Some people might consider it odd to reflect on a small community's failed bid to bring the premiere of a major Hollywood movie to town.

Not really. For Zelienople, which hardly has Hollywood name recognition despite being in close proximity to Evans City, the site of the filming of the original version of the horror classic "Night of the Living Dead," the attempt to become the premiere location for the new Marvel Comics-based action movie "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" was a meaningful promotion attempt.

Those involved in organizing the effort — mostly rallying support for the community on behalf of the sought-after role — merit plaudits for their willingness to compete against big odds and much-larger locations.

Tempe, Ariz., was the successful competitor. Others in the competition included Las Vegas, Dallas and Philadelphia.

The competition wasn't complicated. Simply, it offered a chance for the postal ZIP code that got the most online votes to host the movie's premiere next month.

Ron Carter, president of Zelienople's Strand Theater Initiative, was the spark plug for the attempt to land the film, having learned about the premiere competition, which was sponsored by the movie's producers.

Carter began spreading the word, and the effort on behalf of Zelienople took off, landing the Butler County community as a top-10 finalist in the contest.

Carter can be accused of modesty in judging the local effort as a "good" effort. Even if Zelienople was the tenth of the top-10 finalists, judging from the size of the competing communities, that placing still is not something for which the community need feel embarrassed.

Carter should not be discouraged from pursuing his dream of bringing a major Hollywood premiere to the Strand Theater, no matter how remote the possibility.

Fifty years ago, who would have thought Evans City would be the site of a cult horror classic just about a decade later. Yet that southwestern Butler County community retains its notable place in movie history — albeit on what was a low-budget ($114,000) production.

There's nothing wrong with Zelienople attempting to be a part of film history.

"I can honestly say how honored I am to be working with so many dedicated people, who care enough about a rural town outside of Pittsburgh to take the time and trouble . . . to try to win this campaign on its behalf," Carter said.

Carter specifically praised the efforts of Jack Cohen, executive director of the Butler County Tourism and Convention Bureau, and Mary Lou Barud, president of the Zelienople-Harmony Business Association, who, Carter said, "got votes from everywhere, not just here, but across the country."

But praise is in order to everyone who joined the initiative on Zelienople's behalf.

Barring an extraordinary development, Zelienople won't acquire a reputation tied to filmmaking like Evans City's. In 1999, the Library of Congress registered "Night of the Living Dead" to the National Film Registry as a film deemed "historically, culturally or aesthetically important."

But it would be notable if Zelienople got its foot in the door by way of a premiere and maybe getting the county noticed for a possible film endeavor sometime in the future.

Nothing is impossible. Back in 1968, whoever would have thought the living dead would stagger across the Butler County landscape.

But as millions of movie fans still remember, it happened — and the sight of it still is enjoyed, even by people who have watched the movie many times.