Four standing ovations, and that was before the movie even started. But then again, this was George Romero and 1,167 of his friends and fans, famous and otherwise, at the Byham Theater, Downtown.

Alyssa Cwanger, Post-Gazette Volunteer zombies, left to right, Nathan Montalvo, Selenia Rios and Liz Oliveri, walk the red carpet into the Byham Theater, Downtown, last night for the premiere of the George Romero film, "Land of the Dead." The three are students at Tom Savini's school for special effects in Monessen. Click photo for larger image. More on George Romero's "Land of the Dead" Zombie master George Romero rounds up his monsters for a long-awaited fourth film A brief history of Romero's hungry zombies Movie review: 'Land' finds old zombies learning new tricks An open letter to Pittsburgh from George Romero's son: Night of the Living Dad

Romero and the Pittsburgh premiere of "Land of the Dead" were the main attractions but Quentin Tarantino, Robert Rodriguez and "Shaun of the Dead" collaborators Edgar Wright and Simon Pegg planned to make like teens and go to the mall, too.

Not just any mall but Monroeville Mall, home of the original "Dawn of the Dead."

In between sips of beer at a party beforehand at Cafe Euro, Downtown, the unmistakable Tarantino (those waving hands, that prominent chin, that hip fan base) called Romero the "greatest regional filmmaker in the history of cinema in America. It feels cool to come down to Pittsburgh when he's doing the end of his zombie quartet, which he created here."

Tarantino, whose "Pulp Fiction" spawned both catch phrases and copycats, and Rodriguez, whose body of work includes "Spy Kids," "Sin City" and "The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lava Girl in 3-D," look to Romero as a role model.

Rodriguez, who works and lives in Austin, Texas, said, "I'm a pilot in training, so I heard Quentin was coming and Greg [Nicotero] told me about it, I thought, I'd love to go. If Quentin goes, I'll definitely go. I was on my way to L.A. anyway, so I just made a little detour."

Former Pittsburgher Nicotero, whose first job in the industry was on "Day of the Dead" as part of makeup wizard Tom Savini's team, was special effects makeup supervisor on "Land of the Dead." And he's now doubling as "Dead" tour guide for visitors, including Rodriguez, who first met Romero yesterday.

"He's been such an inspiration to me, especially because I wanted to follow his model of being a regional filmmaker, someone who didn't have to move to Hollywood and could make their own movies within their own community and I've been able to do that," Rodriguez said. "Just like George Romero in Pittsburgh or George Lucas in Marin County."

Rodriguez and Tarantino, who are collaborating on a horror film, found even more inspiration at Monroeville Mall.

"It still looks pretty darn '70s, man," Tarantino said, when told it had undergone some renovations. "I saw the movie all over the place," reciting the names of characters who bit the dust (or just bit others who had taken refuge there) at the location.

Zombies and zombie fans began lining the sidewalk outside the Byham Theater by 3 p.m. yesterday, sporting all manner of ghoulish attire, blood and guts.

	Alyssa Cwanger, Post-Gazette Director George Romero walks into the Byham for the first showing of his latest zombie film. Click photo for larger image.

Among those having the most fun were students from the Douglas Education Center in Monessen, where the Tom Savini Special Effects Make-up Program is located. The students, all of whom are preparing to graduate from the 16-month program, were traveling the city by hearse and doing make up for staff members at the Byham, Cafe Euro and Deja Vu Lounge in the Strip District.

Those who got special make-up treatment included the Byham's longtime ushers Nick Ionadi, 77, and Annie Mellinger, who is old enough that she doesn't need to provide her age.

The premiere had fans armed with autograph pens, cameras, posters, DVD boxes and memorabilia, plus photographers, reporters and the requisite red carpet. The last person to navigate the line was the biggest star of the night: Romero.

"It's been a bit of a whirl. It's wonderful, though, to be able to get back here," he said. "So many people here tonight played such an important role in the earlier work that I did, I'm glad to have the opportunity to have them all be involved in this, get a little piece of the action, so to speak."

Told it was like a roast without the sit-down dinner, Romero added, "And without people insulting me."

The night's purpose was two-fold: to honor Romero, 65, and to help raise money for educational forums and a screenwriting contest that Steeltown Entertainment Project will launch this fall. "I hope you enjoy this film," Romero said from the stage, "for those who don't know what to expect, you have to be 44 inches tall to see the movie."

The evening, full of good humor and good horror, may have been as close to a lovefest as Pittsburgh gets without sports being involved. The audience reacted as if at a Steelers game: Cheering, clapping and laughing spontaneously throughout and capping the night with another standing ovation.

As nearly 1,200 people, including a father and his 11-year-old son and 15-year-old daughter from Idaho, poured into the lobby afterward, there was nothing but praise for Pittsburgh's favorite filmmaker.

Filmgoer Georgianne Huzinec, of Ellwood City, said, "It was fantastic. I'm really worried about having smart zombies."

Moviegoers praised the film's special effects. Local filmmaker Henry Simonds, of Squirrel Hill, gave a thumb's up and called it "entertaining as hell." His companion, artist Anne Lopez of Millvale, enjoyed the film but spent much of it with her face buried in her hands.

Actors Simon Baker, Eugene Clark, Pedro Miguel Arce and Joanne Boland, all with sizable roles in "Land," were on hand. The 29-year-old Boland, who plays the character "Pretty Boy," first saw the film last week in Toronto. "Once it gets going, it's gone. It's incredible."

The newcomers were joined by Romero veterans, such as actor Tom Atkins who said, "This is so wonderful. I'm so happy for him. I truly hope that this movie beats Tom Cruise and his 'War of the Worlds.' 'Batman' has already had its shot."

Allegheny County Chief Executive Dan Onorato said he hopes the premiere will give the city's filmmakers new opportunities. Allegheny County, which had lobbied on behalf of Romero to have the film produced here, spent $10,000 for activities related to last night's event.

"A premiere is the next best thing. It draws attention to George Romero, and to Pittsburgh."