Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - The popular and venerable TV show "Off Beat Cinema" marks a milestone this weekend. The late night movie program marks its 30th anniversary not just on local TV, but in national syndication.
Jim Gillan, the creator, writer, and director tells WBEN he was approached by Channel 7 to fill late night time. "'Off Beat Cinema' was designed to provide a forum for films that are not regularly shown on television, and in many cases, that are not available on video. There's an enormous cache of films that an entire generation grew up watching that are unavailable. We wanted to capture that nostalgia as well as introduce these films to today's viewers," says Gillan
Gillan says, "Off Beat Cinema" delivers the good, the bad, and the foreign, showcasing campy sci-fi classics as diverse as 'Teenagers from Outer Space' to classic art films such as Stanley Kubrick's 'Fear and Desire', with silent film greats like Harold Lloyd's 'Safety Last'."
John DiSciullo of WBBZ says of the show's successful formula, "We wanted to create a smart show reminiscent of the late night hosted movie shows that many cities had. We appreciate the support of our station partner network, and our dedicated digital teams first at WKBW, and WBBZ-TV who create the program including Andy Smyczynski, Tim Marcolini, Chatham Marcolini, Joe Maulucci, Rich Lee, and Joel Barone."
Di Sciullo added, "We receive mail, and social media comments from all across the continent, with comments and requests for films, original poetry, and philosophic ramblings!"
The show premiered in 1993.
