Hitting theatres this weekend is the Christmas film Pottersville, not set in the New York town, but on a backlot in Hollywood. It’s described as a comedic take on Big Foot and has been deemed one of the “worst Christmas films ever”.

The plot centers on a beloved local businessman who is mistaken for the legendary Bigfoot during an inebriated romp through town in a makeshift gorilla costume. The town in the film is in New England. The sightings set off an international Big Foot media spectacle and a windfall of tourism dollars for a simple American town hit by hard times.

The most recent production shot in Pottersville, NY were scenes from the upcoming Showtime mini-series Escape at Dannemora, from actor/director Ben Stiller.  They were shot at the Natural Stone Bridge and Caves Park.

The series stars Benicio Del Toro and Paul Dano as the inmates who escaped, and Patricia Arquette as the very misguided prison employee who thought the plan was a good idea.

Scenes were also shot at O.P. Frederick’s restaurant on Loon Lake, Main Street Chestertown and on private property off Igerna Road, Chester Town.

This brings back fond memories of this local production from 2013 filmed at the Valero Gas Station Convenience Store.