East Corinth might be the smallest town in Vermont, with a population of about 1,500. Today, it has morphed into a pilgrimage site for enthusiasts of the greatly beloved 1988 classic film “Beetlejuice.” Directed by Tim Burton, the film is set in the mythical small town of Winter River, Connecticut. Most of the most memorable scenes in the movie were actually filmed in East Corinth. This irksome notoriety has seen the small town become a hotspot for curious tourists from all around the world.
The original “Beetlejuice” centers on Adam and Barbara Maitland, played by Geena Davis and Alec Baldwin. Upon their untimely death, they must haunt a family that moves into their former home to scare them away. In a key moment of the film, Lydia Deetz—played by Winona Ryder—studies at Miss Shannon’s School for Girls. This beautiful historic building has proudly stood for over 100 years. The East Corinth covered bridge, shown here during production, is the only covered bridge in the world made red specifically for this film. It’s the cool location where Maitlands drive off and crash to their doom.
Tim Burton’s decision to film some of the most important scenes in East Corinth has led to a revitalized interest in the tiny town. Local resident and downtown ambassador Wade Pierson has developed an engaging self-guided walking tour. It features some of the most important filming locations and is about ten minutes long so that fans can really lose themselves in the films magic.
“It’s just been a continuous stream. I’ve met people from France, Germany, Spain, Denmark, Belgium, Great Britain, all over Canada and all over the United States. It’s phenomenal, honestly,” said Sarah Polli, another resident who has seen an explosion of tourism.
As fans occasionally track down and visit East Corinth, they frequently ask about the house where it all takes place. “People say, ‘Where’s the house?’ It was a movie set, so it was taken down,” Pierson explained. He’s optimistic, as the film’s legacy still has a positive impact on the town today. “The more people that can experience and enjoy it the better,” he further added.
The original sequel was a big success and East Corinth is back in the limelight. Tim Burton has recently been back to the town to film the sequel, “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice.” This brand-new project has done nothing but increase excitement among fans and locals so far.
Lisa Pinkerton, a local resident who grew up with the film herself, has an appreciation for what it represents. It was much like one of those business coming-of-age movies for me,” she said. So it’s great to kind of plug all that in and just see the sort of Hollywood magic, you know, go create.
East Corinth provides an alluring blend of small-town character and Tinseltown lore. It’s the only place on earth you can go to truly lose yourself in the magic of movie making. The self-guided walking tour features a number of key historical and filming locations. Tour-goers have the opportunity to take in Vermont’s iconic beauty.
The town’s proximity to New Hampshire adds to its appeal as a weekend getaway for those interested in film history. Indeed, with such iconic landmarks now showcased on a national platform and such an inviting community, East Corinth remains an active center for “Beetlejuice” fans.
