Monday, January 11, 2010

IT HAPPENED IN HOLLYWOOD LAST NIGHT: Ed Harris remembers KNIGHTRIDERS at the Egyptian Theatre

(Ed Harris, above.)

Text and Photos by Terry Keefe

On Saturday evening, the American Cinematheque at the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood continued its tradition, (along with its sister theatre, the Aero in Santa Monica), of the best year-round film programming on this coast or any other, as actor-filmmaker Ed Harris appeared live for a Q&A session after a screening of Knightriders, the 1981 film directed by George A. Romero. The film is a true original, a (sort of) retelling of the legend of Camelot through the members of a traveling road show who dress up as medieval knights and have jousting tournaments while riding motorcycles. Harris, in one of his first lead film roles (perhaps the first?), plays a character named Chris, who is the titular king of the group of Knightriders, and takes this position very, very seriously. Too seriously for an off-shoot of the troupe who just want to sell out to Hollywood as fast as possible.



(Ed Harris and Tom Savini, in Knightriders, above.)

FX legend Tom Savini shines as the prime competitor to Chris' crown. An actor named Brother Blue, who I've never seen before, and unfortunately recently passed away, also does some nice work as Merlin.


As someone who has interviewed a lot of actors, I can tell you that Harris' graciousness in attending a screening, not to mention doing a Q&A, of one of his earliest works is a rarity. Often, famous actors will appear insulted, or stare off into space, if you even mention some of their first films in an interview. Harris happily answered questions from the audience about Knightriders, as well as the rest of his career, and won a new appreciation from this writer.

(Harris talks with fans after the screening, above.)

Knightriders appeared as part of a larger screening series at the Egyptian entitled "Kings and Queens, Knights and Jesters." Other films that screened included Excalibur, The Adventures of Robin Hood, and The Lion in Winter, amongst others.


(Ed Harris speaking with Grant Moninger of the American Cinematheque, above.)
For those of you in the L.A. area, check out what's coming up at the American Cinematheque here.
































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