Please step lightly when leaving the trail as to not damage the surrounding plant life.
Everyone’s talking about the legend of Swanson Lake…it’s no longer just a legend. Mom and Dad (Bonnie and Peter) are working on their marriage while dealing with a difficult teenaged son while living in busy Los Angeles, California. Bonnie decides to send both of their angsty sons to her Father’s (Ernest Borgnine) ranch in the countryside (Coehege, Washington – population 300). Grandfather (Bill) has kept the legend of Swanson Lake for years and he is not about to surrender it! While visiting Grandpa’s ranch, the boys discovers Mel, an incredibly large turtle who can do tricks and loves pancakes. Mel is the legend of Swanson Lake and is known as “Swannie” to the locals. The legend is an old Indian myth about a creature sent by the spirits to protect Swanson Lake. In the meantime, Bill is having trouble with land developers who want his property to open a theme park while he wants to preserve his family’s legacy. Neighbor / developer Bailey Silverwood (Jack Scalia) also wants Mel as his official mascot and he is even willing to steal him if Bill won’t turn him over willingly. Mel is being held captive at the amusement park and the boys and their friend Susie stage a break out setting loose a tiger and creating mayhem in the process. Will they get Mel back to the lake?
For this cache, we have brought you to Turtle Trail and although the movie was likely filmed on Lake Pend O'Reille, Swannie could be residing in nearby Newman Lake...one never knows!
Released October 10, 1998. Additional DVD releases were made in 2001, 2004, 2005, and 2011.
Filming Locations: Silverwood Theme Park, Sandpoint ID, and Palouse Falls. What scenes from Spokane were you able to find?
Cast Includes:
- Ernest Borgnine (Bill “Grandpa”)
- Julie Hagerty (Bonnie “Mom”)
- Greg Evigan (Peter “Dad”)
- Jack Scalia (Bailey Silverwood the Theme Park Developer)
- Bug Hall (Travis “Grandson”)
- Josh Paddock (Roger “Grandson”)
- Vanessa Evigan (Susie)
- Paul Sampson (Matt Henderson)
- George Yager (Sheriff Edgewood)
- John Green (Technician as John Green aka Marino)
- Molly Ann Lashinsky (Debbie as Molly Lashinsky)
- Ellen Travolta (Dr. Vogul)
- Jason Evigan (Sammy)
- Christopher Wanner (Joey)
- Doyle McCurley (Undercover Cop)
- Harold Green (Stockboy)
- Roger Lodge (Television Reporter)
- Jonathan Rau (Ernie)
- David E Ornston (Flegmer Brother 1)
- Jack Stone (Flegmer Brother 2)
- Marc Dahlstrom (Young Grandpa)
- Trinity Stiles (Fiz)
- Will Wuorinen (Voice of Mel)
The movie is directed by Joey Travolta and written by Richard Cohen and Daniel Sarokin. The executive producers include Rich Cowan, Marc Dahlstrom, Lucas E. Devenn, Dan Heigh, Dave Holcomb, and Dave Tanner. The associate producers include Ian Kennedy, Joe Lemmon, Greg Rathvon, and Milena Rimassa. The producers include David E. Ornston, Richard Salvatore, Joey Travolta, George Yager, and Marc Sferrazza as co-producer. Music is by Chris White, Cinematography by Brian Cox, Film Editing by Joey Travolta and Will Wuorinen, Casting by Diane Eve and Dale Snipes, Production Design by Joe Lemmon, and Costume Design by Lexi Nikitas.
The Makeup Department consisted of Cara Conlon, Julie Farley, Trista Jordan, Patti Miller, and Tammy Paris. The Production Management included Rich Cowan (post production supervisor) and Pat Davis Lass (unit production manager). The Second Unit entailed Bryan Goeres (director), Johnny Martin (director), and Amanda Steen (assistant director). In the Art Department – Vincent DeFelice, Jonathon Rau, Tami Rotchford, and Jana Treadwell. In the Sound Department – Nigel Elliot, Greg Mills, Tom Taylor, Gabe Verger, David Vincent, and Chris White. Special Effects were created by John Criswell, Dale Fay, Trevor Gunter, and Daro Walker. Stunts were covered by Bob Brown, Bryan Goeres, Al Goto, Johnny Martin, Marta Merrifield, and Nicholas Vito Vicari. The Camera and Electrical Department included Brian Cox, Tim Cunningham, Mike Dinsmore, Steve Glines, Dan Heigh, Richard Heinzen, Deb Hoff, Doug Hostetter, Eric Jennings, Lance Odell, TJ Tollefson, Michael Watson, and Denver Wood. Costume and Wardrobe Department – Kate Ogle and Jarri Schwartz. The Editorial Department consisted of Stuart Baker, Bruce Bolden, John Hendrickson, Stephen Les, Bill Scott, and Eric Swearengin. Jeff Gratz made up the Music Department. Transportation tasks were completed by Dan Fisher, Bart Heimburger, William Powell, and Joe Soleberg. Other crew members included Carolyn Abbot, Barry Donaldson, Larry Finch, Tom Fridley, Paula Hunziker, Fred Pack, Don Preacher, Tyler Ramberg, Greg Rathvon, Forrest Satchell, Mario Saucedo, Dave and Donna Steen, Gary Turner, and Steve Updike.
Production Companies: North by Northwest Entertainment and Two Sticks Productions.
Other Companies: Andy Pratt’s Negative Cutting, Modern Digital, and Titleworks.
Other Details of the Movie: Runtime (97 minutes), Sound Mix (Stereo), Color, Negative and Printed Film Format (35 mm).
Lessons to be Learned from the Movie: Show respect to elders, forgive, and there is beauty in saying “I’m sorry.”
The Spokane GeoTour continues in 2016 with Filmed in Spokane. This GeoTour will send geocachers on a trip through Spokane, finding caches in areas where movies, TV shows, music videos and more have been filmed. Visit movie sets, restaurants where characters dined, homes where actors lived and much more while seeking wonderful new adventures. The Filmed in Spokane GeoTour rewards those who complete the GeoTour with a commemorative trackable geocoin.
- Visit Spokane GeoTour to view a list and map of qualifying caches. All caches begin with the series name "FINS:" followed by a location specific name.
- Be sure to read the challenge rules and print your passport at SpokaneGeoTour.com.
- You must record the cache code word on the passport with the code inside each GeoTour cache to qualify for a geocoin.
- There is a bonus cache connected to the coin. FINS Geocoin Bonus Cache.
- There are lab caches connected to the tour and can be found at Benny and Joon Trail Lab Caches.
The Filmed in Spokane GeoTour is sponsored by Cache Advance, and by donation from local cachers. We hope you enjoy the tour!
