PITTSBURGH – Hollywood was in town this week. Showtime is filming a series and they are choosing the local eatery, Don’s Diner, to be a part of it.
‘It’s amazing how they change it. The size of this place does not matter. When you see it on TV, it looks ten times bigger. I love it! ”Said Marcie Kemmler, owner of Don’s Diner.
The dinner in the Woods Run neighborhood in Pittsburgh celebrates its 25th anniversary this year with its 10th production. Owner Marcie Kemmler says the following films / programs have been filmed there over the years:
- Kryger
- Bridge to nowhere
- 12/24
- American Pastoral
- Mindhunter
- Next three days
- Justified
There was also a movie for a lifetime, a music video and a college documentary. It all started in 2009 when the first movie, Warrior, was filmed there.
“Nick Nolte and Tom Hardy were so wonderful, flat on the ground,” Kemmler said.
So how did Hollywood find Don’s Diner?
” A South Side explorer came in and said ‘you are on the list. We wanted to watch. You’re the perfect place, ” Kemmler said. “They loved the structure, they loved the bridges, the trains, the yards where they could erect their belongings.”
The production team of Showtime set up the dinner a few months ago according to their taste and filmed it this week. Kemmler says it’s for a new series airing this fall American Rust. It is located in southwestern Pennsylvania.
She takes good care of the productions she chooses because she says they take good care of her: one added a window, another added new counters and the latter replaced a few lamps and a doorknob.
On film day, Kemmler says it’s an organized chaos.
“You see the people here, there, on the walkie talkie, cameras,” Kemmler said. “And everything is as done, tree, tree, tree.”
She thinks the whirlwind day will resonate with the audience for years to come.
“It’s really going to help us when people see us on screen. People will say, ‘Oh, I want to go there. I know where it is. ”
It’s just Marcie and her stepfather running Don’s Diner; they could not afford to pay anyone else during the pandemic. Due to state restrictions, they could only have six people inside at a time, and many of them are their regular residents.
“I can not thank them enough for always staying with us during these difficult times, and I appreciate everyone,” Kemmler said.