When Madeline Murphy was an extra on the Jumanji set about thirty years ago, she recalls being told to pretend that she was terrified and crying because an elephant was pursuing her.
So, on a long November 1994 day, she ran back and forth, again and over, in Keene, New Hampshire’s Central Square.
It was cold, and at the end of the day, I was quite exhausted, Murphy, 61, recalled. She received a $60.47 cheque and a few seconds of TV time.
About 125 extras, including Murphy, were used in the Robin Williams movie, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary. It has inspired other follow-ups, one of which is scheduled for release the following year. This weekend, the roughly 23,000-person city in the state’s southwest is commemorating its connections to Jumanji.
On Saturday, a Rhino Rumble Road Race honors the movie’s stampede sequences of elephants, rhinos, and zebras. Around the area, runners in inflated animal costumes are running for a quarter of a mile, which is less than half a kilometer.
Among other activities, there is a scavenger hunt, a parade, and a cast party.
Filmed in the imaginary little town of Brantford, New Hampshire, Jumanji is based on Chris Van Allsburg’s 1981 children’s novel about a mystery jungle adventure board game.
Dow Griffith, a seasoned site manager, was searching all around New England for the ideal location. Growing up in Seattle, he loved coffee and remembered being in dire need of a nice brew one day. Someone recommended a store close to the square, and he was then a little east of Keene.
I sipped my beloved double-dry cappuccino on the front porch, glanced to my left, and, thank God, I found the spot I was seeking! The Associated Press was informed by him. Really, we owe the entire situation to coffee.
That October and the next spring, scenes were shot at the square. The autumnal scenes depict a deteriorated town in the present. Extras portrayed looters and homeless people, as well as terrified runners escaping from the jungle creatures.
Joanne Hof, who is now 78, needed her son’s assistance to see that she was sprinting with her hands up behind the elephants. After purchasing a VHS of Jumanji, Hof, a reading specialist, showed it to the children she dealt with.
She claimed that the fact that I was in the film much impressed them.
The town in 1969 is shown in the early spring sequences of the movie. The immaculate-looking area was circled by extras in vintage cars, while others strolled around in period attire.
I asked the makeup artist, “Are you able to perform a French twist?” brought to mind Kate Beetle, 74, of Alstead, who said that she could be seen briefly crossing a street. They simply got me the appropriate woman’s outfit and flat shoes, and I think the hair is what did it.
According to Patty Little, who just retired as Keene’s clerk, the Jumanji workers collaborated effectively with the city to obtain the permissions necessary to turn Central Square into a run-down, abandoned piece of public land.
She claimed that they dumped dead, old plants around and caused the gazebo’s paint to peel. Lilac plants and parking meters were taken out, and a big statue from the Civil War was brought in to cover a fountain. Crumpled cars from the stampede scene were anchored in situ, and the walls were covered with graffiti.
According to her, everything was fixed, and the next spring, new flowers were delivered.
For both settings, crews were in the city for almost a week.
Little, whose vintage 1961 Ambassador is captured on film, was able to observe everything from the window of her office.
Have I completed a lot of work? She said, “I don’t know during those days.”
A long-haired, bearded Williams wearing a tunic embroidered with leaves ran down the street, drawing a large throng. He had recently been released from the game that had imprisoned him for years as a youngster in the film.
He’s shorter than I had assumed! According to the book When Jumanji Came to Keene by local chronicler Susan MacNeil, one viewer stated. Others said, “He’s got amazing, muscular legs, isn’t he?” But really hairy! And isn’t he freezing in that outfit?
In his honor, the mayor gave him a city key. According to City Councilor Randy Filiault, Williams abruptly said during the presentation, “I am the mayor of Munchkinland,” recognizing the mayor’s somewhat lesser stature.
For fifteen to twenty minutes, he remained in character, bouncing off the walls, approaching audience members, and covering their eyes with their hats. He finally paused, and Filiault concluded by saying, “Thank you.”
Filiault recalled thinking, “I am seeing something really cool here.” How lucky we were.
People placed flowers and pictures under a painted Parrish Shoes wall sign, which promoted a fictitious company that was left over from Jumanji, after Williams committed suicide in 2014.
Last year, Joe Collins, a former Keene police officer who was tasked with keeping an eye on Bradley Pierce and Kirsten Dunst when they were still children, also took his own life. To honor Williams and Collins, festival organizers organized a conversation about mental health and preventing suicide.
Murphy shook Williams’ hand and remarked, “I think Robin would have been impressed with that.”
The national suicide and crisis lifeline in the United States can be reached by texting or calling 988. Additionally, 988lifeline.org offers an online chat.
