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October 25, 2008

KANDYSE MCCLURE reports from location in Iowa… shooting Stephen King’s CHILDREN OF THE CORN

What happens in the cornfield stays in the cornfield…Part One

No truer words have ever been spoken, especially when you’re doing a Stephen King remake in the middle of (choice expletive) Iowa. Actually let me just say - Iowa is wonderful in it’s own special way – the people are friendly and unpretentious, stuff is cheap, there are lots of sporting goods stores and Texas Roadhouse makes one of the most amazing rib-eye’s I’ve ever had. Or maybe that was the Jack Daniel’s talking. (click ‘more’ tab to continue reading)

I arrived under the cover of night, grateful that my flight had not been bumped to the next morning, and was driven from the state I flew into to the next state over – this is the nature of the Quad cities area – sometimes you’re not sure if you’re in Illinois or Iowa, or Missouri (or Missora as any one actually from there will say). It makes finding directions on MapQuest interesting. Anyway, after a quick stop at the Hy-Vee for a few supplies (water, yogurt, miso soup) we arrive at The Lodge  -one of Bettendorf’s oldest establishments and certainly the nicest place in town.

Intricately carved dark wood everything, wrought iron chandeliers, stained glass windows and a fireplace that looked like a guy with a pelt and a pewter mug full of mead should be standing in front of it boasting about the day’s kill. Apparently they specialize in Weddings and honeymoons here - go figure. .  Brocade padded walls and portraits of what I presumed to be European aristocracy adorned the walls  - each suite had a portrait of it’s very own, some of them downright creepy and all of them doing the whole eyes that follow you around the room thing. . . perfect for a Stephen King film. Mine wasn’t so bad; she was just sort of disapproving and looked a bit under nourished really.  And let’s not forget all the stuffed dead animals in the dining room – “taxidermied” predators and prey alike that in all honesty had a touch of the mange. And in the dining room – nothing like looking at what your dinner used to be while eating it. Odd I thought, and completely appropriate.

My room was large, comfortable and had a window that opened and a fridge and microwave.  These are all princess requirements especially since this would be my home for the next month.  I did uncover a few surprises behind the bed though – a strange old milk smell on one side, a bottle of orange creamsicle flavored edible massage oil, a crusty, fuzzy, petrified bit of brown I-don’t-know-what and something that was perhaps once a foam or a gel stuck to the ceiling. The next day, perdiem in hand and in my little Kia rental car I headed for Super Target – A couple of hours and a couple hundred dollars later  – new mattress pad, sheets pillows and comforter – the ones the hotel had got stuffed into the TV cabinet never to be seen again.  Biodegradable cleaning supplies, a mug, plate, bowl, set of cutlery, a personal sized blender for morning smoothies and a few soy scented candles and the transformation was complete.   God Bless Big Box.  This from someone who knows what the inside of Holts looks like  - before and after the renovation. But as they say, when in Rome. . .

Look for Part 2… “Another Day in the Frickin’ Corn” ….coming in October