The Wizard of Speed and Time

[alexxkay]

An Olde friend of mine, kelevcat, has posted a streaming video of the original WoSaT short on his blog. In memory of the common practice at SF cons of old, he has also posted a version of it that runs backwards :-)

[Back in the 80s, SF con film programming would technically end around 2 in the morning, but they would run short film audience requests for another hour or so. The first one was invariably WoSaT. It was so popular that one day they decided to show it *backwards* (they had to rewind the film anyways, so they just turned on the lamp while running it through backwards). This was enough of a hit that "Wizard -- BACKWARDS!" became a popular request in and of itself.]

Comments

[jamey1138.livejournal.com]

Just a couple of days ago, I happened to sit on a subway train right in front of a woman who was telling her friend of her recent trip to LA. Our heroine and her companion managed to look up Mike Jittlov, the writer/director of WoSaT. He was, apparantly, living with his mother (our heroine, when questioned about this, noted that his mother seemed ill, and perhaps he was living there, to take care of her. I didn't buy it). Mr. Jittlov was also, by this anonymous account, VERY happy to sign autographs-- to the point that he nearly filled the two posters that he was asked to sign with text.

In short, about what you'd expect from the writer/director of that particular film... :)

[alexx-kay.livejournal.com]

our heroine, when questioned about this, noted that his mother seemed ill, and perhaps he was living there, to take care of her. I didn't buy it

This is actually consistent with the last news I heard from him on USEnet. It may not be the *whole* story, but he is taking care of his sick mom.