BETHLEHEM, Pa -
Bethlehem native, Danny Roebuck began filming his newest feature film in Lehigh Valley's own Christmas City, USA yesterday. The film, "Saint Nick of Bethlehem" is based on the true story of a man who found purpose in adopting a Santa Claus persona after a family tragedy.
Roebuck and his team are shooting at various locations throughout the Lehigh Valley for one week in November and three weeks in March. Yesterday, they started filming at the beautiful, Historic Hotel Bethlehem.
After hearing that the Hallmark Channel was filming a movie about Bethlehem in another country, they decided to make this movie in the heart of our own Christmas City. It's an absolutely beautiful backdrop to any Christmas movie.
"I love Hallmark," said Roebuck. "I'm just surprised to learn that they were making a movie called "Miracle in Bethlehem, PA" but shooting it in Winnipeg, Canada, 1,597 miles away", he chuckled. "Of course, we're just teasing our friends at Hallmark. As a producer, I understand why they are filming there. It has everything to do with the movie tax credits offered in Canada, which Pennsylvania simply doesn't match.
That said, we have made "Getting Grace, Lucky Louie, and The Hail Mary here, all without such credit so, we figured let's do it again".
Pennsylvania filmmaker, Spencer Folmar, collaborated with Roebuck on the story. Folmar said, "The script was nearly complete, and Danny called having had an epiphany after hearing about the Hallmark film. "Let's set our story in Bethlehem, PA!" he suggested, Well, I have seen all of the films shot there and knew that it would be the perfect background for our Saint Nick. "
Roebuck, a 40-year veteran of Hollywood, has appeared in nearly 150 films and over 300 television episodes. In addition to acting, he writes, produces, and directs. He made three of his first four films as director in the Lehigh Valley - the last two through his non-profit A Channel of Peace.
Saint Nick of Bethlehem
1741 on the Terrace Restaurant
Roebuck and his team only have a small time window to capture Bethlehem in all of its holiday glory.
After speaking to Bethlehem Mayor, J. Willie Reynolds, he and his staff were immediately on board with the plan.
Roebuck reached out to Historic Hotel Bethlehem's manager partner Bruce Haines to coordinate shoots at the hotel, which would include important scenes in the 1741 on the Terrace Restaurant - which features a view of the beautiful Bethlehem star.
Haines said, "Capturing the Star of Bethlehem while dining in the 1741 on the Terrace is special at Christmastime and all year long. " Roebuck agreed. "It's gorgeous all year and absolutely breathtaking at Christmastime. The holiday decor is the perfect backdrop for Saint Nick of Bethlehem".
Historic Hotel Bethlehem
Historic Hotel Bethlehem's manager partner Bruce Haines said It's a privilege to work with Danny and his team to feature not only the hotel, or our beautiful city, but also the true heart of Bethlehem and the spirit of Christmas".
This is the third time the hotel has served as a shooting location for a Roebuck film.
In addition to the hotel, other shooting locations include:
Bethlehem's Historic Main Street
Christkindlmarkt at SteelStacks
Saint Luke's Children's Hospital
The Kiffle Kitchen Bakery
The Star of Bethlehem
Media contact: Laurie Monteforte: Laurie@stongmountainmedia.com
570-656-3767
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