Hollywood Descends on Hometown: Filming in the Real-Life Chinquapin

Julia Roberts and cast filming a scene from Steel Magnolias in Natchitoches. Photo Credit: The Advocate.

HOLLYWOOD DESCENDS ON HOMETOWN:

FILMING IN THE REAL-LIFE CHINQUAPIN

Natchitoches (Chinquapin in the play) is so much a part of the story that filmmakers decided after campaigning from local residents and Harling himself that the small town was the only place that a film could be shot. When producer Ray Stark approached Harling after seeing the play, the appeal of filming in Natchitoches and the promise of a huge cast of “superstars” convinced Harling to develop the film six months after the play opened. So, celebrities and film crews descended on the tiny Louisiana town for several months in the summer and fall of 1988.

For a few short months, stars such as Dolly Parton and Julia Roberts shopped at the local Piggly Wiggly, rented houses around town, and got to know the real people of Natchitoches. The experience was surreal for residents, many of whom ended up appearing in the film as extras. The beauty of the town and the special magic of bringing the story of Harling’s sister to life in the town where it happened was unparalleled. A book called Steel Magnolias Scrapbook details the journey of those months of Hollywood coming to Natchitoches.

At the time of filming, Natchitoches had been hit hard by a recession and the town was struggling. Bringing the film to the town not only brought an influx of economic growth during the shoot, but reinvigorated the town’s economy through the subsequent tourism that followed the movie. Steel Magnolias became a modern classic after its release, and tourists have made pilgrimages to Natchitoches for the ensuing thirty years to stay, shop, and visit filming locations. For the thirtieth anniversary of the film, Natchitoches even had a special festival complete with an armadillo cake contest, Easter egg hunt, special panel discussions, a film site tour, and a character lookalike contest. The home used in the film has even been turned into a popular bed & breakfast inn.

Robert Harling Sr., Julia Roberts, and Margaret Harling during filming of Steel Magnolias. Photo Credit: Legacy.com.

Steel Magnolias House Bed and Breakfast, Natchitoches. Photo Credit: Southern Living.