“What About Bob?” at Smith Mountain Lake: Celebrating 35 Years
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In 1990, the film “What About Bob?” brought a touch of Hollywood to Smith Mountain Lake, transforming its shoreline into the fictional setting of New Hampshire’s Lake Winnipesaukee.
Released in 1991, the comedy “What About Bob?” celebrates its 35th anniversary this year and remains one of the lake’s most memorable pop culture moments.
Directed by Frank Oz, the film starred Bill Murray as Bob Wiley, a lovable but highly anxious patient who follows his vacationing psychiatrist, Dr. Leo Marvin, played by Richard Dreyfuss.
Where Was “What About Bob?” Filmed?
Much of the movie was filmed in the original downtown area of Moneta, along with a waterfront home at the end of Scruggs Road that served as the Marvin family’s vacation house. Additional scenes were shot at the Elks Home in Bedford and out on open water, where Smith Mountain Lake’s rolling hills helped create the illusion of a New England retreat.
For longtime local Alice Swain, the experience was up close and personal. A petite stand-in for Kathryn Erbe, the actress who played Marvin’s young daughter, Swain was working at Bernard’s Landing at the time, where much of the cast and crew stayed. That connection gave her a front-row seat to the production and a new perspective on the industry.
“It was such a positive experience and a lot of fun, and it gave me a new respect for how much work goes into making a movie,” said Swain, who described Bill Murray as “wacko” and Richard Dreyfuss as “professional,” noting the tension between them felt just as real off screen as it did on.
While the movie was only a modest box office success upon release, it quickly became a cult classic thanks to its quotable humor and unforgettable characters.
According to SML Regional Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Andy Bruns, visitors still occasionally ask about the film when they stop into the visitor’s center at Bridgewater Plaza. He said he and Chamber volunteers enjoy sharing that bit of the lake’s cinematic history.
Is “What About Bob?” on Netflix or Prime?
The movie “What About Bob?” is often available on Amazon Prime Video.
More than three decades later, “What About Bob?” remains a unique snapshot of our region, capturing the lake’s laid-back charm, natural beauty and timeless appeal.
Andie Gibson
CO-PUBLISHER & EDITOR
Andie has been covering Smith Mountain Lake since 2000 for a variety of publications, including the SML Visitor and Newcomer Guide, SML HOME Magazine, The Roanoker and Life Outside. As a partner in G&C Ventures, LLC, she oversees all content for our suite of websites, including Smith-Mountain-Lake.com and LakeLubbers.com.
