FRIDAY, AUGUST 29th, 2014
at the CASTRO theatre in San Francisco, CA.
R.I.P. ROBiN WiLLiAMS
"MANiCAL MUSiCALS" Double Bill
(ONLY $12 FOR BOTH FILMS)

7:20pm - POPEYE (1980)
Directed by Robert Altman
Camerawork by Giuseppe Rotunno
Containing Robin Williams, Shelley Duvall, Ray Walston, Paul Dooley

Robert Altman's maniacally manic musical managed to combine his own overwhelming style of the early 1970s with a rambunctious Busby Berkeley-like dance numbers that still, after 34 years, nearly jumps off of the screen. Showcasing Robin Williams' psychotically inspired Popeye performance along with Shelly Duvall's nuanced Olive Oyl (which coincided with her memorable role as Wendy in Stanley Kubrick's The Shining the same year) are perhaps career defining characters for both. This underrated, overly-stylized, widescreen musical was both a financial and creative enigma for both children and adults upon its original release. Yet over the years the film has found a swooning cult following (which includes Paul Thomas Anderson who even used the soundtrack by Harry Nilsson in his own underrated 2002 gem Punch Drunk Love) and is just waiting for you to come along and rank it as your new favorite film. Newly restored Widescreen DCP Presentation. Rated PG. 114min. Preceded by upcoming M4M trailers.

Playing with...

9:45pm - THE WiZ (1978)
Written by Joel Schumacher; Camerawork by Oswald Morris
Directed by Sidney Lumet
Containing Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Nipsy Russell, Ted Ross

Dismissed as an utter failure upon its release, this daring, surreal and even profound reinterpretation of King Vidor/Victor Fleming's depression-era classic, The Wizard of Oz (1939) features two of the decade's greatest singers: Diana Ross sparkles as Dorothy, a 24-year-old Kindergarten teacher who dreams of getting out of the black & white streets of Harlem; and a 20-year-old Michael Jackson, who will blow your mind as the fortune-cookie-advice-giving Scarecrow who can barely walk but can dance his way hopefully all the way to Oz! Meanwhile Nipsey Russell will break your heart as the rusted Tin Man and Ted Ross literally steals the show as the Cowardly Lion. Add to that some jaw-dropping cameos and set pieces that may give you some pretty creative nightmares and all of this may make you truly wonder why this film didn't succeed upon its initial release. With a legendary soundtrack produced by Quincy Jones this is an absolute must see on the Castro Theatre big screen! Preceded by trailers of other inspirational disco spectacles. Newly Struck 35mm Print. 134min. Preceded by other Maniacal Musical trailer delights!

ADMiSSiON $12.00 for DOUBLE FEATURE

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