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Oct 30, 2009 8:02 pm US/Eastern
KD Country: Living Dead Festival
EVANS CITY (KDKA) ―
The cult classic "Night of the Living Dead" hit theater screens in 1968. Shot in Evans City, the low-budget film was an instant success.
Forty-one years later, cast and technical crew from that film have gathered for a two-day reunion in that town and the public is invited.
Festival organizer Gary Streiner was the sound man for that long-ago production. Last year was the first such gathering.
"Nothing in 40 years had ever been done in Evans City, the city, the town the film was made in," he explains.
The black and white film was produced on a shoestring budget by employees of director George Romero's commercial production company.
More than a dozen actors and technicians have returned for the festival, including Gary's brother Russ Streiner. The co-producer played the role of "Johnny."
"They're coming to get you Barbara," Johnny exclaimed, in a line that became famous. But he was the first to go.
Zombies of decades past are in Evans City, to sign autographs and greet their fans. Arizona librarian Judith Ridley had an ill-fated role as a woman whose car blew up as she tried to escape.
"I'd never done any acting before," she says modestly. "And I think out of compassion they created the role of Judy."
John Russo co-wrote the script and played the role of a zombie set on fire.
"I rolled over the hill where people were waiting with blankets to smother the flames," he recalls.
Charles Craig was a TV newsman and George Kosano as sheriff adlibbed a famous line: "They're dead. They're all messed up."
"It was not in the screenplay," he now admits. "I improvised it. I felt like saying it so I said it."
Unlike the zombies, it's a line that will live forever.
The Living Dead Fest concludes Saturday, October 31, in EDCO Park in Evans City. It features autograph signing, music and a showing of the movie.
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