| CAN'T STOP THE MUSICALS VOL.
2: MORE MUSICALS FROM THE 1970s & '80s!! Co-Presented by OUTFEST
A wise man once said, "nothing succeeds like excess!" He
must have been referring to Hollywood musicals of the 1970s and ‘80s, an era when (to
quote another wise man, Cole Porter), "anything goes," including a rock music
version of the Passion of Christ (JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR); Ken Russell’s
brilliantly deranged life of composer Franz Liszt starring The Who’s Roger Daltrey (LISZTOMANIA);
a hilarious, campy send-up of "The Pirates Of Penzance" with teen heart-throbs
Kristy McNichol and Christopher Atkins (THE PIRATE MOVIE); and an insanely lavish
remake of LOST HORIZON with music by Burt Bacharach and choreography by Hermes
Pan!! To be sure, there were also a number of more "traditional" (we use the
word loosely) Hollywood style musicals during the era, too, such as director Herbert
Ross’ inventive take on writer Dennis Potter’s PENNIES FROM HEAVEN, and a
high-energy adaptation of Gilbert & Sullivan’s THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE
with Kevin Kline, Angela Lansbury and Linda Ronstadt, based on Joseph Papp’s
acclaimed Public Theater production. Kicking off the series is a special program of
hilarious and toe-tapping musical shorts, mostly new, but we’ve found a long lost gem
from 1978, starring Paula Abdul!
Wednesday, July 28 – 7:30 PM
"Can’t Stop The Musical……Shorts!"
David Fickas’ "Deliverance: The Musical" (8
min.) A musical parody of the classic feature starring Burt Reynolds. Now you can see the
raw, gripping tale of a terrifying and deadly mountain crucible…in song!; L.A.
Premiere! Nacho Vigalondo’s "7:35 in the Morning" (8 min.) A
woman at her usual café at first notices complete silence. Then a song begins wafting
through the early morning air.; L.A. Premiere! Evan Greenberg’s "A Boy
and a Girl" (29 min.) Very charming, funny musical romance for all those who have
given up on themselves…and love.; Victor Bellomo & David Pace’s "The
Spirit of Gravity" (6 min.) Animated mini-musical in which Friedrich Nietzsche
sings his philosophy to the villagers all around him. Surreal and one of a kind work.;
Michael Nankin’s & David Wechter’s "Junior High School (34 min.)
This long-lost short features Paula Abdul, and an actual suburban Southern California
junior high school as the backdrop for the sweet, funny film to follow. A virtual time
capsule of the fashions, hairstyles and language of what looks, in comparison with
today’s teenagers, like a very recent past. Discussion
following with actor P. David Ebersole & director Michael Nankin ("Junior High
School") & filmmakers Evan Greenberg ("A Boy and a Girl") and David
Fickas ("Delivrance: The Musical"), Victor Bellomo and David Pace ("The
Spirit of Gravity").
Friday, July 30 – 7:30 PM
Double Feature:
JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, 1973,
Universal, 108 min. Dir. Norman Jewison. In this, the year of THE PASSION OF THE
CHRIST, what could be more timely than this earlier musical version of the last few weeks
of Christ’s life? Adapted from Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s
landmark rock-opera, and featuring such standout numbers as "I Don’t Know How to
Love Him," "What’s the Buzz?" and "Heaven on Their Minds,"
performed by an extremely talented cast including Ted Neeley as Christ, Yvonne
Elliman as Mary Magdalene and the late Carl Anderson in a standout role as
Judas Iscariot. Discussion following with actor Barry
Dennen.
LISZTOMANIA, 1975, Warners, 103 min.
Director Ken Russell (TOMMY, THE DEVILS) is at his outrageous, surreal best in this
biopic of Franz Listz (played by The Who’s Roger Daltrey), an aural, visual
and sexual feast for all the senses. Thrill to the progressive-rock score by Rick Wakeman
(of Yes), which somehow incorporates rock, Liszt and Wagner in all their majesty.
Pop-culture references abound as Russell equates Liszt with today’s music superstars
-- and don’t miss the giant penises!
Saturday, July 31 – 5:00 PM
PENNIES FROM HEAVEN, 1981,
Warners, 108 min. Dir. Herbert Ross. Dennis Potter's beautifully melancholic
musical unspools against eyepoppingly amazing production design inspired by painter Edward
Hopper, pairing unhappily married Depression-era Arthur (Steve Martin) and sweet,
footloose Eileen (Bernadette Peters). The die is cast for bittersweet romance
punctuated with astounding Busby Berkeley style dance numbers. The entire cast, including Christopher
Walken as Tom the pimp and Jessica Harper as ice queen wife, Joan, shine. Walken's
legendary dance prowess is on ample display with his "Let's Misbehave" number, a
riveting standout. Interesting note: This was the last MGM musical.
Saturday, July 31 – 7:30 PM
Double Feature: PRE-SCREENING COSTUME
CONTEST! COOL PRIZES!
THE APPLE, 1980, MGM/UA, 90 min. If you
missed it during last year’s Fest, then this is your chance to see one of the most
mind-melting musicals ever made. Cannon Films mogul Menahem Golan’s over the
top directorial debut is a camp-lover’s delight, set "far in the future"
(the year 1994) where almost all the world has become enslaved to the hedonistic disco
music of the BIM corporation, supervised by the demonic Mr. Boogaloo. Be prepared for
jaw-dropping set design, costumes and musical numbers that jump from sappy soft-rock to
‘70s disco to glitter rock to cabaret and Broadway. Hold on to your seats and
don’t be surprised if you feel the urge to don metallic fabrics and strange make-up
as you exit the theatre!
CAN’T STOP THE MUSIC,
1980, Universal, 118 min. Dir. Nancy Walker. A biopic of the "boy-band"
of its generation, The Village People, CAN’T STOP THE MUSIC also ironically
signaled the end of the disco era in many ways. A look into the changing mores of the
time, as well as fashion and language leaps that still reverberate today. There are many
moments to treasure, laugh and gawk at. Valerie Perrine holds the center of the
film as the Village People’s manager (she’s also the reason the overtly gay
subtext somehow flew over the censors’ heads). Be sure not to miss Tammy Grimes, June
Havoc and Barbara Rush line-dancing with the Village People – a moment never to be
repeated in real, or cinematic life. [Please note that this, the only available print of
the film, is faded.]
Sunday, August 1 – 5:00 PM
Double Feature:
THE PIRATE MOVIE, 1982, 20th
Century Fox, 98 min. Oddly, two "pirate" musicals were made within a year of
each other. Ken Annakin (THOSE MAGNIFICENT MEN IN THEIR FLYING MACHINES) directed
the first of the two, crafting a fun, lighthearted parody of Gilbert and Sullivan.
Starring teen heart-throbs Christopher Atkins (THE BLUE LAGOON) and Kristy
McNichol (LITTLE DARLINGS), the film also features a very early-‘80s pop
soundtrack. Many references to popular films of the time abound, including STAR WARS and
RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK. Discussion following with director
Ken Annakin and actor Christopher Atkins..
PIRATES OF PENZANCE, 1983,
Universal, 112 min. Dir. Wilford Leach. Our second "Pirate" film in this series
is a lively adaptation of Gilbert and Sullivan’s comic operetta (with parts of their
other operettas thrown in for good measure). Audiences shunned this at the time, perhaps
not ready for such an overtly theatrical musical just as MTV began to make its mark on pop
culture. A strong cast includes Kevin Kline, (reprising his Tony Award-winning role
as the Pirate King), Angela Lansbury, Linda Rondstadt and Rex Smith. Based
on Joseph Papp’s and Wilford Leach’s acclaimed Public Theater production, which
went on to a successful, Tony-winning Broadway run.
Tuesday, August 3 – 7:30 PM
Restored 35mm Print:
LOST HORIZON, 1973, Columbia, 143
min. Dir. Charles Jarrott. Join us for the first theatrical screening in many years of
this ill-fated musical adaptation of the James Hilton novel about a group of travelers who
find answers to life’s greatest questions in the mystical Himalayan city of
Shangri-La. It may have bombed at the box office, but just look at the talent involved: a
cast including Peter Finch, Liv Ullmann, Michael York, Olivia Hussey, Charles Boyer and
John Gielgud; music by Burt Bacharach and lyrics by Hal David; script
by Larry Kramer (of "The Normal Heart" and ACT UP fame); choreography by
the legendary Hermes Pan; and costumes by Jean Louis (who dressed
Rita Hayworth in GILDA) - !! Whether you’re amazed or aghast, we promise you’ll
be entertained – and it’s NOT ON VIDEO, so this is your only chance to see it! Discussion following with actor Michael York (schedule permitting). |
