Catering to 'Killshot'

For actor Thomas Jane, Cape Girardeau has been a welcome detour from Hollywood.

"It's just one of those classic-style towns," he said. "It's a charming place and I've felt right at home here ever since I arrived. Everyone has been really welcoming."

Jane and the crew of "Killshot" spent the early part of Wednesday filming a scene where Jane's character Wayne prepares to leave town. As local extras swabbed the decks of the Elizabeth Ann towboat (newly dubbed with screen name the "Robert R. Nally") in the background, Jane had the enviable task of kissing co-star Diane Lane for multiple takes.

"It's a pretty emotional scene," said Jane. "My character has just gotten a job on a tugboat and he's kissing his wife and telling her goodbye."

If filming in Cape has been good to Jane, it's been great for local businesses.

Foremost among these is Brenda's Diner, which has been selected as a location for a scene probably to be shot Saturday afternoon.

"We've been pretty busy around here," said owner Brenda Glueck. "I'm hoping we get a little boost from this; there's already been some people in here that didn't know this place existed before now."

Glueck said she will be ready with food should the scene demand it and ready with her camera should the opportunity present itself. "I'm going to try for an autograph or a picture," she said. "All I can do is ask."

Diane Lane and Thomas Jane, playing the roles of Carmen and Wayne Colson in the move "Killshot," kissed each other goodbye on a barge at the Missouri Dry Dock Wednesday. In the scene, Jane's character was leaving to work on a towboat.

The scene at Brenda's will have two surprise stars. Mickey Rourke and Joseph Gordon-Levitt are flying to Cape Girardeau Friday to be part of the diner scene.

"This is a scene that they were supposed to shoot in Toronto, but for some reason they were unable to," said director of the Missouri Film Commission, Jerry Jones. "What's interesting is that the scene is supposed to take place in Michigan, so this is Cape portraying Michigan."

Mayor Jay Knudtson said the official tally of revenue for the city through hotels, restaurants and rented equipment is projected at $1 million. The final total, however, could be much more.

"There are people so passionate about either Elmore Leonard or Johnny Knoxville or Diane Lane, they travel to these cites they see in movies," he said. "It almost seems like the movie is referencing Cape Girardeau much more than the book did, so obviously [production staff] saw things and character in this city and they figured they'd be unable to do it somewhere else. It became a decision to make a major investment to come here, with at least 150 members of production crew alone, and I hope it will pay off for everyone."

Some connections with the movie, though, are harder to quantify. The bathroom at a Cape Girardeau lunch-spot bears a reminder of a brush--or perhaps a flush--with fame. "Notice to all patrons: Diane Lane used our toilet and we never plan on cleaning it again," reads a sign posted at Sidewalk Sandwich Co.

Rebecca McNulty who posted the sign also works at Molly's restaurant and said both places have gotten a bump from the movie. "On Monday they were filming here [on Main St.] and the cast and crew was in and out ordering sandwiches and coffees to go pretty constantly," she said. "And then later that night they were all at Molly's. After Johnny Knoxville came in, word must of passed around town pretty quickly because before long it was packed."

McNulty said there were between 50 and 60 people at the bar in Molly's and around 30 for dinner. She said the crowd was equal to a busy Saturday night.

Buckner's has also gotten into the act. It catered lunch for the cast and crew all three days of filming.

Wednesday's meal for 125 gave "Killshoters" lots of different lunch options. Two types of salad and a baked primavera pasta were available; the main course was a pork loin in white wine sauce with side dishes of candied yams with whipped cream and green beans almandine. For dessert, Buckner's provided a choice of either fresh fruit or cheesecake.

Buckner's started making arrangements to cater three months ago. It has also received surprise visits from Johnny Knoxville who signed autographs on Monday and Diane Lane who ordered a Caesar salad and catfish on Tuesday.

"She came in all bundled up with her little eyes peaking out, I barely recognized her," said Buckner's server Alicia Webb.

Webb got some added excitement when she and other servers were sent to the set to serve lunches. "I think they weren't used to people serving them," she said. "Because they seemed surprised when we came around to throw away their plates. They were saying, 'You guys are too nice.'"

tgreaney@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 245