Pittsburgh Film History: On Set in the Steel City

by John Tiech

Pittsburgh has been part of the film industry since the days of silent film. Yet, it was not until the 1951 classic Angels in the Outfield set at Forbes Field that the Steel City had its first major role on the silver screen. Greater Pittsburgh s film and television industry has since produced everything from the beloved children s program Mister Rogers Neighborhood to the cult classic Night of the Living Dead. Most recently, Christopher Nolan has chosen to set the conclusion to his Batman trilogy in the city. From the first nickelodeon and film row of those early days to the locations and cutting-edge sets of today, local author John Tiech takes a behind-the-scenes tour of Pittsburgh cinema."

Genres: Nonfiction

178 pages, Hardcover

First published June 20, 2012

Reviews

[Terri R · Rating 2 out of 5]

PRO: This book has a lot of interesting tidbits that someone from the Pittsburgh area can appreciate. CON: It feels like the author rushed to publish and did not have a professional editor. The book is pretty badly written and relies on quotes from just a few sources that are often repetitious and mundane. Still I enjoyed reading it. It fills a niche for people fascinated by filmmaking who want the facts about films made in da Burgh. I suppose that's a fairly small group of people.

[Olivia Thames · Rating 2 out of 5]

Given my background in film, and my love of film history, film appreciation, and film theory, I thought that John Tiech's, "Pittsburgh Film History: On Set in the Steel City" would be beneficial as I become involved with the Pittsburgh film community. While the presentation of the historical material was fair at ABSOLUTE best, I am grateful for the spark of fascination it is ignited in me as a new Pittsburgher.

Tiech knows his subject well, there is no question about it. He clearly dove into his research regarding the history of cinema in Pittsburgh and western Pennsylvania, and it shows in the fine details of his eighteen chapters. However, his presentation of his subject was not engaging enough to make the book a single sitting read. One often had to re-read passages, double take quotes, and take breaks between paragraphs because of the wording, the repetitive responses to questions during interviews with local filmmakers and actors, and the times when it felt dull. One is not sure if this was due to the editing of the book, or if it Tiech's personal style of writing.

Nevertheless, I took away more than I had at the beginning. I learned more about the buildings and towns I drive by and through on a regular basis. I have a fuller appreciation for the time and passion of the Pittsburgh film community and Commission. I also have the inkling of an idea for my own book on a particular film genre's history here in Pittsburgh, and the women who were and are part of it.

If anyone can recommend books of a similar nature (the cinematic history of cities and regions, big or small) I would love to read them. If Tiech has engaged in me a deeper curiosity in the film industry outside of LA, NYC, and abroad, then his book has (in a big way) succeeded.

[Jason Rosenstock · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not a great read, more a compendium of productions, listed one by one chronologically. Hard to get through. Did have bits of fun stuff--crew members dishing dirt on stars, trivia, site locations.

[Todd Stockslager · Rating 1 out of 5]

Review title: Set this one back

Not very often do I rate a book a "Waste of paper" (this is the 20th out of over 1000 reviews I've written), and I didn't want to here because I was so looking forward to this book based on the subject. But the good idea just wasn't well executed: little usable or interesting information, no filmographies or categorized information to make it easy or possible to find or compare movies, random scattered quotes from a small handful of local extras and crew members that add nothing to the knowledge or feel of local filmmaking, continuous chronological thread that jumps from movie to movie (sometimes in the same paragraph) without providing any connective narrative. If you are interested in any movie you think or know was filmed in and around Pittsburgh you are better off googling it.

Histories or accounts like this that focus on narrow geographic bounds can be great fun and very interesting ways to learn about where you live or visit, but the truth is that the best or better known writers are typically writing about bigger subjects on broader stages. One can at least hope for good organization of local information even if the writing isn't top notch. But the quality can vary so reader beware. And in this case you are warned: even with lowered expectations this book disappoints.

[Melanie Linn · Rating 2 out of 5]

I agree with previous reviews - this book could have benefited greatly from a professional editor or perhaps a co-author to turn this string of facts into a cohesive narrative. There's a lot of good information buried in tedious constructions, clichés and too-long quotes. I was surprised that there wasn't more information given on many of the films, especially the more recent ones from the past 20 years or so. I was looking for more tidbits about "Lorenzo's Oil," "Dogma" and "10th and Wolf," among others. Cutting out some of the television show information might have freed up more space for discussion of films. (To me, television history should be a separate book.)

[Louis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Personally, I loved this book. It was an easy read with great pictures and plenty of perspectives. I wish it was longer because I wanted to read more. Hopefully, the author or publisher will consider a second edition; a lot of movies have been coming to Pittsburgh and a book like this will constantly be outdated. Looking forward to more.