Question… “Just what do you think you are doing, Dave?” was answered – in a manner of speaking.
That memorable line comes from Stanley Kubrick’s classic science fiction film, “2001: A Space Odyssey,” and the actor who played “Dave” made an appearance at the 2017 TCM Classic Flim Festival Opening Night Gala held at the TCL Chinese Theater in Hollywood, CA, on Friday (April 6, 2017.)
Keir Dullea has dozens of film and TV credits to his name, but he is best known for his role as astronaut David Bowman in “2001: A Space Odyssey,” which became a box-office success and was eventually recognized by critics, filmmakers, and audiences as one of the greatest and most influential films ever made. His line, “Open the pod bay doors please, HAL,” is #78 on the American Film Institute’s list of 100 movie quotes.
According to Channel 13 in Rochester New York, Dullea spoke about his experience on that film at a showing of the film at The George Eastman House Museum.
[beautifulquote align=”full” cite=””]At the time the movie was being filmed, Dullea said he had a feeling “2001” would get attention, but he never imagined it would achieve the level of fame that it has today.[/beautifulquote]
“Who can ever know you’re in an iconic movie?” he said. “I always tell people, could the actors who were in Citizen Kane know that, 75 years later, they’d be studied in film school? How do you know things like that? You don’t. And I’m just very lucky to be – yes, I suppose you could say – an important cog in a piece of art, made by one of the greatest cinematic artists of our time – that’s Stanley Kubrick. And I just was blessed to be able to work with this man.”
In addition to Dullea, also attending the yearly TCM event were Dick Cavett, Beau Bridges, Martin Landau, Chris Tucker, Quincy Jones, Dana Delaney, Lee Grant and Diane Maker among others.
About The 2017 TCM Classic Film Festival:
For the eighth consecutive year, thousands of movie lovers from around the globe will descend upon Hollywood for the TCM Classic Film Festival. The 2017 festival is set to take place Thursday, April 6 – Sunday, April 9, 2017. Over four packed days and nights, attendees will be treated to an extensive lineup of great movies, appearances by legendary stars and filmmakers, fascinating presentations and panel discussions, special events and more.
TCM host Ben Mankiewicz will serve as official host of the TCM Classic Film Festival, with TCM’s Tiffany Vazquez introducing various events. The festival’s official hotel and central gathering point for the eighth consecutive year will be The Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, which has a longstanding role in movie history and was the site of the first Academy Awards® ceremony. The Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel will also offer special rates for festival attendees. Screenings and events during the festival will be held at the TCL Chinese Theatre IMAX, the TCL Chinese 6 Theatres and the Egyptian Theatre, as well as other Hollywood venues.