NORTHAMPTON, Pa. — Hundreds gathered for the sold-out premiere of "Lucky Louie" at the historic Roxy Theatre on Saturday, itching to see the new production by Hollywood actor and Bethlehem native Daniel Roebuck and his daughter Grace Roebuck.
The film took much of its cast and all of its extras from the Lehigh Valley. It was filmed at many locations, including Merchants Bank in Bangor, a farm in the Nazareth area, the Willow Park Road shopping center in Bethlehem Township and the Historic Hotel Bethlehem on Main Street.
- "Lucky Louie" was made by Daniel Roebuck and his daughter Grace Roebuck
- It featured a cast and locations from across the Lehigh Valley
- Following Saturday's premiere, a wider release is planned at other local cinemas starting next week
Two showings of the film and a meet and greet were sellouts.
Roebuck, known for his roles in "Final Destination," "The Fugitive" and his production company's first film "Getting Grace" — also filmed in the Valley — says he came back to the area after his time in Hollywood because he thinks that this is where he's meant to be.
And where he's meant to make films.
"We couldn't make the movies without the people in the Lehigh Valley," Roebuck said. "So it's a real great synergy, axiomatic relationship, where we celebrate them, and they help us to celebrate them."
"Lucky Louie's" plot centers around a retired police officer who is unable to solve a cold case bank robbery and then teams up with ex-convict members of his Bible study. Together, with the help of a forensic psychology student, the owner of the diner they frequent and the Lehigh Valley community, they solve the 50-year-old crime.
Like his past film, "Lucky Louie" features many themes of the Christian faith, which Roebuck says he sees as mostly absent from today's film landscape outside of independent projects like his.
"Our world keeps evolving into self, self, self," said Roebuck, a graduate of Bethlehem Catholic High School. "If you have a relationship with a higher power, first thing you're reminded is you're part of a greater good. So that's what I want. I just want to remind people they're part of a greater good."
The film was shot in 2020, which its makers say would not have been possible without partners like St. Luke's University Health Network and other local groups that offered support.
"It was really nice because a lot of our local businesses pitched in and were supportive and behind us," said producer Susan Mattes-Bostian. "This was shot during COVID during the height of the pandemic, so it was a matter of getting all of that in place."
"I just want to remind people they're part of a greater good."Hollywood actor and Bethlehem native Daniel Roebuck
Prior to the screening's start, dozens of fans of Roebuck and his films lined up for photos with the cast. A Q&A followed the screening.
"Absolutely love him," said attendee Diane Nash, after getting a photo with the cast. "I love the movies he does. I love what he stands for."
The screening was dedicated to one of the lead actors in the film, Basil Hoffman, who played Wilbert Moser, the retired police officer on a mission to solve the crime. Hoffman died in September 2021 and appeared in dozens of films and TV shows, mostly in supporting roles.
The premiere raised money for the Roebuck-founded and Bethlehem-based nonprofit organization A Channel of Peace, which produces and supports films and multimedia projects centered around faith and family.
The film met with cheers during the opening credits as familiar names to the crowd came onscreen will have additional screenings next week at the Roxy Theatre, Frank Banko Alehouse Cinemas at ArtsQuest, Civic 514 in Allentown, and the Boyertown State Theatre, Roebuck said.
His next project, "The Hail Mary," is planned for a release next year, with a premiere also planned for Northampton Borough.
"We're starting to formulate the plans for a bigger, even crazier premiere," he said.
