A Square Celebration: 150 Years of History June 22-26, 1994, Page 32

Woodstock on Film, or Reel Life on the Square Photo courtesy of The Woodstock Independent Gobbler's Knob, where Punxatawneys famed "Phil" the weather-predicting groundhog lives, was recreated in the southwest corner of the Square for the filming of Columbia Pictures! Groundhog Day in 1992. Groundhog Day The Woodstock Square was transformed into Punxatawney, Pennsylvania, in the Spring of 1992 for the filming of Columbia Pictures' Groundhog Day. Starring Bill Murray, Andie MacDowell and Chris Elliott, and directed by Harold Ramis, the film tells the story of a weatherman (Murray) who is sent to cover Groundhog Day in Punxatawney, PA, and relives February 2 again and again. Gobbler's Knob, where Punxatawney5s famed "Phil" the weather-predicting groundhog lives, was recreated in the southwest corner of the Square. Many buildings had their storefronts changed for the filming: Town Square Realty on the corner of Cass and Main became a Rexall Drug Store, and the famed Woodstock Opera House became the Pennsylvanian Hotel. Murray's character also shares a moonlit dance with MacDowelfs character in the bandstand. Many local people had a chance to work as extras during filming. Many of the businesses on the Square continue to display their photos of the stars who came into their establishments. However, the only sign of the filming that remains on the square is that the empty Wien building on the corner of Cass and Main that was refurbished as the "reef Tip Top Cafe for the film has now become the "real" Tip Top Cafe. Dick Tracy One of the premieres of the Walt Disney film Dick Tracy produced and directed by, as well as starring, Warren Beatty, was held in Woodstock to kick off the first annual Dick Tracy Days event in 1990. The movie also featured Madonna as Breathless Mahoney, and Dustin Hoffman and AlPacino as villans. Dick Tracy creator Chester Gould made his home in Woodstock for many years. For more information on Mr. Gould, please see page 30. Other films and commercials Parts of Planes, Trains and Automobiles, starring John Candy and Steve Martin, were filmed in Woodstock and featured the theatre on Main Street. Commercials filmed in the area include a Honda car commercial featuring the Opera House and a Frosted Mini-Wheats advertisement.