Just in Time for Groundhog Day: A Look at the Film’s Timeless Charm

Rick Overton is considered a legendary comedian. But he is often best remembered for his role in one of the most beloved films from the 1990s. Overton played Ralph in Groundhog Day. His part is described as a local who spends one of Phil’s nights being a drinking buddy and partner in crime. And just in time for Groundhog Day, Overton joined Pete Schwaba, host of Nite Lite with Pete Schwaba, to talk about his memories of working on the film and its timeless charm.   

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Listen to the full interview here:

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“The behind-the-scenes camaraderie and creative moments really shaped the film’s iconic scenes,” Overton explains. “The cast would collaborate, improvising and adding subtle touches to the script, which would later become integral to the film’s charm.” 

Overton also reminisced about the unique filming conditions in Woodstock, Illinois, where the movie was shot. But it is set in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania as Phil (played by Bill Murray) is a cynical TV weatherman covering the annual Groundhog Day event there. He then becomes trapped in a time loop, reliving February 2 repeatedly. 

Phil: What would you do if you were stuck in one place and every day was exactly the same, and nothing that you did mattered?
Ralph: That about sums it up for me.

Quotes from a scene between Murray and Overton in Groundhog Day

“Groundhog Day has become a timeless classic with the perfect blend of humor and romance,” Overton says. “So many people still remember the witty lines and I’m grateful for the opportunity to be part of a film that has endured for decades.”

Schwaba and Overton agree. A film like Groundhog Day will always hold a special place in cinema history. And the United States Library of Congress helped ensure its preservation. It selected the film for induction to the National Film Registry in 2006.