Countywide : John Wayne Airport Plays Role in Films

While the screen credits for John Wayne Airport aren’t as lengthy as the resume of the legendary Western star, the terminal has turned up in dozens of commercials and even a feature film.

The film “Demolition Man,” which is expected to be released in October, will show the airport in a scene in which futuristic cars lining a runway were filmed in April.

Actress Candice Bergen made a Sprint commercial there, and in September, actor Leslie Nielsen starred in a Dollar Rent-A-Car television ad also filmed there. As Los Angeles International Airport places more restrictions and fees on film crews, John Wayne Airport is becoming more attractive to Hollywood types. Part of the reason is because the airport has a movie liaison, Maudette Ball, whose job it is to work with movie makers.

“The airport was very accommodating, very cooperative,” said Peter Silbermann, “Demolition Man” publicist.

“I just help (film makers) get their permits, find good locations to film and act as a liaison if they run into any problems at the airport,” Ball said.

In return, the county makes $400 a day for filming at the airport, gets free image promotion and the terminal becomes known through the pictures taken. Plus, Ball said, “when film companies come into the county, they spend an average of $35,000 hiring extras, buying food, getting gas and staying at local hotels. That boosts the county’s economy.”

Curt Lyon, executive producer of Lyon Films in Newport Beach, chose to film the Dollar Rent-A-Car commercial at the airport for its beauty, he said. “Any location that’s as beautiful as John Wayne Airport should be used for a movie location. It’s gorgeous.”

Ball said the nine-foot-tall bronze statue of Wayne standing in front of the baggage claim area looks over all the filming and “it’s as if he’s watching and approving.”