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Captain Milkshake Returns
I'm deeply appreciative regarding the return of my motion picture Captain Milkshake to the big screen in San Diego this month September 16.
 I created and produced the full-length war protest feature film in 1969, and premiered it in 1971 at a time when we were deeply entrenched the Vietnam War. Profoundly felt, Captain Milkshake was the first dramatic full length feature film to deal with the controversial political and cultural issues surrounding the Vietnam War era. I co-wrote the script, produced, and directed the film in San Diego and Berkeley even though I was advised that nobody makes a movie about a war while it is still raging! As an artist I had to say something on film about the division growing in the people's attitude regarding the rightness of the war. Thousands of fans came to see "Captain" because of its content of sex, drugs, rock 'n roll and Vietnam. It had an immediate appeal and it played in 150 cities in 1971, primarily in the South and became an extremely popular breakthrough movie hit. Then the primary investor decided that he wanted a bigger cut of the pie and used "contrived" litigation to gain a larger share of the motion picture proceeds for himself. Greed, fraud and malfeasance brought him down. He lost everything and Captain was lost in a convoluted web..a legal nightmare not to be untangled... I lost control of my film. It was unavailable for nearly three decades and only recently I regained all of my rights and now I have full control. Captain has become known as a lost treasure returned to the screen...an underground counter-culture classic. Now the world is experiencing the film through the Internet and film festivals and it can be found on Amazon, at Captain Milkshake.com and soon streaming on You Tube. Recently, international audiences eagerly received Captain Milkshake when screened as a special guest presentation at the Viennale, Rotterdam, and Leeds International Film Festivals. To celebrate "Captain's" return to San Diego and the film's 40th anniversary of its release, supporters, fans and first timers will be attending a special celebration screening on Friday September 16th at the Carlsbad Village Theater located at 2822 State Street Carlsbad, CA 92008.
Part of the admission price will go to benefitting returning Iraq/Afghanistan war Veterans through the Troops in Transition organization's "Reboot" program that provides "re-entry' consulting and training so Vets can reintegrate and join the work force again. The celebration will begin at 6:00 PM with live music from members of the psychedelic rock band Strawberry Alarm Clock, best known for their 1967 hit "Incense and Peppermint." The band will premier their new album at this event as well. I am thrilled to be bringing the film back to the San Diego area where it all began for me as a director and to have the fundraiser support returning Vets. David Stanley will also be attending to announce the release of his new book, "Conversations WithThe King." For info or tickets click: Captain Milkshake |