George Romero and Stephen King are back. Author and teacher Thad Beaumont (Timothy Hutton) finds himself torn between those extremes when he "kills" his profitable alter ego, George Stark (the bestselling dark half to Thad's light), who then assumes evil, autonomous form (again played by Hutton) to defend lethally his role in Thad's creative endeavours. Forced to wrestle with this evil manifestation of his own unformed twin, Thad must fight to protect his wife (Amy Madigan), their twin babies and himself. While Romero skilfully develops the twin/duality theme to explore the writer's dilemma, Hutton is outstanding in his dual roles, playing Stark (in subtly fiendish makeup) as a redneck rebel with a knack for slashing throats. Julie Harris adds class in a supporting role, and horror fans will relish Romero's climactic showdown, in which swarms of sparrows seal Stark's fate. Jeff Shannon, Amazon.com

The filming of Dark Half took place in Pittsburgh and Washington - Pennsylvania.

If you can provide any additional information related to the filming or would like to submit a photograph of how an actual location looks now, please click here to contact us. (Please remember to enter the film name and still number located if you hover your mouse over an image)

The Location manager for this film (according to IMDB) was Brian Hartman. If this information is incorrect please contact me along with the film name. Click here to go to the contact form

Below are the THEN and NOW shots of the filming locations used in George Romero, The Dark Half. The now shots (2008) are taken by Steve Svitek, who worked on the film in the background and lives close to were it was filmed, more about Steve below, while the then shots (1993) are the still images from the movie. This is a direct visual comparison of how the filming locations have changed over time. Some places and buildings are now totally unrecognizable due to massive development and area progress while some have undergone the opposite direction towards deterioration and decay. Some places, however, have stayed intact as they were, unaffected by the passage of weather and time.

The order below is the same order from the beginning to the end of the movie. If you can provide further information or help me locate the missing links, it will be greatly appreciated. These are all my personal observations and any form of constructive criticism or informative suggestion would be most welcome. Roly – Filming Locations Detectives

First and Foremost

I want to say a big thank you to Steve Svitek from Canonsburg, Pennsylvania. Steve sent in the film grabs, the actual locations used in the movie and on set photographs, thanks Steve for all your hard work, below is a photo of Steve.

(Click on the photos taken Oct and Nov 1990 - for a better & larger image)

Below are photographs taken while the film was being shot, the left one is 'The back of the vacation house!!! Hard to believe!! and Infamous stove (without the special effects!!!)' Thanks Steve for the photos and information.

(Click on the photos taken Oct and Nov 1990 - for a better & larger image)

 

top of page

First and Foremost

As Steve was a Deputy Sheriff for Washington County, PA (where a large part of the filming took place) he had behind the scenes access and took these shots. Here are a couple of behind the scenes shots. Thanks Steve.

(Click on the photos taken Oct and Nov 1990 - for a better & larger image)

Below left is a photograph taken behind the scenes when the young Thad has a seizure getting on the bus. The right photo below actually taken at premier of NOLD the remake(1990). The gentleman with glasses is Russell Crupe who provided security on most of the Romero movies. He was the detective in this movie picking up artificial leg at the murder scene. Thanks Steve for the photos and information.

(Click on the photos taken Oct and Nov 1990 - for a better & larger image)

 

Tidbits

Did you know Stephen King wrote under a pseudonym Richard Bachman, this transcended into how Stephen got the idea of the book. The fictional town of ‘The Dark Half’ is called Ludlow; if you’re a horror fan then you will know the ‘Creeds’ who are the main characters in Stephen Kings Pet Cemetery moved to Ludlow. ‘Following test previews, special effects re-shooting was completed in September 1991. However, the film was caught up in the near bankruptcy of Orion Pictures and only belatedly released in April 1993’ source – ‘Creepshow’ the movie guide to Stephen King

 

top of page

1968

Young Thad Beaumont (Patrick Brannan) in front of his house

(Click on the (1990) film grab for a better & larger image)

Thanks to Steve who had sent in the photographs below - 'this scene was filmed on Old Ridge Rd. Rea Pa. The photograph below right is behind the scenes view of the actual location.'

(Click on the photos (taken 2008) for a better & larger image)

 

top of page

Lecture

Thad Beaumont (Timothy Hutton) giving a lecture

(Click on the (1990) film grabs for a better & larger image)

Thanks to Steve, who told us the above was filmed at the Old Main Hall, Washington & Jefferson College, 60 S Lincoln St, Washington, PA 15301. Steve also sent in the photographs below.

(Click on the photos (taken 2008) for a better & larger image)

Autograph

Fred (Robert Joy) asks for an autograph

(Click on the (1990) film grabs for a better & larger image)

Thanks to Steve, who told us the above was filmed at the Old Main Hall, Washington & Jefferson College, 60 S Lincoln St, Washington, PA 15301. Steve also took these shots for us.

(Click on the photos (taken 2008) for a better & larger image)

Thad’s office

I know who you are!

(Click on the (1990) film grab for a better & larger image)

We were not sure where this scene was shot, we presume at the Washington & Jefferson College, 60 S Lincoln St, Washington, PA 15301.

If you would like to submit a photograph of this room or if you have any additional information we would love for you to contact us. As we have sleuthed many locations, please don't forget to include the film grab number and film name (located if you place your mouse pointer over the image.) We will give you full credit for your photographs and information submitted, thanks. Click here to go to the contact form

(Click on the photos for a better & larger image)

 

top of page

The Beaumont house

Thad, Liz (Amy Madigan) and the twins

(Click on the (1990) film grabs for a better & larger image)

Thanks to Ron Magnes from Pittsburgh, who contacted us to say 'I was doing some research of local films produced in the Pittsburgh area and came upon your site. I recognize that house. I actually remember them filming that movie, I live around the corner and use that street often. They shut the street down for about a week or so while filming. I think they also used this house for some interior shots, although I'm not 100% on that. The street is Maple Avenue in Edgewood, PA, about 10 minutes east of the city of Pittsburgh. Thanks Ron for the photograph and the information

(Click on the (2009) photo for a better & larger image)

New Photo added June 2009

The Beaumont summer house

The retreat

(Click on the (1990) film grabs for a better & larger image)

Thanks to Steve, who told us the above was filmed at Cross Creek Park, Rea PA. (off of Rt. 50W). Steve also submitted the photographs below. As you can see the house was built as a set and nothing remains. If you scroll up the page you will see a behind the scenes photograph of the house, which Steve took.

(Click on the photos (taken 2008) for a better & larger image)

 

top of page

Homeland Cemetery

Digger Holt – (Royal Dano) leads the way to the graves

(Click on the (1990) film grab for a better & larger image)

Thanks to Steve, who told us the above was filmed at Lower 10 Mile Presbyterian Church, Rt. 19S, Amity, PA. Steve also submitted the photographs below of the graveyard.

(Click on the photos (taken 2008) for a better & larger image)

'Make sure you use an empty plot where no one’s buried'

'The American way of death'

(Click on the (1990) film grabs for a better & larger image)

Thanks to Steve, who told us the above was filmed at Lower 10 Mile Presbyterian Church, Rt. 19S, Amity, PA. Steve also submitted the photographs below of the graveyard.

(Click on the photos (taken 2008) for a better & larger image)

 

top of page

“What the Hell!”

‘You gotta be kidding me pal one in the AM’ Homer Gamache (Glenn Colerider) Death

(Click on the (1990) film grabs for a better & larger image)

Thanks to Steve, who told us the above was filmed at Rt. 50 Rea PA - across from Cross Creek Park Road. Steve also submitted the photographs below of the graveyard.

(Click on the photos (taken 2008) for a better & larger image)

 

CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE............

Please note, this is a hobby website, the only purpose we use film grabs is to show a direct comparison how buildings, landscapes etc have changed since the time of filming, we do not use the film grabs in any other material. All photographs and homemade videos are (copyrighted) to Roland Keates aka, Filming Locations Detectives, or otherwise specified. Part of the material is not our property and is exposed, we respect copyright laws and only use the film grabs for visual information. No COPYRIGHT infringement intended, however if you require us to remove the film grabs, please inform us so we can immediately see to its removal. If you wish to reproduce anything from this website, please contact us. Click here to go to the contact form to contact me, thanks Roly

Words and photos are licenced under a Creative Commons Licence.