As Westporters open their pools for the summer, there are many more today than in 1966.
But there were enough that year — and our town had just the right suburban vibe — for a movie called “The Swimmer” to be filmed here.
Westport was not a random choice. The movie — based on a 1964 New Yorker short story of the same name by John Cheever — was adapted by Eleanor Perry, and directed by Frank Perry.
The couple lived in Westport. Frank grew up here, working as both a parking lot attendant and intern at the Westport Country Playhouse. He later produced several shows there, before turning to TV documentaries and then films.
But Lancaster starred in “The Swimmer.” (It marked Joan Rivers’ film debut too.)
The surrealist plot involved a suburban man who “swims” across Fairfield County, becoming increasingly distressed as he is reminded of his romantic and financial failures.
Burt Lancaster (3rd from right), in “The Swimmer.”
The Perrys used a number of different Westport locations during that summer shoot. (Later scenes were filmed in California, giving it an odd, bi-coastal look.)
It was released 2 years later, in 1968. It received mixed reviews, but has since become a cult classic.
Was your pool in “The Swimmer”? Do you remember that summer of filming? Do you even know who Burt Lancaster was? Click “Comments” below. (Hat tip: Ken Bernhard)
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My sister Connie Brandt was an extra in the film, lounging by a pool in the background. A number of Westporters were recruited as extras in the film, the shooting of which caused considerable excitement that summer.
Locations in Weston were used, such as the Lipton’s across Norfield Road from the library.
i do remember my dad sayingno thanks when they scouted our pool for a location
We had just moved to Westport. My husband and I treated ourselves to dinner at chez Pierre. And omg we were seated next to Burt Lancaster and the Perry’s also having dinner. We’re we’re all dressed up for our restaurant dinner. Burt and the other couple were in sweats and sneakers. I found that surprising.
Film director Frank Perry was the star of the Staples Players’
production of “The Man Who Came To Dinner” in 1947. He was the Man. He (and I) graduated from Staples that year.
Hi Peter,
Maybe it was a school play – but not Staples Players. They were not formed until 1958.
Ah! But the players who put on shows at Staples before Staples Players must have been quite an inspiration for the new group. “The Man Who Came To Dinner was a terrific production. I wish I had been in it but I only painted scenery.
Dan! 2 games.
Who are names you recognize from the end credits?
And
Who can recognize the locals, like Staples Players, in the crowd scenes? I used to know some but have forgotten. (Not me!)
Also, pretty sure Cheever’s niece Susan was SHS 65. I bought books from her Dad’s small short lived 2nd floor bookstore om Main.
One of the pools was at the Lawrence Langner and Armini Marshall home. It was the scene where their was a pool party was going on. My old friend Gene Lexen was at the party.
The movie, The Swimmer was a selling point when we purchased our home in the 80’s on Highwood. More importantly it was on over an acre and no grass to cut.
Frank Murgalo
Filming was done at our classmate Sarah Weppler’s pool but I can’t remember if it made it into the final cut.
As my brother said, I was an extra on The Swimmer. I didn’t see myself in the film, but it was great fun to be part of the process!
I must be in the “cult”. Loved the film, and had already loved the short story. Didn’t know shot in westport. am sure it feels dated in many ways, but the feelings (perhaps even less dated in the Updike story) are even more prevalent today.
We used to live off Green’s Farm Road near the Sherwood Island Connector, where they filmed the scene of motorists throwing tomatoes at Burt Lancaster as he ran down the middle of the road barefoot. Before the shoot, Lancaster’s trailer was parked along the Connector, and I saw him wearing a robe and sitting in a canvas director’s chair. I remember walking up to him with a pen and a pad of paper, shaking in my 9-year-old hands, and asking, “Mr. Lancaster, may I please have your autograph?” He stood up, looked me up and down twice, and then replied, “Get lost, kid!” What a jerk. I grabbed a tomato…
Was this a silent movie?
My poker buddy had the pool where Burt gets tossed from the party. It was on Steep Hill Rd in Weston. My best friend Jack Rea told me the local kids painted a fence at Winslow Park for a scene. Burt signed autographs afterwards. The scene was cut from the movie. Jack was pissed and thought the movie sucked!
Outstanding film! If anyone would know Neddy’s life, it’s the folks from Westport/Weston. Seeing the unfolding metamorphosis as he struggles through his metaphorical quest, is worth potent stuff. “Next stop, Willoughby!”
Brad…..sounds like Jack.
If I recall …..the scene where the horses were in the coral was done on the Sanitorium property ( now Winslow Park) maybe that’s the fence Jack is referring to?
Another Frank Perry movie with something of a Westport connection was “Mommie Dearest.” That biographical film about Joan Crawford was based on the book of the same name written by her adopted daughter, actress Christina Crawford. Like Frank, Christina had also been a Playhouse intern (1957).
I was in the movie! I was “kid in pool”, I made 7 bucks.
From our home is Weston we watched filming across the valley.