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August 24 Additions to the Rat!BAFE is working on extras for the TALES OF THE RAT FINK show, taking place on Sept. 20, 2007 over at the Cerrito Speakeasy Theater in El Cerrito, home of Thrillville and our friend Will "The Thrill" Viharo. Just added to the show will be episodes of the rare Mainframe Entertainment TV series, WEIRD-OHS, a show based on the Testors model kits of the 1960s (which, in turn were based on the mad creations of Ed "Big Daddy" Roth). Rainmaker Prods have generously agreed to let us screen a couple episodes of this crazy hot rod cartoon! Plus! Everyone, and we do mean EVERYONE, coming to the show will get a free "THINK FINK" glow-in-the-dark rubber wristband courtesy of Westbury Motorcycles of Concord, CA. We also have a limited amount of TALES OF THE RAT FINK posters available for sale at the show only for the low-down, dirty rate of $5.00 each. This is shaping up to be one really cool show daddy-o! So make sure you're there and don't miss out!! July 24 THINK FINK!Bay Area Film Events to Screen Ed “Big Daddy” Roth Documentary! BAFE is proud to present another Bay Area big-screen premier! From the award-winning director of COMIC BOOK CONFIDENTIAL and GRASS comes TALES OF THE RAT FINK, Ron Mann's wildly inventive bio about Renaissance man Ed "Big Daddy" Roth, who engineered a shift in mid-twentieth century culture with his customized cars, "monster" T-shirts and America's alternative rodent - "Rat Fink". Mann's largely animated documentary features the voice talents of John Goodman, Ann-Margret, Jay Leno, Brian Wilson, Tom Wolfe, Matt Groening, Robert Williams, Stone Cold Steve Austin, Paul LeMat, Billy F Gibbons, Theo Rosnick and The Smothers Brothers. Filmed in Kandy color. Recorded with real 426 hemi engines. Rated F for Fink's everywhere. Finks unite at the Cerrito Speakeasy Theater in El Cerrito, Thursday September 20 at 9:00pm! Director Ron Mann ("Comic Book Confidential") deserves the Academy Weirdo Award for this intriguing, always-off-the-wall biography of Ed "Big Daddy" Roth (1932-2001), a true culture rebel who revved up the realm of hot rods in the 1950s with unique costume-car designs. Mann allows the very cars Roth created to do the talking on camera as his alter ego, so Roth's life story metaphorically speeds along a bizarre highway in hilarious bits and pieces. The animated sequences (with voices by such Roth lovers as Matt Groening, Jay Leno, Tom Wolfe, Ann-Margret and the Smothers Brothers) are commingled with photographs, footage lifted from feature films and home movies of real-life events. At Bell High School in Southern California, Roth flunked everything but auto shop and art, yet he was to exceed in both fields as an innovator. He was the first to pin-stripe cars and to paint images on "monster" T-shirts, setting into motion trends that carried the hot rod crowd to a new "kineticism" (Wolfe's word). Roth also revolutionized hot rod designs with his fiberglass creations such as the Outlaw and the Rotar. Hating Mickey Mouse because the squeaky thing symbolized conformity, Roth created and drew Rat Fink, a sharp-toothed, slavering green rodent monster that came to symbolize and satirize the hot rod culture. – John Stanley, SF Chronicle. July 13 007 Thrills Audiences at the Castro Theatre!As BAFE celebrates the year of James Bond, 2007, fans flocked to the Castro Theatre for a weekend of thrilling Bond action! Guest Richard "Jaws" Kiel signed photos and books for fans and treated anyone willing to a head crushing photo session! Richard introduced THE SPY WHO LOVED ME and fascinated the audience with stories of his career, covering everything from Bond to THE TWILIGHT ZONE to EEGAH! and other movies and TV series in which he appeared. Antiquities at Pier 39 was on hand with Bond goods and other collectibles. One lucky Bond collector purchased the Cadillac of collectibles from the show, a framed collection of autographed 8x10" stills...one of each of the Bond actors; Sean Connery, George Lazenby, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan and current Bond Daniel Craig. Apocalypso Now brought their own unique calypso music to the mezzanine and entertained shoppers and minglers alike. Saturday Night's show opened with another amazing stunt show by The Stunt People. This one featuring James Bond, Odd Job and thugs in an exciting fight to the death to save the theater from a doomsday machine provided by jack of all trades Eric Yee. Monday's shows were hosted by Bay Area Film Events' favorite local movie host Cinema Insomnia's Mr. Lobo. And of course there were the movies, what James Bond is all about, DR. NO, FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE, GOLDFINGER, THUNDERBALL, ON HER MAJESTY'S SECRET SERVICE and THE SPY WHO LOVED ME! Memorial Day weekend was definitely a weekend to remember for Bond fans young and old. Everyone can continue celebrating The Year of Bond, 2007 for a few more months. But, if you missed our Weekend to Thrill, you missed an exciting weekend shaken and stirred! May 17 Win Free Tickets to BAFE’s 007 Weekend to Thrill!This week you can go to Antiquities of California at Pier 39 or Chronicle Books at the Metreon in San Francisco and enter a drawing for free passes to see James Bond on the big screen and special guest Richard “Jaws” Kiel. All entries must be in by Thursday May 24. Winners will be notified by phone. For those who want to ensure their place at the show, go to Ticketweb and buy tickets ahead of time. Celebrate 2-007 with James Bond at the Castro Theatre in San Francisco, featuring 7’ 2” tall Richard Kiel, “Jaws” from THE SPY WHO LOVED ME and MOONRAKER. Richard Kiel is courtesy of Antiquities at Pier 39. Bay Area Film Events brings classic Bond films back to the big screen where these movies are meant to be seen. The Hollywood blockbusters will be around all summer, but there’s only one chance to catch some of the most explosive action ever to hit the screen! In addition to movies and our special guest, attendees will have a chance to win James Bond collectibles through daily door prizes and a special MI6 raffle. The Stunt People return to the Castro stage to thrill the audience with a one of a kind 007 stunt show and to celebrate the Caribbean locals of DR. NO, we present live calypso music by Apocalypso Now. And of course, the best of Bond, including the movies DR. NO, FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE, GOLDFINGER, THUNDERBALL, ON HER MAJESTY’S SECRET SERVICE and THE SPY WHO LOVED ME plus rare shorts and trailers. May 12 Tickets on Sale NOW for 007 Weekend!Advance tickets are now available for the 007 Weekend to Thrill at the Castro Theatre. Go to Ticketweb to get your tickets now! All shows are double-features, matinee and evening showings. Richard Kiel will be on hand both Saturday and Sunday, with special surprises throughout the three-day weekend! Hope to see everyone there! April 22 Richard Kiel to Appear at 007 Weekend!FOR YOUR EYES ONLY. Join Bay Area Film Events on Memorial Day Weekend for a 007 Weekend to Thrill! Celebrate 2-007 with James Bond at the Castro Theatre in San Francisco. Bay Area Film Events brings classic Bond films back to the big screen where these movies were meant to be seen. The Hollywood blockbusters will be around all summer, but there’s only one chance to catch some of the most explosive action ever to hit the screen! Three days of excitement as only Bond and BAFE can provide. Featuring our biggest guest ever, 7’ 2” tall Richard Kiel, “Jaws” from THE SPY WHO LOVED ME and MOONRAKER. Richard Kiel is courtesy of Antiquities of California at Pier 39. A Bay Area Film Events show is always more than just showing movies and this one is no exception. In addition to movies and our special guest, attendees will have a chance to win James Bond collectibles through door prizes and a special MI5 raffle. The Stunt People (see pictures of their Ultraman stunt show on this blog site) return to the Castro stage to thrill the audience with a one of a kind 007 stunt show and to celebrate the Caribbean locals of DR. NO, we present live calypso music by Apocalypso Now. And of course, the best of Bond, including DR. NO, FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE, GOLDFINGER, THUNDERBALL, ON HER MAJESTY’S SECRET SERVICE and THE SPY WHO LOVED ME plus rare shorts and trailers. Richard Kiel: Towering 7' 2" tall actor who has cornered the market on playing giants, intimidating henchman, bayou swamp monsters and steel toothed villains! Kiel worked in numerous jobs including as a night club bouncer and a cemetery plot salesman, before breaking into film & TV in several minor roles in the late 1950s / early 1960s. Noted amongst these was the alien "Kanamit" in the classic "The Twilight Zone" (1959) episode "To Serve Man", and terrorizing Arch Hall Jr. while clad in a loincloth in the prehistoric caveman meets virile teenage drama EEGAH! (1962). Kiel turned up in two episodes of the classic horror TV series KOLCHAK: THE NIGHT STALKER (1974). However, his biggest break came in 1977 when he was cast as the unstoppable, steel toothed henchman "Jaws" in the finest Roger Moore film of the Bond series THE SPY WHO LOVED ME (1977). Such was Kiel's popularity with movie audiences, that his character was brought back for the next Bond outing MOONRAKER (1979). Over the next few years, Kiel appeared in comedy or fantasy type films taking advantage of his physical stature and presence. Kiel then decided to try his hand behind the camera and co-wrote and produced, plus took the lead role, in the well received family THE GIANT OF THUNDER MOUNTAIN (1991). Kiel reprised his "Jaws" character in the Matthew Broderick film INSPECTOR GADGET (1999). Recently, Kiel penned his informative autobiography entitled "Making it BIG in the movies". The Stunt People: The Stunt People, a group of talented martial artists and filmmakers, return to a BAFE show for the first time since they’re popular Ultraman stunt show in 2005. The Stunt People have since set out to make a film that would entertain people with martial arts and comedy. Spearheaded by the team leader, Eric Jacobus, CONTOUR began production in December of 2004 and was completed in June 2006. The film was shot digitally for a budget of under $5,000. Apocalypso Now: Apocalypso Now is a local calypso band that plays regularly at Oakland’s Conga Lounge. Tropical steel drums, exotic guitar and Latin percussion set the mood for the events they play. The motto of the band is to play locally and think globally. April 01 Sacramento, Another Memorable Show!Bob Wilkins returned to Sacramento, where it all began, on Sunday March 25, for the second of our two sold-out Creature Features Forever shows. We thought it would be very hard to top the emotions and enthusiasm of the El Cerrito show, but Sacramento came out and really showed its love for Bob and generosity to the Alzheimer's Society. Mr. Lobo and John Stanley returned from the Cerrito show and were joined on stage by local Sacramento TV legends Harry Martin and Geoff Wong, as well as HARDWARE WARS producer Ernie Fossileus and the creator of CAPTAIN COSMIC's 2T2 robot, Gary Tomsic. 2T2 was conspicuously absent, but is retired and living in a garage outside of Sacramento. The City of Sacramento came through with a certificate recognizing Bob's career and status as a Sacramento star. This was presented to Sally Wilkins by Mr. Lobo. All in all, the two shows have become BAFE favorites. They may not have been our biggest shows, but they did turn out to be two of our most important. We want to thank all the Creature Features fans for coming out and supporting Bob Wilkins and the Alzhiemers Aid Society of Northern California. Donations to the Society can still be made. Please go to www.bobwilkins.net for information on how to donate and please mark all donations "For the care of Bob Wilkins". T-shirts that were sold at both shows are still available at www.novemberfire.com. There were two styles that fans will want to check out. Just click on either (or both) of these links: Captain Cosmic and Bob Wilkins/Creature Features. Tell 'em BAFE sent you! March 24 Wilkins Tribute on KTVUCREATURE FEATURES FOREVER, A TRIBUTE TO BOB WILKINS made the KTVU channel 2 10 O'Clock News on Thursday (3/22/07). Check out the segment on You Tube, courtesy of Chad from the Cerrito Speakeasy Theater! Click here and let Dennis Richmond take it from there! And if you haven't bought your tickets for the Crest show in Sacramento, HURRY HURRY!! At last count there were only 26 tickets left! Check out the link on the main BAFE webpage and get 'em now. If you miss this one, you'll never, ever forgive yourself and you'll have to live with that the rest of your life! ;) A Special Night of Creature FeaturesThursday night (3/22/07) at the Cerrito Speakeasy Theater was a special night indeed, as a packed house of CREATURE FEATURE fans turned out to pay tribute to original host and Bay Area TV legend Bob Wilkins! The evening kicked off with a special poetic history of Bob Wilkins, as recited via video by John Stanley. This was shot at the Broadcast Legends' luncheon in Emeryville (9/23/02) as part of their CREATURE FEATURES Tribute Luncheon. As the familiar themesong faded out with "the creature's gonna get you tonight!" Will Viharo took the stage to pay tribute to Bob and introduce the evening's host, Mr. Lobo. After a brief open and background of Bob, a 15-minute video of The Best of Bob Wilkins played to a nostalgic crowd of fans. Clips of Bob from Sacramento's 7 ARTS THEATER, CREATURE FEATURES and KTVU's CAPTAIN COSMIC had the audience in the right mood for the evening. At this point, BAFE's Bob Johnson took the stage to read a proclamation from Mayor Ron Dellums, making March 23, 2007 "Bob Wilkins Day" in the city of Oakland in recognition of Mr. Wilkins' career and influence on local television and some of Hollywood's biggest names, including George Lucas. The proclamation was presented to Bob's wife, Sally Wilkins, how graciously thanked everyone for coming out and spoke about the Alzheimer's Society, the fight against the disease and how everyone could help Bob and others like him. With business concluded, it was time for the guests! Mr. Lobo lead a panel of former CREATURE FEATURES co-horts of Bob's. The first was John Stanley, the successor to the CREATURE FEATURES thrown and current author of the book, "I Was a TV Horror Movie Host". Next up was Bob Shaw, who is now KTVU's Entertainment Reporter, but was the $25.00-a-month producer of CREATURE FEATURES and Bob's right hand man with movie facts and knowledge. Last, but not least, was Bill Longen, Events Coordinator at San Francisco's Castro Theatre and the film editor at KTVU in the days of both CREATURE FEATURES and CAPT. COSMIC. John started off with a story about meeting Ray Bradbury and discovering one's sense of wonder, the reason we were all there that night. A clip of John's speech can be seen on You Tube at this link. Bob Shaw and Bill Longen both told their stories of the olden days at channel 2 and then all three took their seats on stage with Mr. Lobo to discuss Bob Wilkins, CREATURE FEATURES, working in local television in the days when stations produced more than just the news and took questions from the audience. This was followed by an amazing 16mm reel, which contained 45 minutes of VERY rare clips from Bob's early career from the collection of Tom Wyrsch. Included in the reel were interviews with such luminaries as Boris Karloff (the last one done before his death), Jack Benny, Milton Berle, William Shatner, George Takei, James Doohan, Darth Vader and more. Also featured in the clips were Harry Martin, Gary Owens, Jim Nabors, Ray Harryhausen, Roy Thinnes and others. After the clips, Mr. Lobo returned to the stage to recap the evening, relay the Wilkins family's request for donations to be made to the Alzheimer's Aid Society of Northern California (which can be earmarked for Bob's care - please see address below) and to announce Scott Moon's drive for fans to send birthday cards to Bob Wilkins for his 75th birthday on April 11 (link at the end of this blog entry). And then, with the aid of the Cinsomniac's Oath, the screen was filled with castaways, a deserted island and walking, laughing mushrooms in the first film Bob ever hosted back in 1966 on KCRA in Sacramento, ATTACK OF THE MUSHROOM PEOPLE (MATANGO). There are a few tickets left as of this writing for the show on Sunday (3/25/07) at the Crest Theater in Sacramento, so grab them fast! It looks like another sell out! And check back here after for a recap and pictures from that show. In the meantime, donations to help with Bob's care can be sent to the following address. Please mark on the payment, "For the Care of Bob Wilkins". Alzheimers Aid Society of Northern California P.O. Box 1824 Sacramento, CA 95825 Information on how to send birthday cards to Bob Wilkins can be found at www.bobwilkins.net An appreciation of ATTACK OF THE MUSHROOM PEOPLE is currently up at SciFi Japan. Also included is "The Voice in the Night" by William Hope Hodgson, the original short story that became the basis for ATTACK OF THE MUSHROOM PEOPLE And you can download an MP3 of Rob Emmett's NORMAN BATES MEMORIAL SOUNDTRACK SHOW from 3/24/07, talking about Thursday's show and previewing the Crest encore here. March 16 Creature Features on the Radio!The Bob Wilkins show at the Cerrito Speakeasy Theater in El Cerrito is completely sold out! Tickets flew out of the theater like a bat out of the KTVU newsroom! Tickets for the March 25th show at the Crest Theater in Sacramento will be available online soon at Tickets.com and at the Crest Boxoffice. In the meantime, you can enjoy Creature Features on the radio this and next week! Thanks to Rob Emmett, host of Thoughtline and The Norman Bates Memorial Soundtrack Show on KFJC radio 89.7FM, fans can relive the days of Creature Features through their radios and computers! The schedule is: Saturday March 17, 11am: John Stanley talks about his new book, "I Was a TV Horror Movie Host" Monday March 19, 6pm-7pm: John Stanley and BAFE's Bob Johnson talk about the upcoming Creature Features Forever shows at the Cerrito Speakeasy and Crest Theatre. Saturday March 24, 11am: BAFE's Bob Johnson and Cinema Insomnia's Mr. Lobo talk about how things went at the Cerrito and preview Sunday's Crest show. Listen on the radio at 89.7 FM or on the internet via KFJC's Netcast! March 11 Cerrito Tickets Almost Gone!Tickets for the El Cerrito Bob Wilkins Tribute show are going fast! As of this writing, there are about 30 tickets left, so grab them NOW before they disappear. There will not be any left to buy at the door the day of the show. Tickets are available at the Cerrito Theater Box Office from now until they're gone after 5pm. Just ask for management and they can sell you the tickets. Tickets are only $10.00 each and the show is definitely going to be a blockbuster! Featuring a new 35mm print of ATTACK OF THE MUSHROOM PEOPLE and hosted by CINEMA INSOMNIA'S Mr. Lobo. Special guests include John Stanley, Bob Shaw and recently added creator of HARDWARE WARS, Ernie Fosselius. Rare 16mm and video clips from Bob Wilkins' career and Bob will also be in attendance! More info at our regular BAFE website! March 05 Tickets for El Cerrito Show on Sale This Weekend!Tickets for the Bob Wilkins Tribute at the Cerrito Theater on March 22 go on sale this Sunday, March 11 at 3:00pm at the Cerrito Theater's IT Club. Tickets are $10 each and with only 120 seats to sell, we are expecting them to go FAST! So, don't miss out on a chance to see rare Bob Wilkins clips, Bob himself and a new, 35mm print of ATTACK OF THE MUSHROOM PEOPLE. This is a once in a lifetime event. Plus, we will be presenting Bob with a proclamation from the City of Oakland, proclaiming Friday March 23 as Bob Wilkins Day in Oakland. For more information on the show, head over to the main BAFE website! See you all at the IT Club this Sunday! Get there early!! Special commemorative posters will be available for sale at both the Cerrito and Crest shows. See the picture below for a peek at the poster, done for us exclusively by artist Strephon Taylor! March 02 007 Weekend to Thrill!2-007, the year of Bond! BAFE celebrates all things shaken, not stirred with a three-day James Bond event on Memorial Day Weekend (March 26-28). Skip the summer blockbusters, they'll be around for months! Check out classic James Bond films on the big screen where they were meant to be seen! Of course you'll also get all the extras you come to expect from Bay Area Film Events such as prizes, merchandise, guests and more! We're hammering out the details now, so keep checking the BAFE website and this blog site for up to the minute information. The current list of films (which could change depending on guests) is: DR. NO, FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE, GOLDFINGER, THUNDERBALL, ON HER MAJESTY'S SECRET SERVICE and THE SPY WHO LOVED ME! Plus special surprise short subjects! So join us for a celebration of all things Bond, James Bond at the Castro Theatre!! February 06 Bob Willkins Show Update! Second Show Added!Two Bob Wilkins Tribute Shows Raise Awareness for Alzheimer’s Research
Oakland, CA - February 9, 2007 - Bay Area Film Events proudly presents two shows commemorating the career of local TV legend Bob Wilkins and 40 plus years of hosting horror films, including the 35th anniversary of CREATURE FEATURES. Both shows will benefit and bring attention to the newly established Bob Wilkins Foundation for Alzheimer’s Research.
Join Us for Two BIG Shows!
The events kick off on Thursday March 22 with an 8:00PM show at the newly opened Cerrito Speakeasy Theatre in El Cerrito. Bob Wilkins and his family will be in attendance along with the evening’s host CINEMA INSOMNIA’s Mr. Lobo from KTEH Channel 54, and special guests that include KTVU Channel 2’s movie critic Bob Shaw and former CREATURE FEATURES’ host John Stanley. The feature film for the evening will be the first movie Bob ever hosted back in 1966, ATTACK OF THE MUSHROOM PEOPLE. Advance tickets for the El Cerrito show will go on sale Sunday, March 11, starting at 3:00PM at the theater’s IT Club.
The festivities then move to Sacramento’s Crest Theater on Sunday March 25 at 7:00PM for another great show. Bob and his family will once again be in attendance with Mr. Lobo and local Sacramento TV great Harry Martin, children’s TV host Captain Mitch, and others! The Sacramento show will feature another Bob Wilkins classic, HORROR OF PARTY BEACH.
The shows will feature clips and highlights from Bob’s career and other special surprises! As both theaters have limited seating capacities, make sure you buy tickets in advance for El Cerrito, or in the case of Sacramento, get there early!
For up to date information on both shows, go to www.bayareafilmevents.com.
Bob Wilkins, A Local TV Legend:
Bob Wilkins started his long-spanning television career in 1966, hosting SEVEN ARTS THEATER for KCRA in Sacramento. He would later go on to host CREATURE FEATURES at both KTXL in Sacramento and Oakland/San Francisco’s KTVU.
"Don't stay up late, it's not worth it," Bob Wilkins warned as he would lean back in his yellow rocking chair, smoke wafting from his big cigar. But monster movie fans in Northern California stayed up with him every Saturday night anyway. From 1971 through 1979, Bob Wilkins brought the best and worst of fantasy, horror and science fiction to audiences throughout the San Francisco Bay Area, in the Sacramento Valley, and nationwide through KTVU’s status as a cable super station. His dry wit and deadpan humor won over audiences, and CREATURE FEATURES would often beat SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE in the local ratings.
In 1979, after hosting two shows for KTVU (CREATURE FEATURES and CAPTAIN COSMIC) as well as another version of CREATURE FEATURES for KTXL in Sacramento, Bob left television to pursue a career in marketing and advertising from which he is now retired. He still makes personal appearances and speaks with throngs of fans who turn out to meet him.
Fighting for a Worthy Cause:
Bob is currently one of the millions of people throughout the country suffering the effects of Alzheimer’s. The goal of these shows is to raise awareness for the disease and also to bring attention to the Bob Wilkins Foundation for Alzheimer’s Research and generate funds for his care.
The family of Bob Wilkins recognizes and appreciates the valuable work being done by the Alzheimer’s Aid Society of Northern California. Because of the ever-increasing needs filled by this caring non-profit organization, his family is requesting donations, which can be directed towards Bob Wilkins' care.
For your convenience, contact information for the Alzheimer’s Aid Society of Northern California is provided here. Donations should be sent to the address listed below designated "for the care of Bob Wilkins".
Alzheimer’s Aid Society of Northern California
P.O. Box 1824
Sacramento, CA 95825
January 06 Paying Tribute to Creature Features' Bob WilkinsCREATURE FEATURES FOREVER: A TRIBUTE TO BOB WILKINS 8:00PM, March 22, 2007 at the Cerrito Theatre in El Cerrito. Join us for a special evening commemorating the career of "Creature Features" host and local legend, Bob Wilkins. Featured on this program is a mint 35mm print of the first movie Bob ever hosted back in 1966, “ATTACK OF THE MUSHROOM PEOPLE.” Plus rare 16mm footage of Bob in action and personal remembrances by those who have known and worked with Bob over the years. Hosted by Cinema Insomnia’s Mr. Lobo, guests include Creature Features host and author John Stanley, KTVU’s Bob Shaw, Tom Wyrsch and others. Bob Wilkins himself, along with his immediate family, will be in attendance. They invite you one and all to join them for this unique homage to a living legend. His family, in recognition of his 15 years as the one of the most popular TV personalities in Northern California, has established a Bob Wilkins Foundation through the Alzheimer's Aid Society of Northern California. A special show program will be handed out to each attendee, detailing Bob’s career and information on the Bob Wilkins Foundation. You won’t want to miss this very special evening. October 17 Creature Show a Huge Success!Rising up from the depths of the Castro Theatre, THE CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON, REVENGE OF THE CREATURE and THE CREATURE WALKS AMONG US were a huge hit. Fans came from all over to watch the Gill-man swim right out of the screen and into their laps in 3D. Special guests "The Creature" Ben Chapman and actress Julie Adams were a pleasure to work with and had a lot of fun meeting and talking with fans and signing more than their fair share of autographs! On stage, they held the audience enraptured by stories of the Creature and their parts in Creature history. Interviewed by CREATURE FEATURES host John Stanley, they lead everyone through their adventures in the Black Lagoon… A big attraction at the show was Eric Yee’s swamp creature costume, which wandered up and down Castro Street, peering in storefront windows and restaurant doorways and pulling everyone’s attention to the Castro Theatre. Inside he greeted fans, took pictures with them and rambled through the lobby, mezzanine and theater. Up on the mezzanine, Ben and Julie sold Creature photos, lobby cards and more. The CREATURE FEATURES table provided everyone with all the Bob Wilkins and John Stanley merchandise they could want and the BAFE table sold the exclusive Creature poster painted by Hugo Award-winning artist Bob Eggleton. There are still a limited number of posters left, so keep an eye on the site for announcements on how you can get one for yourself! The theater was packed with people on Saturday night and the dual-projector system gave the audience a pristine 3D experience as fish, harpoons, Creature claws and more floated their way out of the screen and over the crowd. Bay Area Film Events would like to thank everyone who showed up and hopes to see everyone back for the next show….stay tuned to www.bayareafilmevents.com for upcoming announcements about what's coming next!! September 04 Beatles Wrap-Up!It was a crazy weekend, but The Beatles show was a lot of fun for everyone in attendance!
It all started on Friday August 25, as we held the proclamation ceremony in front of the Hard Rock Cafe in Pier 39! Martin Lewis read the proclamation and pronounced it as the official opening of Beatles Week in San Francisco (August 25-31) to commemorate the 40th anniversary of The Beatles' final concert at Candlestick Park. The Sun Kings followed with a short, but rocking set of Beatles hits, having the crowd there singing, dancing and ready for the weekend to come!
The next day, we moved to the Castro Theatre for the start of the Beatles film fest.
The Saturday matinee featured the Robert Zemekis film I WANNA HOLD YOUR HAND and The Beatles' psychodelic classic MAGICAL MYSTERY TOUR, a private print courtesy of Paul Mular. Cammy Blackstone from KFRC opened the show and introduced Martin Lewis, who dispensed Beatles knowledge to the crowd and The Sun Kings did an amazing, live recreation of The Beatles' Candlestick set. With no film or video in existance of the concert, the audience could sit back, close their eyes and feel as if they were there, courtesy of The Sun Kings.
Saturday night was more live music, but first, Martin Lewis interviewed Ben Fong Torres about his attendance at the Candlestick concert and his career working for Rolling Stone Magazine. Ben also introduced a rare 1976 interview he did with Paul McCartney, discussing Candlestick, The Beatles and other topics. Then the audience sat back and enjoyed A HARD DAY'S NIGHT, before rocking into the night with The Sun Kings as they played a full 90-minute+ set of Beatles classics, hits and rarities.
Sunday opened with a raucus crowd of crooners who showed up for SING-ALONG YELLOW SUBMARINE. Sing-Along hosts Laurie and Leigh warmed up the crowd along with the Castro's Mighty Whurlitzer and got everyone in the mood for a Yellow Submarine experience like none they have ever had! This was followed by THE BEATLES LIVE IN WASHINGTON DC, a private print courtesy of Bob Ekman.
Sunday night closed the show with a tribute to Beatle John Lennon. The evening began with a solo, accoustic set of John Lennon solo and Beatles songs by The Sun Kings' Drew Harrison. The performance brought down the house and left everyone with memories that will stay with them for a life-time. Drew remenised about Lennon and his influences between a string of Lennon's greatest songs.
The Audience was then treated to the trailer for the new Lionsgate film THE U.S. VS. JOHN LENNON and filled out forms for a chance to win free tickets to the San Francisco premier of the movie later this month. Everyone got John Lennon glasses for showing up and finished the evening with a rare big-screen showing of Richard Lester's HOW I WON THE WAR.
A big thanks to everyone who came to the show and all the people who worked extremely hard to put it all together!
And now, on to the Black Lagoon as we bring fans a 3D treat with a Creature From the Black Lagoon triple-feature, with special guests "Creature" Ben Chapman, actress Julie Adams and Creature Features' John Stanley.
Keep an eye on this space and www.bayareafilmevents.com for more information and don't forget to sign up for the RSS feed!
June 10 Welcome to Bay Area Film EventsBay Area Film Events is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to preserving the movie-going experience. Welcome to the Bay Area Film Events news page. As things develop, you will be able to check out news and announcements for our upcoming shows and even view some articles and reviews of past BAFE events. Bay Area Film Events was started in 2004 and began with the Dynamation Celebration, a show honoring Ray Harryhausen, hosted by Creature Features' John Stanley and featuring some of the biggest names in the local effects industry. That same year, we had our largest film festival to date, Godzillafest! 20 movies over 7 days! Guests from Japan! Dealers and more! Since then we premiered both the new Ultraman film, ULTRAMAN THE NEXT at our Ultramania show and WILLIAM WINCKLER'S FRANKENSTEIN VS. THE CREATURE FROM BLOOD COVE at our Halloween Terrorama! Both shows featured horror movie hosts, both classic and new as The Ghoul came out from Cleveland to host the Halloween Terrorama and Cinema Insomnia's Mr. Lobo took on giant monsters and superheroes at Ultramania! In 2006 we have two big shows planned. The first being The Beatles: 40 Years Ago Today, honoring their final concert which took place in 1966 at Candlestick Park in San Francisco. Our Beatles Weekend will take place at the Castro Theatre on August 26-27 and will feature Beatles films, merchandise and vendors, displays, special guests and performances by Beatles tribute band, The Sun Kings! The second show for this year is a BIG surprise and will be announced soon! Watch this space or go to our official home page at www.bayareafilmevents.com to sign up for our mailing list! Going to the movies used to be an event, an experience never to be forgotten. This is the movie-going adventure BAFE brings to a whole new generation of moviegoers and brings back for the generations that grew up with that experience.Bay Area Film Events screens the classic and cult films from yesterday and the limited release, independent and hard to see films of today. Anyone can screen a film, but BAFE makes it an event! Through the use of guests, displays, on-stage talent and multi-media support, BAFE presents movies as a complete show and not just a movie screening. BAFE provides the live support, promotions and extra, added showmanship that will excite audiences and get them out of their living rooms and back in the theaters where movies were meant to be seen! Through repeat business and new audiences from throughout the Bay Area, we hope to keep the cinematic dreams alive for generations to come! |
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