Netflix Movie To Film At Norwalk Mansion

NORWALK, CT — Scenes for the Netflix film "Mr. Harrigan's Phone" will be filmed at the Lockwood Mathews Mansion Museum in Norwalk.

The film is an adaption of a short story by acclaimed horror writer Stephen King, part of a collection of novellas called "If It Bleeds" released last year. Donald Sutherland and Jaeden Martell are set to star, according to the Internet Movie Database.

Filming details were discussed during a joint meeting of the Land Use Building Management Committee and the Recreation, Parks and Cultural Affairs Committee of the Norwalk Common Council held Oct. 6.

LMMM Board of Trustees Chair Patsy Brescia said filming is expected to begin in late October and continue until sometime around Thanksgiving.

"It's a wonderful opportunity for the mansion to get an influx of funds into our operating account," Brescia said during the meeting. "I also believe that it is an exciting thing for the city of Norwalk, and it's also an economic engine that is going to bring some more attention to us, so we're looking forward to making this happen."

Superintendent of Parks and Public Property Ken Hughes said he met with the production company at the mansion to review where they will do their staging, where food tents will go and other matters.

"I'm confident that things are going to go well," Hughes said, "and they have my contact [information] in case they need anything while they're there."

Brescia noted the production will also need to move some light fixtures focused on the building.

"They're in the view of the shots that they need, which is why they need to come down," Brescia said, "and they go back up, obviously, exactly where they were."

According to Brescia, museum staff will be present during shooting to ensure the mansion's interior is protected.

"A lot of these details, any of the things that are being moved or touched, have to be done with our people, and they are paying for that," Brescia said, "so our architects and everybody that we have worked with to restore the building over the last many years will be working with them to protect the building while they're in the set shooting."

While Brescia acknowledged she did not know the exact shooting schedule yet, she said it was her understanding the film involved a small cast, mainly two people.

Attorney Larry Cafero also said the shoot involved a limited cast and the production would only be filming in specific areas of the mansion.

"We have restricted the areas within the mansion which they can film, so it's not as if they'll be traipsing all over into rooms where the public isn't allowed," Cafero said. "It's pretty much going to be the rotunda area and the balcony that's above the rotunda, obviously some outside shots as well. It's a neat project...it's a short-lived project, but I think it's a plus-plus for everybody."

Brescia said the production will also have to provide security on site and a fire watch while shooting is taking place.

"They are restricted to just certain areas within the building," Brescia said. "Most of it's the first floor basically. That is part of the contract, where they can go and where they cannot go. We thought about this very carefully and I think we have a good contract."

According to Cafero, the production company has already provided $25,000 in non-refundable"good faith money," which will be turned over to the museum. The company will also provide a $75,000 security deposit in case anything goes wrong or any damage is done to the property during shooting.

Brescia noted they have tried very hard to protect and care for the mansion throughout this process, as they do with all projects at the building.

"We just love the mansion," Brescia said. "The mansion is so important to Norwalk and in the next 10, 20 years, it's going to be even more significant...it's unique and it's just outstanding, so saving it and preserving it is very important for all of us in Norwalk."

"Mr. Harrigan's Phone" is set to release sometime in 2022, according to IMDb. The film will be written and directed by John Lee Hancock, whose previous directorial efforts include "The Blind Side," "Saving Mr. Banks" and "The Founder," the latter of which starred Michael Keaton as former McDonald's CEO Ray Kroc.

Sutherland is a Golden Globe and Primetime Emmy award winner who has starred in hundreds of films. Notable credits include "The Dirty Dozen," "M*A*S*H," the 1978 remake of "Invasion of the Body Snatchers" and the "Hunger Games" franchise.

Notable credits for Martell include the Bill Murray and Melissa McCarthy film "St. Vincent," "Knives Out" and "It" (2017).