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London Calling: A Vintage CinetourPost an Event »
Oddball Films presents London Calling: A Vintage Cinetour, a program of 16mm films shot in mid-century London. From wartime propaganda, to art, documentary, music, ephemera and more, this is a one of a kind trip to another time and place. See the determination of Londoners in the face of the destruction of their historic city during the Blitzkrieg in London Can Take It! (1940) the propaganda short that helped change American sentiment towards entering WWII. Get a look at the art scene with A Lichtenstein in London (1968), a tour de force on site doc of the American pop artist’s famous Tate Modern show produced by Bruce Beresford featuring commentary by Lichtenstein, gallery views and shots of some of his most well known paintings and sculptures. The audacious Ken Russell (Tommy, Altered States) shows us his softer side with one of his very first short films, Amelia and the Angel (1957) about a little girl's quest for redemption through the streets of Post-War London. Black Cap Drag (1969) takes an in-depth look at two British drag performers in 1960s Camden as they discuss their lives and careers and sing a few Barbra and Marlene numbers in the historic gay bar that recently closed its doors. Zip around with Twiggy and other mod models in excerpts of Opus (1967) a fascinating tour-de-force montage of British art, architecture, theater and swingin’ fashions-all that was shocking in 1967; directed by experimental cinema legend Don Levy. And for a Technicolor taste of the British Invasion coming home, visit Tottenham and hear a few groovy tunes from The Dave Clark Five (1965). Plus, get a glimpse of the city pre-war in Castle Films newsreel London (1938) and early birds can tour the city with Vintage Travelogues. Date: Friday, August 7th, 2015 at 8:00pm Venue: Oddball Films, 275 Capp Street San Francisco Admission: $10.00 Limited Seating RSVP to RSVP@oddballfilm.com or (415) 558-8117 Web: www.oddballfilms.blogspot.com Featuring: London Can Take It! (B+W, 1940) "These are not Hollywood sound effects. This is the music that plays every night in London; the symphony of war." An effectively didactic wartime newsreel touting London's strength in the face of nightly Nazi blitz attacks. A sobering (but oddly humorous) account of the destruction of hundreds of buildings in the historic city, but never the spirit of Londoners. Produced by the GPO Film Unit, this little slice of British propaganda was distributed in America to sway public sentiment towards entering the war in Europe and to prove to the world that with a stiff upper lip, London can take it! "There is no panic, no fear, no despair in Londontown. There is nothing but determination, confidence, and high courage among the people on Churchill's Island."