Abhiroop Das
Created by Sam Shaw and Dustin Thomason, ‘Castle Rock‘ chronicles the many mystical happenings that shape the town, as experienced by Henry Deaver in season 1, and Annie Wilkes in the sequel run. While both iterations of the story feature their own cocktail of supernatural horror and psychological thrills, the binding factor remains the town itself, with its enduring mysteries filling in the gaps between some plot threads, while rupturing the links between many others. To that end, Castle Rock’s worldbuilding is integral to cementing its position as an overseeing figure in the narrative. First introduced in season 1, episode 2, The Mellow Tiger bar goes on to become one of the show’s most recognizable settings, while also hiding its own share of secrets.
The Mellow Tiger Originates From Author Stephen King’s Pen
The Mellow Tiger is a fictional bar created by writer Stephen King for his 1991 horror novel, ‘Needful Things.’ The bar is described as a local hotspot in the book, and features in other stories penned by King, such as ‘The Body’ and ‘Nona.’ For the show, the writing team, spearheaded by Sam Shaw and Dustin Thomason, likely reimagine the setting in an alternate reality, drawing from its signature characteristics while still keeping it open to new developments. Several book characters that are narratively tied to the bar, such as Alan Pangborn and Ace Merrill, are also rendered in the series, further adding to its connection to the larger Stephen King universe. Still, while The Mellow Tiger is technically a canon location, it is nonetheless invented, with no direct real-life antecedents.
In a conversation with The Knockturnal, Thomason detailed how the creative team approached King’s fictional world, stating, “Part of where we started was like, ‘let’s look at everything that was actually set in Castle Rock, and then expand out from there.'” To that end, he listed The Mellow Tiger as one of the town’s primary locations, which he baked into the story not just to add realism, but to establish a through-line between the show and its literary counterparts. This also served as a treat for fans of King’s ‘Castle Rock’ mythos, as they were able to quickly immerse themselves in the world using the bar as a landmark.
Given that the town of Castle Rock is itself loosely based on King’s hometown, Durham, in Maine, The Mellow Tiger may have drawn references from real bars in and around the region. However, with no bar in Durham matching the description of the fictional classic, it is likely that King created the location from scratch, relying only on the superficial commonalities with real bars to make the setting as grounded as possible. Instead, the crew might have taken inspiration from the on-site filming spots, allowing elements from real life to flesh out their constructs.
A Real Building in Orange, Massachusetts, Was Transformed Into the Fictional Bar
For the crew of ‘Castle Rock,’ bringing the eponymous town to life meant recreating its fixtures with as much authenticity as possible. This meant transforming real-life locations into the fictional elements of the story, including The Mellow Tiger. According to reports, a real-life building located at 14 South Main Street in Orange, Massachusetts, was redressed for the exterior shots of the bar. The building, formerly a clothing store, perfectly matched the layout and aesthetics of The Mellow Tiger, making it easier for the audience to immerse themselves. Alongside made-up signboards, the crew also painted an advertisement for Schlitz beer, adding to the place’s believability. The mural was left on the wall even after production wrapped up and is now a part of the region’s visual identity.
While the exteriors of The Mellow Tiger exude a vintage charm, the interiors are meant to serve as a sharp contrast. With a two-lane bowling alley and a shiny bar to boot, the establishment blends together old and new in the same vein as the town itself. Given the scope, it is unlikely that the building in Jump Town was used to capture the indoor sequences. Instead, a tailor-made soundstage in New England Studios, located at 100 Studio Way, in Devens, Massachusetts, might have served as the filming location. Shooting in a set likely gave the crew added flexibility to craft the bar as per its descriptions in the book, while also adding their own creative flair to the mix.
Read More: Castle Rock Season 2 Ending Explained: Is Joy Dead or Alive? Is Annie Hallucinating?
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