• Tuesday-What'sUP August 3 - 09:16 pm

If you've ever watched the movie Anatomy of a Murder and thought the scenery looked familiar, that's because it just might be. That is, if you've ever visited the Michigamme area, where some of the scenes were filmed. Taking us to the streets of the filming is Robert Halonen. The sign he snapped tells a bit of the movie making story, with the next photo being a view of the corner of Main and Brook street where all the action took place. Imagine the excitement in a small town like Michigamme with a movie being shot there and the chance to be part of it as an extra on the streets of your own little town.

Robert's last photo comes from the Michigamme Museum, Anatomy of a Murder display and is quite the unique piece of memorabilia to hang on to. Take note under the penciled words, Lee Remick sat here, there is a smaller note telling you to "Lift the Lid." Unfortunately Robert didn't snap a shot of what's under that "lid" and it has my curiosity raised, now. So can anyone tell us what you'll find if you lift that lid? :->

If you lift the lid maybe- you might find a picture of Lee Remick? ;O)

It was a great movie.

Lee Remick sat here...now that's a visual.

Still have not seen the movie, I'm a little slow on those things.

It's been about eight years or so since I was in Big Bay, but I remember hearing that a part of "Anatomy of a Murder" was filmed there. I think it may have been in the bar/restaurant if I recall. Has anyone else heard this before? I can't remember the details.

Nice picture of Michigamme today. Last winter the MICHIGAN HISTORY MAGAZINE had a full feature story on how the little town recovered an old fire engine via auction.
In the second picture that could be my exact van as we attended the annual street fair a few years ago in the "downtown" area.
The Michigamme area did have a lot of iron ore mines in the area and in 1870 an ore dock was built at L'Anse to ship the ore to lower lake ports but after only a few years because of a recession the dock was closed and removed..Later in 1890 a dock was construction in Huron Bay Village, but never used as the grade was to large for the small train to haul the ore to the dock. Some of the pilings can still be seen on pictures provided by Clyde Emblad thru the BARAGE COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY.
Wikipedia has info on the IRON ORE AND HURON BAY RAILROAD
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iron_Range_and_Huron_Bay_Railroad

The movie was based on a murder that took place at the Lumberjack bar in Big Bay. I forget what year it happened. I was just in Michigamme yesterday getting stamps, I should have stopped at the museum to lift the lid.

Cindy,
You're right, my brothers, sister, mom and dad were all extras in the movie when filming took place in Big Bay. I was traumatized by not being asked and have stayed away from that end of the camera when possible ever since. !) Perhaps being the awkward age of 12 had something to do with it, couldn't have been my looks. I think I've mentioned it here before that the call to the state police reporting the murder went out from the depot where my dad worked (and we all lived) at the time. They built an empty shell on the side of the Big Bay hotel at the time that was supposed to be the outside of the tavern if memory serves me.

Thanks for all of the interesting and historical information today. That is one reason why I love this website so much. When you ask a question, somebody is always kind enough to respond with answers if they can.

Anatomy of a Murder was released in 1959,
but filmed earlier. I graduated from Northern in
January of 1958 and the filming had been done
by then. It was a big local story of course, and
the cast was truly "big name", it was based on
a book by Robert Traver, pen name of Judge
John Voelker. He wrote several books set in
the area which I think many of you would
enjoy, especially "Small Town D.A.". Check
with your local library under both names. The
trial itself, was filmed in the County
Courthouse in Marquette. The movie airs on
Turner Classic Movies periodically, and is
scheduled to show again on October 18 at 1
PM.

I don't remember which picture was revealed when you lifted the lid, though I'm pretty sure it included Lee Remick. I forgot my camera on the first trip into the museum, but grabbed it and ran back to take a picture of the "seat." We had a nice afternoon in Michigamme, and dinner at Mt. Shasta, which was also a set for 'Anatomy of a Murder' and has a nice display as well.

My sister has been 2 the Thunder Bay Inn where some of the movies' scenes were filmed. Fred, the actual time the murder took place I believe was late July 1952. One scene I found amusing was the attorney (James Stewart) asking the Army Lieutenant's wife (Lee Remick) if she wore a girdle, and she replied "No. DO YOU THINK I NEED ONE?"

I only just watched the movie this year. It's definitely a classic. Our social culture has change so much since then. It's really a piece of history.

I caught that movie on Turner one night last winter, when I couldn't go back to sleep after a pit stop. Enjoyed the clothing, attitude,and innocence of that era. Those were my growing-up days. Good story too.

The movie is based on a true story right?

It's based on a true story.