Comments from James Kastner

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James Kastner
James Kastner commented about Byham Theatre on Oct 1, 2018 at 6:49 pm

You will find the photo of me (mentioned in the above posting) duplicating my usher’s stance on the evening of 10/1/68 at the world premier of Night of the Living Dead at the (then) Fulton Theatre. It is in the photos section of of the Byham Theatre.

James Kastner
James Kastner commented about Byham Theatre on Oct 1, 2018 at 6:44 pm

50 years ago tonight, I was sole usher working the balcony at the World Premiere of Night of the Living Dead at the Fulton Theatre. I was 17 years old at the time. I am now. I will do my best to locate the photo of me taken back in 2014 standing in a replica of my ushers outfit, standing in the exact same spot I did back on October 1, 1968.

James Kastner
James Kastner commented about Mellon Square Park (Where the Davis Theatre once stood) on Feb 11, 2016 at 8:16 pm

The SW corner of Mellon Square Park-where the Davis Theatre once stood. The corner of Oliver Avenue & Wm. Penn Place in Pittsburgh, PA

James Kastner
James Kastner commented about Byham Theatre on Jan 3, 2015 at 8:39 am

Jeffrey, My mistake, that would be April 1979 for Dawn of the Dead at the Gateway

James Kastner
James Kastner commented about Byham Theatre on Jan 3, 2015 at 8:31 am

Jeffrey, Dawn of the Dead opened in April ‘78 at the Gateway Theatre.

James Kastner
James Kastner commented about Davis Theatre on Nov 12, 2014 at 7:20 pm

The Davis Theatre opened February 15, 1915 with the Famous Davis Players in “Baby Mine”

James Kastner
James Kastner commented about *** Comments and Behavior On This Site *** on Dec 5, 2013 at 3:13 pm

Everybody should just “Enjoy the show!”

James Kastner
James Kastner commented about Mezzanine on Aug 18, 2012 at 6:39 pm

WarnerChatham, Your photos of the Warner interior are CLASSIC. You are so fortunate for having taken them. Thank you so much for the trip down memory lane. J.W. Kastner-author “Where The Movies Played in Downtown Pittsburg(h)

James Kastner
James Kastner commented about Wilby Theatre on Sep 10, 2011 at 8:36 pm

The movie that was playing at the Wilby Theatre in “The Heart Is A Lonely Hunter” was “The Family Way” with Hayley Mills.

James Kastner
James Kastner commented about Nixon Theatre (new) on Sep 6, 2011 at 6:09 am

Bruce,

Hold on to the Loew’s Aldine program. It is really rare.

James Kastner
James Kastner commented about Byham Theatre on Jul 27, 2011 at 3:56 am

k2, You are correct, it was 1961 and the premiere of EL CID was on Feb. 8, 1962. I loved that silver/blue curtain! You can read more about the former Fulton Theatre it in my recently published book: “Where The Movies Played In Downtown Pittsburg(h). I had my first job there in 1968. James W. Kastner

James Kastner
James Kastner commented about Bank Cinemas I & II on Feb 3, 2011 at 4:37 am

csepe, What wonderful news to hear what Bank Cinema I & II have transitioned to. My only regret is that I just found this out and the info on Bank I&II in my soon-to-be-published book “Where The Movies Played In Downtown Pittsburg(h)” (from Rosedog Books) may not have the chance to be updated. However, thank you so much for sharing this info with us all and thank you for all the great things you do!

James Kastner
James Kastner commented about Nixon Theatre (new) on Feb 1, 2011 at 8:51 pm

Ed, In my eyes you were the Master of the movie critics in Pittsburgh. You turned your reviews into an art that I learned from. You once did an article that told about every drive-in theatre that was in the Greater Pittsburgh area and what had replaced them. I unfortunately lost it when I moved from my family home on the North Side in the early 80’s. How wonderful it has been to rediscover you on this site and read your wonderful stories again!

James Kastner
James Kastner commented about Byham Theatre on Feb 1, 2011 at 8:28 pm

Deadone, I have an original newspaper clipping of the “Invitation” to the world premiere of NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD at the Fulton Theatre in 1968. I was the sole usher posted in the balcony that night and still recall George Romero addressing the audience from the stage of the Fulton. I could send you a scan of it. I have not been on the site for years, and I feel that Ron3853 and ChuckO have done a SUPERB job of listing movies that showed at the Fulton and Fulton Mini Theatres. In writing my book “Where The Movies Played In Downtown Pittsburg(h)”, I found this flip/flop of films booked into those two theatres to be the most nerve racking research that I did. An original drawing in my book has the George Romero Festival advertised on the marquee of the Fulton. I can send you a scan of the original photo that I took. I was so excited to read all the info posted on the Fulton and Fulton Mini. My book is in the final stages of publication this month and will be available through RoseDog Books. In it I tell the whole story myself, then 17 years old, and the night I ushered at the living dead!