When Warren Beatty first directed and starred in the big-screen adaptation of Dick Tracy in 1990, there was certainly no way he thought he would still be suitable for the role 33 years later. However, here we are. Beatty has filmed a new special featuring the character and will air Friday night, February 10, on TCM.
Dick Tracy Special: Tracy Zooms In is a new half-hour special that will premiere online. When reached for comment, TCM included a brief description of what was to come. “Film experts Leonard Maltin and Ben Mankiewicz interview renowned detective Dick Tracy about his life and career, with a surprise appearance by legendary actor and director Warren Beatty,” it reads.
Why is this specifically done? Most likely a way for Beatty to continue to hold the movie rights to the character. After all, this isn’t the first time a new special featuring policemen in yellow shirts has been made. Back in 2008, the Dick Tracy Special aired on TCM, featuring Maltin interviewing Beatty as Tracy. If you haven’t seen it yet, YouTube is your friend.
With titles like Tracy Zoom in, chances are this will be a virtual interview conducted via Zoom rather than having Tracy in the room with Maltin and Mankiewicz. It’s also interesting to note that, based on the description, Beatty will also appear as herself, which was not the case with the original Dick Tracy Special.
Whether or not this will actually lead to a new Dick Tracy movie is unknown, although it’s unlikely. If the special from 15 years ago didn’t help, why does this help? Perhaps for now, though, they should just reboot the series with a younger Tracy, earlier in his career.
Either way, fans of the film can get a taste of the character when Dick Tracy Special: Tracy Zooms In premieres Friday, February 10, at 10:30 p.m. ET/PT on TCM.
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