A Must See: ‘Head Trip’ The Doggie Diner Heads Journey to NY
EDITOR’S NOTE: Due to popular demand, a second screening has been added for this showing. Head Trip is showing at The Roxie on Sunday,November 19, 2023 at 1:00 PM & also 7:40PM – tickets are here
We all love a good road trip and those tales that feel like some type of coming of age story. The Roxie will be screening a documentary film called “Head Trip” November 19, 2023. This unique film captures the 2003 cross-country journey of The Doggie Diner Heads, from coast to coast, all the way to New York City, accompanied by San Francisco’s leading punk rock bicycle ensemble. Transporting these adorable bow-tie wearing canine creations is no easy task, especially when undertaking a cross-country journey as seen in Head Trip. Each Doggie Diner head stands over 10 feet tall and carries a weight of 600 pounds.
This film screening is a special one for those who love documentaries spotlighting punk rockers and a touch of local history. Plus, there will be a Q&A after the screening with filmmakers John Law, Flecher Fleurdujon + special guests.
Image from “Head Trip” documentary
More about the film from the directors: “This newly restored documentary follows a troop of San Francisco characters and performers traveling across America to New York City for shows at CBGB’s, Gowanus canal in Brooklyn and a special visit to Washington Square Park with an awful lot of dachshunds. Leaving San Francisco during the opening salvo’s of the Iraqi war in 2003 as a sort of goodwill voyage, the documentary Head Trip was first run at the Roxie in 2008. This newly edited version has improved sound quality and the addition of an interview with Bishop Joey/Ed Holmes of The First Church of the Last Laugh.”
Also Showing: The Loaded Warrior
Along with “Head Trip”, you’ll have a unique screening featuring the seldom-seen short film, THE LOADED WARRIOR, helmed by director Jason Broemmel and showcasing performers from S. F. Cyclecide Bike Rodeo, created in 2009. Witness a band of wild cyclists navigating a world grappling with a scarcity of beer. This 15-minute remake of the iconic action movie The Road Warrior swaps cars for bikes and gas for beer, delivering a captivating twist on the original narrative.
What are the Doggie Diner Heads?
If you’ve been living under a rock you may not be aware of the rich history here in San Francisco when it comes to these strikingly adorable dog heads. Local legend John Law as three of the diner heads ,often bringing them to local events. They are almost like local celebrities at this point. You can read more about them in this article Stuart wrote nearly 10 years ago about the effort to help fix and preserve them (they are truly that important):
“The Doggie Diner was a Bay area staple from 1948 to 1986, with locations in San Francisco, the East bay and the Peninsula alike. They were a local fast food chain, providing hot dogs, burgers and shakes to residents of all walks of life. Essentially, The Doggie Diner was a beloved Bay Area “thing” and the large, rotating dachshund head (designed by Bay Area billboard artist Harold Bachman) was iconic to the restaurant itself.
I spoke with my good friend Ray Vaughn, a born and bred San Franciscan who has many fond memories of the little pups from growing up.
‘I remember going there after the Zoo. It was a zoo treat. The milkshakes were phenomenal. They were so thick your straw would collapse, since back then they were made out of cardboard.’
What’s great about this quote is the fact that Ray went on to pioneer early SF punk bands such as Hostages and Die Bossanova, and he’s actually still performing today. I doubt his SOMA dwelling future-self would have approved of his early affinity for such blatant Americana. But hey, I guess everyone was a kid at some point, right?
Ultimately, The Doggie Diner went out of business in the late 80’s as they failed to compete with big wigs such as McDonald’s and Burger King. However, many of those resilient doggie heads lived on.”
Photo: Roy Kaltschmidt, “Doggie Diner — San Francisco Zoo”
Complete Head Trip Documentary Details:
WHERE:
Roxie Theater – 3125 16th Street, San Francisco, CA
WHEN:
Sunday,November 19, 2023 at 1:00 PM & also 7:40PM
TICKETS AND MORE INFO:
https://roxie.com/film/head-trip/#showtimes
Want to learn more about The Doggie Diner Heads?
Learn more here:
https://johnwlaw.com/category/doggie-diner/
Howdy! My name is Katy Atchison and I'm an Associate Editor for Broke-Ass Stuart.
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