The World According to Whitehead: Part Two

TONITE LET'S ALL MAKE LOVE IN LONDON: A POP CONCERTO
(Peter Whitehead, United Kingdom, 1967, BetaSP, 70 mins)

Tonite lets all make love in London as if it were 2001 the years of thrilling god.--"Who Be Kind To" [sic] (1961-63)

The title of Peter Whitehead's "pop concerto" comes from a poem by Allen Ginsberg. It's the first clue that his best work wasn't just another self-congratulatory celebration of an overrated era (I prefer the 1970s).

Though less cynical than 1969's The Fall, which casts a jaundiced eye on New York City circa 1967-68, Tonite is more wide-ranging exploration than by-the-numbers documentary. In this case, the director swings his gaze to London. Sure, the obvious suspects are here: Michael Caine (charming as ever), Vanessa Redgrave (channeling Comrade Fidel), Pink Floyd (at the UFO Club), the Animals (in the studio), and the Rolling Stones (in glorious slow-motion as fans attack from all sides).

The less obvious suspects turn out to be just as interesting: Edna O'Brien (on modern morality), Vashti Bunyan (then a protegé of Rolling Stones manager Andrew Loog Oldham), Twice as Much (ditto), pop artist Alan Aldridge (an "obvious" choice at the time, but less so now), and all-American tough guy Lee Marvin. Wait, what's he doing here? See below...

Marvin happened to be in England at the time, filming Robert Aldrich's The Dirty Dozen, so Whitehead cornered the cat for some words on the miniskirt. 

Some of these famous and not-so-famous folks flit by like butterflies, others actually have things to say, notably a refreshingly humble Mick Jagger and amusingly candid David Hockney, who prefers New York's more egalitarian approach to class.

Click here for details about the groovy soundtrack.

Tonite plays the Northwest Film Forum 11/3-5, Fri-Sun, at 7, 8:30, and 10pm. Part of the series LET'S ALL MAKE LOVE IN LONDON: THE FILMS
OF PETER WHITEHEAD, which runs from Nov 3-12. Passes available. The NWFF is located at 1515 12th Ave on Capitol Hill. For more information, please click here. You can also call (206) 267-5380 for show times.