Business & Tech

Lights...Camera...Joanie's Cafe!

Television crews visited a Cranford eatery on Aug. 29 to film a commercial.

Sorry ladies, but the rumors about Brad Pitt filming a movie in downtown Cranford Wednesday weren't true. But that doesn't mean the township was completely devoid of excitement. Film crews swarmed around while filming a commercial inside the local eatery.

Joanie's, a popular North Union Avenue diner, was chosen as the backdrop for an AARP/New York Life Insurance Company commercial. Filming took place inside the restaurant, while crews set up tents and equipment along North Union Avenue.

According to Kira DeMarco, a production assistant for MacGuffin Films Ltd., the eatery was selected by a location manager. The ideal spot for this particular commercial, she said, was a small diner. Several other locations were visited but in the end, the insurance company decided that Joanie's Cafe would be the perfect spot for the commercial.

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DeMarco commented on the friendliness and hospitality of everyone in the township, from members of the governing body and , to residents who passed by quietly to check out the action. She also said she and the crew were impressed by the local eateries that served them breakfast and lunch.

Cranford is no stranger to production crews. Over the years, a number of movies and TV shows have used the township's quaint streets and buildings as a backdrop.

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In January, crews drove around the township in a large bus, while filming a commercial for Hungry Man dinners. In addition, several episodes in the third season of the popular 1990's television show, "The Adventures of Pete & Pete" were filmed in Cranford. One episode was shot at Cranford's and another at and . Another episode was filmed at Modern Barber Shop. , CSX Transport and Allstate Insurance have all shot commercials in the township. In addition, Cranford is the setting of the 2005 film, "Guess Who" starring the late Bernie Mac and Ashton Kutcher. Portions of the movie "Garden State," "Far From Heaven" and "September 12" were also shot in town.

In addition, local director Ken Castellano recently used the township to shoot scenes for his films "Close to Midnight" and ".

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