Complete credited cast: | |||
Leon Theremin | ... | Self - Inventor of the Theremin | |
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Clara Rockmore | ... | Self - Theremin Virtuoso |
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Robert Moog | ... | Self - Inventor of the Moog Synthesizer |
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Nicolas Slonimsky | ... | Self - Composer and Historian |
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Paul Shure | ... | Self - Musician |
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Henry Solomonoff | ... | Self - Theremin Studio Member |
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Suki Bader | ... | Self - Theremin Dancer |
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Beryl Campbell | ... | Self - Theremin Dancer |
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Lydia Kavina | ... | Self - Theremin's Great Niece |
Brian Wilson | ... | Self - Founder of The Beach Boys | |
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Todd Rundgren | ... | Self - Musician and Producer |
Rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
V.I. Lenin | ... | Self (archive footage) (as Lenin) |
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. Written by Erik Gregersen <erik@astro.as.utexas.edu>
"The Theremin" (which was appropriately named after its inventor, Leon Theremin) is, in fact, the only non-contact musical instrument in existence.
(That's right! It's actually played without being touched)
If you have ever seen such Hollywood movies as 1945's "Spellbound" and 1950's "The Day the Earth Stood Still" - Then - You would have definitely heard the eerie, electronic sounds of the Theremin which had been carefully weaved in throughout these film's soundtracks.
Through stills, archival footage, and interviews - This often-intriguing bio-documentary (from 1993) takes a close-up look (thanks to Leon Theremin's unique instrument) at the very roots of electronic music, long before the invention of the synthesizer.
*Note* - In 1993 - Leon Theremin (97 at the time) died of natural causes.