Filming to Close Glen Road Bridge on Tuesday

The Silver Bridge, which connects Newtown to Southbury along Glen Road, will be closed Tuesday evening and night to all traffic except emergency vehicles to accomodate the filming of The Greatest Movie Ever Made, police said.

The independent film is produced and written by Rob Burnett, the executive producer of the The Late Show with David Letterman, and former Letterman writer, Jon Beckerman, who have collaborated on other work, such as the television series, Ed, and half-hour comedy, Knights of Prosperity. Burnett additionally helped develop the hit comedy series, Everybody Loves Raymond.

The Greatest Movie Ever Made is the duo's first attempt at film. Last month, the film crew were at Derby High School, which apparently is to be the scene of the fictional Buckstown High School. The movie is said to follow the lives of five high school seniors from there.

The filming on the bridge had been scheduled for Saturday but due to the chance of thunderstorms, the date has been pushed to Tuesday.

Newtown police Sgt. Christopher Vanghele said he was told was the 35-member crew from GMEM Enterprises out of New York City may be planning to film a scene of chickens on the bridge. There was no indicaton whether any known stars will be on scene, he said.

Actor Bill Pullman is apparently associated with the movie, according to published reports.

In order to accomodate filing, the bridge will be closed to vehicle and pedestrian traffic from 4:30 p.m. to midnight, Vanghele said.

Police officers will stand guard by the bridge and redirect vehicles back into Newtown, he said. An electronic display board also will be placed on Glen Road close to Sandy Hook Center advising motorist to turn around and take Interstate 84 in order to reach Southbury.

Southbury police will be stationed on the other side of the bridge similarly redirecting traffic, officials said.

Vanghele said police will try to keep any crowds of pedestrians that gather nearby to a minimal because of the danger caused having pedestrians near vehicles that will have to turn because they won't be able to cross the bridge.

"As long as everybody is safe and acting approopriate there's not going to a problem," he said.