Some films will always remain classics, and Nigel Cole’s Calendar Girls from 2003 is a great example. Starring hit actors like Helen Mirren, Julie Waters, Linda Bassett, and many others, this film ended up becoming one of the greatest comedy films in all of Nigel’s career.
Calendar Girls revolves around Chris Harper, Annie Clarke, and a bunch of other women who decide to produce a nude calendar to support the local leukemia research center.
Annie’s husband had been diagnosed with terminal leukemia and eventually died, causing Annie, Chris, Jessie, and the others to make up their mind for the scandalous but worthy shoot.
The comedy film doesn’t fail to add a touch of humor to every sad or happy moment, and with a cast consisting of stars like Helen Mirren, it’s no surprise that Calendar Girls wouldn’t be a hit if it was released in the modern era.
Besides Helen Mirren in the role of Chris Harper and Julie Walters as Annie Clarke, the cast of Calendar Girls consists of Linda Bassett in the role of Cora, Annette Crosbie plays Jessie, Celia Imrie plays the role of Celia, Penelope Wilton plays Ruth and Geraldine James plays the role of Marie.
Filming Locations
Nigel Cole and the crew started working on Calendar Girls back in 2002, where they hope to use the bright summer and pleasant weather to the fullest.
Major filming for Calendar Girls takes place in North Yorkshire, which happens to be just 10 miles away from the real-life place the movie is based on.
The real calendar girls were residents of Rylstone, another village in North Yorkshire. For the 2003 Calendar Girls, the village of Kettlewell was used to stand in as the fictional village Knapely.
Just as it looks in the film, Kettlewell is a cozy little place that’s filled with greenery and stunning architectural wonders. Located in Upper Wharfedale, this parish is known for being the perfect place for adventurous campers.
Kettlewell lies close to Great Whernside and offers great views of the countryside. This small village might not have a huge population, but it’s filled with tourists from all over England wishing to take a break from city life. Kettlewell’s scenic flora and views make it the perfect place for a refreshing holiday.
Besides Calendar Girls, Kettlewell was used as a filming location for productions like Chimera, The Darkest Light, and The Trip. The WI conference scenes were filmed back in England’s Methodist Central Hall Westminster. Located at Stprey’s Gate, Westminster, this multipurpose hall has been used as the go-to spot for any local events and fests.
A place called the Cam Lodge was used to film John and Angie’s beautiful house. Located in Westgate, Kettlewell, the Cam Lodge Bed & Breakfast is a good place to stay at when visiting Kettlewell or any other nearby villages in North Yorkshire.
The Calendar Girls are ready to do the photoshoot but need some kind of sponsorship to complete their goals. This scene was shot at Skipton, North Yorkshire. This place is known for its large and diverse National park and is filled with all kinds of mystical castles which the public can check out for free.
The Tennant Arms Hotel, located at Mastiles Lane, Kilnsey is a place in Skipton that made it into Calendar Girl’s scenes. It’s where the much-awaited calendar was finally launched in the press by Annie and the others. Buckden, Burnsall, and Coniston Cold are a handful of other places where Nigel and his crew shot some of the scenes.
The Tai Chi scenes were filed at Leyburn Road, Middleham, Lyburn. Other places in North Yorkshire that can be spotted in this 2003 film are Malham Cove and Linton. The exterior scenes of the part where Ruth confronts her husband were shot at DoubleTree by Hilton London Ealing Hotel in Ealing, London.
Celia’s house was located at White Abbey, Linton, Skipton. Chris and the others complete the nude shoot somehow and Chris has to later pick them up from the local chemist. This scene was shot at Settle, North Yorkshire.
Some scenes of the Calendar Girls were also shot in the US. Places that made it into the Nigel Cole film are Hollywood and Santa Monica. The beach scenes from the Helen Mirren film were filmed in Santa Monica.
By the end, Annie and Chris go back to their old lives but now have a lot of cash that they can use for Leukaemia research. This scene was filmed at Turville. Additional scenes were shot in Shepperton Studios, Surrey. This sums up the filming locations for Calendar Girls, now available to stream on Apple TV.