This is the Colonial Theatre on Bridge Street in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, built by Harry Brownback, who set out to bring to the industrial town stage shows that would “satisfy New Yorkers”. The Colonial Opera House opened in 1903 with a musical extravaganza, and in 1915 screened DW Griffith’s “The Birth of a Nation” and hosted Mary Pickford (though not onstage). It had the great Thurston performing magic the following year.

Houdini was here in 1917, entertaining an audience of 300 by escaping from a burglar-proof safe. Such stars as Theda Bara followed, but the Colonial’s future was very much in movies.

In 1957 “The Blob”, starring Steve McQueen, was shot on location in and around Phoenixville, with its most memorable scene — of the creature sending a cinema audience scampering — filmed right here at the Colonial.

The theatre has a remarkable history, recounted at its own website, but it’s internationally famous now as the setting for the annual BlobFest, which culminates in a re-creation of the “fleeing-the-theatre scene”. In 2002, in fact, the Colonial’s façade was refurbished in 1950s style to complete the nostalgic effect.