Headin’ Out to the Highway

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More About

• James Taylor
• Warren Oates
• Laurie Bird
• Dennis Wilson
• Arts, Entertainment, and Media

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It may be impossible to think of James Taylor as anything other than an aging, mild-mannered songwriter. Once upon a time, however, he and Beach Boys' drummer Dennis Wilson were the very image of aimless rebellion in the 1971 cult film, Two-Lane Blacktop. Departing California in a 1955 Chevy 150, they encounter young hitchhiker Laurie Bird in Flagstaff, Arizona. Shortly thereafter, they find trouble in the form of a 1970 Pontiac GTO, helmed by none other than Warren Oates. The sweet brilliance of Two-Lane Blacktop is its simplicity. The Driver and the Mechanic, played by Taylor and Wilson, respectively, set out with the Girl (Bird) for a summer adventure and find it with the GTO (Oates). A challenge ensues as the competing drivers dare each other to race "for pinks," or the ownership of the cars, while the Girl plays with everyone's heart. A perfect antidote for the usual summer blockbusters, Two-Lane Blacktop gets another run-out at 7:30 p.m. Friday through Sunday at Moore Auditorium (470 East Lockwood Avenue, Webster Groves) thanks to the good people of the Webster University Film Series. Admission is $5 to $6. For more information, call 314-968-7487 or visit www.webster.edu/filmseries.
July 1-3, 2011