The opening six minutes of “The Grateful Dead Movie” has one of the most psychedelic animation sequences ever.
An Uncle Sam skeleton drives a motorcycle, dances a jig and relaxes in a swimming pool.
A montage of Dead songs plays in the background befo
re the animation fades and viewers are dropped into a live concert film.
It’s a time warp to an era nearly four decades old.
“The Grateful Dead Movie” was filmed in 1974 and released in 1977.
On Wednesday, the movie — spiffed up and enhanced with never-before-seen interviews — comes back to life in a one-time-only showing at 7:30 p.m. in 540 theaters across the United States. It’s showing at the Alderwood 7 in Lynnwood, the Anacortes Cinemas and on several screens in Seattle.
The movie is classic Grateful Dead. Directed by Jerry Garcia, the late, legendary guitarist, the movie does a good job recreating what a Dead show was like in the mid-’70s. Much of the film is classic concert footage and a great set list. Songs include “U.S. Blues,” “Truckin’,” “Sugar Magnolia” and “Eyes of the World.”
Other shots feature scenes of far-out hippies dancing and partying.
Before Garcia’s death in 1995, legions of fans used to follow the Grateful Dead around the country. At each stop, they’d create self-sustaining villages.
“They’ve always had an extremely strong fan following,” said Dan Diamond, a spokesman for Fathom Events, the company that’s hosting the event. “It’s an opportunity to bring (them) content that’s always been popular and also unseen content.”
The new footage features interviews from ’74 with Garcia and rhythm guitarist Bob Weir. People will have to see for themselves just how “far out” the two musicians were that night.
Deadheads, as the fans are called, have a notorious reputation for bad behavior, drug use and general pranksterism.
Diamond said he doesn’t expect any problems.
“People sing along, people dance,” Diamond said. “We’re not concerned about the Grateful Dead audience.”
It’s just a coincidence that the movie was scheduled for April 20, or 4/20, a number that’s often associated with marijuana.
“It wasn’t a strategic plan,” Diamond said.
Jackson Holtz: 425-339-3447; jholtz@heraldnet.com.
“The Grateful Dead Movie”
When: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday.
Tickets: $12.50. For advance tickets, go to www.fathomevents.com.
Showing: Alderwood 7
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