Today in Wheeling History: July 1--Filming begins in East Wheeling for "The Gun on Second Street," a major Hollywood production that would bring celebrity actors and over $1 million in economic benefits to the city (2023).
"The Gun on Second Street" represents a significant milestone in Wheeling's modern cultural history as the first major Hollywood film production shot almost entirely in the city. Directed by Emmy-nominated filmmaker Rohit Karn Batra, the drama serves as an allegory for America's gun crisis, following two Pittsburgh police partners whose lives are forever changed by a tragic accident. Production began over the Fourth of July weekend in 2023 with initial flashback scenes shot in East Wheeling using local residents as actors and extras.
Batra selected Wheeling over Morgantown and Charleston because of its rich history and diverse architecture. The city's Victorian houses in East Wheeling proved ideal for 1970s flashback scenes, while Independence Hall and the former Agape Baptist Church doubled for modern-day New York City locations. The director praised Wheeling's ability to serve as a "chameleon" for other locations.
The production brought significant economic benefits, with the film crew spending over $1 million during their 25-day shoot. Local video producer Chuck Kleine of West Virginia Public Broadcasting, who creates the "Edible Mountain" series featuring Wheeling residents like skilled spoon carver Lynn Kettler, collaborated with Batra to recruit local crew members. Kleine worked closely with Ward 3 Councilwoman Rosemary Ketchum, who represents East Wheeling, Center Wheeling, South Wheeling, and Mozart neighborhoods, to streamline the city's film permitting process. Ketchum, West Virginia's first transgender elected official (2020) who later ran for mayor in 2024, was instrumental in creating protocols for future productions.
The film stars Poppy Delevingne, Tom Arnold, and Rumer Willis, with Sean Penn's Projected Picture Works as production partner. Batra praised the local talent and authentic people who made filming possible.
To learn more: AOL (https://tinyurl.com/yetphs7m) (https://tinyurl.com/mtzszp2p), The Hollywood Reporter (https://tinyurl.com/4tffcuup), Variety (https://tinyurl.com/mrxeu2w4), The Intelligencer and Wheeling News-Register (https://tinyurl.com/2uta48vb), IMDb (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10399844/) (https://tinyurl.com/2at4jdvh)
Photo credits: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV; Wikimedia Commons
"The Gun on Second Street" represents a significant milestone in Wheeling's modern cultural history as the first major Hollywood film production shot almost entirely in the city. Directed by Emmy-nominated filmmaker Rohit Karn Batra, the drama serves as an allegory for America's gun crisis, following two Pittsburgh police partners whose lives are forever changed by a tragic accident. Production began over the Fourth of July weekend in 2023 with initial flashback scenes shot in East Wheeling using local residents as actors and extras.
Batra selected Wheeling over Morgantown and Charleston because of its rich history and diverse architecture. The city's Victorian houses in East Wheeling proved ideal for 1970s flashback scenes, while Independence Hall and the former Agape Baptist Church doubled for modern-day New York City locations. The director praised Wheeling's ability to serve as a "chameleon" for other locations.
The production brought significant economic benefits, with the film crew spending over $1 million during their 25-day shoot. Local video producer Chuck Kleine of West Virginia Public Broadcasting, who creates the "Edible Mountain" series featuring Wheeling residents like skilled spoon carver Lynn Kettler, collaborated with Batra to recruit local crew members. Kleine worked closely with Ward 3 Councilwoman Rosemary Ketchum, who represents East Wheeling, Center Wheeling, South Wheeling, and Mozart neighborhoods, to streamline the city's film permitting process. Ketchum, West Virginia's first transgender elected official (2020) who later ran for mayor in 2024, was instrumental in creating protocols for future productions.
The film stars Poppy Delevingne, Tom Arnold, and Rumer Willis, with Sean Penn's Projected Picture Works as production partner. Batra praised the local talent and authentic people who made filming possible.
To learn more: AOL (https://tinyurl.com/yetphs7m) (https://tinyurl.com/mtzszp2p), The Hollywood Reporter (https://tinyurl.com/4tffcuup), Variety (https://tinyurl.com/mrxeu2w4), The Intelligencer and Wheeling News-Register (https://tinyurl.com/2uta48vb), IMDb (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10399844/) (https://tinyurl.com/2at4jdvh)
Photo credits: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV; Wikimedia Commons
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