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Pittsburgh Sound + Image presents a film which has been virtually unseen for over 40 years: David Allen Greene’s made-in-Pittsburgh feature debut Come Back Baby. Shot in 1967 with a miniscule budget, a novice’s faith, a wild passion, and with over 60 of Greene’s CMU School of Drama classmates, this meandering narrative reflects a moment in time and place of bohemian youth without real purpose other than scoring enough cash for their next party.

As Greene describes it, the film follows “three young men living together in poverty in a run down section of a large city, where life stands still as it does nowhere short of prison.” Terry Riebling plays Cal Thacker, an aspiring artist reeling from the break-up of a relationship, who seeks oblivion in booze, crashes his motorcycle, and rages at his roommates.

Come Back Baby was shot in the shadow of Forbes Field and the movie unfolds across a recognizable Pittsburgh landscape. Events primarily take place in and around a South Bouquet St. apartment and include numerous street scenes where the stadium and other city landmarks feature prominently. This is a distinctively Pittsburgh film, and it was selected by Jonas Mekas for national exhibition via Filmmakers Distribution Center.

Yet the movie failed to make a lasting impression upon limited release in 1968. Aside from a smattering of TV screenings over the subsequent decade, it has been completely unavailable. Now the only known 16mm print has been digitally scanned, and, for the first time in many decades, Come Back Baby returns. P David Greene and film historian Michael Prosser will join us for discussion of the film after the screening.

Directed by David Allen Greene

1967 | USA | English language | DCP made from original 16mm elements

Online sales end 15 minutes prior to showtime. Please visit the Harris Theater box office after this time to purchase tickets.

Concessions

Concessions are available for all screenings and the Harris Theater is now BYOB. Guests who bring alcoholic beverages must be 21 years or older and provide valid photo ID upon request, a $5 charge will be issued per guest.