Unfortunately I never had a chance to see the movie in theaters when it first came out. I saw it for the first time on video in 1990. Did it look wild seeing it on a huge screen like that? I can imagine the beans and chocolate scene taking on a different dimension like that.
shareHey there, i saw the film when it first came out on the big screen, i was only 5 or 6 at the time and i was mesmerised by it. My mum and dad made me wear earplugs though lol.. One thing i do remember is that the 'fiddle apart' segment turned completely black and i thought that was a part of the movie. I saw the movie when i was older and that part wasnt blacked out anymore. Was that the original cut of the movie?? Oh yeah i saw Tommy because mum and dad had the soundtrack and i would play it religously so i begged my parents to take me to see it. At the time i didnt understand alot of the themes ie the acid queen ect. However i was fascinated by the whole concept of tommy being deaf dumb and blind. Now as an adult i can appreciate this movie in a whole different light and i still love it to this day!
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I saw it on the big screen in '75 after anticipating it for months. It was pretty overwhelming for me, but I've since recovered from my adolescent shock and absolutely love this film, both for the music and the visuals.
shareSaw Tommy in the theater when it first came out. I was maybe 9 and CRIED my eyes out when Cousin Kevin was mean to Tommy! ;)
shareSaw Tommy in the theater when it first came out. I was maybe 9 and CRIED my eyes out when Cousin Kevin was mean to Tommy! ;)
shareYUP!!!! Saw it over 30 times when it came out!!!
Back then, it you had a school ID, you'd get in to the theater for $2, so I just about LIVED there when Tommy was up!!! Skipped a BUNCH of classes...LOL!!!
I was absolutely IN LOVE with Roger Daltrey...
The only movie I've seen at a theater MORE often is Rock Horror Picture Show, and I've seen that well over 100 times. Just lost count over the years.
I'd have seen Tommy more, but it never became the cult classic that RHPS did...
ii:iv
What was the reaction from the audience like to the scenes with Uncle Ernie and Cousin Kevin when you saw it for the first time in theatres ?.I bet people were shocked !.
shareI also anticipated this movie for months. I cut out the full-page ads in the New York Times announcing it and papered my closet door with them and articles about the making of the movie. I was 17 at the time and loved the album, which had been around for years by then.
Anyway, I went to see it at a drive-in movie theater in Portchester, NY which I'm sure is long gone. Trust me, a drive-in was NOT the way to see any movie where audio mattered. The sound was terrible, the picture far away and the boyfriend much more interested in getting into the back seat. I saw and heard very little of Tommy and was disappointed in what I did see - probably because of the dreadful quality and intense distractions. I have never seen it all the way through, but I did see the musical on Broadway years later and loved it.
Do you still have those articles?
shareI agree that the drive-in would be a bad place to see "Tommy," if only because of the sound quality of the speakers, but it didn't help that your boyfriend wasn't intent on seeing the movie. But I'd recommend you give it another chance because it's a fascinating film and holds up well. Just don't go to the drive-in (as if the few that are left would be playing it these days anyway).
I've seen the musical also, and it's quite good but not nearly as good as the film, in my book. They changed quite a bit to adapt it to the stage.
I guess I'm the lone naysayer:
I saw when I was 16, right when it opened, with some friends who were also Who fans. We were all pretty excited going in. Coming out, we were kind of like, "What the heck was that?"
I saw this in the theatre when I was 10. I had no idea what it was. My friend said it was about "some blind boy". As you can imagine, I was blown away. I loved it, it was like nothing I had ever seen. And then, there was a big TV event for the premiere. I remember watching it, and they asked Ann-Margaret what her favorite scene was to shoot - and she said "Bubbles and beans"... It was cool to watch that premier special with all the stars....... :-)
shareI've seen the TV premiere special but I don't remember Ann Margret ever saying that was her favorite scene to shoot. Are we talking about the special hosted by David Frost?
shareHey... I don't really know.... I remember a big premiere, like a lot of celebs getting out of cars and walking in. I remember Elton John walking in pushing a child in a wheel chair... Lot's of camera flashes and glamour, like the beginning of the oscars... :-)
shareThat's different from what I saw. Elton John was by himself when he entered in the one I saw.
shareThe only time in my life I saw it was back in the 80s (around 1985, or so), in the Dominican Republic; I went to see it at the movies with my parents, at this cinema which showcased mostly old movies -the film itself must had been some good 10 years old by that moment-; I was about 7 years old, and so far had very vague memories of the film.
I do remember it was wacky, surrealistic, luscious and had some very good music. Very different for a kid my age (and not used to this material) back then. And yes, lenono68, as you were asking, it was quite an experience to see it like that on the big screen; imagine it with today's technology (IMAX and stuff). Specially the sequence involving the detergent, beans and chocolate. I remember it had me glued to the screen, and even asking: "Wow, is that possible??!!".
Now, here goes a question, if you get to see my posting: Can you somehow help me interpretate that sequence? The one involving Ann-Margret and the smashed TV? I now believe it had something to do with her hallucinating on Tommy's condition, but that's about it. Can you (or anyone else) share your opinion? Thanks.
It's is her hallucination. She is supposed to be really drunk and it's a nervous breakdown. It starts when she throws the bottle at the tv and the rest is all in her mind until we see Oliver Reed walk in and she's writhing on the floor in the clean room
shareI'm really surprised how many parents took their kids to see it.
My mother took me to see it on my 12th birthday.
I think she was going through a phase, she also wanted me to read Jonathin Livingston Seagull.
~Waving Hands~ I did! I did!
It was showing at the CineramaDome in Orange County, California. Back then, there were no multi-plexes and these were just two theaters. I was just ten years old and my parents took me to see 'Murder By Death' in the other theater and I snuck out to "buy popcorn" and sneak in to see Tommy. A week later, I got my older sister to bring me back and see it from start to finish.
I really blew me away and started shaping my love of Rock Operas at a very early age.
I saw it when it was first released. Only problem is I was so " toasted " I don't really remember too much. Oh well. I'm sure it was fun.
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