Back in 2021, Chris Rowan, an art director and prop stylist for film and television, purchased the house that was shown to be the home of serial killer Buffalo Bill in Jonathan Demme‘s 1991 classic The Silence of the Lambs (watch it HERE), then turned it into a bed and breakfast. This September, Brooke Smith – who played Buffalo Bill captive Catherine Martin – will be returning to that house for the first time since production wrapped. Fans who visit the house during the three days Smith will be there will have the chance to get her autograph and take a picture with her in the well pit in the basement! Fans can also get guided tours of the house , which is located at 8 Circle St. in Perryopolis, Pennsylvania.
Of course, the most interesting part of the house is the basement, and it sounds like Rowan has really made it up right. He has turned it into “Buffalo Bill’s Workshop of Horrors”, re-creating the set from the film “complete with vintage Singer sewing machine, disco ball, four female mannequins dressed to resemble the ones in the movie, as well as a full length mirror and Buffalo Bill style kimono for guests’ use, designed to help fans get ‘in the mood’ to live out their Buffalo Bill fantasies. To truly set the mood, “Goodbye Horses,” the haunting song that plays during the famous Buffalo Bill dance scene, goes on auto play, as folks enter the basement.” The well pit in the basement isn’t as deep as the one in the movie, it’s only four feet deep, but it was designed by artists from Tom Savini’s Special Make-Up Effects Program at the Douglas Education Center in Monessen, Pennsylvania. “The well itself is constructed of real granite with all the gruesome markings from the movie, including bloody finger nail scratches along the wall. Upon entering the interactive well set located in the basement of the house, guests will immediately be greeted by sounds of dripping water along with sound clips from the film of the victim Catherine Martin (played by Brooke Smith) screaming for her life. And speaking of the famous movie hostage, there is a jumpsuit and curly haired wig which guests are encouraged to wear to get into Catherine’s character. Brave guests can actually physically enter into the well for gruesome photo opps. And of course there is a stuffed “Precious,” the little white poodle owned by the killer, a bucket, complete with lotion, which can be raised and lowered, as well tube and nob lighting to add to the eerie effect. To complete the chilling scene, there is also a hose for guests who want to channel Buffalo Bill’s character.“
Brooke Smith will be at Buffalo Bill’s house from September 22nd through the 24th, and you can see her discussing the event in the video embedded at the bottom of this article. Tickets to the event can be secured HERE. Full details on the event can be found at THIS LINK.
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