BY DICK ANGLESTEIN
WITMER - Little bits of
“Witness” movie memorabilia are
scattered across Lancaster County
and beyond, but it looks like the
prize film trinket will end up in
Chester County.
(To keep our out-of-town readers
up-to-date, filming was just
completed on the controversial
Harrison Ford movie, “Witness,”
filmed in Lancaster County about
the meeting of the contrasting
lifestyles of the Amish and a
Philadelphia detective.)
* . 't'*'!<}( nj }
Ihi bh*' i^ s - t*
juman, , came to auction to see
buggy “hit” by shotgun blast in movie.
While movie buffs and curiosity
seekers bid on various props used
in the filming at an auction in
Witmer this week, a young Chester
County couple were making plans
to actually live in their Witness
souvenir.
Jay and Jean Dingle were the
successful bidders for the 30 by (ft
foot structure erected in the barn
raising scene in the movie. Last
Saturday, they disassembled the
bam from its location at Nine
Points and moved beams, lumber
and other parts to neighboring
Chester County.
“We’re still negotiating for the
land,” explains Jean.
After the land transaction is
completed, the couple plans to re
erect the barn with some
modifications, such as making it
shorter and wider and changing
the roof design.
But they will have their very own
Hollywood prop to live in and very
likely their new home will be
dubbed “The Witness Bam.”
Perhaps, a house warming can
be held to coincide with the
premier of the movie later this
year. Can you just imagine the
couple getting a video tape of the
movie and each time they show it,
calmly announcing to visitors that
they’re sitting right now in the
“bam” being raised on the screen.
The couple learned of the barn’s
sale through the ad in Lancaster
Farming, which was read by
Jean’s father, a part-time fanner.
And featured at the auction this
week were many of the “props"
used in the movie, including tools
employed in the bam raising.
Among the better bargains were
the heavy carpenter aprons worn
by the bam raiser extras - all
brand new and just a little aged for
effect. One buyer bought a whole
box for less than 50 cents each.
Auction-goers gobbled up the
brand new blue agateware used in
the movie, but passed up the
authentic antique agate items.
Tops among the furniture,
besides the wood chair sets, was
the bed of Harrison Ford. It went*
for $125. But a fainting couch
almost had to be begged to be
bought. (I guess it wouldn’t be
Hollywood macho to have the star
associated with a fainting couch.)
Highlight of the buggies sold was
the damaged vehicle supposedly
hit by a shotgun blast.
For the practical, there were
brand new black umbrellas that
went for about $7.00 each.
For the impractical, you could
have your very own police badge -
gold shield and all.
In dens, family rooms and living
rooms far and wide, a little bit of
the movie will be on display and
become a favorite conversation
piece.
But, none compares to the
Dingle’s keep-sake - they’ll ac
tually be surrounded by their
movie memorabilia.
And, oh yes, this writer bought a
memento of the movie.
But, I’m not going to say what it
If I told you, it would completely
blow my image as a sane, con
servative agricultural editor.
Disassembly of movie barn continues before its move to neighboring Chester County
and transformation into a home.
Jay and Jean Dingle, of Chester County, will soon have
their very own Hollywood prop to live in.
i *-(*•,‘tg n ioiin to build look up
If'!,a: am I hid?
i ’' i
. 'l
to v **«* •
' % m*