Castro Theatre Screens David Bowie Classic With Special Guest

Two months after his sudden and untimely passing, the San Francisco tributes to iconic rocker David Bowie continue with this special event at the Castro Theatre Saturday night.

Many of the salutes to Bowie have been musical in focus, with local musicians and fans gathering together for full evenings of music by the Thin White Duke held at San Francisco venues like Slim's, the Make-Out Room and the Eagle Tavern. And the tribute concerts aren't over yet, with the Regency Ballroom hosting an all-star celebration with longtime Bowie friend Gary Oldman, former bandmates Holly Palmer and Mark Plati and others on March 22, while the Fillmore will be visited in late April by Holy Holy, a super group formed by Bowie's former bassist and longtime producer and early '70s-era drummer Woody Woodmansey with members of The Cult and Heaven 17 to play the classic album The Man Who Sold the World along with other seminal Bowie hits.

Less celebrated has been Bowie's indelible contribution to film. Appearing in numerous movies ranging from cult favorites (the seminal '80s vampire movie "The Hunger," "Absolute Beginners" and "Labryinth") to acclaimed cinematic achievements ("Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence," "The Last Temptation of Christ," "Basquiat"), Bowie built an eclectic filmography over the course of four decades.

Presented by veteran Castro impresario and filmmaker Marc Huestis, Saturday's Castro screening salutes Bowie with his first and arguably most representative film, director Nicolas Roeg's "The Man Who Fell to Earth." Delivering an uncanny performance as a humanoid alien come to earth to retrieve water to save his dying planet, Bowie projects exactly the kind of otherworldly aura the role required. For this special tribute event, Bowie's co-star and love interest in the film Candy Clark (who was nominated for a Best Supporting Actress Academy Award for her portrayal of Debbie Dunham in "American Graffiti") will talk to San Francisco Chronicle writer Tony Bravo about her memories of making the landmark sci-fi classic.

The film will be preceded by  a cavalcade of Bowie video clips as well as stage performances by some of San Francisco's finest drag entertainers including Veronica Klaus with Tammy Hall and D'Arcy Drollinger's Sexitude Dancers, Kenshi Westover, Conspiracy of Venus and Juanita More. Following the film, fans can get autographs with Ms. Clark during a meet and greet in the Castro's mezzanine. Attendees are encouraged to come dressed as their favorite Bowie character or persona. There will also be an after party hosted at the Oasis  at 298 11th Street that requires separate admission. For more event information and tickets, visit the Castro Theatre website.

The Man Who Fell to Earth with special guest Candy Clark
Saturday, March 12, 6:30 p.m. $27.50-$47.50
Castro Theatre