Joey Vento is gone but a new movie helps make sure he is not forgotten. The late Geno's Steaks owner appears in "Swooped," a comedy that screens at the Trocadero (1003 Arch) on March 18.
Vento, who died in August, plays himself, selling a cheesesteak to one of the main characters. A few scenes take place at Geno's. Directors Joe Gariffo and ShaunPaul Costello say proceeds from the screening will go to fund their next film, "The Independents," which is a hockey comedy to shoot in town this Spring.
"Swooped," which follows two friends chasing after the girls of their dreams and ending up hooking up with each other's crush, has won several film-festival awards around the country.
You can see a trailer here or find tickets for the screening here.
UPDATE: Speaking of Geno's, rumors are swirling in South Philly that Vento's son Geno Vento, who was named after the steak shop, is thinking about, if not actively working on, selling Geno's. Geno left us a voicemail in which he emphatically stated "The restaurant is not up for sale."
Read more from our column in Monday's Daily News.
This post has been updated
Take the money and run Geno! Dad built that cheesesteak empire so you can sell it right out from under his dead bones. Time to head to south florida with the cash!— FederalStreet- Take the sign down Geno. You are better than him.— Earl J
- Maybe George Perrier would be interested in Geno's?— Wilhelm Von Humboldt
- who'd wanna buy that dumpy spot. board it up for all i care.— OhOkay
- Thing have to factor in a business sale. One could be the inheritance taxes that will have to be paid, the demands of other people named in the will and how to satisfy them and another the capital needs plus the business goals of son may well be different from father.— James
- Just sell it, there's no "secret recipe" to cheesesteaks so sell it while its hot and let someone else utilize that beautiful location— ConverseB24
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