The Garden Theater in North Side is taken back in time
Where was Taylor Lautner filming this week? Not in the North Side of Pittsburgh like everyone suspected. Hollywood was indeed in that part of the Burgh, but filming One for the Money with Katherine Heigl. Guest contributor, Aidinslevel, sent in the following pictures from her trip to the movie set.
As you can see from the pics, they transformed the Garden Theater on W North Ave into an x-rated porn theater… which is ironic, since that’s exactly what that it used to be. This story by Jessica Thurston has all the details on that spicy time in the theater’s existence.
The City Paper also has a great piece that uncovers the history of the 95 year old theater. One interesting fact in the article answers the question of why was it called the “Garden” Theater in the first place?
Its original owner was one David E. Park, a bank vice president… the theater’s name was chosen “as a pun on the name of the owner” (get it? Park? Garden?) so it wouldn’t be confused with the Park Building Downtown.
While we’re on the topic of historical facts, did you know that the North Side used to be another city known as Allegheny? It’s true. Pittsburgh won the right to takeover the city after a Supreme Court decision in 1907. Needless to say, the citizens of old Allegheny were supremely pissed off.
"One for the Money" brings an adult movie house to the Northside
Aidinslevel on the set of "One for the Money"
"One for the Money" filming at the Garden Theater in Northside
Hollywood takeover in Pittsburgh's North Side
A walk around the set location in North Side
Filming between North Ave and Sampsonia Street
One for the Money Base Camp set up in the park across from Garden Theatre
What the Garden Theater looked like before Hollywood got to it (©2010 Google)
Inside the Garden Theater film room by planetschwa
Inside the Garden Theater by planetschwa
Aidinslevel also writes for a Twilight fan and you can find her stuff here.
Is the economy so bad now that Pittsburgh can’t even support a porno theatre, and has to have hollywood build a fake one? What’s next, fake liquor stores and check cashing places because even those can no longer make a living? Sad.
No, The Garden shut down a few years ago after a long and lengthy court battle with the city who wanted to seize it under eminent domain. After the Supreme Court ruled in Kelo v. City of New London, the owners capitulated. As a former resident, you should know that all the liquor stores are state owned and I have never seen one close down. The check cashing places over on E. Ohio street are probably doing great business in this economy.
OK I admit to being somewhat of a troll there, but I do find it ironic that after all the effort to shut the theate down, Hollywood comes in and “re-opens” it!