On Location: Market Square

A monthly look at Pittsburgh’s starring role in the movies.

PHOTO BY CHUCK BEARD “She’s Out of My League” (2010) This quirky romantic comedy about a TSA agent at Pittsburgh International Airport stars Jay Baruchel and Alice Eve. This is a love letter to the city with scenes filmed at The Andy Warhol Museum, Mt. Washington and PNC Park as well as the former Century III Mall and Mellon Arena….

This Week in Pittsburgh History: Steel Phantom Opens at Kennywood

For a period of time, it was the world's fastest roller coaster.

PHOTO: KENNYWOOD On May 10, 1991, Kennywood officially entered the coaster wars and the record books when the Steel Phantom carried its first passengers. From its opening day until July 1996, it was the world’s fastest and steepest roller coaster. Within days of opening, the park had to actually slow down the coaster after several riders complained of neck strain…

This Week in Pittsburgh History: Bob Prince Calls His Last Pirates Games

Prince is considered one of the most iconic broadcasters in Pittsburgh.

Long before the Terrible Towel helped to rev up Steelers fans, there was the Green Weenie, a good-luck charm popularized by Pittsburgh Pirates Broadcaster Bob Prince.  “Never underestimate the power of the Green Weenie,” Prince would declare from the radio booth. Prince began his legendary career in 1948, endearing himself to fans with a staccato delivery and bucketful of sayings…

Watch: How Pittsburgh Plans to Attract Visitors Again

VisitPittsburgh unveils its newest marketing campaign, “Only in Pittsburgh.”

Hoping to capitalize on the pent up desire to travel as the country emerges from the pandemic, VisitPittsburgh is out with a new marketing video designed to show how our city differentiates itself from other destinations. It highlights the unique attractions, amenities, restaurants, breweries and more that visitors can only see and do in Pittsburgh. “It was so great to…

Pittsburgh’s Billy Porter Coming Home to Direct His First Film

The coming-of-age tale “What If” will also be set in Pittsburgh.

PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK Anyone involved in Pittsburgh’s movie industry can look forward to a busy summer. Pittsburgh native Billy Porter, appearing on ABC’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live” Tuesday to promote the final season of “Pose,” announced he will be back in Pittsburgh this summer to direct his first feature film, “What If.” “It’s a teenage, coming-of-age rom-com about a Black transgender senior…

This Week in Pittsburgh History: Mister Rogers Goes to Washington

In six minutes of testimony before a Senate committee, Rogers convinced a skeptical lawmaker not to cut $10 million from the PBS budget.

On May 1, 1969, Fred Rogers testified before the Senate Committee on Commerce Subcommittee on Communications to defend $20 million in federal funding proposed for the newly formed non-profit Corporation for Public Broadcasting. There had been a proposal to cut the funding in half and subcommittee chairman, Senator John Pastore (D-RI), unfamiliar with Mister Rogers, was initially skeptical and abrasive…

On Location: Evans City Cemetery

A monthly look at Pittsburgh’s starring role in the movies.

PHOTO BY CHUCK BEARD “Night of the Living Dead” (1968) “They’re coming to get you, Barbra.” The iconic line, which sets the tone for George Romero’s classic film, was spoken in the rural cemetery in Evans City, about 30 miles north of Pittsburgh. It’s where siblings Johnny (Russell Streiner) and Barbra (Judith O’Dea) visit their father’s grave before they’re set…

What’s Going to Win at the Oscars (and What You Should Watch First)

It was a deeply odd year for movies, but the big show is (finally) coming up Sunday.

CAREY MULLIGAN IN “PROMISING YOUNG WOMAN” You’re more than forgiven if the Academy Awards have not been on your radar this year. Aside from several gigantic, earth-shaking distractions, the movie business went through unprecedented shifts in 2020, both due to the pandemic and as part of the overall change to where, when and how we watch films. There were few…

This Week in Pittsburgh History: Flashdance Opens in Theaters

Far from a favorite with critics, the film shot and set in Pittsburgh would be the No. 1 movie in the country for 28 straight days.

One of the first of more than 30 movies shot or set in Pittsburgh was the 1983 hit “Flashdance.” Starring Jennifer Beals as a welder by day and dancer by night with aspirations of becoming a professional ballerina, the movie was hardly a hit with critics. At the time, the late Roger Ebert described the film in the Chicago Sun-Times…

Allegheny County to Host Drive-In Movie Nights at Two Parks

The series of free movies kicks off Friday, April 2.

PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK Allegheny County is celebrating the beginning of spring with a Family Drive-In Movie series. For eight consecutive Friday nights, beginning April 2, you can see a drive-in movie for free at the parking lots of the Boyce Park and Settlers Cabin Wave Pools. Gates open at 6 p.m. and the movies will begin at dusk. No one will…

House of the Week: Custom-Built Estate in Sewickley Heights

This six-bedroom home with exceptional high-end amenities sits on 10+ wooded acres.

52 Timberhill, Sewickley Heights, PA, 15143 Presented by Kathe Barge Howard Hanna Real Estate Services This custom-built estate was designed to blend seamlessly with its natural surroundings and draws the exquisite grounds into the home through huge walls of glass. The neutral stonework is the perfect complement to the natural woodlands, landscaping and gardens surrounding the home. The stonework continues…

More Affordable Housing Options Coming to Pittsburgh

Mayor Peduto and the Urban Redevelopment Authority introduce a new housing initiative that aims to make homeownership more affordable.

URBAN REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY DIRECTOR GREG FLISRAM Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto and the Urban Redevelopment Authority have announced a new program, OwnPGH, which aims to help residents acquire easier access to affordable housing options within the city. OwnPGH features a $22 million dollar bond issue that will make it easier for single families to purchase and own a house. The URA…

On Location: Carrie Blast Furnaces

A monthly look at Pittsburgh’s starring role in the movies.

PHOTO BY CHUCK BEARD “Out of the Furnace” (2013) Braddock was not only the location for director/co-writer Scott Cooper’s “Out of the Furnace,” it was also his inspiration. “I wouldn’t have made this film if I didn’t shoot the film in Braddock,” Cooper says on the DVD bonus feature. “It lends itself to great cinemagraphic moments. The town drips with…

On Location: Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall and Museum

A monthly look at Pittsburgh’s starring role in the movies.

PHOTO BY CHUCK BEARD “Silence of the Lambs” (1991) Based on Thomas Harris’ book, “The Silence of the Lambs” is a psychological thriller that tells the story of an FBI agent who has to rely on a cannibalistic serial killer to catch another serial killer who skins his victims. It’s rated R for a reason! Jodie Foster plays agent Clarice…

House of the Week — Ligonier Castle

Seven bedrooms, seven baths, a commercial-grade kitchen a wine room and an elevator –– what more could you want?

2397 State Route 381 Ligonier Twp, PA 15658 Presented by Donna Tidwell Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices The Preferred Realty Ligonier Castle features 39 rooms and 15,000 square feet of living and entertaining space. A stone fireplace with a massive chimney, cleverly designed to be viewed from all three floors. Hundreds of spiral wooden spindles surround the path around the second floor;…

House of the Week: A Remodeled Farmhouse

Historic charm meets an HGTV-style modern renovation.

8113 State Route 22, New Alexandria, Pa. 15670 Presented by Donna Tidwell Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices The Preferred Realty This three-bedroom farmhouse was completely renovated in 2020 with the latest upgrades. The home features large, bright living spaces, two original staircases and gleaming, cherry-hardwood floors throughout the entry. French doors open to a formal living room with original hardwood floors that…

5 Ways to Celebrate Valentine’s Day in Pittsburgh During a Pandemic

Try out these ideas for a romantic date night at home.

PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK If your idea of a romantic Valentine’s Day typically involves indulging in a night on the town, then you might be struggling to think of some alternative ways to celebrate this year. Since Pennsylvania restaurants and movie theaters are operating at limited capacity due to COVID-19, it’s time to get creative. Here are five ideas for celebrating an…

On Location: Roberto Clemente Bridge

A monthly look at Pittsburgh's starring role in the movies.

PHOTO BY CHUCK BEARD “Inspector Gadget” (1999) Matthew Broderick played the title role in this Walt Disney Pictures comedy loosely based on the 1983 animated television series of the same name about a cybernetic police officer. (Imagine “Robocop” for kids.) Pittsburgh stood in for the fictional town of Riverton, Ohio, and the Sixth Street Bridge — its name at the…

Remembering Joanne Rogers

The widow of Fred Rogers died Thursday at the age of 92.

Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:’Ys-YF1oiQaNG-8AaT2jGew’,sig:’9pD71ikpP5oKRi0LGU_zC5LAIx5hGANxqGq2AsLvDmU=’,w:’594px’,h:’411px’,items:’149043564′,caption: true ,tld:’com’,is360: false })}); Despite being married to Fred Rogers for more than 50 years, there was much more to Joanne Roger’s life beyond being the wife of a beloved children’s television icon. Joanne Rogers, who lived in Squirrel Hill, was a professional pianist, teacher and constant crusader for her late husband’s message of empathy, kindness…

Banding Together to Help Struggling Pittsburgh Music Venues

Over 60 musicians recorded an original song to support their industry.

Like cities across the country, Pittsburgh music venues are struggling to survive through the pandemic. Already, the city has lost almost 10 venues, including mainstays such as The Rex Theater on the South Side and Brillobox in Bloomfield. To help the struggling venues, Eric Roger, lead guitarist of local band Royal Honey, reached out to his fellow Pittsburgh musicians. And…

Perspectives: Conor Lamb Knows a Lie When He Hears It

In a much-discussed speech, the Pennsylvania congressman took a stand simply by calling lies what they are.

In the early hours of the day after the Capitol was attacked, Conor Lamb was fired up. The Congressman who has represented Pennsylvania’s 17th district since 2019, had not been known for fireworks on the floor of the House. The young representative is a moderate, reflecting a district comprised of both left-leaning suburbs and more rural areas stretching toward the…

The Top 10 Movies of 2020

Who needs blockbusters? There was plenty of excellent cinema in 2020, and you can stream most of the best at home right now.

I’ve watched more movies this year than ever before. And for me, that’s saying something. Long before I knew how high my tally would climb, I arbitrarily decided that 2020 would be the year I logged every movie I watched on Twitter. I began on Jan. 1 with the 1955 classic “Night of the Hunter.” By the time New Year’s…