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Nicole Kidman's Star Power Shines Bright in Livermore

Oscar winner takes time after film shoot to chat with locals, pose for pictures.

On Sunday night, Oscar winner Nicole Kidman was hanging out with her country-music star husband, Keith Urban, at the Academy of Country Music Awards in Las Vegas.

The fashion maven wowed the crowd in her L’Wren Scott black leather high-slit dress. But Monday she popped up in Livermore in more casual attire to shoot scenes for the HBO movie

The film centers on the torrid love affair and marriage of Ernest Hemingway, played by British actor Clive Owen, and respected war correspondent and novelist Martha Gellhorn (Kidman). 

The film is produced by James Gandolfini (“The Sopranos”) and directed by San Francisco’s Oscar-nominated Philip Kaufman (“Unbearable Lightness of Being,” “The Right Stuff,” "Raiders of the Lost Ark”).

During the first day of shooting, a few cars lined the country road, with curious folks taking a peek at the filming in this rural area just outside of town. One of the crew told a bystander who asked why they came to Livermore that it had everything they needed for the scene.

“We needed a running creek and some hills,” he said. “This worked out just fine for us.”

And for those who came to watch the action near the end of the day, there was a special treat.

After shooting wrapped about 7:15 p.m., Kidman's car was exiting the pasture gate when she had her driver stop in front of six adults and five children.

The affable actress hopped out of the cream-colored Cadillac and chatted briefly with a few families standing by the gate.

The stylish actress and mother of four hugged the children and even posed for pictures with the shocked bystanders.

“I didn’t know she was so tall,” said Ron Schmalfuss, a Livermore contractor who stopped at the movie site after working on a nearby home. “She could have just driven past, but she stopped and let people take pictures with her. That was really a nice surprise.”

Brett Holm and his wife, Joli, jumped in their electric cart and drove the short distance from their country home to the site to show their kids, Annie, 5, and Tyler, 4, what a movie set looked like. A few minutes after they arrived they had their close encounter with the movie star.

“We couldn’t believe it when she got out of her car and let us take pictures of her,”  Brett Holm said. “She was really nice.”

May Millies, a Holm family friend, came by with her two children, Christian, 3, and Ryan, 5, to see the movie being filmed practically in her back yard. She couldn’t stop smiling and showing off her photos after Kidman left.

“I just can’t believe this,” Millies said. “She just asked how we were doing and how things were going. I was so surprised, I didn’t know what to say.”

The North Livermore property just off Manning Road has been transformed into a Spanish Civil War battlefield, complete with a formidable old tank and a vintage German luxury car. Swarthy soldiers in the combat uniform of the day ran back and forth during battle scenes full of billowing white smoke and mock military explosions. Filming is expected to wrap today.

The production company enlisted a group of local riders for the battle scenes.  When asked if he was a professional movie rider, one man quipped, “This is my first and probably my last movie experience.”

Kidman was in several scenes during the day in her role as Gellhorn, Hemingway’s third wife. Before marrying, the two traveled together to cover the Spanish Civil War. 

The feisty Gellhorn was the only woman to ask Hemingway for a divorce, and was the inspiration for his novel “For Whom the Bells Toll.”

In a bit of whimsy, the signs directing the transportation vehicles from the staging grounds at the Livermore Rod and Gun Club say, “Whom the Bells Tolls.”

As an interesting side note, the land being used for the scenes belonged to Hollywood legend Bing Crosby, who owned quite a bit of property around Livermore, including the land that now houses on Tesla Road.

So while this isn't Livermore's first brush with top flight tinseltown talent, it is the first time a large production has filmed in Livermore with an Oscar winner as the star.

Sue April 5, 2011 at 01:00 pm
Her husband , Keith Urban stopped in for some coffee at Starbucks yesterday afternoon, before heading to Fresno for his concert.
Joan Boer April 5, 2011 at 01:08 pm
Nice photo. So which one is Nicole?
Gia Carlson April 5, 2011 at 01:13 pm
Very cool, I drive by that lot in the morning on the way to work. Saw a tank and very nice luxury car out there today.
Tracy Daugherty April 5, 2011 at 01:21 pm
I should drive by on my lunchhour today! Joan Boar are you kidding?
Tyler Bing April 5, 2011 at 08:43 pm
Today I went to Starbuck's on N. Livermore and Portola and when I got to the counter the manager says "Guess who was in here yesterday? Keith Urban!" "Wow" I say. "Was Nicole with him?" I'm a big movie fan and she is a genius. "No just him. I like them way better than Tom and Katie." "me too" I reply. Then as I walk around the counter I go in to this monologue about how he's ruined Katies career and he's a big idiot for about two minutes. During which time Nicole and her assistant had come in to the Starbucks behind me. The assistant goes to order and Nicole settles in right next to me and I have no idea as I go off about the father of her kids. When I finally realized she's standing next to me I didn't know whether to apologize or say you're welcome. Awkward to say the least. I can at least say I left an impression on her can't I?
Erika Conner April 5, 2011 at 09:20 pm
That's an awesome story Tyler! So did you end up chatting with her?
Martha Ross April 6, 2011 at 01:08 am
So, Mick LaSalle , the film critic for the SF Chronicle, touched off a bit of controversy with his review of Nicole Kidman's Academy Award-nominated-performance in "Rabbit Hole." He directly addressed the plastic surgery she's had done and apparently said it takes away from her ability to be as expressive as possible as an actress. Meanwhile, as much as I think Clive Owen is a hottie and think he should have been nominated for Best Actor for "Children of Men," I'm having a hard time seeing him in the role of Ernest Hemingway. Anyway, very nice story Kris, and nice background. You'll have to check out the winery that Alfred Hitchcock owned as well.
Laura Barros April 6, 2011 at 01:42 am
Laura Barros
Yesterday Keith Urban came to our Starbucks on N Portola in Livermore. He was very nice took a picture with Mark our barista. He has been the talk of the store since then. When customers asked if we had seen Nicole we said no. Then this morning she came in. It was amazing. Megan made her a cappuccino (it was probably the most important cappuccino Megan had to ever make). We all were in shock barista as well as customers. Nicole is just as gorgeous in person as she is on the big screen. Thank you Keith and Nicole for making our day. This will be something we will talk about for years.
Shara Hart April 6, 2011 at 02:49 am
Nicole Kidman met with the fans again tonight after shooting all day out on Manning Road near my house. She was incredibly friendly - signing autographs, taking pics, etc. After spending most of the day watching the action from the road, I was blessed with a hug and many pics/videos at the end of the day. Thank you Nicole!! :-)
Kristofer Noceda (Editor) April 6, 2011 at 03:42 am
Awesome! And thank you for uploading the video. Susan Young will post up another recap of the second and final day of filming in Livermore so be sure to check back for that on Wednesday. Thanks everyone for the comments. Exciting stuff!
e April 6, 2011 at 07:09 pm
Martha Ross,there was nothing controverial about Mick La Salle's comments, he has been whining about Kidman's face for about 5 years, he will do the same this year, next year and the year after that. MANY reviewers, critics, magazines have been talking about her face not moving for the same amount of time and yet, despite it, she continues to deliver performances that most actresses considered to have expressionable faces can't even muster. For some reason, movable face or not, Kidman is not going anywhere. You either watch her or you don't.
Margot April 6, 2011 at 07:19 pm
@ Martha Ross.
It seems LeSalle was wrong. If Kidman wasn't able to express emotions I doubt she would have been nominated for an Oscar and many other awards. LeSalle like many (not very good) critics care more about actors' faces than their real abilities. I even doubt LeSalle watched the movie. If he did he would be in loved with Kidma's becca. A heartbreaking character, real, sometimes funny, dramatic, full of hope. Kidman is a great actress, with or without botox and she's a great person a real movie star but simple, nice and humble. How many in Hollywood after a day of work stop their wonderful cars to greet with fans taking pictures and videos? Not many. Mike LeSalle and his nasty words won't chage Kidman's talent and importance. But please stop talking about him, enjo these beautiful pics of a talented and kind actress
ron schmalfuss April 24, 2011 at 05:12 am
im in love w nicole kidman. ron schmalfuss. peace

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Nika Megino (Editor) June 17, 2013 at 10:59 am
Hi Christian! Sorry for the trouble! I've gone in and reapproved your posts. I did, however, deleteRead More the duplicates. Please let me know if you have any more trouble with posting, and again, sorry for the inconvenience with our Spambot!
Christian Holm June 17, 2013 at 04:04 pm
Thanks, Nika! I truly appreciate your efforts. I just wish the software would get fixed.
Bridget Carney June 15, 2013 at 10:10 pm
Hi Penelope! I am interested in finding out more about your puppies. Please e-mail me atRead More bridget.carney@gmail.com
DeAnna Senft McDaid June 13, 2013 at 07:32 pm
thank you Lauren
Cindy Eckel June 14, 2013 at 08:01 am
Did you try 'Pleasanton Rentals' in Pleasanton...I know you asked for Livermore but this place hasRead More it all!
DeAnna Senft McDaid June 14, 2013 at 12:44 pm
Thank you Cindy I'll give them a call. apprecitate you taking the time.
Abby and Buddy
Beatrice Karnes June 13, 2013 at 08:48 am
They are beautiful and you described them so well! I hope that someone steps forward quickly! (IRead More have my quota of cats already.)
TrueRealist June 12, 2013 at 06:35 pm
It isn't up to the gov. to help raise your kids. The stork didn't drop the kid off unexpectedly. IfRead More you can't afford kids then don't have them.
barbieann June 13, 2013 at 08:39 am
Wow, so quick to jump to conclusions and judge. Maybe T.G. BUYS the child's lunch. Every schoolRead More sells hot lunch every day. At the majority of our schools, more lunches are bought than given for free.
DeAnna Senft McDaid June 13, 2013 at 12:43 pm
The schools give us 2 options as parents. 1. Buying lunches on campus or 2. Send them with a lunch.Read More Clearly the author of this chose number 1 and the school was OUT leaving the child with NO 3rd option. Shame on that school.
Jason Morgan June 9, 2013 at 09:33 pm
A great issue! However, the rodeo is nothing but animal cruelty wrapped up as "tradition"Read More and "entertainment". Why would the animal's welfare become a concern now? Rodeo performers have been documented beating, kicking, and shocking normally docile cows and horses in chutes and holding pens. "Bucking broncos" and steers are provoked with electric prods, sharp sticks, caustic ointments, and the pinching "bucking" strap, which is what really makes them jump, they are not "wild" and "dangerous" . The cowboys earn points by spurring the bucking horse. I have seen them up close and many are bleeding. Calves, roped when running, have their necks snapped back by the lasso, often resulting in neck and back injuries, bruises, broken bones, and internal bleeding. After their short and painful "careers," animals in rodeos are sent to the slaughterhouse. Dr. C.G. Haber, a veterinarian who spent 30 years as a federal meat inspector, describes the animals discarded from rodeos for slaughter as being "so extensively bruised that the only areas in which the skin was attached [to the flesh] was the head, neck, leg, and belly. I have seen animals with six to eight ribs broken from the spine and, at times, puncturing the lungs. I have seen as much as 2 to 3 gallons of free blood accumulated under the detached skin." Every national animal protection organization opposes rodeos because of their inherent cruelty. Don't feel bad everyone, I used to love the rodeo too. Before I knew better...
Bonbrwneyes June 10, 2013 at 09:13 pm
Something to consider and not pushing it aside because I feel its unimportant, but what I'd love toRead More have access to is how the riders that were hurt are doing today. Two bull riders got gored, one in the back and he was down and out for a bit and then obviously not "okay" as he stumbled out of the arena and then another that got his leg hurt and he couldn't get himself over the gate on his own. Left saturday's Rodeo hoping they were okay and would love follow up if at all possible. Thanks!
Danielle Nabozny June 8, 2013 at 03:00 pm
Thank you! That is what we want to know too. We have had more power outages this week than in theRead More 20+ years total that we have lived in this house!
Lynn June 8, 2013 at 07:03 pm
It would be nice to know, indeed. When my husband called to report the outage the recording saidRead More there were no outages in our area, which was clearly incorrect.
AT June 9, 2013 at 06:00 pm
I got the same thing, no outages when I called. I requested to be contacted by PG&E to explainRead More the problem. No call for that but I did get a "survey" call about their automated system. We have also lived here for 20+ years and never had this many outages.
Kari Hulac (Editor) June 8, 2013 at 12:48 pm
Great photos, Kathie..was the horse being evacuated?
Kathie Seymour-Sindicic June 8, 2013 at 12:54 pm
Thank you!! Yes this lady was evacuating this horse. It was the only one a saw be evacuated.