When New York City filmmakers were scouting locations for a true murder mystery set during the winter in 1970s Madison, Wis., attorney Murray Schwartz '69 pointed them north.
“If you are looking for snow, snow and more snow, along with place that still retains some of that '70s look, Schenectady would be an ideal location,'' Schwartz told his clients. He then sold them on his alma mater.
“Union is an absolutely magnificent school with architecture that is timeless,” Schwartz said. “It worked for ‘The Way We Were,' and it would be perfect for this movie.''
Producers toured the campus last fall and despite the lack of snow, loved what they saw. When college officials sent them to the Chamber of Schenectady County for additional assistance, the stage was set for the filming of “Winter of Frozen Dreams,” an independent movie set for release in 2008.
The film stars Keith Carradine, who has been featured in dozens of films and was Wild Bill Hickok in the HBO series, “Deadwood”; and Thora Birch, who played the daughter in the 1999 Oscar-winning film, “American Beauty,” and received a Golden Globe nomination for 2001's “Ghost World.''
Birch plays Barbara Hoffman, a University of Wisconsin science student who works part-time at a massage parlor. Hoffman is accused of killing two of her former clients, and Carradine plays Detective Lulling, who investigates the murders.
The film is based on a book by Karl Harter.
Filming, which began in February and is expected to wrap up shortly, takes place throughout Schenectady County.
Union was the site for two scenes: when Carradine attempts to question Birch at a house on Wendell Avenue owned by the College; and in front of the F.W. Olin Center, which masqueraded as the entrance to a college library, where Carradine and co-star Leo Fitzpatrick go to meet Birch. Producers planned to shoot scenes inside Schaffer Library, but decided its look was too modern to work for the period.
Union also played a role behind-the-scenes. Some of the producers are living in the College-owned house during the shoot, and when a vintage Dodge broke down before a shoot, a College mechanic came to the rescue.
“Union has been great throughout this whole process,” said Anthony Vorhies, who with sisters Millie and Milka Stanisic is producing the film. It's being directed by Eric Mandelbaum. “We appreciate all they've done for us.”
Schwartz is also grateful for the role the College played in his development. Daughter Lindsay '99 also possesses a Union degree and Schwartz endows an annual scholarship for a Humanities student. He plans a return to campus when he visits the movie set next week.
And while no one expects “Winter of Frozen Dreams,” with a budget of barely $1 million, to unseat “The Way We Were” in Union's film lore, Schwartz is happy for his bit role in directing filmmakers to campus.
“I have nothing but fond memories of my time at Union,” he said.