x
Breaking News
More () »

Kingston Featured in New Film

KINGSTON – Places and props from communities in the Wyoming Valley are featured in a new movie that was written by Wilkes-Barre native. Officials at Cinedigm sa...

KINGSTON – Places and props from communities in the Wyoming Valley are featured in a new movie that was written by Wilkes-Barre native.

Officials at Cinedigm said the comedy “The English Teacher” will debut on-demand April 16, and will premier in theatres nationwide on May 17.

The movie is about a quirky, single high school English teacher in Kingston, who struggles to help her former star student with a play that flopped in New York City.

The screenplay was written nearly seven years ago by Dan Chariton, who graduated from Meyers High School in Wilkes-Barre in 1993, along with his wife Stacy.

In an interview via Skype from his home in Los Angeles, Chariton told Newswatch 16 that it would have been too expensive to shoot the film on location in Kingston, but many props and places in Luzerne County are featured in the movie.

“We shot around the New York area, but it doubles nicely for Kingston. It’s kind of like the movie version of Kingston. It’s a beautiful stretch of the Hudson in the background. It doubles as the Susquehanna (River),” said Chariton. “Stars like Julianne Moore and Greg Kinnear really respond to the characters with the local flavor of Northeastern Pennsylvania, even though that’s not where they are from.”

Chariton’s parents, who still live and work in Wilkes-Barre, told Newswatch 16 that they recently saw a special screening of the film and that they are glad the movie showed the Wyoming Valley in a positive light.

“It’s a feel-good movie and we think people in the area will get excited when they see it,” said Ruth Chariton.

“You have to have a lot of patience, perseverance, tolerance for disappointment because they have had things almost happen before,” said Jerry Chariton.

People who live in Kingston said that they were surprised to hear that their hometown will be mentioned in movie theatres across the country.

“It’s something that I wouldn’t expect to ever hear. That’s kind of weird but it’s cool because I grew up here,” said Alyssa Ralston.

Film promoters said they’re looking into the possibility of a special premier of “The English Teacher” at a theatre somewhere in or around the Wyoming Valley.

Before You Leave, Check This Out