h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

In a spare moment, would you like to check out A745580 - my main project page for Film-making in Pennsylvania.

Should I do individual entries on notable actors from the Keystone State and overview entries on the films? Or do you reckon that pulling out some of the state's major films in separate entries would be better?

Every few days I'll be watching tv late and night and see another classic Pennsylvania film - like Creepshow in which the bit about the 'Crate' was shot at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh.

Remember, this was *your* idea!

I was shocked at how many actors and actresses I came up with when I thought about it for a moment or two...

And the movies and I'm sure there are bunches that I'm forgetting!

Anyway, do let me know what you think would be a good strategy of attack.



- Jimi X

Hey Jimi,

Wow - what a can of worms I've opened. Seeing as I am partly responsible, I will gladly assist in anyway that I can.

As to the structure, a project like this can soon descend into mayhem - so what I would suggest is to have 4 stellar entries (possibly 5) structured like so

* Classic Actors from Pennsylvania - Mini bios of WC Fields Johnny Weissmuller Jimmy Stewart, Grace Kelley, Gene Kelley, John Barrymore (and I imagine the rest of the Barrymore clan) and then a list of the others with some filming credits.

* Modern Actors from Pennsylvania - as above but with the modern-day lot

I would also do the same with the films. The films I would choose for a little bit of critique are those that made an impact or brought a star to the screen. Things like the Deer Hunter, Rocky, The Blob (introducing one of my favourites - McQueen), Witness, Night of the Living Dead, The Sixth Sense... Good lord, this list could go on and on.

Some omissions - I would mention the Philadelphia Story which revived the flagging fortunes of Katherine Hepburn and was remade into High Society, with none other than the Penn State Princess Grace Kelley.

Also, wasn't Twelve Monkeys filmed in Philadelphia? I can't quite remember. And then there's the Keystone Cops....


What might be a bit of fun is asking the film bureau what is needed to make a film in Pennsylvania (permits, permission etc...)

Let me know what you think and what you would like me to do...


Ashley

That's a good looking structure! Much better than having 50-plus entries at any rate.

For 'classic' actors, I reckon that means the ones that are dead? Or should I include guys like Charles Bronson whose careers are dead?

As for what you can do to help...

...I'll think about where I'll need the most assistance and I'll let you know. I'm going to make an appointment with the film bureau and let them look over my list to see if I've missed anything major and then I'll be ready to go at this thing.

I've already got a University project that I'm planning to finish soonish. But this will be next on the list.



- X

Something that looks interesting and I knew nothing about is the Pennsylvania FIlm Awards:

http://www.pafilmfest.com/

....

My my the plot thickens.

Just as an aside, my Texan friends say that American history doesn't get as old as it is in Texas... be that as it may, it doesn't get more interesting than the history of Pennsylvania.

Thank you for opening my eyes.

ACK!!

You're killing me.

Also, Pittsburgh and Philadelphia each have their own local film offices in addition to the state's.

More and more and more.

On an unrelated note, 'The Blob' was on tv late Friday night.
Classic timing!

====

And as for Texas. I love the history of the Lone Star State. Lots of good stuff - pulling away from Mexico, being its own nation, joining the USA, leaving the USA, rejoining the USA...

Great material. Pity I don't live there.