The 17 Hour Sci-Fi Spectacular at Chicago's Music Box

Last October I wrote an article here about my experience at a 24 hour horror movie marathon called The Music Box Massacre, named after the famous old theater that hosts the event. Located at 3733 N. Southport, in the neighborhood near Wrigley Field, home of the Chicago Cubs, the Music Box is a two-screen neighborhood theater that specializes in independent and foreign films plus the occasional classic re-release (presently the theater is playing the Burt Lancaster/Tony Curtis drama "Sweet Smell of Success" in honor of its 50^th birthday).

I survived the Music Box Massacre and was pleasantly surprised when the theater began promoting its first ever Sci-Fi Spectacular, which took place on Saturday May 5^th. The spectacular was scheduled to be 14 hours and still recovering from major surgery in February, I was a bit unsure as to whether I could make it through a movie marathon so soon. Of course being the movie buff that I am there was no way I wasn't going to at least give it a shot. So I called my nephew, my partner at the Massacre, and the tickets were ordered.

I am happy to report that although there was much residual soreness for a few days after, I made it through the Spectacular with flying colors. Much credit is owed to the Music Box Theater and Rusty Nails, the young man who has hosted both events. Rusty keeps the audience entertained between movies with trivia for prizes and raffles and the theater gives ample time (normally 20-30 minutes) in between each movie to get up and walk outside to stretch and get some fresh air. Kudos to both for another fabulous presentation.