FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 27, 1999
Contact: Marogt Gerber 323.461.2020 ext. 115
AMERICAN CINEMATHQUE AT THE EGYPTIAN TO PRESENT
MODS + ROCKERS: GROOVY MOVIES FROM THE SHAG-A-DELIC 60'S
Featuring Special In-Person Appearances by Monkee Micky Dolenz (HEAD) & director Russ Meyer (BEYOND THE VALLEY OF THE DOLLS) and the US Premiere of the Restored WONDERWALL featuring never-before-heard George Harrison music!!
June 25- July 4, 1999
HOLLYWOOD The American Cinematheque presents MODS + ROCKERS: GROOVY MOVIES FROM THE SHAG-A-DELIC 60s (June 25 July 4, 1999), twenty-three British and American films made between 1963 and 1969 that reflect the fun, fashion, style and music that defined the Swinging 60s. In essence, these films depict the original portion of pop culture that the current AUSTIN POWERS-mania is reviving. Most of these films have not been seen theatrically in America since they premiered over 30 years ago and some have never been seen in America, even on television or video. As we prepare to enter the next Millennium, we can take this unique opportunity this summer, to have a laugh as we look back at a more innocent (and often sillier) time. This summer also marks the 35th anniversary of the Beatles-led British Invasion of English pop stars. In addition to the films, British-born, Hollywood-based humorist Martin Lewis will have two performances of his acclaimed one-man show, "GREAT EXPLOITATIONS! An Audience with Martin Lewis" an autobiographical, humorous "gospel true" account of teen life in the Swinging 60s. The festival will culminate on the 4th of July with an English Tea Party featuring live music, food and fun for the whole family in the Egyptian Theatre courtyard, plus a screening of GO GO MANIA with Gordon Waller of Peter & Gordon in-person.
Highlights of the festival include: The US PREMIERE of the Restored Version of the surreal WONDERWALL, screening in a new Directors Cut which includes the films long-lost and previously unused George Harrison theme song (and boasts Georges first and only film score), with director Joe Massot in-person; a screening of the classic Beatles film HELP! with producer Walter Shenson in-person; Monkee Micky Dolenz in-person with HEAD; legendary FASTER, PUSSYCAT! KILL! KILL! director Russ Meyer in-person with BEYOND THE VALLEY OF THE DOLLS which was penned by Roger Ebert; two
American Cinematheque
1800 North Highland Avenue, Suite 717, Hollywood, CA 90028
(tel) 323.466-FILM u (fax) 323.461.9737 & On the web!!! http:/www.egyptiantheatre.com
_
Page 2 Mods & Rockers
ultra-rarities, the beat-music short "Mods & Rockers" (featuring an 18-year-old Mick Fleetwood) teamed with TONITE LETS ALL MAKE LOVE IN LONDON, a mid-60s documentary with (among many others) Michael Caine, Vanessa Redgrave, The Rolling Stones and extremely rare early footage of the original Pink Floyd with the legendary Syd Barrett; a screening of the only surviving print of THE TOUCHABLES, in which pop-art princesses kidnap a rock star; Nicolas Roegs PERFORMANCE starring a very young Mick Jagger; Michealangelo Anotonionis definitive Swinging London classic BLOW-UP and much, much more! All screenings are at the newly renovated Lloyd E. Rigler Theatre at the historic Egyptian (6712 Hollywood Boulevard between Highland and Las Palmas) in Hollywood.
Friday, June 25, 1999
The Friday, June 25th program begins at 7:00 PM with a screening of Stanley Donens definitive Mod Comedy BEDAZZLED (1967, 20th Century Fox (Criterion), 107 min.). BEDAZZLED, filled with leaping lesbian nuns, bottles of Froony Green Eyewash and Raquel Welch as "Lillian Lust" the Babe with the Bust. Peter Cook wrote the screenplay and stars as the deliciously hip Devil with Dudley Moore co-starring as the hapless hamburger chef who trades his soul for seven chances to bed the luscious Eleanor Bron. Plus, rare British TV clips of Cook & Moore. Following at 9:30 PM, are two ultra-rare screenings. First is Kenneth Humes "Mods & Rockers! (1965, 25 min.), an insanely-rare Mod gem that was produced by Troggs/Kinks manager Larry Parnes to cash in on the beat-music boom and features Sting-prototype Heinz - a bottle-blonde bass guitarist who exited beat pioneers the Tornadoes ("Telstar") for solo stardom; a sublime Beatles ballet sequence; and an 18-year old Mick Fleetwood drumming in a Beatles cover band! Next, on the same bill is TONITE LETS ALL MAKE LOVE IN LONDON (1967, Blue Dolphin Films, 70 min.). Subtitled "A Pop Concerto For Film," director Peter Whiteheads kaleidoscopic documentary of mid-60s London features a Whos Who of the Mod Scene including Michael Caine, Vanessa Redgrave (singing songs for Fidel Castro!), Julie Christie, David Hockney, Allen Ginsberg, the Rolling Stones, The Animals, the Small Faces and extremely rare footage and early music of the original Pink Floyd with
the legendary Syd Barrett!
Saturday, June 26, 1999
The Saturday, June 26th program begins at 4:00 PM with
THUNDERBIRDS ARE GO! (1965, MGM/UA, 94 min.), a Mod Childrens Matinee In
Super-Marionation CinemaScope!! Directed by David Lane, Gerry and Sylvia
Andersons hit TV-series "Thunderbirds Are Go!" virtually defined the
Mod/Sci-Fi look with its sleek silver space-craft and cheeky dialogue
("Thats F-A-B!"). This the first of two stunning THUNDERBIRDS
features shot in WideScreen features our heroic puppets blasting off into space,
where they collide with marionettes of Cliff Richard & The Shadows singing the hit
theme song!! Following at 6:00 PM is the Beatles film HELP! (1965, 90
min.), directed by Richard Lester. "We were guest stars in our own
_
Page 3 Mods & Rockers
movie," John Lennon once quipped about HELP! an elaborate, hilariously-irreverent color fantasia in which the Beatles go up against Leo McKern, Eleanor Bron (from BEDAZZLED) and their legions of Kali-inspired killers. Featuring vintage mid-period Beatle tunes - HELP! looks (and sounds) better and better each year. Plus Beatles rarities! Discussion following with producer Walter Shenson. Following at 8:15 PM is the U.S. Premiere of the Restored Directors Cut of WONDERWALL (1969, 76 min.), directed by Joe Massot. Absolutely glorious/meaningless head-tripping madness, WONDERWALL is a virtually plotless fantasy about an eccentric scientist (Jack MacGowran) who discovers a secret window into the endless sex-life of gorgeous nymph Jane Birkin (Serge Gainsbourgs main squeeze and co-singer of "Je taime moi non plus"-!). It features a shimmering, sitar-laced instrumental score by Beatle George Harrison plus the films lost and previously-unused "Blue Jay Way"-like theme song recently discovered in Harrisons vaults. A surreal journey back to the Age of Altered Consciousness lap it up! Plus the short "Reflections On Love," (1965, 13 min.) Exuberant CinemaScope portrait of Swinging London from WONDERWALL director Joe Massot (who later shot the Led Zeppelin doc THE SONG REMAINS THE
SAME). Discussion following with director Joe Massot.
_ LIVE ON STAGE at 9:00 PM is the inaugural event in the Egyptians 78-seat Steven Spielberg Theatre. Complementing our MODS & ROCKERS! festival, were proud to present two live stage performances by British humorist Martin Lewis of his acclaimed one-man show "GREAT EXPLOITATIONS! An Audience with Martin Lewis" (75 min.). This autobiographical tale starts with teenage life in Swingin 60s London and covers his "gospel-true" claim that at the age of 14 he kissed his first girl, murdered his Latin teacher - and wrote 4 songs recorded by the Beatles!). When previously performed, the L.A. Weekly gave the show "Pick of the Week!" and remarked, that it had, " True wit... Ultra-high-energy... machine-gun style delivery of sardonic observations - sweetened by an irrepressible exuberance... A bloody good time!" Los Angeles Magazine said, "A very captivating raconteur." Paper Magazine remarked, "Intelligently funny" and Nightlife Magazine commented that the show was, "Intelligently funny..." "Warm, charming and funny as hell!" Special price: $10 ($7 members) For more information call 323 654 4244 or access www.martinlewis.com This show will repeat on Saturday, July 3rd at 9:00 PM.
Sunday, June 27, 1999
The Sunday, June 27th program begins
at 4:00 PM with a screening of Michelangelo Antonionis BLOW-UP (1966,
MGM (Warners), 111 min.). In-demand fashion photographer David Hemmings shags half
the models in London before running into enigmatic beauty Vanessa Redgrave,
who only wants a certain roll of film from him. A riddle within a riddle, Antonionis
most famous film has often been imitated but never equaled. (Music-buffs
watch for the scene where Hemmings fights to grab a piece
of Yardbird Jeff Becks smashed guitar at an out-of-control gig.) Following
at 6:30 PM is a Double-
_
Page 4 Mods & Rockers
Feature!! of two groovy movies. First is THE JOKERS
(1967, Universal, 94 min.), director Michael Winners dazzling (but
rarely-screened) satire of Young London, featuring Michael Crawford (pre-Phantom of
the Opera) and Oliver Reed as a pair of rich, freewheeling brothers making the
rounds of posh parties. Their anarchic spirit gets the better of them and a string
of increasingly elaborate pranks results in their making off with the Crown Jewels. Next
on the same bill is PRIVILEGE
(1967, Universal, 101 min.), from Peter Watkins, the director of THE WAR GAME.
PRIVILEGE is an hypnotically prescient look at the sinister media-controlled future
where pretty young pop-star Paul Jones (once lead singer for Manfred Mann) is
manipulated by Church and State to influence his legions of adoring fans. Sixties
supermodel/icon Jean Shrimpton (in her only major film role) plays Jones
disillusioned girlfriend, who finally convinces him to rebel against the forces
controlling their lives. (Only
surviving print.)
Thursday, July 1, 1999
The Thursday, July 1st program begins
at 7:00 PM with a screening of PERFORMANCE
(1970 Warner Bros., 105 min.), directed by Nicolas Roeg & Donald Cammell.
Perhaps the wildest, most deeply layered psychedelic movie ever made gangster James
Fox goes on the lam, hiding out in reclusive pop-star Mick Jaggers decaying
townhouse in the hippie London ghetto. Jagger and poly-sexual pal Anita Pallenberg
put Fox through his paces with mind games and large doses of psylocibin mushrooms
all climaxing in the mind-blowing "Memo For Turner" production number. Brutal
beatings, sexual identity crises and prodigious drug-taking is punctuated by one of Jack
Nitzsches best scores highlighted by Ry Cooders incredible bottleneck guitar
work). When someone comments to Jagger, "Youre going to look funny when
youre older," todays audiences should have a laugh. Following at 9:15
PM is an A.I.P. Freak-Out Double-Feature! beginning with PSYCH-OUT
(1968, AIP (MGM/UA), 82 min.). Exploitation action-expert Richard Rush (HELLS
ANGELS ON WHEELS, THE STUNTMAN) delved into the psychedelic scene here, as deaf runaway Susan
Strasberg hitches to San Francisco to find missing psycho-sibling Bruce Dern.
Shes taken under the wing of well-meaning longhair musician Jack Nicholson
who gives her a guided tour of the Haight-Ashbury scene in the Summer of Love.
Music by The Seeds and Strawberry Alarm Clock. Next on the same bill
is RIOT ON SUNSET STRIP (1967, AIP (MGM/UA), 85 min.) directed by Arthur
Dreifuss. L.A. bad-girl Mimsy Farmer gets involved with a gang of drugged-out
hippie scum much to the annoyance of her policeman father Aldo Ray! Inspired
by the real-life Sunset Strip riots, this is A.I.P. at its pulp-filled, headline-grabbing
best with a rocket-fueled soundtrack by local
garage kings The Standells-!!
Friday, July 2, 1999
The Friday, July 2nd program begins
at 7:00 PM with a screening of BEYOND THE VALLEY OF THE
_Page 5 Mods & Rockers
DOLLS (1970, 20th Century Fox, 109 min.), Girl-group madness from the director of FASTER, PUSSYCAT!
KILL! KILL! Dolly Reed, Marcia McBroom and the incredibly foxy Cynthia Myers journey from hicksville to Hollywood, hoping to make it with their rock trio The Carrie Nations. They fall prey to the "business" as well as their own inflated ambitions in what is arguably Meyers most purely entertaining, pop-culture sex-fest (co-written by film critic Roger Ebert.) With additional tunes by The Strawberry Alarm Clock. Discussion following with Russ Meyer. Following at 9:30 PM is a Double-Feature! First is a screening of a Brand-New 35 mm. Print!! of LORD LOVE A DUCK (1966, MGM/UA, 104 min.) directed by George Axelrod. Roddy McDowall, an overgrown teenage outcast, becomes fast friends and protector of cheerleader Tuesday Weld in one of the funniest and most underrated Sixties black comedies. Lola Albright is Welds alcoholic cocktail-waitress mom, Harvey Korman the puffed-up high school principal, Martin Gabel the Sam Arkoff-inspired exploitation auteur and Ruth Gordon the poisonously-sarcastic mother-in-law addicted to yogurt and Stingers. Belly-laughs galore, and so many bizarre touches one wonders how director Axelrod ever convinced a major studio to let him get away with this much on-target brilliance!! Next on the same bill is, THE KNACK, AND HOW TO GET IT (1965, MGM/UA, 84 min.), a How-to Manual in the art of Swinging Seduction from the enormously-talented director of A HARD DAYS NIGHT and HELP, Richard Lester. Michael Crawford and Ray Brooks star as teacher and student, learning the fine points of pursuing girls including TASTE OF HONEY star Rita Tushingham and youngsters Charlotte
Rampling and Jacqueline Bisset.
Saturday, July 3, 1999
The Saturday, July 3rd program begins
at 4:00 PM with a screening of HEAD
(1968, Rhino Video, 86 min.) starring Micky Dolenz, Michael Nesmith, Peter
Tork, Davy Jones. Americas most successful pop-group The Monkees
fractured their cheeky TV-image (and anticipated much of MTVs self-deprecatory
style) with this insane collage of surreal sketches and visual jokes. Co-written by
director Bob Rafelson and later FIVE EASY PIECES star Jack Nicholson, HEAD
features a mind-blowing gallery of Sixties icons including Annette Funicello,
Timothy Carey, Sonny Liston and Frank Zappa! Discussion following
with actor/musician Micky Dolenz. Following at 6:15 PM is an exercise in
Psychedelic Sexualis!! called THE TOUCHABLES (1968, 20th Century Fox, 95 min.).
This is the only surviving 35 mm. Print of this absolutely rarest (and wildest) of Mod
Artifacts. THE TOUCHABLES stars Judy Huxtable, Esther Anderson, Marilyn
Rickard and Kathy Simmonds as a quartet of Pop-Art princesses who kidnap
rock-star Christian (David Anthony) and imprison him in their plastic, see-through
Bubble House. Gay wrestler Ricki Starr gets jealous, and tries to (literally)
muscle his way into the action. Directed by the Beatles favorite album photographer Robert
Freeman (Help!, Rubber Soul) and featuring music by long-lost British flower-pop band Nirvana.
Following at 8:15 PM is the U.S. Premiere of Two Mod Movies!! First
is GONKS GO BEAT (1965, Canal + Image, 92 min.) directed by Robert
Hartford-Davis.
_
Page 6 Mods & Rockers
GONKS GO BEAT is the epitome of Swinging 60s silliness! Ostensibly an inter-gallactic war movie (with a Romeo and Juliet subplot) its really just an excuse for Carry On style lunacy by comedians in bizarre sci-fi costumes interspersed with musical numbers from such luminaries as Lulu, The Nashville Teens and The Graham Bond Organization offering a fascinating glimpse of a pre-Cream Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker. Next on the same bill is THE GHOST GOES GEAR (1966, Canal + Image/Anchor Bay, 51 min.), directed by Hugh Gladwish. This 24-carat piece of 60s pop trivia was made as a fictional showcase for the popular British blues-soul band The Spencer Davis Group (featuring a very young Stevie Winwood in fine vocal form.) Following the familiar formula of band in wacky situations, mingling with a range of British comic performers, the film also throws in the attractions of a stately home spook, and the stagings of a pop festival with Spencer and the lads joined by Dave Berry (The Crying Game) and even Mr. Acker Bilk
Stranger On The Shore)!
_ LIVE ON STAGE at 9:00 PM in the Egyptians 78-seat Steven Spielberg Theatre is Martin Lewis acclaimed one-man show "GREAT EXPLOITATIONS! An Audience with Martin Lewis" (75 min.). For
details see Saturday, June 26th at 9:00 PM.
Sunday, July 4, 1999
For a very alternative Independence Day treat try a Double Dose of Wild
British Pop! The Sunday, July 4th program begins at 12:00 NOON with
a screening of SUMMER HOLIDAY (1963, Canal + Image, 109 min.) with Ron Moody
(Fagin in "Oliver!"). Hard to believe but the director of
BULLITT, Peter Yates, started his career with this carefree CinemaScope musical
comedy starring British pop icons Cliff Richard and The Shadows. Sir Cliff and pals
convert a London double-decker bus into a mobile youth hostel and take a test-spin across
Europe. The stowaway lad they discover turns out to be an American heiress and... trouble
ensues! Next on the same bill is HAVING A WILD WEEKEND (aka CATCH US
IF YOU CAN)
(1965, Warner Bros., 91 min.) Hoping to cash in on the success of A HARD DAYS NIGHT,
producer David Deutsch hired first-timer John Boorman (who later directed POINT
BLANK and DELIVERANCE) to bang out a quick pop confection starring Britains
hugely-successful Dave Clark Five. Instead, Boorman delivered this provocative
Anti-Pop Film about the pressures of Mod stardom where drummer Clark and model Barbara
Ferris try to disappear for a few days, and find themselves pursued by a rabid caravan
of
press agents, managers, reporters and the rest.
_ SUNDAY
JULY 4 from 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM _ CELEBRATE JULY 4th - BRITISH STYLE!!!
The Grand Festival Finale is a Fab Fun Family Event. At 4:00 PM
re-live the 35th Anniversary of the British Invasion (1960s version) with a classic
60s Brit-pop concert movie GO GO MANIA (1965, Canal + Image, 70 min.).
directed by Fred Goode. A British equivalent of THE T.A.M.I. SHOW, this wild,
candy-colored music revue features the cream of the English beat scene including
performances by the Beatles, The Animals, Peter & Gordon, Hermans Hermits, the
Nashville Teens, Billy J. Kramer & The Dakotas, and the Honeycombs!! Shot by
cinematographer Geoffrey Unsworth (who later photographed Kubricks 2001: A SPACE
ODYSSEY), GO-GO MANIA (aka POP GEAR) is a once-in-a-lifetime celebration of long-haired
ravers and screaming teens! Conversation following with special guests, including
Gordon Waller (of Peter & Gordon) - then Everything Stops For Tea!!!
At 5:30 PM Brits and Yanks kiss and make-up to celebrate the last July 4th of the
Millennium together... with a Mod Tea Party featuring Great British food & drink, live
60s music; Surprise 60s pop star guests; Sixties fashion show; Costume
contest! (Prizes for best-dressed Mods & Rockers!); Veddy British fun for
all! _ A special price for this event: is $10
Cinematheque Members. General $15. Includes food, drink, music, movie (GO GO MANIA)
& unlimited fun! (Vegetarian food available) Advance reservations are required for
this event. No tickets will be available at the door unless there are cancellations.
Members
and general public must order in advance - by faxing your Visa or MasterCard number to
323/461-9737 or by calling 323/461-2020 x-3. There is a $1 per ticket handling charge for
faxed or phoned orders. You will receive a confirmation number by telephone. Advance
tickets can be purchased at the box office, (no handling charge), beginning June 4th. The
deadline for ordering is: Wednesday June 30th at 5pm.
ALL FESTIVAL GUESTS APPEAR SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY. Check the website listed below for updates about special guests and performers (at the English Tea Party). They will be announced as they are confirmed.
Festival participants may be available for interview. To arrange, please call. Festival co-producer and Beatles authority Martin Lewis can be reached for interview at martin@martinlewis.com or 323.654.4244. We encourage you to obtain additional press kit information about these films online at http://www.martinlewis.com/mod.html
A complete calendar/flyer listing of these films has been mailed to you.
BLACK & WHITE PHOTOS ARE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST
WE DO NOT HAVE GUARANTEED PRESS PASSES TO PUBLIC SCREENINGS. IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT YOU TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE ADVANCE PRESS SCREENINGS.
REQUESTS FOR PRESS TICKETS TO PUBLIC SCREENINGS MUST BE IN WRITING AND SHOULD BE FAXED TO 323.461.9737 ATTN: MARGOT GERBER, 24 HOURS PRIOR TO SHOW TIME.
THE PROGRAM IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE.