The Making of Tony: A Cape Cod Story

On the picturesque shores of Cape Cod, Massachusetts, a new film, Tony, brings to life the formative years of the late Anthony Bourdain, a renowned chef, writer, and television personality. Directed by Matt Johnson, Tony delves into Bourdain’s early life as a young man working as a dishwasher in Cape Cod kitchens, struggling with depression, and navigating unrequited love. The film’s production team chose to stay true to Bourdain’s experiences on the peninsula, with most of the action shot on location.

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Provincetown: The Heart of Tony

Provincetown, a vibrant and artistic community at the tip of Cape Cod, served as the primary filming location for Tony. The town’s rich history as a haven for artists, poets, writers, and painters made it the perfect backdrop for the film. Charlie Harrington, locations manager, who grew up in the area and spent his summer in Provincetown during the same time as Bourdain, played a crucial role in scouting locations and ensuring the film stayed true to its period.

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Commercial Street, the main thoroughfare in Provincetown, was transformed to resemble its 1970s appearance, with the art department dressing the street to match the era. The iconic Spiritus Pizza, where Bourdain spent time during his summer, was a key location, with the film’s cast and crew shooting on location to capture the authentic atmosphere. Other notable locations in Provincetown include the Lobster Pot, the Old Colony Tap, and exterior shots of The Flagship, the restaurant where Bourdain started his career.

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Dennis: The Other Side of Cape Cod

Dennis, a charming town about an hour south of Provincetown, was also a primary filming location for Tony. The cast and crew shot scenes at Gina’s By the Sea, a favorite restaurant of Charlie Harrington’s, which was featured in the film. The house where Antonio Banderas stayed, with a dune in the background, was just a mile from Harrington’s home, making it an ideal location for beach scenes.

Harrington’s favorite location was the chef’s house, which had a great interior, exterior, and a dune right next to the hammock where Tony sleeps. The house had been in someone’s family since the 1920s, adding to its historical charm. The people who owned the house were cooperative, and Harrington became friends with them, as well as the owners of other locations in the film.

Despite the challenges of shooting in a busy resort town during peak season, the production team managed to capture the essence of Cape Cod, making Tony a truly authentic and captivating film.

The Importance of Location Scouting

Charlie Harrington’s extensive knowledge of Cape Cod and his personal connection to the area made him uniquely qualified to scout locations for Tony. His ability to think like Bourdain and understand what he would have liked to see on screen was invaluable. Harrington’s passion for the project and his commitment to staying true to Bourdain’s experiences made him an integral part of the production team.

The film’s production designer and the cinematographer worked closely with Harrington to ensure that every location was chosen with care and attention to detail. The result was a film that not only captured the essence of Cape Cod but also stayed true to Bourdain’s spirit.