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HUNTINGTON, W.Va. - Several thousand moviegoers decked out in tuxedos and evening gowns turned this Ohio River community into Tinsel Town for Tuesday’s premiere of the Warner Bros. film “We Are Marshall.” The movie, which was filmed partly in Huntington, chronicles the city’s and Marshall University’s rise from the ashes following the Nov. 14, 1970, plane crash that killed most of the school’s football team and many prominent members of the community. The plane was returning from a game at East Carolina when it crashed into a hillside near Tri-State Airport. The accident remains the worst sports disaster in American history. About 2,200 tickets, ranging from $250 to $1,000 each, were sold for the premiere at Huntington’s historic Keith-Albee theater. A joint premiere was held at a nearby movie complex, where the film was shown on 16 screens for another 2,800 viewers. Another 5,000 fans gathered outside the Keith-Albee hoping to catch a glimpse of “We Are Marshall” director McG and the actors, including Matthew McConaughey, who plays former Marshall coach Jack Lengyel, and Matthew Fox, who plays former assistant coach Red Dawson. Instead of the traditional red carpet, the celebrities walked into the Keith-Albee on a green carpet, Marshall’s signature color. Fox and Dawson walked along the carpet together and said they plan to stay in touch. “Every time we come to Huntington, it feels like we’re coming home,” said Jamie Linden, the movie’s screenwriter. “I’m really proud of the movie. I think it does its job of honoring the people who were a part of it.” Linden wasn’t the only person affiliated with the movie to embrace Huntington. “I’ll back be back, man. Huntington is a good place to be. I feel at home here. I’ll definitely be back,” said actor Arlen Escarpeta, who plays Reggie Oliver, the quarterback for Marshall’s 1971 team. McG said he loves Huntington and wants to buy a second home here. McConaughey said the town “sort of became a teammate with us filmmakers.” “I’d like to come back some day and I know I’ll always be able to come here with a smile on my face,” he said. A Hollywood premiere is planned for Thursday and the movie opens nationwide Dec. 22. Courtesy of The Associated Press |
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