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Monday, March 24, 2003

By Marylynn Uricchio, Post-Gazette SEEN Editor

"Lights! Glamour! Action!" The show went on last night, and everyone was thrilled to be watching the Academy Awards instead of war footage.

	Father and son Charlie Godart and Charlie Godart masquerade as the Blues Brothers. (Robin Rombach, Post-Gazette)

The respite was both needed and necessary because the annual benefit for the Pittsburgh Film Office has become its main source of funding. And that's despite the fact the this much beleaguered institution has contributed more than $240 million to the local economy in the past 10 years!

Hundreds of movie lovers made star-worthy entrances down the red carpet that lined the sidewalk at Loews Waterfront Theatre, lured by the main attraction: seeing the Oscars on giant movie screens. The people watching was terrific, with so many glam couples, stunning starlet-types and handsome hunks populating the packed common areas of the theater. They vied for attention with the food stations that filled the hallways and made grazing the order of the night. A host of local restaurants and spirits purveyors donated their wares to make the benefit a success. For added excitement, the party had its own awards ceremony. Russ Streiner directed the film featuring clips of guests delivering their favorite movie lines. Best actress went to e. b. Pepper, and Stan Muschweck won best actor for two terrific stints in front of the camera.

Film czarina Dawn Keezer, resplendent as always in her glittering personality, welcomed guests including board chair Stuart Hoffman, vice chair Jeff Letwin (with Roberta), U.S. Rep. Melissa Hart with mother Albina, state Rep. Dan Frankel with Debbie and state Rep. Dave Mayernik, Tom and Margaret Whitford, WTAE's Sally Wiggin and Michelle Wright, Cathy McCollom and Kent Edwards, Rob and Christina Cochran, Hoddy and Mary Anne Hanna, Russ Kemerer and Beth Wainwright, gallant Dennis Huber, Brenda and Andrew Frazer, Mark and Myrna Mason, David and Karen Haddad, Melanie Affinito and Bill Steitz, Pam Chappel, Nathan Schwartz, Rick Stern and Christine Gallo, Ed and Nancy Byrnes, Suzanne and Robert Sule, Audrey Brourman and Jerry Voros, Carol Sloan and Don Carpenter, Dr. Bill and Cindy Swartz, Emilio, Corey Makrush and Judy Hockensmith, Cynthia Carrow and Jim Kyper, Bob and Cindy Feldman, Connie and Benno Bernt, Bill and Trisha Kassling, Laura Gordon and Charlie Humphrey, Cameron Neth, Paul Gitnik, Roberta Weissberg, Mary Kay and Oliver Poppenberg, Anthony and Diana Amen, Craig Riner and the film office's Rick Munroe.