Children of the Corn: Iowa Time Machine March 9, 1984

Iowa Time Machine ⏰: On March 9, 1984, the horror film “Children of the Corn” was released in theaters. Mainly filmed in northwestern Iowa around Sioux City, the film led many viewers to never look at cornfields quite the same again.

In the adaptation of Stephen King’s 1977 short story of the same name, a malevolent creature known as “He Who Walks Behind the Rows” and a cult of children who do his bidding are featured. The film starred Linda Hamilton and Peter Hortonand featured guest appearances by many Iowans who filled out the call sheets.

Although set in Gatlin, Nebraska, the film was shot in the Iowa towns of Hornick, Salix, Sergeant Bluff, and Whiting during the fall of 1983. While local papers warned residents not to worry about a large explosion planned for the film, many Iowans eagerly anticipated its debut the following year. The film made about $14.6 million in theaters, leading producers to make nearly a dozen additional “Children of the Corn” movies.

Many of the buildings featured in the film still stand and continue to draw attention from eager horror fans visiting northwestern Iowa. A 2009 remake of the original 1984 was also filmed in several of the western Iowa towns featured in the original movie. #Iowa #OTD #History #Movies #HiddenHistory