For immediate release: December 16, 2009
Contacts: Michell Howard, PH: 307-777-2855;
Tim Kellogg, PH: 307-868-2567
The tiny northwestern Wyoming town of Meeteetse (muh-TEET-see), population 250, made a perfect model for the newest Hugh Grant movie opening this Friday. Writer and director Marc Lawrence says his visit and tour at the beginning of the film project led him to base the small Wyoming town and characters in his movie on his experiences in Meeteetse. “I got specific information and insight that was utilized in the script. The people were terrific, welcoming and very generous with their time,” Lawrence said.
“Did You Hear About the Morgans?” stars Hugh Grant and Sarah Jessica Parker and the story evolves out of the couples’ abrupt resettlement from comfy digs in New York City to a small, western town after seeing a mob murder and entering a witness protection program.
Michell Howard, manager of the Wyoming Film Office said the Cody and Meeteetse areas stepped up and offered an impressive itinerary for the team Lawrence brought to Wyoming. “The filmmakers’ research here was invaluable in building a Wyoming storyline,” Howard said. “Meeteetse turned out to be the prototype for the town and the people.” Howard is hopeful the film will bring Wyoming to the attention of a large audience of potential visitors. “The possible tourism effect is difficult to gauge but the story being set here can only help to reach many people who aren’t familiar with us,” she said.
Tim Kellogg, owner of the Meeteetse Chocolatier, served as a host for Lawrence during his Wyoming stay. “They had a lot of ideas of what Wyoming would be like. They came here with one perception and left with a completely different perception,” Kellogg said. The chocolate maker also works at a ranch outside of Meeteetse. “I showed them the horses and cattle, the ranch and farm equipment, and explained what happens on a working ranch. I think they got a feel for what goes on day-to-day on a real cow operation,” he noted.
Kellogg also sat with the filmmakers during the Cody Nite Rodeo and explained the various events including how some of them (bronc riding and tie-down roping) owe their origins to ranching. Kellogg is also an amateur saddle bronc rider.
“It was a really fun day that included lunch at the Broken Spoke (in Meeteetse). I think they were happy to see and experience an authentic ranching community,” he added.
“Did You Hear About the Morgans?” opens in theaters nationwide Friday (Dec. 18).
Video footage of the Meeteetse Chocolatier:
Broadcast advisory: For video footage contact Mike McCrimmon mike.mccrimmon@visitwyo.gov
Radio station advisory: MP3 audio with Tim Kellogg of Meeteetse is available