H.B. “Toby” Halicki and Gone in 60 Seconds at Fredonia Opera House

Here & There – Chautauqua County History, Travelers, & Memories: From Junkman to Stuntman to Car Crash King … H.B. “Toby” Halicki and Gone in 60 Seconds

Dunkirk native H.B. “Toby” Halicki was a pioneer and visionary in the world of independent film. Gone in 60 Seconds (1974) propelled the stunt man and mechanic from his humble beginnings working in his family’s junkyard into instant stardom with its genre-defining chase scenes, guerrilla approach to filmmaking, and car crashes the likes of which had never before been seen. Made on a budget of only $150,000, it grossed over $40 million at the box office, and remains a cult classic to this day. Lifelong film buff Graham Tedesco-Blair will deliver this talk about Halicki’s life, his work, and his tragic death. Call 716-679-1891 for information or visit www.fredopera.org

Tickets: Free Admission (Donations Gratefully Accepted)

The 1891 Fredonia Opera House Performing Arts Center is a 390-seat restored Vaudeville theater that offers a wide range of programming including live music, theater, dance and an independent cinema series. The Opera House also presents live high-definition satellite broadcasts of opera productions from the renowned Metropolitan Opera in NYC, live theatre from the National Theatre, in London, and various special concerts and programs from various arenas and theatres around the globe.

A landmark fixture on Fredonia’s Barker Commons, the Opera House was saved from destruction in the early 1980s when the Fredonia Preservation Society (which came into existence in response to the threatened demolition) and a corps of committed volunteers undertook what was to become a nine-year restoration of the theater. At a cost of more than $1 million and with more than 30,000 volunteer hours, the Opera House was returned to its splendor and has operated year-round continually since its grand reopening in November 1994.

The recipient of a New York State Historic Preservation Award, the Opera House combines turn-of-the-century beauty and charm with modern comforts. In fact, many individuals and organizations find the Opera House an ideal venue and rent it for events, conferences, meetings and even weddings. For information on events, tours or rentals, contact the Fredonia Opera House at 716-679-0891 or visit www.fredopera.org.