By Bill Schulzang

August 7, 2014

Richland County refers to itself, because of its character and geographical location, as the “heart of Ohio.” But for a large number of visitors, it is better known as the home of perhaps the most storied prison in movie history.

Despite seven Oscar nominations, including one for best picture, “The Shawshank Redemption” — starring Tim Robbins as one (very) unfortunate accountant by the name of Andy Dufresne and Morgan Freeman as a convict named Red — barely made back its $25 million budget following its 1994 premiere. But after significant video sales and seemingly endless showings on TNT (151 hours of total televised airtime last year alone), Americans fell in love with the TV equivalent of a houseguest who won’t leave. Read more