Page 2 - Southern Indiana gets its close-up

Sam, played by 15-year-old Jacob Hays, and his assistant, Emma Marsh (McNamara), go to antique stores, including Aunt Artie's, and other sites to see if they can find clues leading to the crystal chalice. International jewel thief Cash, played by Sorbo, and his bumbling henchmen aren't far behind.

“It's fun doing a kids' movie,” said actor Mike Delia, who plays a member of Sorbo's gang and was a police officer in the first “Sam Steele” movie. “I know the kids from doing ‘Sam Steele I.' The kids are great, really good actors.” Delia, a Detroit native, said he likes getting a chance to see Southern Indiana. “I think it's great; the people have been phenomenal, the locations have been great,” he said. “It's very laid-back and nice, very nice people.” He said he especially enjoyed the history and uniqueness of the Aunt Artie's building, which once was a Civil War hospital. In turn, Gwinn said she has enjoyed having the cast and crew at her business. “It's been really neat,” she said. “We just sat there and watched the heck out of it. And they're all so friendly, so nice. They're not snobs. We made some new friends here.”

Director Tom Whitus, right, gives instructions to his crew, JohnBen Lacy, left, and Michael Goatley outside of Aunt Artie's Antique Mall in downtown New Albany. (By Nina Greipel, Special to the Courier-Journal) Click Thumbnail For Larger Size

One of them was Wallace. She said Wallace volunteered to autograph an “E.T.” lunchbox for sale at the mall by a dealer, and that other dealers planned to get her to sign collectibles when she returns to New Albany for the movie's premiere. “A very nice lady,” Gwinn said. “She autographed a few ‘E.T.' things here. She suggested it. We didn't even think of it.” She added with a laugh, “The price went up immediately.” Whitus, who's also a freelance writer who regularly covers Southern Indiana sports for The Courier-Journal, said he didn't go to film school but has always had a love for it and began to write scripts in the 1990s. “The Crystal Chalice” is his third film under the Silver Hills label; the first was 2008's “Matchmaker Mary,” which also featured McNamara, Wallace and Hays, as well as Jeff Fahey, best known for playing the pilot Frank Lapidus on “Lost.” The first “Sam Steele” featured “Beverly Hills, 90210” star Luke Perry. Related Movie shooting at antique mall Whitus declined to name the exact budget of his new film, but said it's “well under $200,000.”

Despite the budget, he's lured well-known stars, who Whitus said are attracted to the idea of appearing in family films. “I'll throw out the false modesty and say they like to be involved in good projects,” he said. “They've got kids. They want their kids to be able to see them. If the script resonates with them, at least you're having a conversation with them. After that, it's all about negotiation, but at least that gets you in the door.” The director also hopes the film brings more attention to Kentuckiana locations. “I think there's a little bit of notoriety there, which is nice,” Whitus said. “We'll see. When it comes out, I'd love for people to come by (Aunt Artie's) and say, ‘That's the place in the movie I just saw.' ”