Many of us who live here now remember when the movie The Housesitter was filmed here a few years ago, starring Goldie Hawn and Steve Martin. But those who are relative newcomers may not realize this rather dull comedy was not the first film made here. That honor goes to 1965's Never Too Late, starring Maureen O'Sullivan, Paul Ford, Lloyd Nolan, Jane Wyatt, Henry Jones, Tim Hutton and Connie Stevens. It was directed by Bud Yorkin and produced by Norman Lear.

This movie of the hit Broadway play of the same name takes place in Calvertown, a small, conservative place in some unnamed location. It is about a middle-aged woman (O'Sullivan reprising her stage role) who becomes unexpectedly pregnant, much to the shock of her curmudgeon husband (Ford, also repeating his role from the play) and their daughter (Stevens) and son-in-law (Hutton) who live with them.

This movie has some funny performances, though it is often weak, slow and just silly. Hutton and Stevens often stand up poorly to the work of O'Sullivan and Ford.

But one of the stars of the film is Concord. She has never looked more beautiful and if you love this town, it is worth watching the movie just for the fun of spotting places and people you know. Main Street, Concord Center in particular is featured and to see both the changes and the ways it is still the same is enjoyable. What is now Cheng An Resturant was then Wilson's Lumber, and that location was also used extensively. And a house on Nashawtuc Road was used for the interior shots of the family's home.

After a 2,000 mile search from Maine to Connecticut, Concord was chosen because it was so photogenic....even from the air, as some of the early sequences in the film were shot from a helicopter. But as lovely as Concord is, it was somewhat beautified in the moving-making process. New trees, shrubs, and other plantings were added to certain scenes. Fake apple blossoms were even tied to trees in some instances.

About 50% of the extras were local folks, many of whom drove their cars as well. They were paid the scale wage of $25.29 per day, with an extra $14 a day if their auto was used. Concord's police chief at the time, Ned Finnan, Jr. was a standout both in front and behind the camera (he is in a scene where he is directing traffic at the corner of Main and Walden Streets), and is credited with making the filming of the movie much more smooth and easy.

While many residents and businesses enjoyed the movie-making, all were not happy. There was quite a bit of complaint and surprise that the Selectmen permitted the filming without much notice or discussion. Some businesses were featured in the film, but others found it simply impossible to conduct trade with all the commotion. Residents were very frustrated at the way traffic was blocked in town. And the movie crew disobeyed restrictions placed on them which were designed to allow our Memorial Day parade, causing confusion and friction.

Much was made of the fact that there was not then -- as there is not today -- a movie theatre in Concord. The local premiere was held at the Maynard Fine Arts, which was preceeded by a dinner at the Powdermill Steak House (now the Maynard Elks Club) to benefit Emerson Hospital. The movie theater featured Klieg spot lights, star appearances (Paul Ford was in attendance), and splendid tuxedos and ball gowns. Tickets went for the shocking price of $20 each.

There's no reason you should pay the current equivalent of $20 each to get a peak at this flick. Our local video rental stores should carry it, and it is sometimes on television. Make some popcorn, get on your jammies, and be prepared to somehow forgive Connie Stevens for being so blondely vacuous. And have a good time, which no doubt is the entire purpose of a movie of this type.