Hey, everyone. Capone in Chicago here.
A couple years ago, I was having a great conversation with the Alamo Drafthouse's Tim League, and the subject turned to the Rolling Roadshow, which I believe had just wrapped up its first nationwide tour. The films and locations sounded spectacular, but I was a little bummed that Tim and the Drafthouse crew had not selected Chicago as one of its stop. The location seemed ripe. And that's when Tim told me that, in fact, he had actually booked THE BLUES BROTHERS to play at the now-closed Joliet Prison, but that the Fox TV show "Prison Break" bumped them from the location to shoot its first season. I was crushed.
So imagine my surprise when I received word that the 2010 Rolling Roadshow, presented by the Alamo Drafthouse and Levi's brand, was about to embark on its latest journey, which would include a stop at a certain suburban-Chicago prison, formerly home of Jake Blues. I am in heaven, and I wouldn't miss this event for the world, especially since not far from the prison is the Rialto Square Theatre, a favorite spot of my namesake.
Here are a few details about the Rolling Roadshow: the 2010 Rolling Roadshow, a nationwide tour of FREE outdoor 35mm screening experiences pairing everyone’s favorite films with the famous locations where they were shot or set. This year, the Alamo Drafthouse and the Levi’s brand have partnered to champion some of cinema’s most celebrated workers. “We Are All Workers” is the underlying theme of this year’s Rolling Roadshow, which will be brought live to movie lovers throughout the hazy summer nights of August.
All Rolling Roadshow screenings are free and open to the public. Some screenings may feature surprise celebrity guests, and each location will feature fun events including city-wide scavenger hunts hosted in partnership with social networking platform Gowalla, after parties, and more. The full screening lineup is as follows:
August 6 – JACKIE BROWN in Los Angeles, Calif.
Del Amo Fashion Mall--Director Quentin Tarantino's beloved old stomping ground, the South Bay, serves as the backdrop to the climactic sting operation. The Del Amo Mall parking lot, where one chatty character meets her end, was handpicked by Quentin Tarantino for this very special screening. Schedule permitting, the director will be in attendance.
August 7 – DIRTY HARRY in San Francisco, Calif.
Washington Square Park--The sniper serial killer scouts the park from a rooftop in this park, lining up his next victim in crosshairs in this chilling scene.
August 8 – THERE WILL BE BLOOD in Bakersfield, Calif.
The Oil Experience, Kern County Museum--Oscar-nominated director Paul Thomas Anderson frequented this museum, dedicated to the early oilmen in Bakersfield, CA, for inspiration and research while adapting Upton Sinclair’s Oil! The film’s wooden derrick was modeled after the museum’s replica and the screening will be held under the shadow of this derrick.
August 8 – CONVOY and RED DAWN in Las Vegas, N.M.
Ft. Union Drive-In--In the name of blue collar masculinity, here is a double feature of desert action and power! CONVOY, a Sam Peckinpah-directed movie about truck drivers, and RED DAWN were both filmed in Las Vegas, New Mexico.
August 13 – THE BLUES BROTHERS in Joliet, Ill.
Old Joliet Prison--In the film’s opening, “Joliet” Jake Blues exits these prison gates to be picked up by his brother Ellwood in their iconic battered police cruiser.
August 14 – ROBOCOP in Detroit, Mich.
Russell Industrial Center--Betrayed by his corporate creator, Robocop takes refuge at an abandoned industrial complex and sets the stage for the bloody (and toxic waste-infused) showdown with Clarence Boddicker and his gang of cop killers.
August 19 – ROCKY, ROCKY II and ROCKY III in Philadelphia, Pa.
Philadelphia Museum of Art--Moviegoers will sit on the same steps where Rocky made his triumphant ascension at the conclusion of one of the most epic training montages…ever. Frequent fist-pumping encouraged.
August 20 – ON THE WATERFRONT in Hoboken, N.J.
Pier A Park--Watch one of the all time greats, Marlon Brando, in ON THE WATERFRONT, on the waterfront. The classic film was shot on location on the piers of Hoboken, N.J. Adjacent to Pier A is the Hoboken Historical Museum with detailed information about the filming locations.
August 27 – THE GODFATHER II in New York, N.Y.
Rooftop Near Little Italy--An ambitious young gangster named Vito Corleone earns the “Don” after taking down a local crime boss. In a spectacular sequence from the inarguably best sequel of all time, Robert De Niro tracks his target from the rootops of Little Italy.
For more information, visit the Rolling Roadshow web site. I'm buzzing with excitement about this line up. Check these out if you live near one of these locations, or plan a road trip. If the Alamo folks can arrange this huge trip, surely you can drive a few hundred miles to see a movie. Hope to see you there.
-- Capone
capone@aintitcool.com
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