, dimwitted slacker Ned Rochlin. Upon his release from jail for selling pot, he brings chaos upon his three well-intentioned sisters (Elizabeth Banks, Zooey Deschanel, Emily Mortimer). The film commission worked with location manager Eddy Collyns (Michael Clayton, The Seagull) to secure Main Street in Cold Spring for some additional filming. Watch trailer.
THE AFFAIR (2014)
Main Street and several other locations in and around Phillipstown were also featured on the SHOWTIME series THE AFFAIR, starring Dominic West (Noah), Ruth Wilson (Alison) and Maura Tierney (Helen). Season 1 takes place primarily in Montauk, but as season 2 opens, Noah and Alison have moved to Cold Spring. Watch Season 2 trailer. For more details, see Highlands Current.
PUMPKINHOLE (2020)
Most recently, Chilean writer-director Juan Pablo has been filming around Putnam and Dutchess, including the Breakthrough Tunnel. Executive producer Vlad Piverger worked location on A QUIET PLACE in 2018. Producer Marc Tarczali received his MFA in Producing from the AFI Conservatory. He resides around Pawling. See trailer.
Stay tuned for upcoming news about film and TV productions coming to Putnam County and the rest of the mid-Hudson Valley. Based on data collected for the fiscal year 2019, regional totals include:
$46-million+ in DIRECT REGIONAL SPENDING
*Total does not include any multipliers for indirect spending.42,250+ rooms rented at local lodging establishments
441+ production days
460+ scouting days tallied
180+ locations used
500+ local crew members hired
762+ crew members traveling to region
4058+ local actors and extras hired
Anyone interested in making a location available should email filmcommission@me.com.
For more information, visit Putnam County.
The Hudson Valley Film Commission is a 501(c)(3) non profit organization that helps productions secure local crew, cast, locations, vendors, post production facilities, and more! Since 2000, the film commission has supported and worked on over 500 productions, helping to create thousands of jobs and over $250 million in regional economic development. The Hudson Valley Film Commission is supported in part by Dutchess Tourism, Markertek, Putnam County, and the Wood Dock Foundation. Please support our continued efforts with a tax-deductible donation at hudsonvalleyfilmcommission.org/support