Kate Hudson and Nathaniel Hawthorne may not be best friends, but they spent a lot of time together yesterday.
The star of the movie "Bride Wars" passed several hours in a trailer parked on Salem's Hawthorne Boulevard just a bridal bouquet toss from a statue of the famous 19th-century author. While police and security huddled around the trailer, a small crowd of fans stood watch by the statue.
They got a glimpse of the actress early in the afternoon.
After the final stages of hair and makeup were complete, Hudson jumped into the front seat of a black Chrysler SUV that pulled up alongside the trailer. Wearing a white bathrobe and brown Ugg boots, she gave a quick wave to the crowd before the car took her and co-star Steve Howey around the corner to the Peabody Essex Museum, where the day's shooting was going on.
"I was just walking by," Leanne Perry of Salem said. "And I am glad I did."
Some of the studio's trailers were parked in front of the museum, and a catered food van was set up next to the East India Marine Hall, where a wedding scene was being shot.
"I was standing across from the museum, and I saw people walking with food," said Bill VanFaasem of Salem. "So I thought this was a good spot, and there she was. She was just hanging out."
Hudson wasn't the only attraction yesterday. Co-star Anne Hathaway was in town, along with many other cast members.
Shortly after noon, several dozen movie extras emerged from Old Town Hall wearing tuxedoes and evening gowns. They walked in a long line down the Essex Street pedestrian mall to the PEM.
"We don't know anything until we get there," said Elena Pellegrino of Bedford, a psychotherapist, mother and movie extra. "There are people dressed as caterers, so I believe it's a reception."
When pressed for more information, she smiled and said the extras had to be careful not to reveal too many details.
"We can only say so much," she said.
20th Century Fox had more than 200 actors and crew members here yesterday. The trucks and trailers lined Hawthorne Boulevard and Essex Street.
"That's what we call base camp," said Michael Fucci, the location manager.
Fucci said they were filming one of the opening scenes of the movie, where Hudson and Hathaway attend a friend's wedding. The two best friends eventually become bitter rivals after scheduling their weddings on the same day.
Advance people for the Fox studios looked at locations around Greater Boston before settling on the PEM, according to Fucci.
"We originally looked at the (atrium) of the museum — it's such a cool space," he said. "In looking at that, we came across (East India Marine Hall), and the production designer fell in love with it."
The PEM spent a few days getting ready for the movie invasion.
"We had to de-install all the galleries around the East India Marine Hall for today," said April Swieconek, a museum spokeswoman. "However, the hall has been regularly used for celebrations since its opening in 1799, so we have done this before."
While many fans got to see one of the stars, not everyone did.
"I haven't seen anybody, but I know people who have," said David Lane, who was on his lunch break from the Salem Five. "I figure I'd come by and try to catch a glimpse of Hollywood."
The studio expected to wrap up filming last night and start pulling out today. "Bride Wars" is scheduled for release in 2009.
Salem News intern Joe O'Connell contributed to this report.
SEND US YOUR PICTURES OF THE STARS
