Revisiting Dallas

Oliver Stone wants to use historic Dallas locations--including the famed book depository building--in “JFK,” his upcoming film examining conspiracy theories about the assassination of President John F. Kennedy in 1963. And he’s getting lots of local cooperation in restaging the city’s darkest moment.

Nancy Cunningham, production coordinator for the North Texas Film Commission, acknowledges that the city’s participation in re-creating the event may seem strange.

“But we haven’t had any negative reaction,” she says. “The only concerns have involved historic preservation.”

Negotiations are underway for Stone to use the sixth story of what was formerly the Texas School Book Depository Building. The room from which Lee Harvey Oswald allegedly fired his fatal shots is now a county-run museum-exhibit.

Stone also wants to close off certain streets leading into Dealey Plaza, where Kennedy was hit. The filmmaker may also shoot in the Oak Cliff suburb--the actual houses--where Oswald lived, and the movie theater where he was arrested.

Stone shot two other films in the area--”Born on the Fourth of July” (1989) and “Talk Radio” (1988)--which brought Dallas some $7 million-$8 million.

“We’re pleased to have Oliver back,” says Cunningham. “And we would like to assume that his good experiences here influenced him in his choice of subject matter.”