The Albino Squirrels of Marionville, Missouri

It was not without coincidence that the location shooting near the Ozark Mountains for “Albino Farm” took place in the small town of Marionville – one of only a few places in the United States with rare Albino Squirrels.

The directors won’t understate that claim – they did have a reverential eye toward them with a story point that is supportable for those who have read the script.  That the directors chose the site for filming was purposeful for reasons other than the squirrels, as a person close to them championed the use of the location knowing the squirrels were only a few of the interesting anomalies for possible use in the film.

It came as somewhat of a surprise to the cast and crew who were astounded to find out this fact while shooting the movie. Several actually came across the furry little creatures, took pictures and repeatedly asked the two directors if this was part of the movie’s concept, but they simply kept it to themselves.

As rare as these squirrels may be, it is not uncommon to spot them in the course of a day or by driving around the town’s small streets. Something of a tourist attraction, the town brought them notoriety after branding themselves “Home of the White Squirrel” with following pictures on the town seal, flag and official insignia.

In recent years, national and international interest for the story brought television crews, news and magazine reporters to the town so as to photograph them for scientific and human interest stories. Other than the genetic pigmentation similar to other animal species with albinism, the real story is their absolute rarity. It is estimated that the chance a squirrel will be born with albinism is over 100,000-to-1. Something not lost on the residents who take loving care of their residential rodents.

Founded in 1854 by early settlers who stumbled on fresh underground spring water, the town was quickly developed and became the largest concentration of apple orchards in Missouri. Named for James “Marion” Moore the once thriving community eventually came onto hard times after the demise of the apple business and the net result was a major loss of its residents. The only exception seemed to be the continuing strain of albino squirrels.

Now a bedroom community thirty miles south of Springfield, and with most of the downtown area abandoned, it was a perfect site for filming “Albino Farm.” Producers made a special arrangement with the Mayor and residents for a week of shooting and brought all four principal actors as well as WWE’s Chris Jericho into town for scenes that were shot in a café set built inside an existing store front, the town square gazebo, a church interior and a secluded site nearby. If you look closely, one of those shots may contain a cameo by the elusive Albino Squirrel.

There are a myriad of pictures and videos of Albino Squirrels on the internet. Albino Squirrel eating an apple: http://www.metacafe.com/watch/1797712/an_albino_squirrel_eating_my_apples/