Curtis Armstrong, Mister Ed (Ed Gotwalt) and Kevin Rahm during the filming of "Route 30" at Mister Ed's Elephant Museum.

Notes from a Movie Set
by "Mister Ed" Gotwalt (the actor)

The Lincoln Highway, Jennie Wade, Totem Pole Playhouse, Big Foot, and Mister Ed are all part of the new John Putch movie, "Route 30"! I met Bill Putch, John's dad, in 1975, and shortly after, he cast me in my first Totem Pole Playhouse show. In the cast were John and Pam Putch and a newcomer to Totem Pole, Carl Schurr. As the years went on, I was cast in a show almost every year. I even did "Oklahoma" with Jean Stapleton, and of course, her husband, Bill Putch, was the director.

Now thirty years later I am being directed by John in his new movie "Route 30". The story is a backwoods comedy and has three stories that intertwine. There are a lot of things from John's life here in the area. It is very funny and tells a lot about life, and the friends you meet along the way.

Mister Ed (Ed Gotwalt) with Curtis Armstrong during the filming of "Route 30" at Mister Ed's Elephant Museum.

Making movies is a lot different than working on the stage. Everything is very concise and every detail is covered. When you are acting on the stage, you must project your voice to the back rows. In a movie, you talk in normal, conversation voice-levels. John had to say "cut" several times to tell me not to shoot for the back rows!

I have about twelve scenes in the movie and I had an absolutely wonderful time. The sound and lighting people were amazing. I learned a lot about what they do, and it is a very difficult job.

I got to work with some very special people like Dana Delany and Kevin Rahm, both of "Desperate Housewives" fame; Curtis Armstrong of "Revenge of the Nerds" and "Ray"; and David DeLuise (son of Dom). I also got to sing with Carl Schurr. The best part was having time to talk with each of them, having lunch together, and building a friendship. Everyone was down-to-earth and just regular people; I made some very special friends.

Spending time with John brought back many fond memories. I see a lot of his father in him. He is a very good director ~ Bill would be proud. Back when Bill was directing shows, it was said that every show had that "Putch Touch". Well I can tell you that "Route 30" does indeed have that "Putch Touch".