Space is the Place

It may not come as much of a surprise to learn that avant-jazzman Sun Ra comes from outer space. In this comedy/concert film, he lands his spaceship in Oakland to show black people the "alter-destiny" he offers. He wants them to come back with him, and if he doesn't get enough volunteers, he threatens to chain them up and drag them along, "like they did ... in Africa." Like a scene from an Afro-Bergman film, Sun Ra plays cards with the evil Overseer (Ray Johnson) and wins the right to play a concert for his people all over the world! After the impressive show is over, he escapes back into spac...