Hot Wheels! at Oddball Films February 27, 2009

Event: “Hot Wheels!” Guest curator Pete Gowdy and Oddball Films present an evening of rare 16mm films about things that go- cars, bikes, skateboards, motorcycles, roller skates, go-karts and more. Featured films include Skater Dater (1965), Rendezvous (1976), Tough on Two Wheels (1955), Alco Beat (1965), Roller Skate Safely (1981), The Car of Your Dreams (1984) and much, much more!
Date: Friday, February 27, 2009 at 8:30PM
Venue: Oddball Films, 275 Capp Street, San Francisco 94110
Admission: $10.00 RSVP Only to: 415-558-8117 or [email protected]
Web: http://oddballfilm.com/resources/events_parent.html

"Hot Wheels!”
The Obsession With Things That Go

On Friday, February 27, Guest Curator Pete Gowdy and Oddball Films present an evening of rare 16mm short films illustrating our obsession with things that go, especially if it goes very fast. Cars, of course, but also bicycles and motorbikes of all shapes and types, go-karts and midget cars, roller skates and skateboards will be featured. From short subject, educational and promotional, to trailers and commercials, this wide variety of film from the 1940s through the 1980s will tickle your fancy, tap your adrenaline and leave you in awe… of things that go… GO… GO!!! Showtime is 8:30PM and admission is $10.00. Seating is limited so RSVP is preferred to: [email protected] or 415-558-8117.

Films Include:

“Skater Dater” (Color, 1965)
Directed by Noel Black (who went on to direct the cult feature “Pretty Poison”), Skater Dater has developed a strong following both for it’s amazing skateboarding and it’s surf-inspired Davie Allen and the Arrows soundtrack. Winner of the Palme d’Or at Cannes in 1966 and nominated for an Academy Award, this no-dialogue short comes off like a SoCal Quadrophenia, as the young protagonist struggles to break away from the crowd. Features riders from the Imperial Skateboarding Club out of Torrance, CA.

“Rendezvous” (Color, 1976)
Brilliant, high-speed drive across Paris via sports car. Director Claude Lelouch (A Man and a Woman) mounted a camera to the bumper of his Mercedes 450SEL and zooms through the early morning streets of Paris at speeds up to 140mph, narrowly missing several stunned pedestrians. One take, no film tricks- you won’t believe your eyes.

“The Car of Your Dreams” (Color and B&W, 1984)
Genius educational film about the car industry and their sales techniques utilizing solely mind-blowing historical footage that borders on the surreal. It’s no wonder Americans bought into the car mythology lock, stock and barrel.

“Roller Skate Safely” (Color, 1981)
All you need to know about the old 4-wheel roller skates, with lots of great footage from the Venice Beach boardwalk and trick sites. Don’t miss the skate team in their early 80s matching outfits!

“Tough on Two Wheels” (B+W, 1955)
Gorgeous print produced in Britain for the US Market- attempts to soften the Brit biker “hoodlum” image, with shots of very proper gents taking their bikes to the office. 95%, however, showcases amazing vintage British bikes and their riders. Super cool!

“Alco Beat” (Color, 1965)
See what happens when test subjects are loaded up on booze and let loose behind the wheel on a test course!
PLUS: Mr. Rossi Buys a Car (animated Italian short, Just Like a Car (bike safety), Thrills on Wheels (wacky and wild 1940s era), trailers and commercials and, as always- more!

Curator Biography:
Pete Gowdy (aka DJ Chas Gaudi) is host of San Francisco’s Shellac Shack, a weekly 78 rpm listening party and a DJ specializing in vintage sounds: soul, jazz, country, punk and new wave. A graduate of the Vassar College Film Program, he is an associate producer of Marc Huestis Presents, the long-running movie legend tributes at the Castro and Victoria Theatre. His first motorcycle was a 1976 Honda TL250 (trials bike), favorite car a 1965 Ford Fairlane two-door hardtop, and has owned seven vintage Vespa and Lambretta scooters.

Official Website: http://oddballfilm.com/resources/events_parent.html