MovieChat Forums > The Long, Hot Summer (1958) Discussion > Behind the scenes photo found for The Lo...

Behind the scenes photo found for The Long Hot Summer


Exteriors were filmed in and around Clinton,Louisiana in September of '57. Will Varner's home is located on False River (an old oxbow of the Mississippi) near New Roads, La. In '57 it was known as the Merrick home.I have stumbled on a behind the scenes photo online. The fastest way to find it: Type in a search engine (Yahoo) "Merrick home New Roads, Louisiana" The first listing should be "cast and crew of the movie The Long Hot Summer take a break between scenes filmed at the Merrick home near New Roads...." They appear to be filming the scene where Ben Quick first arrives at the Varner home. You can see Paul Newman with his suitcase and Joanne sitting in a director's chair. Stuff like this is for hard core lifers like me, my apoligies to the casual fan.....`
Big Phil

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That is really cool...I was wondering what house that was, I was thinking it was on the River Road and it really looked a lot like L'Hermitage...but I was wrong.

Does anyone know if the Merrick Plantation is still around? I couldn't find any info on it...

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Do you live in the area ?

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No...but am fascinated with old plantation homes and went to the River Road area in October and saw a ton of them.

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I became a fan of "The Long Hot Summer" many years ago, and since it was set in Mississippi I assumed it was probably filmed there. I had always thought if I could find out where the locales were I would visit them sometime. I was on a trip to Florida and detoured through Clinton, La. to see a guy I had met at an airshow. As I pulled into town I was surprised that I had arrived in "Frenchman's Bend" from the movie. The courthouse, "Varner home", "Stewart home", and church were still intact, but sadly the "Varner store" across from the courthouse had been razed and replaced.I even found out my friend's son had been an extra in the movie when he was a kid. Its a neat area and I look forward to going back........

BigPhil

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Wow...how amazing to come upon the same place without planning it...that's serendipity for sure!!

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