On Wednesday, October 9 at 7:00 p.m., the Galaxy Theatres in Atascadero will host a screening of the 1990 Warner Brothers comedy, My Blue Heaven, shot almost entirely in Atascadero and San Luis Obispo. This is the fifth event in a series that is part of the San Luis Obispo International Film Festival’s 20th Anniversary celebration. SLO County on the Silver Screen is featuring Hollywood movies filmed in San Luis Obispo County, from August 2013 to February 2014. The Festival follows on March 5-9, 2014.
Presented by MidAmerican Solar, owner of Topaz Solar Farms, the fundraising series for the 2014 SLOIFF is also sponsored by Visit San Luis Obispo County & Film Commission; Cliffs Resort, Apple Farm, Sycamore Mineral Springs and SeaVenture Resort; Q104.5 and the New Times.
Directed by Herbert Ross and written by Nora Ephron, My Blue Heaven stars Steve Martin, Rick Moranis and Joan Cusack. An all too uptight FBI agent (Moranis) must protect a larger than life mobster (Martin) with a heart of gold, currently under witness protection in the suburbs. Those suburbs just happen to be in Atascadero, which is referred to as “the middle of nowhere” in the opening scene of the film. The fictional town of “Fryburg” is actually a combination of Atascadero and San Luis Obispo and audiences will see many familiar buildings including Atascadero’s City Hall and town square, suburban neighborhoods and shopping malls, and the Apple Farm hotel.
Former SLO County Visitor & Conference Bureau director, Jonni Biagnini will be on hand to discuss why Warner Brothers filmmakers chose this area and share a few behind-the-scenes stories. Local people who were in the film or otherwise involved will be encouraged to address the “open mic” at the end of the film to share their stories with the audience.
The Galaxy Theatre is hosting this event and all attendees over 21 can purchase wine and beer in the VIP lounge and take drinks to their seats in the theatre. The theatres are now open to all ages, so young people are welcome to attend. Food will also available at the concession stand in the lobby and the VIP lounge.
Future “Silver Screen” screenings:
Oct. 30 ARACHNOPHOBIA Cambria Vets Hall
Nov. 6 I KNOW WHO KILLED ME Fremont Theatre, SLO
Nov. 15 THE MONSTER OF PIEDRAS BLANCAS Cayucos Vets Hall
Dec. 7 LITTLE GIANTS Fair Oaks Theatre, Arroyo Grande
Dec. 14 10 YEARS LATER Fair Oaks Theatre, Arroyo Grande
Jan. 11 MURDER BY NUMBERS Bay Theatre, Morro Bay
Jan. 25 OF MICE AND MEN Palm Theatre, San Luis Obispo
Feb. 15 RUBY GENTRY Park Cinemas, Paso Robles
Passes for the remaining SLO County on the Silver Screen series are on sale now at www.slofilmfest.org or by calling (805) 546-3456. Passes have been discounted to $50 for SLOIFF Film Society members, $75 for everyone else and pass holders get priority seating up to 15 minutes before all screenings. Individual tickets are available online and at the door for $8/$10.