UPDATE: Val Kilmer was supposed to be in Branson this weekend to introduce his film, Cinema Twain, and to host a Q and A afterwards. But the event's promoters say the event has been canceled. They say it will be rescheduled, and a new date is expected to be announced soon.
Val Kilmer will be in Branson September 29 to introduce his film, Cinema Twain, and take questions from the audience afterwards. Kilmer brought the film to Springfield in 2017.
Promoter, Les Brown, with Dream Castle Media, which is bringing the 90-minute film to Branson, said Kilmer’s one-man play, Citizen Twain, was filmed at the Pasadena Playhouse. It wasn’t intended to become a film for public viewing, but shortly after, Kilmer underwent treatment for throat cancer and could no longer tour.
Hal Holbrook also did a one-man play, “Tonight!” in which he portrays Twain, but Brown said Kilmer’s and Holbrook’s plays shouldn’t be compared.
"That was Mark Twain at the time. This one is Mark Twain now--comes back and is speaking about current events and things like that, which makes it very unusual," he said.
Cinema Twain is the predecessor to a film that Brown and Kilmer are planning based on what Brown calls an “interesting combination” of Mark Twain and Mary Baker Eddy, founder of the Church of Christ, Scientist.
"Pulitzer and at that time Hearst hired him (Twain) to kind of write some, how can I put it? Humorous though cutting remarks about her that kind of put down that religion, they didn't want it, so, secretly the two of them admired each other very much, and, basically, the story is the two of them thinking what it would be like to meet one another," said Brown.
Kilmer has written the script, according to Brown, but the film hasn’t been made yet.
Cinema Twain will be at the Mansion Theatre in Branson September 29 at 7:30. Tickets are $40. Student tickets are available for $15, and a limited number of VIP tickets, which include a meet and greet, are available for $125. Ticket information is at valkilmer.com.
