RUN DON’T WALK

IT EATS YOU ALIVE

Phoenixville celebrates its role in the 1958 B-Horror classic The Blob this weekend with BLOBFEST. In the movie the oozing critter from outer space dissolves and absorbs people, getting larger and redder as it preys on the good citizens of Phoenixville. Locations for the shooting of the film include several in Downingtown and Royersford, but it is Phoenixville’s Colonial Theater that gets top billing. Even though the star of the film, Steve McQueen (in his first role) has warned people of this terror from outer space people have ignored him and are attending a film at the Colonial. The Blob gets into the theater devours the projectionist and oozes through the camera holes and attacks the audience.

Mayhem ensues and the film’s most iconic scene of people fleeing the theater occurs.

TEAM VFH ABSORBS THE MAYHEM

Tonight the Run Out, as it is called today, is reenacted in kicking off the BLOBFEST Antics. Tickets to actually be part of the theater fleeing the “Blob” were sold out a long time ago, but people gather on the street to watch the revelry. For the first time since your lovable Blobs first started absorbing and mooching in 2009 we plan on fighting the crowds and going to BLOBFEST. It’s free and should be fun.

On Saturday there is a whole ledger of street fair events in Phoenixville including a costume contest and a fire extinguisher parade (fire extinguishers were integral in the film) and several viewings of The Blob and other similarly-themed films throughout the weekend. Phoenixville is already a great town to visit with its vibrant nightlife, and the BLOBFEST is just another reason to visit.

BLOBFEST 2018 

LIFE AFTER BLOB

Like the Blob the Colonial Theatre has absorbed the building next to it and expanded. Once a bank, the mini complex offers two more screening rooms as well as the main auditorium.  They show first run and classics there for a very reasonable cost as well as concerts. I recently saw the original The Producers there and Hot Tuna in concert. If you want to simply visit the theater and see the plaque that commemorates the film and there is nothing going on the volunteer staff will allow you entry. I recommend strongly you take along a bag of ice though, in case you get some sticky red stuff on you.

THE ORIGINAL RUN OUT