Let’s talk a little bit of Wilmington film history, history that took place in an unlikely location in the northern wilds of New Hanover County. The massive, shut-down Ideal Cement plant near Castle Hayne has been the site of a dozen or more major film productions over the decades, some of them with very famous names: “The Crow,” “Super Mario Bros.” and “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles," just to name three. 

Cape Fear Unearthed is written, edited and hosted by John Staton. Additional editing by Adam Fish.

Let&rsquo;s talk a little bit of Wilmington film history, history that took place in an unlikely location in the northern wilds of New Hanover County. The massive, shut-down Ideal Cement plant near Castle Hayne has been the site of a dozen or more major film productions over the decades, some of them with very famous names: &ldquo;The Crow,&rdquo; &ldquo;Super Mario Bros.&rdquo; and &ldquo;Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles," just to name three. 
Cape Fear Unearthed is written, edited and hosted by John Staton. Additional editing by Adam Fish.

StarNews Media Presents "Cape Fear Unearthed," a podcast digging into the history books of Southeastern North Carolina. The weekly podcast will feature stories drawn from the region's persisting legends, historical oddities and mysterious figures that have helped shape its legacy and culture.

Cape Fear Unearthed

Ideal location: Wilmington film history and the Ideal Cement factory

We talk with longtime Wilmington resident Elaine Henson about what shopping downtown in the 1950s and '60s was like: Where the department stores were, who had the most magical display windows, where the toys could be found, and where you might see Santa Claus. 

We talk with longtime Wilmington resident Elaine Henson about what shopping downtown in the 1950s and '60s was like: Where the department stores were, who had the most magical display windows, where the toys could be found, and where you might see Santa Claus.

We talk with longtime Wilmington resident Elaine Henson about what shopping downtown in the 1950s and '60s was like.

Christmas shopping in the downtown Wilmington of yesteryear

Wilmington filmmaker Kent Chatfield played a starring role in "Wilmington on Fire," Christopher Everett's documentary film about Wilmington's deadly 1898 coup and massacre, the only successful insurrection on American soil in history. Now, Chatfield has directed his own documentary, "McKinley's Guns," which premiered at Thalian Hall in September and will be available for streaming online Nov. 10. In the film, Chatfield reveals research that proves involvement from military officers and U.S. government officials at a higher level than has previously been revealed.

Wilmington filmmaker Kent Chatfield played a starring role in "Wilmington on Fire," Christopher Everett's documentary film about Wilmington's deadly 1898 coup and massacre, the only successful insurrection on American soil in history. Now, Chatfield has directed his own documentary, "McKinley's Guns," which premiered at Thalian Hall in September and will be available for streaming online Nov. 10. In the film, Chatfield reveals research that proves involvement from military officers and U.S. government officials at a higher level than has previously been revealed.

Wilmington filmmaker Kent Chatfield talks about his 1898 documentary "McKinley's Guns," which will be available for streaming online Nov. 10.

Film documentary 'McKinley's Guns' digs into 1898 coup

For this week's episode, we talk with Margaret M. Mulrooney, author of the book "Race, Place and Memory: Deep Currents in Wilmington, North Carolina," a comprehensive deep dive into Wilmington's long and troubled racial history that looks at how decades of inequality have shaped, and often warped, life in the Port City. Mulrooney is professor of history at James Madison University in Virginia, and a former visiting professor at the University of North Carolina Wilmington.

For this week's episode, we talk with Margaret M. Mulrooney, author of the book "Race, Place and Memory: Deep Currents in Wilmington, North Carolina," a comprehensive deep dive into Wilmington's long and troubled racial history that looks at how decades of inequality have shaped, and often warped, life in the Port City. Mulrooney is professor of history at James Madison University in Virginia, and a former visiting professor at the University of North Carolina Wilmington.

For this week's episode, we talk with Margaret M. Mulrooney, author of "Race, Place and Memory: Deep Currents in Wilmington, North Carolina," a comprehensive deep dive into Wilmington's long and troubled racial history.

Ideal location: Wilmington film history and the Ideal Cement factory

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