Legendary Brad Dourif returns to Huntington for special screening of ‘One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest’

By Matthew Young, RealWV

“He’s actually called me two times – I’ve spoken to him on the phone. I was smiling so big when he was talking that I was afraid he wouldn’t be able to understand me. I was just so excited to hear from him.” 

That’s what The Foundry Theater’s Rachel Allinder told RealWV on Tuesday about acting legend, and West Virginia native, Brad Dourif. In a rare Huntington appearance, Dourif will be attending the Foundry’s very special Saturday screening of the 1975 Academy Award-winning classic, “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.” Dourif will be participating in a sold out meet-and-greet prior to the screening, and a question-and-answer session after the film. 

“Anyone who attends the film screening has the opportunity to write down a question to ask him, even though everyone isn’t going to get the chance to physically meet him,” Allinder said, noting that the limited number of meet-and-greet tickets sold out almost immediately. 

Born and raised in Huntington, Dourif attended Marshall University for a time before leaving school to pursue his passion for acting in New York City. Throughout the early half of the 1970s, Dourif appeared in numerous off-Broadway stage productions. In 1975, Dourif landed the breakthrough role of “Billy Bibbit” alongside Jack Nicholson, Louise Fletcher, Danny Devito and Christopher Lloyd in Miloš Forman’s film adaptation of “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.” For his performance, Dourif was nominated for an Academy Award, and earned “New Star of the Year” accolades during the 1976 Golden Globe Awards. 

Dourif would follow-up his performance in “Cuckoo’s Nest” with roles in films such as “Heaven’s Gate,” the film adaption of “Dune,” “Blue Velvet,” “Mississippi Burning,” and “Jungle Fever” among some 90 others. In addition to his film roles, Dourif has done extensive work on television, with appearances in “Miami Vice,” “Tales From the Crypt,” “Star Trek: Voyager,” and three seasons as the fan-favorite “Doc Cochran” on the HBO series “Deadwood.” 

However, despite his varied catalogue of television performances – and aside from his performance in “Cuckoo’s Nest” – for Allinder, one performance tops the list as her favorite.

“He did one episode of ‘The X-Files,’” Alliinder said. “He’s on death row, and he’s a psychic. He plays it so emotively, and his face just wet the whole time with snot and tears. It’s creepy and heartbreaking, and I really love that episode.”

Dourif also has an extensive resume in the horror genre. In addition to his portrayal of Gríma Wormtongue in Peter Jackson’s “Lord of the Rings” trilogy, Dourif was featured in “Graveyard Shift,” “The Exorcist III,” “Alien Resurrection,” “Urban Legend,” and as “Sheriff Brackett” in Rob Zombie’s two “Halloween” films. And in 1988, Dourif would first take on the role of “Charles Lee Ray” in the “Child’s Play” film and television franchise. Through the magic of movie-voodoo, “Charles Lee Ray” would be transformed into the murderous doll “Chucky,” a character which Dourif would return to eight times over the next 33 years. 

Now semi-retired, due to the involvement of his daughter, Fiona Dourif, in the “Child’s Play” franchise, “Chucky” is the only character Dourif has publicly expressed his willingness to revisit. 

“Our emcee for the evening who will be leading the Q&A is Clint McElroy,” Allinder noted. “Around 20 years ago, he was able to interview Brad (Dourif) and wrote an article that was published in Huntington Quarterly Magazine. It’s a great article.” 

Custom-made event posters will be available for purchase during the screening, and pictures are permitted from the audience during the question-and-answer session. Standard theater concessions will also be available, as will the limited edition Fanta “Chucky’s Punch” fruit punch-flavored soda. 

“I’m just so pleased and flattered that he’s agreed to come for the screening,” Allinder said, before explaining that Dourif’s appearance is the culmination of more than 10 years of effort on not only her part, but also the original producers of the Appalachian Film Festival. “I’m very honored that he gave me a yes.”

Admission to the screening and question-and-answer session is $25, with a $5 discount for students. General admission tickets are on a first come-first serve basis, and will be available at the box office on the night of the event if quantities remain. Tickets may be purchased online in advance, by visiting foundrytheater.org. The screening begins at 7 p.m. 

Following “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest,” The Foundry Theater will be screening a full October lineup of films, including “The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” “Child’s Play,” Teen-Age Strangler,” and “Halloween.” On October, the Huntington Volunteer Fire Department will take on Cabell County’s 5th graders to determine if “Firefighters are Smarter Than 5th Graders.” For more information, including a full schedule of events, visit foundrytheater.org.