‘Getting Grace’ co-stars Daniel Roebuck and Madelyn Dundon sign autographs at the movie’s local premiere Friday.
A movie that was filmed in the Lehigh Valley last year and is directed by Hollywood actor and Bethlehem native Daniel Roebuck–who also stars in it–is playing in limited release at two local multiplexes this weekend: AMC Center Valley 16 at The Promenade Shops at Saucon Valley and AMC Allentown 16 on Catasauqua Road near Airport Road.
Roebuck, who spoke to students at St. Theresa School in Hellertown about his new film, his career and his faith on Tuesday, attended the local premieres of Getting Grace Friday. He also met with fans at the Promenade Shops, where he sold candy before an 11 a.m. showing.
The actor who is well-known for starring in popular television shows such as Matlock and Nash Bridges took time out of a busy schedule promoting his new film to talk to Saucon Source Saturday afternoon, providing some background about the movie–his feature film directorial debut–in which he stars as a world-weary funeral director who learns about life from a young woman who doesn’t have much of hers left to live.
Roebuck explained that he was initially approached only to act in Getting Grace, but said that as soon as he read the script, he knew he wanted to direct it and film it in the Lehigh Valley. He also ended up co-writing the final screenplay.
“The thing that struck me immediately was…the genius of the story,” he said, calling his character, Bill Jankowski, “an old-fashioned guy” who’s brought into conflict with the character of Grace.
Roebuck compared making a movie that deals with a somber subject like mortality to walking a tightrope, but said his own experiences with the subject–including a near-death experience–helped him through that.
“Celebrate every day like it’s your first day,” he said. “God’s designed this whole thing in his infinite wisdom–he puts a sunrise at the beginning of the next day to remind you that…you’ve got this opportunity to be a new person. That’s what our movie’s about. It’s about celebrating life. And helping each other out.”
Getting Grace was filmed at locations throughout the Bethlehem area, including Herron Funeral Home on Center Street in the city’s historic district, and Roebuck said he is happy to be reading reviews in which his hometown is being called “picturesque.”
“I felt that Bethlehem was the perfect place (to film the movie) and I knew Bethlehem–I knew where to put the cameras at,” the Bethlehem Catholic graduate said.
About half of the actors in the film were also cast locally, and Roebuck said he plans to put out another local casting call for his next movie, Hail Mary, which he expects to film here later this year.
That movie will play on Catholic and other themes, as it will tell the story of an “irrascible” nun who “cons a down-on-his-luck guy” in order to create a football team, Roebuck said.
Although he has made a name–and a home–for himself in Hollywood, the star said he returns to the Lehigh Valley often, as his father still lives here along with his nephew, who attends Lehigh. His former wife and the mother of his children is also a native of the area.
He said that he ended up at the St. Theresa School assembly after coming out of a restaurant and bumping into a couple of nuns from the parish.
“You can’t say no to nuns,” he joked.
Roebuck will again be at the AMC Center Valley 16 tonight at 7 p.m., where with co-star Madelyn Dundon he’ll meet with fans before the 7:45 p.m. showing and at 10 p.m., prior to the 10:45 p.m. showing.
Getting Grace, which is rated PG-13, can also be seen at the Promenade at 4:45 p.m. Saturday and on Sunday, March 25 at 11 a.m., 1:45 p.m., 4:45 p.m., 7:45 p.m. and 10:45 p.m.
Local residents can also catch it at AMC Allentown 16 at these times:
- Saturday, March 24: 3:45 p.m., 6:30 p.m., 9:10 p.m.
- Sunday, March 25: 1:05 p.m., 3:45 p.m., 6:30 p.m., 9:10 p.m.
For photos and updates, also check out the film’s Facebook page.
“A movie needs people to see it the first weekend in order for it to survive,” Roebuck said. “If you want to enjoy it this weekend that’d be great.”
He added that regardless of how many people pack theater seats, “any support is a blessing” and said he is greatful for the “beautiful” response his film has been getting, both from people he meets and in online reviews.
“We’re in it for the long haul,” he said, noting that Getting Grace will eventually be available to watch on Netflix and other popular online movie-viewing platforms.
To purchase tickets online to see the movie, visit Fandango.com or the AMC Theatres website.
Much more information about the film is also available on the Getting Grace website.
