Pop Culture Q&A: Dylan made 'silly' little-seen film

By RICH HELDENFELS, TNS

July 27, 2020 at 8:01PM
August 29,1986 Frizzy-haired rock legend Bob Dylan (R), seen recently during a break in filming, is here to star in his first movie in 10 years, and his biggest part yet. With the 45-year-old superstar are rock singer Fiona Flanagan, 24, of New Jersey, and British actor Rupert Everett, 26, both starring in the movie with him. In this big-budget film, "Hearts of Fire," Dylan will play an aging rock superstar. It will have 22 original songs and Dylan will write 4 of them. Arthur Herman, UPI
Bob Dylan, right, filmed “Hearts of Fire” in 1986 with Rupert Everett and Fiona Flanagan. Dylan wrote four of the film’s 22 original songs. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Q: I remember back in the '80s Bob Dylan filmed a movie, part of which was filmed in my city of Hamilton, Ontario. I think it was called "Hearts of Fire," but I'm not sure. I don't believe it was ever released. Is there anywhere that I would be able to see it?

A: The 1987 film "Hearts of Fire" featured Dylan as a reclusive star and certainly seemed impressive on paper: Joe Eszterhas wrote the script and Richard Marquand directed. But it was little seen. In a look at Dylan's screen efforts, Peter Sobczynski of RogerEbert.com said the film "is so silly that it makes the later vehicles of Elvis Presley seem artistically sound by comparison." That being said, it can be found. Amazon Prime Video and iTunes both list it as a digital download and purchase. There are also old videocassettes.

Welcome Back, 'Lewis & Clark'

Q: Back in the early 1980s there was a short-lived sitcom called "Lewis & Clark." I was wondering what you might be able to tell me about it. Is it available anywhere?

A: "Lewis & Clark" originally aired on NBC in 1981-82. The show starred Gabe Kaplan, two years after the end of "Welcome Back, Kotter," as Stu Lewis, a New Yorker who buys a country-music club in Texas. Guich Koock played Roscoe Clark, the club's manager. I do not know of anywhere you can see it.

E-mail questions to brenfels@gmail.com.

Bob Dylan and singer Fiona Flanagan at the 1986 announcement that they would co-star in the film "Hearts of Fire," Dylan's first scripted role since his cinema debut in 1973
Bob Dylan and singer Fiona Flanagan at the 1986 announcement that they would co-star in the film "Hearts of Fire," Dylan’s first scripted role since his cinema debut in 1973 (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
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RICH HELDENFELS, TNS