Despite the name, 'Buried in Barstow' is probably not what you think - VVdailypress.com

Despite the title, "Buried in Barstow" isn't part of a homicide investigation in the dusty High Desert city nestled between Los Angeles and Las Vegas.

"Buried In Barstow" is a Lifetime original movie starring Angie Harmon as Hazel King, a single mother and trained assassin determined to shield her daughter, Joy, from the life she once had.

The 49-year-old Harmon billed as executive producer of the movie, is best known for her role in the film "Law & Order." She also appeared in the TV series "Baywatch Nights" and movie "Agent Cody Banks."

Joy is played by actress Lauren Ashley Richards, who has appeared in the films "Venom," "Doom Patrol" and "A House on the Bayou."

The Barstow-themed movie depicts the life of the King, who was a teenager when plucked off the streets of Las Vegas and trained as a cold-blooded hit woman.

An unexpected pregnancy ended King's career of contract killings and forced her to move to Barstow "to live a normal life" by operating the "Bridges Barbecue" diner.

Nearly two decades later, King and her daughter are working the diner and living an idyllic life when Elliot, a stranger played by actor Kristoffer Polaha, arrives.

Polaha has appeared in TV shows such as "CSI" and "Hawaii Five-0."

King's life is suddenly changed when she's pulled back into her old life for one more hit.

The trailer includes aerial footage taken near Skyline Drive-In on Old Highway 58. It shows a portion of the Skyline East neighborhood, Sugar Loaf Hill, the Mojave River, High Desert World Center, and Shady Lane RV Camp on Soapmine Road. 

Other movie clips don't appear to show scenes of Barstow, probably because the movie was shot in Charlotte, Shelby, and Cherokee, North Carolina, the IMDB website states.

Nearly 80% of "Buried in Barstow" was shot at the Red Bridges Barbecue diner in Shelby, according to the Shelby Star.

After the movie premieres, we'll know if more scenes were filmed in Barstow. 

After viewing the trailer, longtime Barstow resident Louise Miller shared her excitement about the movie and hopes that it will be a conversation starter.

"The title sounds ominous, but it should get people talking about our town," Miller said. "Barstow has been featured or mentioned in all sorts of movies, some good and some bad."

Barstow mentions

One of the most popular movies that mentioned Barstow was the 1998 cult film classic "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas."

In the film, the character Raoul Duke, played by writer/actor Hunter S. Thompson said, "We were somewhere around Barstow on the edge of the desert when the drugs began to take hold."

Most recently, actors Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter starred in the movie "Bill and Ted Face The Music." In the film, the musical duo time travels to steal music to save the universe.

Confronted by Holland Taylor's The Great Leader, she tells them, "25 years ago you played a concert in front of the entire world, one month ago you played in Barstow, California for 40 people, most of whom were there for $2 Taco Night."

Miller said she'll have her popcorn, snacks, and TV remote nearby for the premiere of "Buried in Barstow."

"I'm hoping the city or some group will have a public screening, that would be so much fun," Miller said. "Barstow on the big screen or TV, I love it."

Red Bridges Barbecue

Diner owner Natalie Ramsey was babysitting when she received a call from a location manager interested in using her diner for "Buried in Barstow," according to the Shelby Star

The Red Bridges Barbecue of Shelby had already been in several films, but Ramsey was shocked by the offer to use the eatery for the Lifetime production.

Ramsey said she was more than happy to have the crew use her diner, but wanted to make sure her staff was compensated during filming. The movie company offered to pay their wages.

"Me, my brother, and mother had to make sure our employees were OK. We wanted to make sure they were taken care of while we were closed," Ramsey said.

Ramsey, who stars as a waitress in the movie, said it was an honor to work with Harmon. The two cooked pork rinds in the kitchen, and Ramsey said it was one of many memorable moments they had together.

"She was fantastic," said Ramsey. "She would always talk to me. I took her in the back of the kitchen, and I gave her all kinds of good stuff."

Filming was completed in two weeks in October with filmmaker Howie Dudge, known for directing "Pretty in Pink," at the helm.

The show's production crew made several changes to the diner to give the restaurant a California vibe. 

"They brought in trees and painted the building," said Ramsey. "They really transformed it. It was an amazing experience. I really loved it."

"Buried In Barstow" is scheduled to premiere at 5 p.m. PST on June 4 on Lifetime.

Daily Press reporter Rene Ray De La Cruz may be reached at 760-951-6227 or RDeLaCruz@VVDailyPress.com. Follow him on Twitter @DP_ReneDeLaCruz