Columbia Spy

A horror film at a Columbia hotel? Yes! Over the past few days, a film crew took over Smith’s Hotel along Route 462 to make just such a film. Director B. Harrison Smith, whose credits include Zombie Killers and Death House, said his latest film, The Special, is a “horror story about addiction.” He describes it as something you might see on Tales from the Crypt or Creepshow and that it has a “very odd feel to it.” (For more information on the film, go HERE.)

Smith, and Bob Smith (no relation) of Smith’s Hotel allowed Columbia Spy unrestricted access to the film set this past Thursday and Friday, which included the bar area and second-floor hotel rooms. Besides the director, the contingent included several actors, plus personnel for editing, camera, sound, special effects, continuity, and makeup.

Using strategic scheduling, the film crew avoided interfering with hotel customers. For example, a bar scene was shot Thursday morning before customers began arriving at 11 o’clock. The crew then moved to the second floor for an afternoon shoot. All of Friday’s scenes, except for one in the parking lot, were shot on the second floor.

Actors Davy Raphaely (left) and Tony Barber perform a scene at the bar.

The bar scene features actors Tony Barber and Davy Raphaely, in which Jerry (portrayed by Raphaely) checks into the hotel, where a strange encounter will soon occur. Barber plays the “motel manager.” (He also appears in the video “People Live Here” by the band Rise Against, which shows a town in the process of gentrification.)

Sarah French on monitor as she performs a scene in the next room.

Filming on the second floor featured a pivotal scene in which the plot grows ever more twisted. Sarah French, who is well known in the horror film community, plays Jerry’s wife, Lisa, in the scene. She has worked with Smith on Death House.

Director Smith and script supervisor Mel Baxter scrutinize a scene. 

Horror filmmaking has come a long way since the early black and white “film” days, with digital technology now allowing a crew to be more mobile and able to complete a film in a relatively short time. Columbia Spy witnessed the capability of that technology first-hand as Smith and script supervisor Mel Baxter were able to watch each scene unfold in real time on a monitor as the action was being shot in the next room. Smith said the footage is captured on data storage cards that are transferred to a laptop for editing. Post processing happens later, in which color adjustments and other fixes are done.

At day’s end on Friday, the crew wrapped up at the hotel, aiming to move to an undisclosed location next week. Shooting is expected to be completed within several weeks but the movie won’t be ready for release until several months down the line, except for private screenings. Smith said a film typically can take up to a year from start to finish – sometimes a year and a half.

Smith explains that private investors have financed most of his films. His previous works include 2010’s The Fields with Cloris Leachman and Tara Reid, which he produced and wrote but didn’t direct. Smith’s other films are Six Degrees of Hell with Corey Feldman, Camp Dread with Eric Roberts, and Zombie Killers with Billy Zane, Dee Wallace, and Mischa Barton. He also made Death House which he says has “the greatest collection of horror names in a single movie.” In addition, he directed the action-comedy, Garlic and Gunpowder, which was shot in Los Angeles with Michael Madsen, Vivica Fox, Judy Tenuta, and others.

Bob Smith of Smith’s Hotel and actress Sarah French

Columbia Borough Council at the January 22, 2019 meeting

Council president Kelly Murphy acknowledged receipt of the letter from an attorney for the law firm Stock and Leader requesting clarification from the borough solicitor about the borough’s Revolving Loan Program. Murphy explained that the issue is currently being reviewed by the borough solicitor. (No solicitor has been present for at least the last two regular council meetings.)

It was announced that Georgianna Schreck is retiring from the borough. Schreck was recently promoted to assistant borough manager from the position of finance manager. Borough manager Rebecca Denlinger will take over as the borough’s open records officer. Schreck formerly served in that capacity.

Several citizens commented publicly – pro and con – on the Revolving Loan Fund, tax hike, etc.

Resident Frank Doutrich asked council about a meeting that occurred this past Monday night at Councilman Cleon Berntheizel’s Second Street Cafe Garth. Councillors appeared initially stunned by the question until Berntheizel claimed the meeting was for the Republican committee. Columbia Spy has learned that the meeting included Mayor Lutz and his wife, council president Kelly Murphy, councilman Berntheizel and local developer Don Murphy, among others.

Council spent an hour attempting to hammer out the details of a lease agreement with Dennis Farina of K.T. Graham for the former Columbia Number One Firehouse at 137 South Front Street. Problems include questions about the building’s tax assessment and the fact that the borough does not own the adjacent parking lot. K.T. Graham is a distributor of cranes and forklifts.

Mayor Leo Lutz attempted to push back on the details of the Heritage Drive fence that Columbia Spy reported on HERE. Resident Frank Doutrich objected to Lutz’s statements and told him he is “all wet.” Lutz said his information came from Norfolk Southern’s head office, “not someone on a gang.” [NOTE: In response to a previous request from Columbia Spy, Norfolk Southern spokesman Jonathan Glass had informed Columbia Spy of details of the fence project in an email.] Columbia Spy stands by its reporting on the fence issue.