Actor Russ Tamblyn coming to Cleveland

[Press release from the Cleveland Cinematheque and the Cleveland Museum of Art.]

Oscar-nominated actor and dancer Russ Tamblyn (WEST SIDE STORY, SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS, TWIN PEAKS, DJANGO UNCHAINED) is coming to Cleveland for three separate film screenings on Sept. 16, 17 & 18. The Friday and Saturday shows will be at the Cleveland Institute of Art Cinematheque; the Sunday afternoon show at the Cleveland Museum of Art. Here are the films he will be appearing with:

 

Fri., 9/16 at 9:20 pm (Cinematheque) – HUMAN HIGHWAY, a virtually unreleased 1982 curiosity directed by Neil Young (under his pseudonym Bernard Shakey). Young also stars in the film, along with Tamblyn (who co-wrote the movie), Dennis Hopper, Dean Stockwell, and Mark Mothersbaugh and Devo. The film has been recently restored and this restoration debuted at last fall’s Toronto Int’l Film Festival.

 

Sat., 9/17 at 6:00 pm (Cinematheque) – tom thumb (that’s how it’s written), an Oscar-winning 1958 George Pal fantasy with music by Peggy Lee. Peter Sellers and Terry Thomas co-star.

 

Sun., 9/18 at 1:00 pm (art museum) – THE KID FROM CLEVELAND, the shot-in-Cleveland 1949 movie that starred 14-year-old “Rusty” Tamblyn (in one of his first screen roles) as a troubled teen who is “adopted” by the World Champion 1948 Cleveland Indians. Two scenes with Tamblyn were shot at the Cleveland Museum of Art, so it seemed fitting to bring “the kid from Cleveland” back to the museum during this, its centennial year.

 

After the break are more detailed descriptions of the three films, including locations and prices:

 

Friday, September 16, at 9:20 pm at the Cinematheque (Peter B. Lewis Theater, Cleveland Institute of Art, 11610 Euclid Ave., 216-421-7450, cia.edu/Cinematheque):

HUMAN HIGHWAY (DIRECTOR’S CUT)

USA, 1982, Bernard Shakey (Neil Young), Dean Stockwell

Oscar-nominated actor Russ Tamblyn (Riff in West Side Story, Dr. Lawrence Jacoby in Twin Peaks, Son of a Gunfighter in Django Unchained) will answer questions after a screening of a forgotten 1982 comedy that he acts in and co-wrote. Because it was hardly released, it never became the cult film it deserved to be. (However, it might have inspired The Simpsons.) Set at a gas station and diner next door to a nuclear power plant on the last day on earth, this anarchic satire stars co-director Neil Young as both Lionel, a nerdy, dim-witted auto mechanic, and Frankie Fontaine, his rock star alter ego. Dennis Hopper, Dean Stockwell, Sally Kirkland, Mark Mothersbaugh, and Devo (playing workers at the nuke plant) co-star. Devo/Young performances include “Worried Man Blues” and “Hey Hey, My My (Into the Black).” New digital restoration! Cleveland revival premiere. DCP. 80 min. Special admission $15; members, CIA & CSU I.D. holders, and those age 25 & under $10; no passes, twofers, or radio winners.

 

Saturday, September 17, at 6:00 pm at the Cinematheque (Peter B. Lewis Theater, Cleveland Institute of Art, 11610 Euclid Ave., 216-421-7450, cia.edu/Cinematheque):

tom thumb

UK/USA, 1958, George Pal

Oscar-nominated actor Russ Tamblyn (West Side Story, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Twin Peaks, Django Unchained) will answer audience questions after a screening of one of his most beloved films! tom thumb is a musical fantasy, based on a Grimm fairy tale, about a miniature boy (Tamblyn) who is adopted by a woodcutter and his wife and soon exploited by two thieves (Peter Sellers and Terry-Thomas). Legendary fantasist George Pal (Puppetoons, The Time Machine) directed the movie, which won an Oscar for special effects and boasts songs by Peggy Lee and plenty of comedy and dancing. 92 min. Special admission $20; members, CIA & CSU I.D. holders, and those age 25 & under $15; no passes, twofers, or radio winners. Allow extra time to park.

 

Sunday, September 18, at 1:00 pm at the Cleveland Museum of Art (Gartner Auditorium), 11150 East Boulevard, 216-421-7350, clevelandart.org/film)

THE KID FROM CLEVELAND

USA, 1949, Herbert Kline

Hollywood actor Russ Tamblyn, whose seven-decade career encompasses such classics as West Side Story, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Twin Peaks, and Django Unchained, appears in person with the shot-in-Cleveland film that gave him his first lead role. Billed as “Rusty” Tamblyn, he plays a troubled NE Ohio teen baseball fan who is “adopted” and aided by members of the 1948 World Champion Cleveland Indians (Bob Feller, Lou Boudreau, Tris Speaker, Hank Greenberg, Satchel Paige, Gene Bearden, Bill Veeck, et al.). Features scenes shot at the Cleveland Museum of Art, Municipal Stadium, and League Park, among other locations. With George Brent. Blu-ray. 89 min. Special admission $25; CMA members, seniors 65 & over, students $20. No CMA Film Series vouchers or passes.