The elegant Victorian sandstone buildings surrounding George Square in the heart of Glasgow have seen nothing like it. Neither have Glaswegians. Every day crowds flock to stand and stare at how their dear, green place has become part of the U.S, in fact a piece of Philadelphia.
Philadelphia, Scotland
Yellow framed traffic lights have replaced the more sober British version, an orange Don’t Walk sign flashes at an intersection, green street signs swing in a gentle breeze above the street. Fortunately, the surroundings roads have been closed to traffic, otherwise bemused drivers might have wondered where Interstate 676 joined the more usual M8.
Yellow cabs with Philadelphia markings, a state department fire truck and a variety of American police cars are parked outside an office building which now proclaims itself to be the United States Court House, complete with American flag flying. Even advertising posters and billboards sport US products and Philadelphian venues.
Crowds Gather to Spot Brad
The Glaswegians are loving it. All life is here, from old age pensioners passing the time before their next cup of tea, to babies in prams seeing nothing but the legs of the surrounding people, to students from the local college and university and women of all ages wanting just a glimpse of their idol. Not much work is being done in offices in the area as windows are crammed with spectators, roof terraces are lined with those purporting to be on their lunch hour and George Square has never been so packed since Hogmanay. They stand and wait, good-naturedly in the main, enjoying watching nothing much happening as the film crew set up the next take. A forklift truck has to pass through the crowd barrier in order to unload odd pieces of machinery and molded plastic from a flat-bed truck. Cameras flash. It may not be Brad Pitt but it’s better than nothing.
A stroll around the area reveals various items of film equipment. A Volvo car is fitted with a huge roving camera being tested by the crew. An open door of a parked truck reveals a zombie sitting hunched forever. Underneath lie a pile of limbs and bodies waiting for their starring scene to arrive. A laconic Glaswegian glances at them and passes on, muttering, ‘Just the usual Saturday night then.’
Humor is well to the fore. A story circulates, already apocryphal, of the Glaswegian drunk who falls asleep in George Square one night and wakens to find himself in Philadelphia with absolutely no recollection of how he got there.
Brangelina Mayhem
And Brad? Where is he? The women crane their heads to see if he’s about but the word from the security guys is that he’s not on set that day. Instead they’re filming a car smash which is taking hours to set up. Everyone settles themselves for a long wait.
Local food-shops are doing a roaring trade supplying take-away meals for the crew while Jamie Oliver’s restaurant on the Square is packed. It’s all good business for Glasgow, £2 million at the last estimate, as well as raising its profile in the US.
Meanwhile, away from all the mayhem, Angelina and the kids are staying at Carnell House, a privately owned nineteenth century mansion in the Ayrshire countryside, about 20 miles south-west of Glasgow. They hired a private train to take them up to Glasgow from London, as apparently, the kids are Harry Potter mad. No doubt, during their stay in Scotland they will find the time (and money) to travel on the Hogwarts Express, aka the Jacobite Steam Train to Mallaig. This crosses the Glenfinnan Viaduct, memorably flown over in the car by Harry and chums on their way to Hogwarts.
Back on the film set, they’re ready. Cameras roll, the cars crash and the take’s in the can. The crowd ease cramping limbs and slowly disperse – till tomorrow. Maybe then, maybe then they’ll see Brad. If not, they’ll just have to settle for a zombie.
Ann Burnett - Ann Burnett is an experienced writer of children's stories and scripts, short stories and articles, and comedy.
