MUSEYON GUIDES » Canada

Extended Travel: Niagara Falls

Kellas — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 21:34:34 +0000

photo courtesy of Niagara Tourism & Convention Corp.

There is something in the name Niagara Falls that induces in the American imagination a nostalgia for things we’ve never known but feel we’ve always known; of road trips in Winnebagos, of our grandparent’s honeymoon, of holding hands in yellow rain slickers. Ingrained from an early age through black and white movies starring Marilyn Monroe and grainy photos of great aunts and uncles, Niagara Falls is an iconic place that we may not have visited but we know we will one day.

The origin of the name Niagara Falls is unknown, perhaps an old Native American tribe?, but since the first European explorers in the early 17th century, tourists have been flocking to the area. And fueled by an advertising campaign by the New York Central railroad, ever since the end of the American Civil War couples been coming here to celebrate recent nuptials. Jerome Bonaparte, brother of Napoleon, even ventured to the Falls with his new bride.

The Falls’ easy access and stunning views have led to 181 films and television episodes to be filmed there. From the Marilyn Monroe and Joseph Cotton film Niagara in 1953, which caused a sharp rise in honeymooners, to an episode entitled “Niagara” of The Office where the characters Jim and Pam secretly wed on the Maid of the Mist boat. Other films made at Niagara include Superman II and the 2006, Pirates of the Caribbean: World’s End where the Falls portrayed the “World’s End.”

Located 17 miles north-northwest of Buffalo, New York and 75 miles south-southeast of Toronto, Ontario, Niagara Falls, straddling both Canada and America, is an easy day trip from either city.

Niagara Falls
Niagara Falls, NY

View Larger Map

Montreal Movies

Heather C — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 20:18:11 +0000

Mary Queen of the World Cathedral, Montreal, Canada

Even in Francophone Quebec, Montreal stands out as decidedly European. That’s why so many film productions head to the Canadian city, using it as a stand-in for everything from Moscow to Paris. The folks over at the Metro just did a round-up of the Canadian city’s on-screen cameos including blockbuster flicks like ‘The Curious Case of Benjamin Button’ and ‘The Aviator’, which got us thinking about our northern neighbor. Find out where you can see Montreal in the movies, after the jump…

Rue Saint-Paul leading to the Bonsecours Market, Montreal

Montreal City Hall (275 rue Notre-Dame Est, Montreal; 514-872-0077): Old Montreal’s grand, 19th-century City Hall strikes an imposing presence, which is one reason why Martin Scorsese chose it to play a courthouse where an increasingly unstable Howard Hughes (Leonardo DiCaprio) in 2004’s ‘The Aviator‘. The building is designated as a National Historic Place of Canada and is open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free group tours are offered daily from in English, provided you schedule in advance. To get there take the metro to the Champ-de-Mars station.

Rue Saint-Paul: With its cobblestones and old-world charm, this historic street in Old Montreal stood in for Moscow in ‘The Curious Case of Benjamin Button‘ — after a little snow was added, of course. To see it for yourself head to Bonsecours Market at 350 Rue Saint-Paul Est. (514-872-7730). There you’ll find art galleries, boutiques and cafes that rival Paris. In the film you may not recognize the market; its signature silver dome was changed to become “more Russian”.

Place d’Youville: Another Old Montreal (or as the French-Canadians say, Vieux-Montréal) landmark remade for the big screen, the Place d’Youville is a popular public square which runs from the Place Royale to McGill Street. In 2002’s ‘Confessions of a Dangerous Mind‘ the square stood in for Berlin, complete with a recreated section of the Berlin Wall. You won’t see the square’s famous obelisk in the film, though; it was transformed into an observation tower.

images via iStock.

Where the Movies Really Are

Heather C — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 15:32:27 +0000

Check out the August issue of the always awesome Travel + Leisure for a guide to where your favorite movies are actually filmed. Author Darrell Hartman gives a big shout-out to Museyon Guides, with five movies filmed in surprising locations. That scene with this post … it doesn’t get more iconically Wild West than that, right? Wrong. It’s actually Almeria, Spain, cinematic backdrop to many of the most iconic Westerns ever filmed. Learn more about your favorite movies and test your on-location knowledge with Travel + Leisure and Museyon Guides.

Photo: ©Villena See it on pg. 14 of our Film + Travel guide to Europe.

Film + Travel Sneak Peek

admin — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 05:47:04 +0000

Just 2 more months until Museyon Guides Film + Travel hits bookstores. If you can’t wait until June, (and we can’t blame you) here’s a sneak peek! Just click the thumbnails for a closer look.

Everyone knows that Los Angeles and New York are where movies get made. But what North American City comes in a close third? Look to Hollywood North — Vancouver, British Columbia.

Canada is a major player in the film industry. That’s a lot of ground, and a lot of films, to cover. In Film + Travel: North America, South America, join journalist Jason Anderson as he takes you on a tour of the Great White North. See where Marilyn Monroe stayed in Alberta, and find out which city substituted for Paris.

Museyon: Film + Travel the three-volume set debuts June 5, 2009. Until then, keep an eye out for more previews, new and more on Museyon.com!

Ideas of North: Canada

Heather C — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 18:59:42 +0000

Head to Hollywood North and explore the country that has stood in for the rest of the world. Museyon Guide Jason Anderson visits the “Paris” of The Moderns, the “New York” of Capote and The Incredible Hulk and the “Wyoming” of Brokeback Mountain — just a few places Canada has played onscreen. For a taste of Canada’s own cinematic history, stop by the Toronto International Film Festival or head to idyllic Prince Edward Island, the real-life home to the fictional Anne of Green Gables. Craving a little more adventure? Join Anderson to see a side of Canada rarely seen by tourists — icy Inukjuak, captured in 1922’s Nanook of the North.

About Your Guide: Jason Anderson writes about film for such publications as Cinema Scope, Toronto’s Eye Weekly, The Globe and Mail and Artforum.com. In the process, he has covered festivals in Cannes, Toronto, Vancouver and park City, Utah. He also teaches film criticism at the University of Toronto.

Photo: iStock