Phoenixville’s Cult Science-Fiction Movie Initiated Spread of the Term ‘Blob’

2/28/2024

bunch of people running out of theater 1958

By Leah Mikulich

From Vista Today

Image via The Blob, IMDB.

The Blob, a 1958 cult science-fiction movie filmed in Phoenixville, has initiated the spread of the word “blob” into many new contexts. Here is the iconic run-out scene from the film.

The Blob, a 1958 cult science-fiction movie filmed in Phoenixville, initiated the spread of the word “blob” into many new contexts, including in science and politics, writes Ben Zimmer for The Wall Street Journal.

The movie, which is rumored to be getting another re-imagining (previous remakes were made in 1972 and 1988), focuses on a continuously growing amoeba-like alien that lands in a small town and consumes everything in its path.

The cultural impact of the Steve McQueen-led movie catapulted the word “blob” into regular conversation meaning a massive, amorphous force. Before the movie, the term was usually applied when referring to little globules.

In the 1980s, database software architect Jim Starkey used the term “blob” to describe a massive unstructured collection of data in binary code. He specifically stated that it was inspired by the movie.

Meanwhile, biologists have used the term to describe a giant creeping slime mold and a large agglomeration of black algae found off the coast of Alaska.

And in 2016, Obama adviser Ben Rhodes used the word in reference to the hawkish foreign-policy establishment — a label used ever since.

Read more about The Blob being used in many different ways and contexts today in The Wall Street Journal.

Member Benefits/Business Program

To participate in the Colonial Theatre's new business benefits partnership program for members, please complete and submit this form. We will email to confirm receipt and with any questions.

Business Name:*
Business Address (Physical Location)*
Mail Address (If Different from Above)*
Name of General Manager or Business Owner:*
Contact Person for Benefit Program (if different from above):*
Email
Phone
Website
Describe the discount or offer your business will provide to Colonial Theatre members who present a valid Colonial Theatre membership card at the time of purchase. Please list all terms and conditions.*
- Send me information about membership benefits, pricing and registration.
- Please contact my business about sponsoring a film.
- I'd like to learn more about screen advertising.
- Please contact me about facilities/event rentals.
Please upload a high resolution version of your business's logo. This will be used to make Colonial Theatre members aware of your participation.
Accepted file types: jpg, gif, png, pdf, , Max. file size: 128 MB.
Phone
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Screen Sponsorship Agreement

Tell Us About Yourself and Your Organization or Business
Business Name*
Name
Contact Name*
First Last
Address*
Street Address Address Line 2 City State / Province / Region ZIP / Postal Code
Phone*
Email*
Enter Email Confirm Email
Today's Date*
Slide Run
Slide Commitment*
- 1 Month: $110.00
- 3 Months: $315.00
- 6 Months: $600.00
- 1 Year: $1,140.00
- Nonprofit (per month): $90.00
If Nonprofit, enter 501(c)(3) Tax Exempt #
Start Date*
End Date*
Payment Type*
- Check
- Credit Card. When paying with credit card, complete and submit this form, return to the Advertise on Screen page, and select "Click Here to Pay for Screen Advertising" at the bottom of the page.
Upload your slide(s) here
Max. file size: 128 MB.

Film Sponsorship

Business Name
Contact Name*
First Last
Address
Street Address Address Line 2 City State / Province / Region ZIP / Postal Code
Phone
Email*
Enter Email Confirm Email
Type of Sponsorship
Additional comments or queries

General Help / Info

Need help with something? Use the form below to send us a message and someone from our staff will get back to you.

Make a Donation

Book A Private Film Screening

Please fill out this form to rent the Berry Theatre.

Please enter the information of the person who will act as contact for this rental.
Name*
First Last
Address
Street Address Address Line 2 City State / Province / Region ZIP / Postal Code Country
Phone*
Email*
Today's Date*
MM slash DD slash YYYY
Are you a member of the Colonial Theatre?*
- Yes
- No
Please enter the number of people you are bringing (including yourself).*
As part of your rental package, you and your guests will receive one free small popcorn per guest. Would you like to redeem this benefit?
- Yes
- No
Please note: if only some of your guests would like popcorn, please submit the number of popcorns you would like in the "other" field.
Which film would you like to book for your rental?*
Please note that when you book a private screening rental, you can choose to privately view one of the films screening at the Colonial that week.
Please choose your preferred rental date.*
MM slash DD slash YYYY
Please choose an alternative rental date.
MM slash DD slash YYYY

If your prefered date is unavailable, we will schedule your rental on this alternative date.
Rentals are available anytime between 1:00 pm and 8:00 pm during the week. Please enter the time at which you would like to book a private screening.*

Volunteer Application

Become A Colonial Theatre Volunteer!

Today's Date
MM slash DD slash YYYY
Name
First Last
Employer/Employment Status
Would you be interested in a regular schedule (i.e volunteer every Sunday) if so, which days would you like?
Which jobs are you interested in taking on?
- Usher for films
- Usher for concerts and live events
- Blobfest
- Special Events
- Administrative tasks
Your profession and skills you would like to offer the Colonial and/or anything else we should know about you:
Email

Required for volunteering.
Primary Phone Number
Additional Phone Number
Address
Street Address Address Line 2 City State / Province / Region ZIP / Postal Code Country
Emergency Contact

Tell us about yourselves

How would you like to help your clients access the arts or utilize the arts (film, live) to amplify your mission?

Splatterfest X1 Lunch Order Form - 2023

Ticket Order Number*
Please list the order number associated with your Splatterfest XI (2023) Ticket(s).
First and Last Name
Select Your Sandwich Type*
Each of Dixie Picnic's Famous Box Lunches is scratch made and features one (1) sandwich of choice with salad of choice, a deviled egg, and an Upcake.
Select Your Salad Type*