Go back to the ‘80s and stop at the Grand Concourse to re-enact “Flashdance” in one of Pittsburgh’s newest sightseeing tours
“‘Lights! Camera! Pittsburgh!’” is a 2.5-hour Pittsburgh film tour featuring scene locations of more than 30 films, including “The Dark Night Rises,” “Flashdance,” “Night of the Living Dead,” “Striking Distance,” “Inspector Gadget,” “Jack Reacher” and many more.
“We have had over 126 movies shot in Pittsburgh. We have people calling us every day asking, ‘Where was this scene shot?’ This tour will be able to answer all of those questions,” Dawn Keezer, executive director of Pittsburgh Film Office, said.
The Pittsburgh Film Tour has been in the making for 20 years. With the opportunity for The Pittsburgh Film Office to partner with the Pittsburgh Transportation Group, they have been able to create a tour where movie buffs can now see the “Hollywood of the East.”
Pittsburgh has been used to film movies since 1914 and is now at its highest peak of movie making yet.
The tour takes off with a ride up the Duquesne Incline to Mt. Washington. After boarding a bus at the top of the incline, the bus will take you to Station Square, South Side, Downtown, the Strip District and the North Side. Buses will stop at selected locations, so riders will have the chance to visit the film sights.
“On one of my first tours, I had a woman that was terrified of Night of the Living Dead. Later on the tour, she had an experience that left her screaming,” tour guide Kelley Stroup said.
The tour moves through the famous Downtown streets such as Forbes Ave. and Smithfield Street, where “The Dark Knight Rises” was filmed, to the famous lobster scene of Jennifer Beals at the Grand Concourse, into the city where “Inspector Gadget” flew around on his helicopter hat in PPG Place, and have a guest from Night of the Living Dead join you on board.
Also, visit the more recent movie sights that have been filmed before they hit the big screen. “Fathers and Daughters,” starring Russell Crowe with Aaron Paul and Amanda Seyfried; “Foxcatcher,” starring Steve Carell and Channing Tatum; and “The Last Witch Hunter” starring Vin Diesel.
“The biggest draw to film in Pittsburgh is the great tax program,” Mark Pedante, executive director of Finance Production at Lionsgate Entertainment Corporation, said. “Along with the availability of equipment, the infrastructure, the variety of looks and creativity, and being able to make a whole movie in one place.”
