For scenes that were filmed out of the province, in Westfield, Ontario, stone walkways were spray painted red in order to recreate the island’s famous red roads.  So many visitors to Westfield have taken home the red stones as souvenirs that the chances of finding any today are very slim.  In "The Continuing Story", the beach scene when Anne and Gilbert first see each other was shot on Lake Ontario, which meant that the art crew had to spray the cliffs with organic red spray paint and put crushed brick on the ground.

So where did Anne’s idea that P.E.I is the most beautiful place in Canada come from?  If we look back to Anne’s origin, describing the beauty of the island was an important and often dominant characteristic of Lucy Maud Montgomery’s work, whether she was writing about the wooded hills and laneways surrounding Green Gables, or Marilla’s beautifully-tended garden.  The reverence that Anne felt for her surroundings was obviously shared by the author, as can also be seen in this quote from the novel: “After the Mayflowers came the violets, and Violet Vale was empurpled with them.  Anne walked through it on her way to school with reverent steps and worshipping eyes, as if she trod on holy ground.”

What role do you think the setting of the books and movies played in telling Anne’s story?  What is it about the setting that has inspired so much art?  Check back in the next couple days for our take on the top five best garden scenes in Kevin Sullivan’s productions!