I finally caught the Hank Greenspun documentary Where I Stand on the big screen Wednesday afternoon at Brenden Theaters. The only time I’d seen the film previously was when I watched it on DVD, on my laptop, for the preview story I wrote for last week’s LV Weekly print edition. The film is far more effective on the big screen (as are most films, except for The Strangers, which is awful in any format), leading with three pounding keystrokes from an old Underwood typewriter that director Scott Goldstein says he bought for $35 on eBay.
“I wanted the audience to feel the power of those keystrokes,” he said during a post-screening Q&A with members of the packed theater. It is powerful. If that film is ever shown at the theaters at Neonopolis, the thumping sound of those keys slamming the paper might send some theatergoers scrambling under their seats, mistaking the booms for gunplay.
I happened to watch this film while sitting next to Dave Kirvin of KirvinDoak Communications, and old friend dating to the days before either of us were in Las Vegas. As the story unfolded with one remarkable Hank episode after another, Dave leaned over and said, “I have accomplished nothing.”
It was a joke, but watching that man’s life story assembled in documentary form does make one feel a little … small, I guess. I’ve worked for the Greenspuns for nearly 10 years now, and I wish I’d worked for Hank. I hear stories …
Upon the second viewing of Where I Stand, my favorite moment is Barbara Greenspun talking about her and her husband going dancing almost every night at the Desert Inn Sky Room. There is a great old photo of the two dancing, Hank grinning and holding hands with his wife. As Barbara, who Goldstein accurately described as “the star of the movie,” said, “My feet never touched the floor.”
Another note: One audience member asked about the famous audio clip of Hank shouting at Sen. Joe McCarthy during McCarthy’s obnoxious, Hank-baiting speech at the War Memorial in Las Vegas in 1952. Did McCarthy, who was leaving the hall as Hank took the stage, actually hear what the newspaper publisher had to say (or, shout, accusing McCarthy of being a liar and a coward)? Danny Greenspun said it was likely he did hear what Hank said, although as Hank went on for about 20 minutes, the wires to the speakers were yanked.
So many events:
I’ve been cobbling notes from the events this week. I can’t take ’em with me, so here are a few odds and ends from my travels at CineVegas:
-- The band at Revolution Lounge on Wednesday night was described as an “emerging” band from L.A., Low Vs. Diamond. They played for about 30 minutes, and while it’s great that Revolution has invited rising bands to perform at the club, it’s a real challenge to be appreciated. These guys might be great, but not in this venue, which is better equipped as a relatively intimate dance-and-schmooze club. Too many high-tech distractions. Oh, and if you want a Red Bull at Revolution, pack a credit card: they cost $8, which I’m told is about the running rate for eight ounces of energy drink at the top Vegas clubs. And that’s with no booze, just ice.
-- Carlos Ramirez, the twin brother of Efren Ramirez, who played Pedro in Napoleon Dynamite, has been attending films and events at the festival. Frequently he’s heard the familiar refrain, “Vote for Pedro!” He and his publicist, Becky Poliakoff, drove to Vegas from L.A. “We get that all the time. When we stop for gas. When we eat. Everywhere.” Ramirez looks like a guy you know from somewhere.
From the Concert for Giving party Saturday at the Palms Pool, Saturday:
-- The R&B artist Toledo plays a prominent, era-stretching role in the “musical noir” film Dark Streets, and at the Concert for Giving fronted by co-star Bijou Phillips, he did his best Sly Stone impression. Boasting a Mowhawk and a cherry-red jacket crafted by a onetime cow, he hustled off the stage and danced with a bunch of thrilled party-goers. He left them wanting more, despite shouts of “encore!” The guy is great.
--I bumped into Big Heart City star Shawn Andrews – who, like most stars of little-known films premiering at the festival, walks the parties fairly anonymously. He plays a horse-racing bettor, an addict, in the film. I asked him if he bets horses in real life. “No!” he said. Then he paused, adding, “Well, yes, for research.”
From the Evening at Blush, Monday:
-- One suggestion to the lanyard-bearing CineVegas attendees – the assembled media, filmmakers, staff and many of the fans – stay off the dance floor. It’s getting embarrassing. Also, keep in mind that the single door at the side of the club with the male/female insignias, does indeed lead to the restrooms. Don’t be shy. Head on in.
From the Party at Tao, Tuesday:
-- Where I Stand director Scott Goldstein was still buzzing about the film’s packed premiere on Monday night. “There must have been 100 people who stuck around afterward and talked about the old days in Vegas,” he said. “It was honestly one of the most moving moments of my life.”
-- The after-after party was to be held at Sapphire Gentlemen’s Club, and I asked Nevada Republican Party Executive Director Zac Moyle – boyfriend of CineVegas PR rep Kelly Frey – if he planned on hitting that particular event. He responded by waving his arms and ducking, saying, “I can just imagine the coverage of that!” His ill-conceived party affiliation aside, Moyle is actually quite a good guy.
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