True Films 3.0 - Kevin Kelly

Theremin
That woo-woo sound during the scary parts in old science fiction films
was generated by a Theremin, an odd musical instrument invented by
the Russian Leon Theremin. The futuristic device is operated by waving
your hands without touching it, and was the inspiration and precursor of
all electronic music today. The story of its unlikely creation is wrapped in
mystery and drama, including the disappearance of Theremin, who may
be been have kidnapped from the US by the Soviet KGB to work on sonic
weapons back in the USSR. This documentary reveals the strange characters
who orbited this strange instrument. You’ve got Jerry Lewis, stage
dancers, a Russian diva, the Beach Boys, and nerds like Robert Moog,
who invented the electronic synthesizer. It’s a strange story.
By Steven M. Martin
1995, 82 min.
Available from Amazon
Rent from Netflix
A Russian girl who learned to play the
Theremin eventually becomes a professional
Theremin diva (top). Robots at
the end of the world (top right) speak in
Theremin noises. Even Jerry Lewis goofs
around with a Theremin in one of his
films (above). The inventor in his Moscow
apartment after his re-discovery.
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