Sean Clark is back with another Horror’s Hallowed Grounds episode, only this one is part of his spin-off series, Hollywood’s Hallowed Grounds, which takes fans to various iconic non-horror movie shooting locations. MalfuncSean serves as the ultimate camp counselor and guide, whisking us off to Camp Northstar for a walk through the filming locations of Meatballs.
I feel some of you tugging on my leg. “Grandpa? What’s Meatballs?”
Okay, campers, gather ’round! Today, we’re talking about Meatballs, the 1979 summer camp comedy starring Bill Murray as Tripper Harrison, a head counselor who treats Camp North Star less like a place for wholesome outdoor fun and more like a laboratory for bad decisions!
Tripper’s job is to keep the campers entertained, help the junior counselors survive the summer, and make sure nobody accidentally sets the forest on fire. Well, two out of three isn’t bad! His biggest project is helping Rudy, a shy kid who feels like he doesn’t belong, find his confidence and discover that he might actually be pretty great at something.
First up in his new Hollywood’s Hallowed Grounds episode, Sean Clark takes us to Lindsay, Ontario, for a visit to the location seen at the beginning of Meatballs, where all the kids are getting ready to set sail for Camp Northstar. He shows off the Kmart parking lot that served as a bus depot for the wayward campers. Today, it’s been turned into a Giant Tiger (for non-Canadians, that’s a family discount retail store.) We also get to see where Spaz got a milkshake poured on his head.
Next, Sean and his trusty wingman ScottOnTape head to the real-life Camp Northstar, which is actually Camp White Pine in Haliburton, Ontario. Along with a camp guide, the trio traverses the grounds, discovering where various scenes were shot and visiting the iconic cafeteria where all the kids chowed down.
Sure, summer might be over, but various parts of the country are experiencing a massive heat wave right now. So what better time to revisit the fun antics of Meatballs, which served as Bill Murray’s first leading role and helped turn him into a big-screen superstar after he took over for Chevy Chase on Saturday Night Live?
Bill Murray delivers the kind of sarcastic, wisecracking performance that would help make him a comedy legend. Meatballs is a wonderfully goofy look at summer camp, unlikely friendships, and the glorious freedom of being a kid when the grown-ups aren’t paying attention. Sean Clark and ScottOnTape recapture that magic as they tour the hallowed grounds of Camp Northstar.
Camp White Pine was a pretty good actor back in 1979. It took on the role of Camp Northstar like a champ. Kids can still visit this traditional summer camp for boys and girls ages 7 to 16, located in Haliburton, Ontario. The camp was built in 1956 on the site of the old Highland Lodge.
You can visit Camp White Pine’s website to apply and check out rates. Then go party like it’s 1979. Who knows? Maybe you’ll even run into MalfuncSean while you’re there.
