The Deadcast parks at the Fillmore East for even more stories with stage crew member & band buddy Allan Arkush, including movie nights with Jerry Garcia and the guitarist’s brief stint doing Hollywood sound effects.
Fillmore East Late Show supplementary notes
by Jesse Jarnow
The Fillmore East was only open for a bit longer than three years, but earned its legendary status as a music venue. Before then, the venue was known as the Village Theater, and--after Bill Graham left in 1971--a variety of promoters put on shows there, billing the space alternately as the New Fillmore East, the N.F.E. Theatre, the Village East, and the Villageast.
Allan Arkush was a Fillmore East usher stage crew member from just after the venue’s opening in 1968 through the venue’s closing in 1971. Allan would go on to an illustrious career in film and television, including the stone classic Rock ‘n’ Roll High School. As an NYU film student, he bonded with Jerry Garcia over their love of classic films, monster movies, and sci-fi. When Allan moved to Los Angeles and began his film career, the two convened at Allan’s place for movie nights. For viewing, consult YouTube or your local listings.
Movie night with Allan Arkush and Jerry Garcia:
The Old Dark House (dir. James Whale, 1932)
I introduced [Jerry] to this really strange but classic Universal monster movie.
Only Angels Have Wings (dir. Howard Hawks, 1939)
Hellzapoppin’ (dir. H.C. Potter, 1941)
The movie equivalent of the Kool-Aid Acid Test but like a Marx Brothers comedy. You must see what made Jerry and Steve roar. The greatest Lindy Hop dance number ever. Incomparable
Them! (dir. Gordon Douglas, 1954)
Seven Samurai (dir. Akira Kurosawa, 1954)
The Hidden Fortress (dir. Akira Kurosawa, 1958)
Kurosawa’s The Seven Samurai was one of Jerry’s favorites and when he got a Laser Disc player I gave him a gift of Kurosawa’s The Hidden Fortress because George Lucas got the idea for the characters of C3PO and R2D2 from two servants on a mission in this movie.
8 1/2 (dir. Federico Fellini, 1963)
Shogun (TV mini series, 1980)
Once when Jerry was in town he was completely addicted to the mini series Shogun. Without the VCR we all had to run back to his hotel to watch it in real time. He loved his Japanese Samurai action.
For more of Allan’s Picks, check out his Criterion Top 10.
Comment
The Fillmore East, The Dead and Allan Arkush
Jesse Jarnow, thanks for doing such a super job editing my rambling. As a bit of a bonus to the fans of the podcast here's a couple Filmclips that are Deadcentric and related to my time at the Fillmore East
A Long Strange Trip- https://trailersfromhell.com/long-strange-trip/
This is a summary of all the bands that I saw at the Fillmore East- https://trailersfromhell.com/fillmore-east/
Sunshine Daydream & Festival Express- https://trailersfromhell.com/festival-express/
Films
Another great episode!
Really wonderful hearing more from Allan Arkush…incredibly unique perspectives and experiences…oh, to have been to the Fillmore Auditorium…
I was reminded about the film The Saragossa Manuscript that has a great history of being a favorite of Jerry’s and that leading to Scorsese restoring the film…The films availability is what led me to sign up for Netflix many moons ago and then I was gifted a DVD copy by my son…
Really fun viewing…
Another great episode!
Really wonderful hearing more from Allan Arkush…incredibly unique perspectives and experiences…oh, to have been to the Fillmore Auditorium…
I was reminded about the film The Saragossa Manuscript that has a great history of being a favorite of Jerry’s and that leading to Scorsese restoring the film…The films availability is what led me to sign up for Netflix many moons ago and then I was gifted a DVD copy by my son…
Really fun viewing…
Love these podcasts so much.
Chills twice in this one: when Jerry plays Allan Mountains of the Moon in the dressing room, and the very last bit when Allan’s describing Jerry’s character.
Hope you keep on doin’ em til the wheels fall of the internet.
Jesse Jarnow, thanks for doing such a super job editing my rambling. As a bit of a bonus to the fans of the podcast here's a couple Filmclips that are Deadcentric and related to my time at the Fillmore East
A Long Strange Trip- https://trailersfromhell.com/long-strange-trip/
This is a summary of all the bands that I saw at the Fillmore East- https://trailersfromhell.com/fillmore-east/
Sunshine Daydream & Festival Express- https://trailersfromhell.com/festival-express/