Warren Beatty’s Dick Tracy returns to TCM in new bizarre interview

No one is surprised when Adult Swim drops half an hour of alternative-comedy art into its late-night lineup — Too Many CooksMany bizarre sequels followed. But when Turner Classic Movies teams up with Oscar-winner Warren Beatty, playing an elderly version of Dick Tracy from his 1990 comic book movie, that’s a different story.

In 2010, Beatty did exactly that with the help of movie critic Leonard Maltin, who, God bless him, interviewed Beatty in character in a “movie” that aired exactly once on TCM. Because the interview was weird, this ephemeral special became instantly a fan favorite on YouTube. Due to whatever requirements demanded the special be filmed in the first place, Beatty — again, In character as Dick Tracy — leads Maltin through wandering thoughts about crime-fighting and his work on the Beatty film adaptation “of his life.” For many hoping there might be new life to be found in a Dick Tracy film franchise, this is all Beatty had to offer.

But wouldn’t you know… he’s back. Another interview…

TCM’s Friday airing will come out of the blue. Tracy Zooms In: Dick Tracy SpecialAfter having been there for the entire spectacle, the second half hour was, in my opinion, even stranger. The special features TCM’s current host Ben Mankiewicz calling Maltin to ask for assistance when Dick Tracy once more requests an interview.

“Leonard, Dick Tracy has scheduled a Zoom call with me and it’s coming up in a minute!” Mankiewicz exclaims in rightful fear. “I have no idea if he’s trying to be serious or funny!”

Having watched it, I’m not quite sure either — but the TCM crew knows how to play ball.

Mankiewicz manages to persuade Maltin that he should join him on what the Tin says: a Zoom phone call with Dick Tracy (played in part by Warren Beatty). Dressed in his big yellow coat and hat, “Dick” finally dials in and proceeds to unload additional thoughts on the 1990 film; how he compares to Ralph Byrd, who played the cop in serials, films, and TV shows throughout the early 20th century; and eventually, his gripes with Beatty. Dick Tracy has plenty of notes for Beatty, who directed as well as starred in the 1990 movie (“Fighting crime is serious!” he moans when a snippet of Al Pacino’s dance sequence from the film pops up during a clip reel). Beatty has apparently taken Dick Tracy out his life, he also complained. Mankiewicz, Maltin and finally Beatty rise to the occasion.

The day is here if you’ve ever wanted to see an 85-year old man argue and make peace with himself.

What is the reason for this? Ostensibly, it’s so Beatty can continue to hold onto the Dick Tracy rights, although with a lawsuit accusing him of committing sexual assault in 1973 currently stewing in Los Angeles Superior Court, it might be a play for goodwill. You can see that Dick Tracy doesn’t ask Beatty any questions about these accusations.

He does ask why the heck Beatty wants to hold on to the rights to Dick Tracy if he doesn’t plan on doing anything with them. Can’t he imagine a sequel? Maybe a TV series? Is it something other than a TCM Special that’s unloaded without notice on Friday nights? Dick Tracy has a right to question this, even if Dick Tracy is Warren Beatty dressed in a large yellow coat and cap.

Tracy Zooms In: Dick Tracy SpecialTCM’s premiere tonight is at 10:30 pm. It will change your life forever.