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

Opening Weekend USA:

$8,335, 27 August 1995

Gross USA:

$253,311

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$253,311

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 1991, director Steven M. Martin traveled to Moscow, found Léon Theremin, and bought him back to the United States for the first time since 1938.

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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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Alternate Versions

The uncut version of the film contains a segment from The Mickey Mouse Club that is not available in any of the home-video releases because of rights issues.

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Connections

Features It Came from Outer Space (1953)

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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 film

I own one of Bob Moog's theremins, and it's the most difficult instrument that I've ever tried to learn to play. This film is a great overview of the instrument, the man that invented it, and the artists who have mastered it. I, too, was glad that the film downplayed the sci-fi gimmicky aspect of the instrument, but that is also an important part of its history. The best use in a film is probably The Day The Earth Stood Still.

Many of the people in the film have since become deceased, so this is a great historical record of Mr. Theremin and Ms. Rockmore. I only wish that I could come close to her artistry with the instrument.

Various companies build and sell theremins, the most popular among them being the late Bob Moog's Big Briar.