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Films present their takes on Baltimore

The creative impulse in Baltimore has always been rooted in resourcefulness and unfussy practicality as much as passionate self-expression. Those elements combine with the city's outlaw spirit always seem to be imbued in films involving the town.

The Washington Monument -- which pre-dates D.C.'s by more than 50 years -- stands graceful watch over Baltimore's genteel Mount Vernon neighborhood.

The Washington Monument -- which pre-dates D.C.'s by more than 50 years -- stands graceful watch over Baltimore's genteel Mount Vernon neighborhood.

Susan Biddle-The Washington Post

John Waters, here on the set of his 1972 film "Pink Flamingos," was part of a vanguard of filmmakers drawn to their hometown's idiosyncracies and foibles.

John Waters, here on the set of his 1972 film "Pink Flamingos," was part of a vanguard of filmmakers drawn to their hometown's idiosyncracies and foibles.

Waters went mainstream -- or maybe the mainstream got more Waters -- when his 1988 movie "Hairspray" was adapted into a hit Broadway musical. Here, Waters attends a 2003 performance at Baltimore's Mechanic Theatre.

Waters went mainstream -- or maybe the mainstream got more Waters -- when his 1988 movie "Hairspray" was adapted into a hit Broadway musical. Here, Waters attends a 2003 performance at Baltimore's Mechanic Theatre.

Matt Houston-AP

Barry Levinson films "Liberty Heights," his fourth film set in Baltimore, which portrayed 1950s Baltimore in the throes of social and political change brought on by television, rock 'n' roll and desegregation.

Barry Levinson films "Liberty Heights," his fourth film set in Baltimore, which portrayed 1950s Baltimore in the throes of social and political change brought on by television, rock 'n' roll and desegregation.

Gail Burton-AP

The art deco diner of "Diner" now sits between The Block, where the Diner guys watched burlesque shows, and the city's castle-like former penitentiary.

The art deco diner of "Diner" now sits between The Block, where the Diner guys watched burlesque shows, and the city's castle-like former penitentiary.

MGM

"The Wire" continued a long tradition of rich narratives inspired by Baltimore as a city of boundaries at once rigid and fluid, where poverty and privilege are just steps away from each other and where criminals and law enforcement are more complex than simple good guys and bad guys.

"The Wire" continued a long tradition of rich narratives inspired by Baltimore as a city of boundaries at once rigid and fluid, where poverty and privilege are just steps away from each other and where criminals and law enforcement are more complex than simple good guys and bad guys.

David Lee-HBO

In any other city, summer starts on Memorial Day but in Baltimore it kicks off with the Kinetic Sculpture Race. Here, the "Hunk a Hunk of Burnin' Junk," which won the Grand Mediocre East Coast Champion award in 2006.

In any other city, summer starts on Memorial Day but in Baltimore it kicks off with the Kinetic Sculpture Race. Here, the "Hunk a Hunk of Burnin' Junk," which won the Grand Mediocre East Coast Champion award in 2006.

Tom Jones-KineticBaltimore.com

A couple played by Jennifer Aniston and Ben Affleck live in an apartment with a to-die-for view of the Inner Harbor in "He's Just Not That Into You."

A couple played by Jennifer Aniston and Ben Affleck live in an apartment with a to-die-for view of the Inner Harbor in "He's Just Not That Into You."

Darren Michaels

Jodie Foster set her dysfunctional family comedy "Home for the Holidays" in Hamilton, a northeast Baltimore neighborhood that still has a back-home feel.

Jodie Foster set her dysfunctional family comedy "Home for the Holidays" in Hamilton, a northeast Baltimore neighborhood that still has a back-home feel.

Copyright 1995 Polygram Film Productions

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