Wednesdays get weird when Late Shift at the Grindhouse hosts Ross Meyer, Joe Derderian, and Aaron Holmgren are joined by Avery Jones from Arcane Arcade Aid to dig up low-budget b-movies, horror and gore-fests, and camp classics for your viewing pleasure. Buy your ticket and take a ride in our Time Machine! Punch in and earn a bonus! $3 Pabst Blue Ribbon tallboys and $3 small popcorn! PLUS -- special custom trash trailer reel curated by Ross with cheap swag and prize giveaways!

Tommy (1975)

Directed by Ken Russell (The Lair of the White Worm)

Featuring: The Who, Ann-Margret, Oliver Reed

Challenge local pinball wizards at SpareMe Bowl beginning at 6:00 p.m. and then see the Pinball Wizard on the big screen at 10:00 p.m.  

"There has never been a movie musical quite like Tommy, a weird, crazy, wonderfully excessive version of The Who's rock opera." - Time

"Here it is in all its psychedelic glory." - The Phantom of the Movies

"Ann-Margret, who is simply great as Tommy's mother. She has one number that begins in an all-white bedroom with her sexy red dress slit up the side to about the collarbone, and ends with her slithering through several hundred pounds of baked beans. It's that kind of movie." - Roger Ebert

This classic rock opera is brought energetically to life by an outstanding cast including many stars of rock n roll.  Told through the remarkable music of The Who, this is the story of Tommy, who, when just a boy of six, witnessed the murder of his father by his mother (Ann-Margret) and her lover (Oliver Reed).  They command him, "You didn't hear it, you didn't see it. and you won't say anything to anyone..."  As a result, the traumatized boy retreats into the shadows of his mind and becomes deaf, dumb and blind.  Growing into manhood, Tommy (Roger Daltrey) is subjected to several bizarre cure attempts by The Acid Queen (Tina Turner), the Preacher (Eric Clapton), and the Specialist (Jack Nicholson).  In spite of his handicap, Tommy defeats the Pinball Wizard (Elton John) and becomes the champ, attaining a devoted following.  When he is finally cured, he is hailed by his fans as a Messiah.  

Winner: Ann-Margret, Best Actress in a Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical - Golden Globe 1976