Alice’s Restaurant (film screening)
Presented by the Chan Centre in partnership with The Cinematheque
Intrigued by the counterculture tale told in Arlo Guthrie’s epic 1967 talking-blues record “Alice’s Restaurant Massacree,” director Arthur Penn, co-scripting with playwright Venable Herndon, adapted the song into this 1969 feature film.
Hippie outsider Arlo Guthrie (playing himself) encounters suspicion from the straight world; visits his dying father, legendary leftist activist and folk singer Woody Guthrie (played by actor Joseph Boley) with friend Pete Seeger (playing himself); and hangs out in the title converted church/commune created by his friends Alice and husband Ray. After Alice’s “Thanksgiving dinner that couldn’t be beat,” Arlo is arrested for littering by rule-following cop William Obanhein (playing himself).
