Remembering George A. Romero by Genoveva Rossi
My love for George Romero’s work began at an early age when I picked up a copy of Night of the Living Dead at a flea market as a kid. I had to promise my mom it wouldn’t give me nightmares before she’d give me a few bucks for it. I brought it home and watched it. Before that I was really just a fan of Universal Studios Monsters, which my father got me into. This was the first zombie film I ever saw and it was the first film of its kind. I must have been around eight and I was mesmerized.
Years later I met George Romero at Saturday Nightmares, a convention in New Jersey. He was with all the actors and they were screening Night of the Living Dead and Dawn of the Dead at The Landmark Loews Jersey Theater, which is a theater built in the vaudeville era. It was amazing.
I spoke to Romero a bit about his casting of an African American as the lead in Night of the Living Dead. He said he honestly had selected a white actor for the film, but he ended up being unavailable so Duane Jones became the lead and did a fantastic job. He was cast by his availability and skill, and race hadn’t been a factor. But when audiences saw the film Duane’s performance and presence gave the film an added impact. Romero mentioned that he was always sad that tragically Jones didn’t live to see the full impact of his performance on the genre and to meet all the fans.
I was impressed with Romero’s ability to make a great film on a limited budget. A film I believe that still holds up today. He created the zombie genre and he was willing to give a black actor a chance to shine. George Romero wasn’t just a horror icon and an amazing director. He was a gentleman.
Now I am this horror actress and I am truly honored to be friends with John Russo, who I have been a guest with at a few conventions. Truly an amazing person. I have also met and interviewed Russell Streiner. I recently went to the Montclair Film Festival and saw Night of the Living Dead restored to 4k.
George A. Romero wasn’t just a man; in horror he was a legend. Watching Night of the Living Dead as a kid really left an impact upon me and I still feel that spark within me today. He will be missed, but never forgotten. I am honored to have met and spoken with him.
– Genoveva Rossi
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