19/04/2025
Hollywood in Detroit. It was during this month, April 1986, "The Rosary Murders," began filming in Detroit. The screenplay would be written by hometown icon, Elmore Leonard and the movie produced by Redford Township native, Robert Laurel. The plot follows a series of gruesome murders among the clergy at Most Holy Redeemer Church (built 1921) in Southwest Detroit. As the protagonist, the late legendary actor, Donald Sutherland plays a priest who with the help of a Detroit Free Press journalist, played by Belinda Bauer, gathers clues to ultimately solve who committed the murders. Trivia fact, a young extra named John Anthony Gillis, aka today as Detroit rocker, Jack White played an alter boy who can be spotted in the final mass scene of the movie.
Shot entirely in Detroit over 10 weeks, notable locations outside the church grounds and neighborhood included nearby Duly's Place and Pegasus Taverna - Greektown. Although having a reserved premium hotel room downtown, Donald Sutherland more often opted to stay in the convent next to the church. He felt it was more practical. Often times shoots would run late and it made more sense to him stay on site. He, among others in the cast were glad to offer insightful talks to the school's drama club with the nuns later returning the favor in making batches of homemade cookies for the cast. On one occasion Sutherland mentioned he made pancakes for the sisters as well. Sutherland would become a big fan of Detroit's nightlife, frequenting local historic establishments like The London Chop House downtown or listening to jazz at Baker's Keyboard Lounge.
When asked, having done films all over the world, how Detroit stacked up as a movie making venue, Donald Sutherland replied - "Yes. What's nicest about it is the people, particularly in this area, are so enthusiastic and are so supportive of the idea of the film, we feel we've become apart of the community."
Resource credits: The Samuel Goldwyn Company, Helmut Ziewers (www.ziewersphotography.com) of HistoricDetroit.org, Detroit Free Press & Most Holy Redeemer Church
