MN Movie Sets: That was Then, This is Now

In 1983, “The Outsiders” based on the book by S. E. Hinton and directed by Francis Ford Coppola hit movie theaters and was a huge success. It wasn’t as successful with the critics, but it definitely featured some very familiar faces and launched a few careers.

Emilio Estevez, who played Two-Bit Matthews in the film, also starred in the movie adaptation of Hinton’s novel, “Tex”. He was moved by Hinton’s writing and saw opportunity to make films out of her other books. He and his father, Martin Sheen, optioned another novel by Hinton, “That was then, This is now”, and Estevez got to work writing the screenplay himself.

Although all of the other movies based on Hinton novels are set in Oklahoma, “That was then…” was set in the Twin Cities. Why? Because they couldn’t get studio backing to pay for production. Instead, they partnered with Minneapolis producer Gary Lindberg of Media Ventures, Inc.

Also starring Craig Sheffer, Morgan Freeman and Kim Delaney, the movie was filmed in 1984 featuring various Twin Cities spots - like Fort Snelling cemetery and the intersection at Lake St and Hennepin avenue. The home that the two main characters lived in was right here on Dayton’s Bluff - with its amazing view of downtown Saint Paul.

The home that the two main characters lived in was on Dayton’s Bluff with its amazing view of downtown Saint Paul. Still standing at the end of East 4th Street, the home looks the same except for a new paint job.