Hey folks, Harry here... I haven't had what I would call a vacation in quite some time. But - around the mid-point of August - I'm going to be damned if I'm not going to join this glorious insane pursuit of iconic cinematic experiences. Like several of my friends - I'm dying to see CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND at Devil's Tower... but the more and more I looked at this list - I realized - this isn't just about a single film for me. It's about a passion, one that I happen to share with Tim League. A passion to melt the dimensional barrier between us and films. To Sherlock Jr our way in and Purple Rose of Cairo our way out. I also figure it'll give me an excuse to bow out of today's commercial fodder and head out on the highway, looking for adventure... ahem... It'll give me a chance to write about films that otherwise, I might not get to write about - and experiences with films and America that I need to rediscover at this fairly pivotal point in my own life and how I feel about not only film, but my country too. 6000 miles and 21 days of travel and 11 films - for me - I'll load up other films for the trip, soundtracks to score the miles and locations to scout for my own endeavors. Hope some of you pop onto the road too. You only get to do something this crazy maybe a couple of times in your life. I've already cruised South America on an ocean liner while watching films, I've traveled to Middle-Earth... but I've never been to the playground of Leone and Ford. It is the Great American West - the way a movie geek would love to see it. Here's Tim...
OK Harry, All the details are laid out, the trucks are packed, and in 6 weeks, the rolling roadshow will hit the road for our first US Tour. In the past, we have screened JAWS on the water, GOONIES
at the bottom of a cave, EARTHQUAKE on the Balcones Fault, FRIDAY THE 13TH at a summer camp, and SHOCK CORRIDOR at an insane asylum. Now in 2005, we
are setting out on a 6000 mile, 21 day journey across the west for a series of film screenings that will take the movie-going experience to a whole new level. We will be screening 11 famous films in their original shooting locations, chosen specifically to intensify the viewing experience.
Friday, August 19
Last Picture Show
Archer City, TX
The rolling roadshow kicks off the tour at Larry McMurtry's home town, Archer City, Texas, which not only served as the shooting location for the film but is also the inspiration for story itself. Schedule permitting, Author Larry McMurtry will be live in person.
Sunday, August 21
It Came From Outer Space 3D
Roswell, NM
The 1947 Roswell alien crash landing defines modern UFOlogy. IT CAME FROM
OUTER SPACE is considered the best of the Roswell alien exploitation films and was the first to use a desert setting based on the terrain of New Mexico. Free 3-D glasses included with ticket
Tuesday, August 23
Once Upon a Time in the West
Monument Valley, AZ
Sergio Leone spent the better part of his career making Italian westerns that appeared to be set in the American southwest. Paramount eventually brought Leone to the real Southwest to film this masterpiece.
Wednesday, August 24
Planet of the Apes
Lake Powell, AZ
When Charlton Heston crash lands at the beginning of PLANET OF THE APES, it isn't an alien planet as it first appears, it's the good ol' USA; Lake Powell, Arizona to be specific.
Saturday, August 27
Repo Man Road Rally
Los Angeles, CA
Set in the seedy underbelly of the 80's punk rock scene, REPO MAN was a major influence on nearly every modern indie director. For our screening, attendees will first scour the city in our road rally event looking for the movie's cornerstone prop: a '64 Malibu. The winner drives it home! Dick Rude, Sy Richardson, Tracey Walter and other members of the cast and crew will conduct a Q&A following the screening.
Sunday, August 28
North By Northwest
Bakersfield, CA
When Cary Grant is running from the biplane in NORTH BY NORTHWEST, he's running through the fields of Bakersfield. Attendees will feel a bit of tension too, for at the Rolling Roadshow screening we'll have live cropduster flybys!
Tuesday, August 30
Bullitt Road Rally
San Francisco, CA
Steve McQueen tears up the streets of San Francisco as Lt. Frank Bullitt in this seminal car chase classic. 36 years later, it's the audience's turn to investigate the city, solving clues in our BULLITT Road Rally. Their mission: to find the secret screening location.
Thursday, September 1
The Goonies
Astoria, Or
Richard Donner's 1985 cult classic, THE GOONIES, has become a staple of modern-day repertory cinemas. The sleepy seaside town of Astoria will not be quiet this night, 20 years later, when THE GOONIES return! Cast members will be live in person following the screening.
Saturday, September 3
Close Encounters of the 3rd Kind
Devil's Tower, WY
It's a 19 hour drive from screening #9, but CLOSE ENCOUNTERS at Devil's Tower is the one that is making us giddy. Look for real aliens, men in foil suits and a mashed potato sculpture contest before the film!
#11: Monday, September 5
Cat Ballou
Buckskin Joe's, CO
Over 25 films have been shot at Buckskin Joe's Western Town near Cañon City,
Colorado. By day, tour the neighboring Canyons and the authentic old west scenery, and when the sun sets, we'll have a cowboy cookout and enjoy the hijinks of CAT BALLOU.
#12: Wednesday, September 7
Hud
Claude, TX
We bookend this series with another classic Larry McMurtry Texas tale, starring Paul Newman at his sizzling best as anti-hero Hud Bannon. Visit the Gem Theater and museum prior to the onscreen entertainment. Schedule permitting, author Larry McMurtry will conduct a Q&A following the film.
Tickets and info on the tour can be found at:
This Exclusive Location!
Tim
