Canadian film icon Bruce McDonald followed-up his debut feature ROADKILL with the quirky road-trip comedy HIGHWAY 61, a “spiritual sequel” that had him re-teaming with actors Don McKellar and Valerie Buhagier.

Pokey Jones (McKellar), a Canadian barber who plays jazz on the side, has his life turned upside down when a corpse turns up near his home. Jackie (Buhagier), a roadie, says that the dead man is her sibling and begs Pokey to help get the body back to New Orleans. Pokey agrees, completely unaware that Valerie’s real plan is to transport drugs across the border. They are followed by the satanic Mr. Skin (Earl Pastko), who claims ownership of the body and the soul contained therein. With Earl Pastko, Art Bergmann, Jello Biafra, Tracy Wright.

“‘Highway 61’ is an example of unconditional love. It acknowledges every wart, pockmark, pimple and pustule on its subject, and refuses to disguise even a single freckle, but it simultaneously finds the beauty in every blemish.” (Globe and Mail)

“What’s good about it are the performances by McKellar and Buhagiar, who look surprisingly like real people and not like movie actors, and a rock sound track by Nash the Slash, a group (or person) previously unknown to me, that’s fun to listen to.” (Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times)

As part of the double bill with LAST NIGHT, director Bruce McDonald and actor Don McKellar will be joining us via Zoom to talk about their films on May 1. The Q&A will happen immediately following LAST NIGHT.

Thursday, May 1
Movie 9:00 pm *Apx. star time. Please arrive on time.

Single Film Ticket HERE
Double Bill Tickets HERE

HIGHWAY 61 (Bruce McDonald, 1991 / 102 mins / 14 A) A small-town barber goes on a road trip from Thunder Bay to New Orleans with an unpredictable woman and a coffin.

*Minors OK. Must be 19+ w/ID for bar service.
*Sorry, Rio Theatre Groupons and passes n/a for this event.
*We recommend purchasing your tickets in advance at www.riotheatretickets.ca. If a screening or live event is not sold out, the remaining tickets will be available for in-person purchase at the Rio Theatre’s Box Office prior to showtime (subject to availability). Our box office is typically open 30 minutes before showtime.
*Please arrive 15-30 minutes prior to showtime to ensure time to locate great seats, and time for treats at concession.

*All Rio Theatre tickets are final sale. No refunds or exchanges.