TOMMY 1975

Tommy
Columbia, 1975, Color, 119 minutes, ***½
Released March, 1975


The Who's innovative rock opera gets an electrifying, eye-popping film treatment from director Ken Russell. Roger Daltrey plays the "deaf, dumb and blind kid" whose pinball prowess makes him a global sensation; Ann-Margret, Oliver Reed, Elton John, Tina Turner, Eric Clapton and Jack Nicholson also star. Songs include "Pinball Wizard," "The Acid Queen," "See Me, Feel Me."

Produced by: Robert Stigwood and Ken Russell
Associate Producer: Harry Benn
Executive Producers: Beryl Vertue and Christopher Stamp
Production Manager: John Comfort
Directed by: Ken Russell
Assistant Director: Jonathan Benson
Screenplay by: Ken Russell
Based upon the Rock Opera by Pete Townshend
Additional Material by: John Entwistle and Keith Moon
Musical Director: Pete Townshend
Original (record) album produced by Kit Lambert
Song Score: Roger Daltrey, John Entwistle, Keith Moon and Pete Townshend
"Eyesight to the Blind" by Sonny Boy Williamson
Choreographer: Gillian Gregory
Art Director: John Clark
Assistant Art Director: Terry Ackland-Snow
Sets Designed by: Paul Dufficey
Set Dresser: Ian Whittaker
Costumes Designed by: Shirley Russell
Make Up: George Blackler, Peter Robb-King
Hairdresser: Joyce James
Sound Recordist: Iain Bruce
Photographed by: Dick Bush, Ronnie Taylor
Special Material Filmed by: Robin Lehman
Special Effects: Effects Associates, Nobby Clarke, Camera Effects
Editor: Stuart Baird

Awards: Academy Award nominations for Best Actress (Ann-Margret) and Best Song Score (Peter Townshend)

Cast: Oliver Reed [Frank], Ann-Margret [Nora], Roger Daltrey [Tommy], Elton John [Pinball Wizard], Guest Artists: Eric Clapton [The Preacher], John Entwistle [Himself], Keith Moon [Uncle Ernie], Paul Nicholas [Cousin Kevin], Jack Nicholson [The Specialist], Robert Powell [Captain Walker], Pete Townshend [Himself], Tina Turner [The Acid Queen], Arthur Brown [The Priest], Victoria Russell [Sally Simpson], Ben Aris [Reverend Simpson], Mary Holland [Mrs. Simpson], Gary Rich [Rock Musician], Dick Allan [President Black Angels], Barry Winch [Young Tommy], Eddie Stacey [Bovver Boy], Additional Cast: Jennifer Baker, Susan Baker, Imogen Claire [Nurses], Juliet King, Gillian King [Handmaidens], The Who

Musicians: Elton John, Eric Clapton, Keith Moon, John Entwistle, Ronnie Wood, Kenny Jones, Nicky Hopkins, Chris Stainton, Fuzzy Samuels, Caleb Quaye, Mick Ralphs, Graham Deakin, Phil Chen, Alan Ross, Richard Bailey, Dave Clinton, Tony Newman, Mike Kelly, Dee Murray, Nigel Ollson, Ray Cooper, Davey Johnstone, Geoff Daley, Bob Efford, Ronnie Ross, Howie Casey

Vocal Chorus: Liza Strike, Gillian McIntosh, Simon Townshend, Vicki Brown, Mylon Le Fevre, Kit Trevor, Billy Nichols, Helen Shappell, Jeff Roden, Paul Gurvitz, Margo Newman, Allison Dowling

Musical Program: [0:00] Prologue-1945 (played by The Who); [0:05] Captain Walker (performed by Pete Townsend with The Who); [0:07] It's a Boy (performed by Pete Townshend, Margo Newman and Vicki Brown); [0:10] Bernie's Holiday Camp (performed by Ann-Margret, Oliver Reed, Alison Dowling and The Who); [0:15] 1951 / What About the Boy (performed by Mike Kelly, Nicky Hopkins, Chris Stainton, Mick Ralphs, Caleb Quaye, Ann-Margret and Oliver Reed); [0:18] Amazing Journey (performed by Tony Newman, Nicky Hopkins, Alan Ross, Phil Chen and Pete Townshend); [0:21] Christmas (performed by Nicky Hopkins, Keith Moon, John Entwistle, Ann-Margret, Oliver Reed, Alison Dowling and Chorus); [0:25] Eyesight to the Blind (performed by Kenny Jones, John Entwistle and Eric Clapton); [0:32] Acid Queen (performed by Kenny Jones, Ron Wood, John Entwistle, Nicky Hopkins and Tina Turner); [0:41] Do You Think It's Alright? (performed by Graham Deakin, Phil Chen, Nicky Hopkins, Alan Ross, Ann-Margret and Oliver Reed); [0:42] Cousin Kevin (performed by Tony Newman, Dave Wintour and Paul Nicholas); [0:45] Do You Think It's Alright? (performed by Graham Deakin, Phil Chen, Nicky Hopkins, Alan Ross, Ann-Margret and Oliver Reed); [0:46] Fiddle About (performed by The Who with John Entwistle on brass and vocals by Keith Moon); [0:49] Do You Think It's Alright? (performed by Graham Deakin, Phil Chen, Nicky Hopkins, Alan Ross, Ann-Margret and Oliver Reed); [0:49] Sparks (performed by The Who); [0:53] Extra, Extra, Extra (performed by Alan Ross, Pete Townshend, Tony Stevens, Kenny Jones and Simon Townshend); [0:54] Pinball Wizard (performed by Nigel Olsson, Dee Murray, Ray Thomas, Davey Johnstone, Elton John and Chorus); [0:59] Champagne (performed by Ann-Margret, Roger Daltrey and The Who); [1:06] There's a Doctor (performed by Ron Wood, Alan Ross, Kenny Jones, Chris Stainton, Ann-Marget and Oliver Reed); [1:06] Go to the Mirror (performed by Phil Chen, Richard Bailey, Caleb Quaye, Nicky Hopkins, Ann-Margret, Oliver Reed, Jack Nicholson and Roger Daltrey); [1:10] Tommy Can You Hear Me (performed by Alan Ross, Chris Stainton and Ann-Margret); [1:11] Smash the Mirror (performed by Kenny Jones, John Entwistle, Alan Ross and Ann-Margret); [1:13] I'm Free (performed by Kenny Jones, John Entwistle, Nicky Hopkins and Roger Daltrey); [1:15] Mother and Son (performed by Pete Townshend, Ann-Margret and Roger Daltrey); [1:19] Miracle Cure (performed by Alan Ross, Pete Townshend, Tony Stevens, Kenny Jones and Simon Townshend); [1:19] Sally Simpson (performed by Phil Chen, Nicky Hopkins, Eric Clapton, Graham Deakin, Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey); [1:25] Sensation (performed by Tony Newman, Phil Chen, Nicky Hopkins, Alan Ross, John Entwistle, Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey); [1:29] Welcome (performed by Pete Townshend, Ann-Margret, Oliver Reed, Roger Daltrey and Chorus); [1:32] T.V. Studio (performed by Pete Townshend, Ann-Margret and Oliver Reed); [1:34] Tommy's Holiday Camp (performed by Gerald Shaw and Keith Moon); [1:37] We're Not Gonna Take It (performed by Caleb Quaye, Alan Ross, Nicky Hopkins, Mike Kelly, Fuzzy Samuels, Chris Stainton, John Entwistle, Roger Daltrey and Chorus); [1:42] Listening to You / See Me, Feel Me (performed by The Who, Nicky Hopkins, Chris Stainton, John Entwistle, Roger Daltrey and Chorus)