The Ohio State Reformatory is also known to the world as Shawshank Prison, the location where the popular film about hope is set. The historic structure was built in 1886, closed in 1990, and likely wouldn’t be standing today if not for the movie.
Within a few years of it’s closing, “The Shawshank Redemption” had become a popular film and local preservationists had the foresight to begin efforts to preserve the historic structure.
Over Labor Day weekend thousands of visitors toured the historic prison thanks to the generosity of volunteers, a few of whom were former inmates. The capstone of the weekend for many though, was the cocktail party on Saturday evening. Guests dressed in either Shawshank or 1950s inspired garb, dined on hors d’oeuvres, danced to live music, and mingled with Shawshank celebrities.
Bill and Sharon Sample were joined by their friends Kathy Coletta and Liz Green. Dressed in actual vintage hats paired with vintage-inspired dresses and suit, the group looked like they had just stepped out of “Life” magazine or possibly were actors on a movie set. Bill Sample is a local restorationist who volunteers at the prison. “I don’t imagine I’ll see it [the restoration] finished in my lifetime, but it’s worth it,” he said.
Fans traveled from all over to participate in the weekend festivities. Kim Ball, accompanied by her husband Jeff and son Conner, came from Kent. Her favorite scene in the movie is when Red reads the note from Andy and knows where he needs to go to join his friend.
The movie is woven into the lives of many locals who served as extras during the filming. Frank Darabont, the director of the film, gave Jodiviah Stepp a stray dog 20 years ago. Stepp was an extra in the “New Fish” scene, and while on set ended up acquiring a furry friend thanks to the famous director. Although the pet passed away in 2002, the story was immortalized in a children’s book available at the reformatory’s gift shop. Both Stepp and the author were excited to attend the party Saturday.
Some attendees chose to dress as characters from the film. There was an Andy Dufresne look-alike, but the Raquel Welch and Rita Hayworth look-alikes turned the most heads. Crissy Kolarik, an actress from Cleveland, was scantily-clad as Barbarella, the character portrayed by Raquel Welch on the poster that hid Andy’s escape.
Kala McDonald, an actress from Akron, dressed as Rita Hayworth, the actress who starred in the film that the Shawshank prisoners watched in a memorable scene in the movie. Hayworth’s name is integral to the Stephen King story that inspired the film, “Rita Hayworth and The Shawshank Redemption.” Guests and actors alike reveled in photo opportunities with the sexy facsimiles of hollywood past.
Lee Tasseff, Mansfield/Richland Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB), presented the celebrities to the crowd as well as bestowing them with gifts. When introduced, Frank Medrano, whose character “Fat Ass” was horrifically beaten in the “New Fish” scene, exclaimed his memorable line, “You don’t understand, I’m not supposed to be here!” The crowd erupted in applause.
Not to be upstaged by Medrano, Bob Gunton, who played The Warden, reluctantly obliged the taunting crowd with his famous line as well. “Put your trust in the Lord, your ass belongs to me.” Once again the crowd cheered enthusiastically.
Tasseff also took the opportunity to recognize “superfan” Emily Pugh. Last year the young woman took stills from the movie to the various stops on the Shawshank Trail and made photographs of herself holding the still in front of the current location. The CVB had used her images with her permission and thanked her by making a gift of a collage for her, which was presented to the surprised fan at the party.
Party-goers finished out the night with autographs, dancing, prison tours, and reminiscing about the film they all hold dear. No plans for future reunions have been made yet, but many expressed hope that a twenty-fifth anniversary celebration is in the works.
