Mackinac Island’s Grand Hotel

The Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island in Michigan is famous for being the location of the central love story in 1980’s “Somewhere in Time.” And yet, this National Historic Landmark has been around since 1887, catering to guests who are happy to be on island that does not allow cars and is closed during the winter months. Today’s post features a number of vintage views from 1951 of this destination that is still at the top of my bucket list.

The anticipation as you get closer:

…and that sense of arrival as you see the majestic pillars of the Grand Hotel’s porch:

The perfect place to view the water:

Looks like the perfect place for a wedding…

I wonder if this quaint little gazebo is still there?

I wasn’t kidding when I said there are no cars on the island. How about this for a fancy-schmancy bicycle?

I can only imagine how many of these tipped over mid-ride.

Even the hotel itself is car-free:

Naturally a large pool is on the property:

I would also hope that this charming Main Street area is still thriving:

The midwest version of Catalina Island. I really need to make this happen.

See more photos at my main website.

Somewhere in Time 34th Anniversary

Today's post is a tribute to the 34th anniversary of the romantic weepie, "Somewhere in Time," starring the late Christopher Reeve and Jane Seymour, shown on location at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island in Michigan.



Christopher Plummer played the villain whose jealousy almost keeps Reeve and Seymour's characters apart.



The quaint island has remained virtually unchanged over the years, banning the use of cars and providing horse & carriage and bicycles instead. Sounds relaxing! Here's a shot from 1959:



Zooming in for a detail of the Grand Hotel's transportation to the downtown area of Mackinac:



A few vintage views of the Grand Hotel, circa July 1960:







See more Classic Movie and TV photos on my main website.

Screen Gem Saturdays: You Love To Hate Her

Eleanor Parker gives one of the most underrated performances as Baroness Elsa Schraeder, the villainess from Vienna. Is she evil? Well, not really. She’s just a woman who wants to continue living an extravagant lifestyle without any children to get in the way. Parker is perfectly cast in this role, giving the audience just enough bitchery to make them root for Maria.



The Baroness has some of the film’s funniest lines, delivered in Parker’s perfectly understated way. Being the only character not involved in the saccharine singing and dancing, some of the more cynical audience members can’t help but relish this particular bit:

The Baroness: "Why didn't you tell me?"
Max: 'What?'
The Baroness: 'To bring along my harmonica.'

To her character’s credit, she does step away at the last minute when she realizes that The Captain loves Maria, not her. Had this been a true torrid melodrama, she would have fought tooth and nail to keep her wealthy meal ticket!

Parker had previously been nominated for three Academy Awards: “Caged,” “Detective Story,” and “Interrupted Melody.” She has long since been retired and now resides in Palm Springs.

To see more classic movie photos, visit my main website.