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01/18/2017 11:01 PMTroy Donahue, Claudette Colbert, and Karl Malden were at the Terra Mar in Old Saybrook to shoot a major motion picture called Parrish, a story of conflict between Parrish McLean and his stepfather, a ruthless tobacco tycoon. This 1961 classic is being presented by the Old Saybrook Historical Society, in cooperation with the Acton Public Library, on Thursday, Jan. 26 at 6:30 p.m. at the library, 60 Old Boston Post Road, Old Saybrook.
In addition to filming at the Terra Mar, a popular local resort infamous for accommodating often shady clientele, and long since demolished and replaced by the Old Saybrook Inn and Spa, the film was also shot at the First Congregational Church in Essex, Mystic Seaport, New London, and at Windsor tobacco farms.
It is the story of young Parrish McLean, who lives with his mother Ellen on Sala Post’s tobacco plantation in the Connecticut River Valley. His mother marries Post’s rival, a ruthless planter who wants to drive Post, for whom Parrish works, out of business.
Parrish struggles to find himself and becomes involved in a series of relationships with Alison, a farmhand Lucy, and with the rival tobacco farmer’s daughter, Paige.
The film was based on the novel by the same name written by Mildred Savage (1919-2011), an author who lived in Norwich.
Those who remember the filming at Terra Mar are especially invited to attend and share their memories. The public is invited to this free event. For further information, call the Historical Society at 860-395-1635.