This year we get REALLY retro, as we proudly welcome “The Blob” to Retro Con 2014!

The Blob first hit theaters in 1958 and became an instant cult classic, with the campy tone set up perfectly by its opening theme song. In case you’ve been living under a meteorite for the past 55 years, the movie is about a protoplasm-like alien creature that crashes to earth and immediately starts consuming and dissolving citizens of a small town in rural Pennsylvania, causing it to quickly grow to problematic size.

Not only is the movie set in Pennsylvania, but was in fact filmed in local PA areas such as Downingtown, Royersford, and Phoenixville- All mere miles from where we hold Retro Con every year!

In fact, Phoenixville is the hometown of the theatre that the Blob oozed into, sending the movie’s audience fleeing out the front doors in hysterical terror. Known as the Colonial Theatre, it is still in operation to this day and is the host of Blobfest: a 3-day celebration of the film and other horror classics of the era. This was its 15th year running, with a Blob-like increase in popularity each passing year. The Friday stage show and run-out is often hosted by Retro Con guest Mr. Lobo, and the  Saturday and Sunday street festival is also highly recommended!

Owner Wes Shank refers to himself as ” the caretaker of the original blob silicone”. He began collecting movie posters and publicity photos in 1960. After touring the Valley Forge Film Studios in 1965, Wes purchased the silicone directly from the film’s director, Shorty Yeaworth. Wes also owns several miniature sets used in making the movie, along with props from many other classic films.

     Always willing to share his knowledge of science fiction movies, Wes has lectured at The Franklin Institute, Philadelphia Museum of Art, and Villanova University, as well as various television interviews over the years. He also wrote and published a book entitled FROM SILICONE TO THE SILVER SCREEN: MEMOIRS OF THE BLOB, a work of love written not only for all who made it possible, but as recognition of the ingenuity and creativity of a cult classic film.

We thank Wes and Judy Shank for coming to the show and bringing along such a wonderful piece of film history for all to see!!