This unedited footage—taped by Jim Ruddy for KDFW 4 News, then the CBS affiliate in Dallas—captures the world premiere of Tommy at the Inwood Theatre in Dallas on March 13, 1975. Based on The Who’s 1969 rock opera album of the same name, the film stars Oliver Reed, Ann-Margret, Elton John, Eric Clapton, and The Who’s lead singer, Roger Daltrey. According to the Brownsville Herald, promoters chose Dallas as the site of the film’s premiere because the city gave Ann-Margret her start in show business with the film State Fair (1962), and because Dallas “is a new and unspoiled scene.” In this footage, fans line up in front of the theater hoping to attend the premiere. Some 2,000 hopefuls were turned away after the theater reached its 1,000-person capacity. Next, Ann-Margret arrives. Following the screening, a reporter interviews departing audience members about their thoughts on the film. Also included in the clip is Ann-Margret’s attempt (and failure) to play a pinball machine.

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TFC 1970s 1970’s Dallas Dallas County unedited newsreel KDFW 4 News KDFW CBS CBS affiliate Tommy film movie motion picture cinema premiere film premiere sneak preview film screening screening The Who musical music band rock band rock group rock and roll actress actor Ann-Margret role cast stars starring performer theater Inwood Theater Inwood Theatre Landmark’s Inwood Theatre

spectator viewer attendee marquee special guest fan police cop police officer law enforcement line queue ticket ticket line swing swinging performance music cheer cheering audience arrival red carpet red carpet event press photographer photography movie star entrance ticketing pinball pinball machine playing play game gaming gamer interview interviewer interviewee

exit poll reaction response b-roll b roll fan reaction criticism critical response audience response review Ken Russell Russell, Ken director directed by pinball machine audience member report reporter news report news reporter