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The Gazebo from The Dead Zone movie
Famed gazebo prop for movie
Structure scene of rape, murder in 1983 Stephen King film, The Dead Zone
By Eddie Chau
The gazebo at Queen's Royal Park is a magnet for thousands of visitors each year. With a crystal clear view of the Niagara River, it's a hot spot for romantic couples and tourists with cameras.
Not that the visitors are aware that their beloved gazebo was the scene of a brutal rape and murder 25 years ago.
It was all fictional, of course.
The gazebo was featured in The Dead Zone, a 1983 David Cronenberg film that starred Christopher Walken and Martin Sheen.
Based on the Stephen King novel of the same name, The Dead Zone tells the story of Johnny Smith, a New England school teacher who is sent into a coma after a car accident. After Smith awakens from the coma, he discovers he has psychic powers, which both helps and haunts him.
With a $7 million budget, the horror-thriller began shooting in January 1983 in Niagara-on-the-Lake. Various locations seen in the movie include the Court House, Simcoe Park, St. Mark's Anglican Church and Queen's Royal Park.
Many town residents at the time were used as extras for the film or participated in its production, including Rob Wilson.
Wilson worked about six weeks on the movie and helped build the infamous gazebo. Working with the special effects department on set, Wilson said he was unemployed at the time when a friend who worked at the Shaw Festival's prop department suggested Wilson for the job.
Working for $10 an hour, Wilson said he remembered once working on set for 26 straight hours. One memorable prop he built for the film was a rigged bed frame which was lit on fire.
Of The Dead Zone's actors, Wilson said Martin Sheen was the most personable.
"Sheen was the nicest guy in the world. He sat and ate lunch with the crew and then would sing and dance at The Anchorage at night," Wilson said. "He really enjoyed his stay here."
Christopher Walken, on the other hand, wasn't somebody who was approachable, Wilson said.
"We were told (by the crew) not to look or talk to him," he said. "Walken always wanted to stay in character. He was kind of a loner."
The gazebo was left behind after The Dead Zone filming ended and the town has officially adopted it as one of its landmarks. The town's parks and recreation director, Clive Buist, said the gazebo is booked through the town for weddings every year.
"It's $100 to rent it for three hours," Buist said. "We have more than 100 weddings per year. It's nice revenue for the town."
Buist said most visitors are unaware of the gazebo's infamous past as they see it as a romantic spot with a perfect view of the water.
He said in the past 25 years, the gazebo has had regular repairs to keep it standing. Buist said the town is scheduled to rebuild the structure entirely in two years.
"It's been budgeted and plans are set," he said. "It will look the same as it does now."
Structure scene of rape, murder in 1983 Stephen King film, The Dead Zone
By Eddie Chau
The gazebo at Queen's Royal Park is a magnet for thousands of visitors each year. With a crystal clear view of the Niagara River, it's a hot spot for romantic couples and tourists with cameras.
Not that the visitors are aware that their beloved gazebo was the scene of a brutal rape and murder 25 years ago.
It was all fictional, of course.
The gazebo was featured in The Dead Zone, a 1983 David Cronenberg film that starred Christopher Walken and Martin Sheen.
Based on the Stephen King novel of the same name, The Dead Zone tells the story of Johnny Smith, a New England school teacher who is sent into a coma after a car accident. After Smith awakens from the coma, he discovers he has psychic powers, which both helps and haunts him.
With a $7 million budget, the horror-thriller began shooting in January 1983 in Niagara-on-the-Lake. Various locations seen in the movie include the Court House, Simcoe Park, St. Mark's Anglican Church and Queen's Royal Park.
Many town residents at the time were used as extras for the film or participated in its production, including Rob Wilson.
Wilson worked about six weeks on the movie and helped build the infamous gazebo. Working with the special effects department on set, Wilson said he was unemployed at the time when a friend who worked at the Shaw Festival's prop department suggested Wilson for the job.
Working for $10 an hour, Wilson said he remembered once working on set for 26 straight hours. One memorable prop he built for the film was a rigged bed frame which was lit on fire.
Of The Dead Zone's actors, Wilson said Martin Sheen was the most personable.
"Sheen was the nicest guy in the world. He sat and ate lunch with the crew and then would sing and dance at The Anchorage at night," Wilson said. "He really enjoyed his stay here."
Christopher Walken, on the other hand, wasn't somebody who was approachable, Wilson said.
"We were told (by the crew) not to look or talk to him," he said. "Walken always wanted to stay in character. He was kind of a loner."
The gazebo was left behind after The Dead Zone filming ended and the town has officially adopted it as one of its landmarks. The town's parks and recreation director, Clive Buist, said the gazebo is booked through the town for weddings every year.
"It's $100 to rent it for three hours," Buist said. "We have more than 100 weddings per year. It's nice revenue for the town."
Buist said most visitors are unaware of the gazebo's infamous past as they see it as a romantic spot with a perfect view of the water.
He said in the past 25 years, the gazebo has had regular repairs to keep it standing. Buist said the town is scheduled to rebuild the structure entirely in two years.
"It's been budgeted and plans are set," he said. "It will look the same as it does now."