10/03/2026
Hollywood History in Mackinac
One doesn't necessarily think of Hollywood filmmaking as part of the history of the Straits of Mackinac, but there have been two award-winning films shot on Mackinac Island. In 1946, This Time for Keeps, starring Esther Williams and Jimmy Durante, was shot partly on location at the Grand Hotel's pool. The other film that looms large in this area is the romantic fantasy cult classic, Somewhere in Time, released on October 3, 1980. The movie was almost entirely filmed on location at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island. The hotel entrance appears boldly as the protagonist drives to the front doors. Movie production received special permission to use a few motor vehicles during filming. Somewhere in Time is a fantasy time-travel romance starring Christopher Reeve and Jane Seymour. Richard, a Chicago playwright, played by Reeve, falls in love with a photograph of Elise McKenna, played by Seymour, an actress who performed at the hotel in 1912 on a visit in 1980. The film follows Richard racing through time to be with Elise despite the odds. The movie had a small budget of four million dollars and underperformed at the box office. Today, however, the film is considered a favorite of Gen X, gaining a second life when the rights were sold for airing on cable and for VHS release in 1991. The film has been referenced numerous times in popular film series, including Twilight and the Avengers.
The film is remembered fondly on the Island, drawing fans from across the U.S. and beyond, even offering tours of film locations. But the film's history and its ongoing presence on Mackinac Island deserve recognition from its devoted fans.
In 1990, the INSITE (International Network of Somewhere in Time Enthusiasts) was founded. INSITE released a magazine three times a year and, through a campaign, makes sure the film remains available as physical media. They host a weekend annually in October at the Grand Hotel to celebrate not just the film but also the Progressive Era (the period in American history between 1890 and 1920), with costume balls and panels. The fans contributed to charities and to the local economy through attendance during the Island's traditional off-season. It is hard to visit Mackinac Island without coming across Somewhere in Time memorabilia, whether it's coffee mugs or Blu-ray discs in gift shops.
The movie is a unique part of Mackinac Island history. While it is more recent history, it reflects on the past with love. Looking at the film through that lens makes it unsurprising that it was filmed on Mackinac Island, where history is everywhere.
