The Scary Lewis Yell-A-Thon (2004)

From Faust

Faustian movies

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(13:00) Written by Terry Galloway and Carrie Sandahl. Based on an idea from an Actual Lives, Austin, Texas theatre production, 2003. Directed by Diane Wilkins and Donna Marie Nudd. Starring Terry Galloway, Carrie Sandahl, Lori Violette and Sandy Halvorson. Diane Wilkins Productions and Faust Films.

Description

“The Scary Lewis Yell-a-thon” is a darkly comic look at televised charity telethons that raise funds to "help" people with disabilities. The video features a Jerry Lewis-like emcee, complete with sidekick Dead McMahon. The Yell-a-thon’s single talent act is Little Lori Little, a baton twirler with cerebral palsy. After a mishap with flaming batons, Scary Lewis introduces the evening's surviving Inspirational Cripple, Teensy Weensy Tiny Teena, a relentless cheerful little crip. “Scary Lewis” has won major awards at international festivals.

Showings

• Portland Disability Art Festival. Portland, Oregon: 19 May 2007.
• “Bodies in Commotion: Including Disability in Multicultural Curriculum.” Bucknell College. 2006.
• The Disability Rights Movement; Representations in Popular Culture .” University of Alaska Campus. Anchorage, Alaska. 15 March 2006.
• “Chicago Deaf and Disability Film Festival,” an anchor event of the “Bodies of Work: The Chicago Festival of Disability Arts and Culture.” Claudia Cassidy Theatre. Chicago: 26-30 April 2006.
• Smith College. “Theatre as Social Justice Education: Representations of Race, Class and Disability Identity.” 2005.
• “Opening Night Screenings.” Brooklyn International Disability Film Festival. Long Island University. Brooklyn, NY. 22 July 2005.
• Don’t Just Stay Home: Cinema Sensibilities on Disability. Film Festival at the University of Oregon Knight Law Center and the Downtown Initiative for the Visual Arts (DIVA); University of Oregon, Eugene. 21 April 2005.
• “Should We Be Laughing at This: Guilty Reactions to New Disabilty Humor. Plenary Session. Southern Communication Association Convention. Baton Rouge, LA. 2 April 2005.

• “Exploring our Community: History, Culture, Community & Pride, Metropolitan Center for Independent Living,” Spruce Tree Building, Minneapolis, MN, 25^th February 2005.
• “Leave the Kids At Home: Films for an Adult Audience,” Picture This! Film Festival, Rozsa Centre, University of Calgary. Alberta , Canada 17 Februrary 2005.
• “Shorts Programme Seven.” 6^th Disability Film Festival. The National Film Theatre. London, England. 1-5 December 2004.
• “Getting Funny Looks” Program. The Other Film Festival: Melbourne’s International Disability Film Festival.Melbourne, Austalia. 5 December 2004.
• Davidson College . Davidson, NC. 3 December 2004.
• “Act I: ‘The Ethics of Accomodation’: Disability and Artistic Collaboration.” Disability Studies Program. University of Illinois. Chicago, IL. 11 November 2004.
• “The Gimp Parade: Radical Disability Identity and Performance.” NCA, Chicago, November 2004.
• “Laughing With Us: Comedy and Disability” Festival. Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY.15-17, October 2004.
• “Talk: Bodies in Commotion: Disability and Contemporary Performance”. University of California, Santa Barbara Interdisciplinary Humanities Center. Santa Barbara, CA. Oct. 12, 2004
• "Dissent and Dialogue: Re-Envisioning Academic and Activist Landscapes." Plenary Arts Event. Society for Disability Studies 17^th Annual Conference. St. Louis, MO. 5 June, 2004.
• “Galloway’s Gallows Humor,” Grazier Lecture, by Donna Marie Nudd, Communication’s Day. Univ. of South Florida. Tampa, FL. 19 April 2004.

Awards

• “Award to Work on a Theme of Disability”. Picture This. . . Film Festival. Calgary , Alberta, Canada . (2005)
• “Award to a Filmmaker with a Disability.” Picture This. . . Film Festival. Calgary , Alberta, Canada . (2005)

Jury Members noted. . .

“very well structured” “cool use of variety scenes” “has a dark humor – but well presented” “made me laugh” “shows how television shows often depict persons with disabilities as victims” “deals with various issues of great important that should be seen” “excellent presentation” “terrific use of humour to parody telethons” “loved it – a great spoof” “over the top” “cutting edge focus on issues regarding euthanasia, right to life” “really important piece – broaching issues at the crux of disability debate.” (http://www.picturethisfestival.org/a/mainframe2.htm, accessed 22 September 2006.)

• “No Limits” Award” (with $500 Cash Prize). The Other Film Festival: Melbourne’s International Disability Film Festival . Melbourne, Australia. (2004)

Festival Director Rick Randall acclaimed the video’s. . .

“audacious and humorous attack on charity.” (Email to Diane Wilkins. 30 November 2006.)

DVD publication of excerpt

Excerpted in DVD entitled Disability Takes on the Arts by David Mitchell and Sharon Snyder. Brace Yourselves Productions. 2004.

Broadcast

No Limits Weekly Community Television Program. (Airs to Melbourne, Adelaide, and Perth, Australia; Post March 2005 Pay TV, Aurora, Australia.)