Truth matters. Community matters. Your support makes both possible. LAist is one of the few places where news remains independent and free from political and corporate influence. Stand up for truth and for LAist. Make your year-end tax-deductible gift now.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Cinefamily Pays Tribute To Outsider Filmmaker Robert Downey Sr. At Their Annual Fundraiser
An eclectic outsider, Robert Downey, Sr. has always remained on the sidelines in the canon of American cinema history. It's especially telling when such an influential filmmaker is nowhere nearly as famous as his movie star son, one of the biggest in the world. And while his best work certainly deserves to stand alongside the usual heavyweights on every "Best of..." list, Downey is at least aware of and readily accepts his obscurity. "Oh I'm way out on the fringes," he admits to LAist, but adds, "I don't even know what a maverick is in today's world."
So when Cinefamily, an outsider repertory theater in an Industry Town, decided to hold their first annual Friends of Cinefamily fundraiser, it was fitting that the event would be a tribute to Downey. "It's embarassing. But... I like it," Downey says of the tribute. Truth And Soul, Inc.: The Films of Robert Downey Sr. (a prince) provides audiences a chance to not only get an overview of his eclectic body of work, but also to hear thoughts from the man himself. Truth And Soul starts tonight, with a Downey family affair. Downey will be in conversation with his son, and screening will be his films Chafed Elbows (1966) and Two Tons Of Turquoise To Taos Tonight (1975), both of which star Downey's first wife Elsie in every female role in both films. Elsie, Robert Downey Jr.'s mother, died earlier this year.
On Saturday night, Downey sits down and talks with director Paul Thomas Anderson, an admirer and also friend. "I've made it no secret I just... idolize him," Anderson told the LA Times. Screening will be a new print of Downey's "acid western" Greaser's Palace (1972) and the extremely rare Pound (1970).
Sunday afternoon the tribute moves to a much larger venue, where Louis C.K. hosts a chat with Downey along with Alan Arkin at the downtown Ace Hotel, and screening will be Putney Swope (1969), universally regarded as Downey's greatest achievement. Putney Swope, hailed by C.K. as "the first film that inspired" him, is a hilarious satire of race and media, depicting the hijinx that ensue when a black radical takes over a Madison Avenue ad agency. Downey has never met C.K. before, but looks forwards to the event. "I love his show [Louie], so that's fine by me."
The final day of the event moves back to the Silent Movie Theatre on Monday for a free event, in conversation with Alan Arkin and screening rare works and random odds and ends from his career, including possible works he has in the pipeline. "I’ve made some films, and I wanna make some more. I’ve been very lucky to get a lot of them done," Downey says. "It's not easy to get anything out that's not... the obvious."
Further screenings are scheduled in the coming weeks, including a Chafed Elbows and No More Excuses (1968) double-feature on the 13th, an extremely rare screening of his made-for-television Sticks And Bones (1973) for Cinefamily members only, and a week-long run of Greaser's Palace at the end of the month.
Sponsored message
Truth And Soul, Inc.: The Films of Robert Downey Sr. (a prince) starts tonight at Cinefamily at the Silent Movie Theatre, and runs all the way through to the end of the month. See the Cinefamily website for ticket information.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
