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'Night of the Living Steelers' showcases filmmaker Romero's side job
NFL Films
Joe Greene watches himself on the screen during a scene in 'Night of the Living Steelers.'
Today, it's a cult classic, but in 1968 when George A. Romero released his zombie apocalypse film “Night of the Living Dead,” it garnered little attention outside of critical scorn for its graphic nature.
So Romero, who filmed the movie in Western Pennsylvania, was unable at the time to focus exclusively on his zombie filmmaking career. Instead, he began shooting short films on the Steelers for NFL Films.
The story of those vastly different but parallel career paths is the the subject of the documentary “Night of the Living Steelers” by the NFL Network's series “The Timeline.”
The film aired Oct. 5 on NFL Network and will play during a free showing tonight at the Parkway Theater in McKees Rocks.
“If there is a similarity between what was going on with the Steelers at that time and what was going on with us, it's about perseverance,” Romero says in the 44-minute documentary.
Much of the documentary was shot at the Parkway, with Romero and former Steelers watching his old films and commenting.
“I'm excited,” says Aaron Stubna, Parkway Theater's owner. “I believe a lot of people don't realize he also shot for NFL Films, because I remember these films as a kid, and it's something I just learned about when they approached me to use my theater.”
“Night of the Living Steelers” features extensive interviews with Romero, plus Steelers legends Terry Bradshaw, Art Rooney II, Art Rooney Jr., Franco Harris, “Mean” Joe Greene and Rocky Bleier.
“There were two cults — movie cult and sports cult — that captured the imagination of the people,” Bleier says in the film. “Not only here but throughout this country.”
“It was the start of something that no one saw coming,” Harris adds.
Doors open at 6:30 p.m., and the film starts at 7:30. NFL Films director Greg Bocchetti will then take the stage for a Q-and-A session with the audience. At 9 p.m., Stubna will present a free screening of “Night of the Living Dead.”
The event is free, but beer, wine and cocktails will be sold for cash only.
For tickets, go to nightof thelivingsteelers.brownpaper tickets.com.
Chris Togneri is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach him at 412-380-5632 or ctogneri@tribweb.com.
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