John Carpenter’s Halloween (1978), one of the most successful independent films ever made, will be screened in the South Pasadena Library Community Room on Thursday, October 31 at 7 p.m. with a very special guest. A giant screen and professional projection equipment will be used for the much anticipated event. The classic horror film was shot almost entirely in South Pasadena and catapulted Carpenter to a legendary filmmaking career. It also helped make South Pasadena such a highly desirable destination for so many film, television, and commercial film crews.
On October 16 the South Pasadena City Council declared October 31, 2013 as John Carpenter Night in South Pasadena because of the positive economic and cultural influence of his signature film on the city. The event will be a fundraiser for the Friends of the South Pasadena Library and the sCARE Foundation which helps homeless teens. Tickets are only $10 each and are available on eventbrite.com at https://halloweensouthpasadenalibrary2013.eventbrite.com/. Seating is limited and it is unknown if any seats will still be available for purchase at the door. The film is rated R and no one under 17 will be admitted without a parent. The film is now considered very mild compared to other R-rated horror films, including the dozens of imitators that followed.
Halloween stars Donald Pleasance and Jamie Lee Curtis in her first major film role. It was filmed for a mere $320,000 in only 20 days and has grossed more than $200 million in 2013 dollars. It was also the starting point of a film franchise that has produced seven follow-ups and has fascinated one of the most enthusiastic fan followings in motion picture history.
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The Community Room is located at 1115 El Centro Street. Special thanks to Bissell House Bed & Breakfast, CommCinema, Friends of the Rialto, Scott Gandell, South Pasadena Mercantile, Compass International Pictures, and Videotheque.