See Db And Friends On The Big Screen

I’ve come on a few years from my Hollywood Highs…

We told you about Mayor Of The Sunset Strip over a year ago (sorry, can’t the find story now) and the soundtrack CD a little more recently. (03.16.2004 NEWS: UNRELEASED DB ACOUSTIC TRACK OUT IN US TODAY)Mayor Of The Sunset Strip

The film of Rodney Bingenheimer‘s life has probably been seen by most of you, in theatres in the US and via DVD elsewhere. Well, now Londoners get to see the documentary on the big screen when it opens at two London cinemas tomorrow.

If you’ve already seen the film you’ll know what a touching record it is of one of Hollywood’s more colourful characters and how important his contribution to the Los Angeles music scene has been. Pictured above is David “It’s a man’s dress” Bowie and Rodney during a promotional visit to The States in 1971 to promote The Man Who Sold The World.

You can view a more recent picture of the pair in aforementioned BowieNet news story, taken just over a year ago backstage at The Wiltern Theatre in Los Angeles, February 7th, 2004.

Those of you that weren’t even aware of Mayor Of The Sunset Strip might want to visit the official site, where you can view a trailer which includes a shot of DB (see above) playing acoustic guitar while sitting cross-legged on the living room floor of Tom Ayres‘ Hollywood Hills home… not to mention some footage of Rodney and a Mohawk-sporting DB from 1997. Click on either of the images above to get there.

Mayor Of The Sunset Strip opens for a six-day-run at Odeon Camden Town and Odeon Panton Street tomorrow. (Friday)

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Another documentary film charting the life of a character every bit as maverick as Mr Bingenheimer, is Andrew Horn‘s The Nomi Song about the late Klaus Nomi. This film has been around for about a year playing festivals and such, but has still to find a general release or even a DVD release.

Again, this isn’t the first mention on these pages of Klaus Nomi, and surely everybody is aware of his and Joey Arias‘ extraordinary contribution to David’s appearance on Saturday Night Live On December 19, 1979. David performed three songs on the show: The Man Who Sold The World, Boys Keep Swinging and TVC15, which remain among the most bizarre television performances broadcast anywhere, ever.

Words can’t do the appearance justice, suffice to say, if you’ve never seen it you really must track down a copy. You can view a trailer here, in which there are a couple of very brief snatches from Saturday Night Live.

The Nomi Song is still being shown at various festivals and the like which you can view a list of here. But, do keep an eye on local listings too, as BowieNetter Bianca has observed that the film will be showing in Germany from February 18th…a fact that isn’t mentioned on the official site.

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Fast forwarding to next month, BowieNetter TheDeuce sent in a bit about a one-off screening of Labyrinth on the big screen…but, I should warn you before you make any arrangements that BowieNetters Saxonny and Gwnavere are likely to be present. };-)

The beautiful Byrd Theater is showing Labyrinth at midnight on March 12th (Saturday night into Sunday) in Richmond, VA. You can find more details here.