Theremin: An Electronic Odyssey (1993)

A documentary about the inventor of the first electronic synthesiser instrument and his subsequent life after he was abducted by the KGB as well as a history of his instrument.

Director:

Steven M. Martin

Writer:

Steven M. Martin

Stars:

Leon Theremin, Robert Moog, Clara Rockmore

1 win & 3 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Leon Theremin	...	Himself - Inventor of the Theremin
Clara Rockmore	...	Herself - Theremin Virtuoso
Robert Moog	...	Himself - Inventor of the Moog Synthesizer
Nicolas Slonimsky	...	Himself - Composer and Historian
Paul Shure	...	Himself - Musician
Henry Solomonoff	...	Himself - Theremin Studio Member
Suki Bader	...	Herself - Theremin Dancer
Beryl Campbell	...	Herself - Theremin Dancer
Lydia Kavina	...	Herself - Theremin's Great Niece
Brian Wilson	...	Himself - Founder of The Beach Boys
Todd Rundgren	...	Himself - Musician and Producer
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
V.I. Lenin	...	Himself (archive footage) (as Lenin)

Storyline

A documentary about the amazing life of Leon Theremin, inventor of the theremin, the electronic musical instrument so beloved of 50s sci-fi movie music. Theremin amazed America with his instrument until his kidnapping by Soviet agents in the mid-30s. Upon his release from a labor camp, he worked on surveillance devices for the KGB. Almost 60 years later , he is brought back to America for a touching reunion with his friends and colleagues.

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Plot Keywords:

theremin | kgb | inventor | soviet | leon theremin | 

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Taglines:

The Music He Created Was Strange. His Life Was Even Stranger.

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Genres:

Documentary | Biography | History | Music

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for brief strong language

Details

Official Sites:

MGM

Country:

USA UK

Language:

English Russian

Release Date:

24 August 1995 (USA)

Also Known As:

Лев Термен: Электронная одиссея

Filming Locations:

Moscow, Russia

Box Office

Gross USA:

$187,923

Company Credits

Production Co:

Kaga Bay,Channel Four Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

83 min 81 min (cut)

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Color:

Black and White Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

In addition to being the inventor of the musical instrument that bears his name, Léon Theremin was also the inventor of the eavesdropping electronic-bugging device.

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Goofs

In the credits, the song "Someday My Prince Will Come", by Larry Morey and Frank Churchill, is listed as "Someday My Price Will Come".

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Quotes

Brian Wilson - Founder of The Beach Boys: It sounded like one of those scary movies where - OOOH - a weird trip, you know. Weird facial expressions. Weird, you know. It's almost sexual.

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Connections

Featured in Siskel & Ebert: GoldenEye/It Takes Two/Toy Story/The Crossing Guard/Theremin: An Electronic Odyssey (1995)

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Soundtracks

My Troubles Fall Away Like Fallen Leaves
Written by Harry Revel (uncredited)
Arranged and Conducted by Billy May (uncredited)
[Wrongly attributed to The Great Les Baxter as performer]
from the Capitol album "Music for Peace of Mind" (uncredited)
Courtesy Capitol Records
Bax Music

User Reviews

Interesting and unique story

Fascinating story. Well-done film. I had never heard of Theremin, although of course I had heard the sound of the instrument in movies and in Good Vibrations. The film documented a piece of musical history and an unusual life story while many of the principle players were still alive to participate.

It is not only a story about music, but also about the reach of the Soviet Union into the U.S. It is amazing that this story has not received more attention in the past. In the process of telling about Theremin's life, the film gives a glimpse into the lives of other artists who were associated with him in New York and of his influence on contemporary music.