The film “Somewhere in Time,” as with many cult classics, didn’t get much of a reception when it opened in 1980.
That quickly changed, and now each October hundreds of rabid romantic fantasy fans in period attire from all over the country – and the world – meet at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island, MI, where the film’s stars Christopher Reeve, Jane Seymour, and Christopher Plummer made the iconic picture.
We were there this year for the Grand Hotel’s “Somewhere in Time” 35th annual weekend on the exact date of the day the movie opened 45 years before. For this reason, the stunning and gracious Seymour herself was present the entire weekend and for various events.
One of the most romantic films ever made in my opinion, “Somewhere in Time” recounts the story of a modern young playwright (Reeve) and his obsession to time travel to 1912 to meet an actress (Seymour) whose portrait is hanging in the Grand Hotel. Things go right, then tragically wrong, then – no spoilers! It’s a tearjerker and a beautiful love story.
Shot on location at the historic Queen Ann-style hotel, which opened in 1887, it’s very easy to imagine you’ve traveled back to the much earlier time in which the film is primarily set. The hotel’s 660-foot porch – the world’s largest – its beautiful lakeside grounds, and interiors are extraordinarily preserved.
No motor vehicles are allowed on the island, only horses, carriages, and bicycles, and it furthers the fantasy. As the horse-drawn carriage clip clops past the island’s pristine Victorian homes to the hotel’s grand entrance, it is in fact entrancing.
The weekend includes, among other things, location walking tours, film screenings, collectibles and film artifacts, panel discussions with film crew and extras, trivia, a hair and fashion show, and a Q&A and later autograph and picture opportunity with Seymour. It also includes sumptuous breakfasts, dinners, and nightly champagne receptions on the promenade.
The daily Afternoon Tea is separate, but I wouldn’t miss it. Also, if you’re not going to dress for 1912, the hotel requires “elevated evening attire” after 6:30 p.m. for adults and children – coats and ties, dresses or suits, absolutely no denim.
If you’re a fan, but your partner is not, perhaps mentioning that Seymour was also the James Bond girl in 1973’s “Live and Let Die” may spur interest. It worked for me! It also put a bug in Adam’s ear to completely surprise me for our 30th wedding anniversary this year.
I can’t say whether that may also have been a factor in rock band Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler attending with his partner, but they dressed the part as well and were allowed their privacy – mostly.
Some tips if you’re interested in going:
Book the package early, as soon as it’s announced if possible. Also, if you’re interested, ask for the Somewhere in Time suite, which is decorated with many stills from the film and period furnishings. It’s given solely on a first-ask basis, and we were the lucky recipients.
Study the ferry schedules and book accordingly. The island is only accessible by ferry.
Edwardian dress is optional, though fun. I’d suggest starting your hunt for outfits as soon as you make your attendance decision. It took me a year to put it all together.
There is authentic period clothing out there, but it requires a great deal of research, as well as possible repair work. There are also hair accessories and period-looking hats available on sites like Etsy.
I chose modern dresses that fit the time period and had a lot of luck with the designer Mac Duggal. I also chose to make my own hats and hair accessories. These hats are not easy to take via air travel. I used our largest luggage and a lot of bubble wrap just for my hats.
Many people choose to drive because of this, and we met one couple who drove all the way from Georgia.
Men’s period attire, as usual, is much easier to locate. Bowler hats, top hats, and boater hats are easy to find on Amazon, for example.
And, finally, a warning: This annual event can be addictive. Many people we met made it an annual tradition. Some have come every single year. We thought it would be a one-and-done visit, but next year looks mighty tempting!
