"Blob" Tour-Downingtown Diner

After narrowly escaping death at the Colonial Theatre, the movie goers cower for cover in the nearby diner. Our protagonists follow suit after witnessing Jane's little brother innocently attempt to shoot the blob with his toy gun.
While hiding out in the eatery the massive ooze outside begins to devour the entire diner. Steve and the crowd gathered inside take refuge in the basement. Outside the local police attempted a plan to electrocute the blob. Unfortunately the officers plan backfired and the diner caught fire. Quick witted Steve briskly grabbed the nearest CO2 fire extinguisher and began to suppress the flames. During the chaos a strange phenomenon was witnessed. The massive blob seemed to be affected by the blistering cold of the extinguishers. The local juveniles had found a weak spot. Now where would they find more extinguishers?

The original Downingtown Diner is long gone. After filming the diner was relocated to Hollywood. Not to be discouraged another retro style diner took it's place and is actually located over the original basement. The current Chef's diner was used in the low budget horror film "Killer Instinct".

In the film the movie patrons run directly across the street to the diner. It's actually 18 miles away in Downingtown. 81 W. Lancaster, Avenue Downingtown, Pennsylvania.

"Blob" Tour-Colonial Theatre

Meanwhile in the healthfully air conditioned Colonial Theatre a crowd of patrons are gathered to view the new Bela Lugosi film as well as "Daughter of Horror." The midnight showing had attracted a large audience. The unsuspecting crowd was unaware all mayhem was about to break loose. A jelly-like mutant was maneuvering it's way through a heating vent, ready to strike on a naive projectionist. After devouring the theatre projectionist, the "Blob" began to consume members of the audience. In a panic the uproarious crowd rushed to the streets for safety.

This infamous scene was actually filmed twice, initially people were tripping over each other.
Colonial Theatre is located at 227 Bridge St. Phoenixville, Pa.

"Blob" Tour-Jerry's Market

Searching around Jerry's Market, Steve and Jane make a startling discovery. At first they spot the old man's dog near the market, but something is out of sorts on the inside. The doors to the market are locked tight, while the lights shine bright, even after midnight. Steve's father owns the grocery store so the duo decide to take an inside look. Shortly thereafter they notice a gelatinous mutant mass coming for them. Steve and Jane quickly retreat into the sub-zero meat locker, where they seem to be safe...at least for now!
Jerry's Market was located at Lewis Road Plaza, it is now the Sly Fox Restaurant and Brewery.

"Blob" Tour-Doc Hallen's House

(Then)

(Today) Note: this is a private residence

"Beware of the Blob! It creeps and leaps and glides and slides across the floor." Keep this tagline in your mind as you tour the Downingtown and Phoenixville area. It could appear anywhere. Lucky for us some brave teenagers in 1958 destroyed it before it took over the world. This all occurred in these 2 small towns during a Summer of simpler times.

Steve Andrews and Jane Martin were at a local lookout point when they spotted a meteor flying across the sky. The young adults noticed the meteor crash into a local field, they decided to investigate, what they encountered was a site neither Steve or Jane would soon forget. The couple confronted an elderly gentleman whose body was covered in strange blisters, fortunately Doc Hallen's house wasn't too far away.

The two lovebirds escorted their older friend to the good doctor's home, where things quickly turned dire. While the youngsters went to acquire more information about the man and his mysterious blisters, something strange occurred. The mutant blisters began to take over the man. Quickly Doctor Hallen and his nurse became the first victims of "The Blob."

Home is located corner of S. Main street & Third Ave. Phoenixville, Pa.

"Blob"fest

Every year around the same time something strange occurs at the Colonial Theatre in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania. Hundreds of spectators run rampant out of the theatre and onto the streets. Their look of terror assumes they just saw a monster. Perhaps they did! But chances are they're just re-enacting the famous scene from the campy sci-fi classic. The film originally cost $120,00 to produce. It starred Aneta Corsaut who played Jane, and a hot newcomer; Steven McQueen. This was the last time he used Steven as he later became ubercool Steve McQueen, and unfortunately met a tragic fate. An interesting fact with the film is McQueen was offered $2,500 or 10% gross of the film. He chose the $2,500 figuring the film would tank, the movie caught a buzz and made over $4,000,000.00.


Filmed mainly at Valley Forge Films, Director Irvin Yeaworth used local landmarks in the film to add authenticity, including local homes, a landmark theatre, diners, and even a local high school.

Every year thousands flock here to pay homage. The annual Blobfest occurs every July in the town of Phoenixville. The festival features numerous vendors, B-movie screenings, costume contests, a fire extinguisher parade, and of course the infamous theatre run out.

Follow us the rest of the week as we continue our "Blob" tour!

"Hometown Glory" Lititz, Pennsylvania

Most often the gratification of traveling Outta the Way is the discovery of a new town. Through our adventures we have traveled through small charming villages, sprawling metropolitan cities, as well as rural impoverished towns. All too often we forget about the small treasures buried in our own backyard!

My family and myself recently moved to the small town of Lititz, Pennsylvania. A town I've come to embrace as my own in less than a years time. Much more quaint than the industrious hub city of York where I grew up, and a little more peaceful and care free than Lancaster where I resided the previous 8 years. This serene hamlet is bursting with history and Rockwell'esque charm.

From the first girls preparatory school in the country, to the notable Moravian church who founded the town, the history is still alive and kept. Many of the homes on Main street are original to the town and are recognized for their historical significance. Lititz is much more than just history though. The small community is often bustling with tourists, visiting the small independent businesses that line the quiet streets. Often indulging their tastebuds with sweet Wilbur chocolates or salty Sturgis pretzels. Both staples of the Lititz community.

Another staple of the community I've witnessed is ...the ducks! Families of ducks and ducklings make their home in the nearby Lititz Springs Park, and they seem to really run this town. I've witnessed ducks walking right down Main street, as well as hold up traffic on Route 501 while a mother duck leads the younger ones through the busy intersection.

With all of it's history and unique small town charm it's not difficult to see why Lititz was named one of the best time warp towns in America.

International Zine Month

July is International Zine Month. The month long celebration helps to attract attention to self-publishers, small press, and zinesters. Many around the globe hold events, zine readings, and even 24 hour zine projects. During the month zinesters are challenged to create a 24 page zine from conception to a finished product within a 24 hour time frame.

You can help to celebrate International Zine month also. Pay a visit to your local library, most carry books on how you can self-publish your own zine, or you can browse through zines that may have been donated to the institution. Larger metropolitan areas feature distros, which are stores that specialize in distributing zines and other self-published materials. You can always pay a visit to our Etsy store as well.

Helping to support indie publishers encourages everyone to act on their first amendment rights. More support means more independent voices in the mainstream media. This month we're encouraging your support, and we'll show some gratitude back. The first person to comment on any blog this month will receive a free color PDF zine!
Find a Distro near you!!
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