When a character was electrocuted in a bathtub in a recent “Law & Order: Criminal Intent”
episode, viewers probably weren’t focused on the bathroom’s sink, radiator or lights. Still,
background props can lend authenticity to a scene and, in this case, the items came from a
New Bedford company.
New England Demolition & Salvage, which buys and sells used building materials, has been
selling and renting antiques and materials for movie and television productions for the past
couple of years. “It’s very exciting,” said Jeanine James, who owns the Cove Street business
with her husband, Harry.
Like a successful television series, this business resulted in a spin-off several months ago: a
separate prop-rental business. The new venture is called That’s a RAP - short for “rent-a-prop”
- and it fills the third-floor of the salvage business with a wide range of bric-a-brac, from a
telephone booth and vintage washing machines to children’s bicycles and furniture.
“What better opportunity to get ahead of the game?” said Norm Smith, a partner with Harry
James in the rental company.
New Bedford is a convenient location to serve movie productions in Massachusetts, Rhode
Island and Connecticut, Smith said. The James’ film credits list 26 movies or television shows,
including the crime drama “Gone Baby Gone,” the comedy “Bride Wars” and the Showtime
series “Brotherhood,” which was filmed in Rhode Island.
For example, they sold the materials used to build an old-fashioned train station ticket booth
in a movie with Richard Gere called “Hachiko: A Dog’s Story,” Harry James said. The couple had
discussed the prospects for a prop rental business. When Showtime canceled “Brotherhood,”
the filmmakers offered to sell them props.
Nick Paleologos, executive director of the Massachusetts Film Office. “It’s one of the few areas
in a dismal economy where opportunities are expanding,” Paleologos said.
When filmmakers produce films in Massachusetts, they look for local services, he said. “They
don’t want to try renting props from California and ship them across the country,” he said.
Anne Marie Lopes, New Bedford’s director of tourism and marketing, said more film location
scouts have been visiting the city, and some of them are already aware of Harry and Jeanine
James’ business. Even though the scouts might not choose the city, they are raising awareness
of the city. “We may not fit the project they’re working on, but they go back with pictures of
what we have,” Lopes said.
The James like to look out for their items on the screen, and they are interested in which
actors are tied to the productions they assist. “We always want to know who is in the movies,”
Jeanine James said. “I love movies.”
Mayor Scott W. Lang held a press conference Tuesday to mark the second anniversary of the
business moving to New Bedford. The conference was followed by the tour. “This is the type of
business in New Bedford that we spent an awful lot of time attempting to cultivate, which is a
destination business for a wide variety of audiences,” Lang said.
episode, viewers probably weren’t focused on the bathroom’s sink, radiator or lights. Still,
background props can lend authenticity to a scene and, in this case, the items came from a
New Bedford company.
New England Demolition & Salvage, which buys and sells used building materials, has been
selling and renting antiques and materials for movie and television productions for the past
couple of years. “It’s very exciting,” said Jeanine James, who owns the Cove Street business
with her husband, Harry.
Like a successful television series, this business resulted in a spin-off several months ago: a
separate prop-rental business. The new venture is called That’s a RAP - short for “rent-a-prop”
- and it fills the third-floor of the salvage business with a wide range of bric-a-brac, from a
telephone booth and vintage washing machines to children’s bicycles and furniture.
“What better opportunity to get ahead of the game?” said Norm Smith, a partner with Harry
James in the rental company.
New Bedford is a convenient location to serve movie productions in Massachusetts, Rhode
Island and Connecticut, Smith said. The James’ film credits list 26 movies or television shows,
including the crime drama “Gone Baby Gone,” the comedy “Bride Wars” and the Showtime
series “Brotherhood,” which was filmed in Rhode Island.
For example, they sold the materials used to build an old-fashioned train station ticket booth
in a movie with Richard Gere called “Hachiko: A Dog’s Story,” Harry James said. The couple had
discussed the prospects for a prop rental business. When Showtime canceled “Brotherhood,”
the filmmakers offered to sell them props.
Nick Paleologos, executive director of the Massachusetts Film Office. “It’s one of the few areas
in a dismal economy where opportunities are expanding,” Paleologos said.
When filmmakers produce films in Massachusetts, they look for local services, he said. “They
don’t want to try renting props from California and ship them across the country,” he said.
Anne Marie Lopes, New Bedford’s director of tourism and marketing, said more film location
scouts have been visiting the city, and some of them are already aware of Harry and Jeanine
James’ business. Even though the scouts might not choose the city, they are raising awareness
of the city. “We may not fit the project they’re working on, but they go back with pictures of
what we have,” Lopes said.
The James like to look out for their items on the screen, and they are interested in which
actors are tied to the productions they assist. “We always want to know who is in the movies,”
Jeanine James said. “I love movies.”
Mayor Scott W. Lang held a press conference Tuesday to mark the second anniversary of the
business moving to New Bedford. The conference was followed by the tour. “This is the type of
business in New Bedford that we spent an awful lot of time attempting to cultivate, which is a
destination business for a wide variety of audiences,” Lang said.
 |  |  |
Lights, camera — city props supplier has that and more
by Roland Hansen
by Roland Hansen
Send comments to editor@deltafilms.net
| Delta Films - Movie News with a local focus |
“They like it because
it’s one-stop
shopping” said Harry
James during a
Tuesday tour he gave
to city officials. “They
used to go all over
looking for different
stuff to find what
they needed, but now
they come here, and
they can get all of
their shopping done in
one place.”
That’s a RAP aims to
capitalize on the state’
s growing movie
business, including
the new studios
planned for Plymouth
and South Weymouth.
it’s one-stop
shopping” said Harry
James during a
Tuesday tour he gave
to city officials. “They
used to go all over
looking for different
stuff to find what
they needed, but now
they come here, and
they can get all of
their shopping done in
one place.”
That’s a RAP aims to
capitalize on the state’
s growing movie
business, including
the new studios
planned for Plymouth
and South Weymouth.
Harry James reached
out for a partner in a
new business and
Smith came aboard.
The props from
“Brotherhood,”
including an FBI seal,
provided the starting
inventory for the new
rental-only business,
and the company
keeps buying more
props, according to
James and Smith.
“You never know what
they want,” Smith
said.
There is a growing
demand for
businesses that serve
the film industry, said
out for a partner in a
new business and
Smith came aboard.
The props from
“Brotherhood,”
including an FBI seal,
provided the starting
inventory for the new
rental-only business,
and the company
keeps buying more
props, according to
James and Smith.
“You never know what
they want,” Smith
said.
There is a growing
demand for
businesses that serve
the film industry, said
Besides the
excitement of show
business, props give
the couple another
source of revenue.
“We feel it will help
us survive,” she said.
“It will have an
impact on both
businesses.” They
started their salvage
business in 1998 in
Wareham and
relocated to the city
two years ago,
moving into a former
Berkshire-Hathaway
mill building.
excitement of show
business, props give
the couple another
source of revenue.
“We feel it will help
us survive,” she said.
“It will have an
impact on both
businesses.” They
started their salvage
business in 1998 in
Wareham and
relocated to the city
two years ago,
moving into a former
Berkshire-Hathaway
mill building.