EAST CORINTH, Vt. (WCAX) – The sequel to the cult classic “Beetlejuice” is now in select theaters and like the original, “Beetlejuice” was partially filmed in Vermont. Our Adam Sullivan was in East Corinth today gathering reactions from the locals who share the spotlight.

East Corinth is a sleepy town where hay fields are regularly mowed and the day’s news is delivered at the general store. But this small community plays a big role on the silver screen. “Beetlejuice” was filmed in the town of Corinth last summer, as was the original in 1988.

“Tim Burton is a legend. It’s really cool to be a part of such a big movie,” said resident Elise Turcketta.

Beetlejuice mania swept the city last summer, with the original hilltop house, covered bridge, and store all built specifically for the new film.

Lisa Samsom of Montpelier was in the original film. “I love telling people I was in ‘Beetlejuice.’ For me personally, it was great,” she said.

The house is gone, the store has seen better days and the bridge is no longer covered — you can find that structure in nearby Northeast Slopes. But the town still attracts die-hard “Beetlejuice” fans. “People who love the movie and people from out of town, I’m not sure how much the town cares about it on a day-to-day basis,” Samsom said.

While “Beetlejuice” and several other films have been filmed in the Green Mountains over the years, the state remains one of only four without a film commission. State Sen. Randy Brock, R-Franklin County, co-chairs the Film and Media Production Taskforce and says he plans to introduce new legislation this January to attract more films to the area. “It’s an opportunity for our people, an opportunity to build an industry, to get people more interested in Vermont, an opportunity for more tourism, and we don’t have to spend a ton of money on it,” he said. Brock says the new commission would hire a director to take inventory of the state’s workforce and potential locations for filming, and also promote Vermont to the broader film industry.

Meanwhile, Orange County residents are looking forward to their few minutes of fame. “I was in a few scenes,” said Abby Longto, who, along with Braylee Phelps, is a standout on the Oxbow softball team. Both were cast as extras in the new film. “It was pretty cool to see Jenna Ortega and Tim Burton and all of them.”

“It’s cool to be famous for something,” Phelps added, though she says the film’s production has disrupted everyday life in the city. “The lines, the traffic, people coming to visit. But other than that, it’s cool to see our hometown getting famous.”

“For a lot of people, this was a huge life change that lasted a few months, and I think it will be really cool to see what a huge role those little inconveniences played,” Turcketta said.

“Beetlejuice” will be shown in select cinemas on Thursday, with the official premiere taking place on Friday.

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