Netflix movie 'Shirley' shows off Cincinnati City Hall, other local sites

Sharon Coolidge, Cincinnati Enquirer
Updated ·2 min read
Film Cincinnati Executive Director Kristen Erwin Schlotman hosts a discussion on the Netflix movie "Shirley" with, from left, actors Regina King and Reina King and producer Ted Gidlow at the Mariemont Theatre after a screening earlier this month.
Film Cincinnati Executive Director Kristen Erwin Schlotman hosts a discussion on the Netflix movie "Shirley" with, from left, actors Regina King and Reina King and producer Ted Gidlow at the Mariemont Theatre after a screening earlier this month.
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Real-life sisters Regina King and Reina King star in the new Netflix movie, "Shirley," which depicts U.S. Rep. Shirley Chisholm's 1972 groundbreaking presidential run.

But the city of Cincinnati, where the movie was filmed in 2021 and 2022, might as well be a full-fledged co-star.

There's City Hall, sweeping views of the West End, Arnold's Bar and Grill, Court Street in Downtown and a church in the West End, among other places.

The locations are stand-ins for Brooklyn, New York, and Washington D.C., all key places in the life of Chisholm, the first Black woman elected to Congress.

"Shirley" debuts on Netflix on March 22.

How true is Regina King biopic on Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman elected to Congress?

Reina King and Regina at the Mariemont Theatre before an advance screening of the movie "Shirley."
Reina King and Regina at the Mariemont Theatre before an advance screening of the movie "Shirley."

The Enquirer got a sneak peek at an advance screening that ended with a question and answer period with the King sisters and producer Ted Gidlow, hosted by Film Cincinnati Executive Director Kristen Erwin Schlotman.

"One of the most special parts was we got to film in Cincinnati," Regina King told the audience. "Our family is from here."

The King sisters grew up in Los Angeles, but Christmases and Easters were spent in Cincinnati, she said.

City Manager Sheryl Long and Denisha Porter, executive director of the All-In Cincinnati Equity Coalition, both had cameos in the film and attended the screening. Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval, whose mayoral office was prominently featured in the film, was on hand with a proclamation for the sisters.

Regina King gave Pureval a special shoutout, calling him the "best-looking mayor."

"It had to be said," she added, drawing applause from the audience.

Film crews gather the old Herble Public School building to film the movie "Shirley" off Dayton Street in Cincinnati. Regina King is staring and is a producing the film, which tells the story of Shirley Chisholm.
Film crews gather the old Herble Public School building to film the movie "Shirley" off Dayton Street in Cincinnati. Regina King is staring and is a producing the film, which tells the story of Shirley Chisholm.

For those planning on tuning in, here's a guide to some of the Cincinnati places you'll see:

Cincinnati City Hall

Pureval's office is prominently featured as Chisholm's office and his leather couch and chair − where many conferences take place − got to stay. Regina King's Chisholm is seen parading through City Hall's grand hallway entrance.

Arnold's Bar and Grill

No movie that films in Cincinnati is complete without an Arnold's cameo. Located on East 8th Street, Arnold's was built in the late 1830s and its architecture served as a backdrop for a meeting.

Court Street

Much of the movie was filmed on Court Street in downtown Cincinnati. The grand Hamilton County Courthouse at the end of the street also makes an appearance.

The West End

Old cars are parked in the West End where the Netflix movie "Shirley" was filmed. The movie tells the story of Shirley Chisholm, America’s first black congresswoman. “Shirley” is written and directed by Oscar-winning writer/director, John Ridley.
Old cars are parked in the West End where the Netflix movie "Shirley" was filmed. The movie tells the story of Shirley Chisholm, America’s first black congresswoman. “Shirley” is written and directed by Oscar-winning writer/director, John Ridley.

Jerriel Missionary Baptist Church makes a cameo as the church Reina King's character, Muriel St. Hill, attends. The two characters have a deep conversation as the church casts a shadow over them. Street shots were also firmed there showing off Cincinnati's historic architecture.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: All the Cincinnati places featured in the Netflix movie 'Shirley'