Strange Brew

press release:

THURS., 11/17, 7 p.m. STRANGE BREW: USA | 1983 | 35mm | 90 min.

Director: Dave Thomas, Rick Moranis; Cast: Dave Thomas, Rick Moranis, Max von Sydow

“Take off, you hoser!” In a spoof Shakespeare’s Hamlet, Bob and Doug Mackenzie (Thomas and Moranis) play key roles in the power struggle over Elsinore Brewery following the mysterious death of its founder. First appearing on SCTV as the ultimate Canadian emblems, the Mackenzie’s make their big screen debuts here as hosehead versions of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. Outfitted with ridiculous protruding teeth, international movie icon von Sydow is a scream as an evil brewmaster.

Hamlet x2: In conjunction with the Chazen Museum of Art’s exhibition of the Shakespeare First Folio from November 3 to December 11, the Cinematheque will co-present two decidedly different adaptations of the Bard’s Hamlet in the Chazen’s auditorium. Laurence Olivier won two Oscars for his largely faithful 1948 version of the tragedy, screening in a 35mm print on November 10. 35 years later, Canadian comics Dave Thomas and Rick Moranis brought their SCTV alter-egos Bob and Doug Mackenzie to the big screen for a “take off” on Hamlet entitled Strange Brew, screening on November 17. Also in November, other Shakespeare-on-film presentations include the Othello variation Catch My Soul, our Marquee Monday selection for November 7, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream, part of our Olivia de Havilland centennial salute, at the Chazen on November 13.