See Hear Podcast Episode 52 - Who Is Harry Nilsson (And Why Is Everybody Talkin’ About Him)?

May 2018

Everybody's talkin' about See Hear episode 52....at least we hope so, because One download is the loneliest podcast you'd ever hear.....

Unfortunately, Tim was not available to record, but Maurice and Bernie once again welcome wonderful film blogger Kerry Friistoe to discuss the 2006 documentary from John Scheinfeld "Who Is Harry Nilsson (And Why Is Everybody Talkin' About Him)?"

Nilsson started out as a perfectly groomed writer of songs that blended baroque pop with English music hall. His initial albums came out during a period in America where popular culture was undergoing change - he rebelled by recording old fashioned tunes with both heart and cynicism (no wonder he and Randy Newman got along). He earned the admiration and respect of a multitude of musicians and the record buying public.  He evolved to a rock performer via his most famous album, Nilsson Schmilsson. This earned him accolades and afforded him the opportunity to drink, run lines of coke and have regular parties - a long way from his early life in Brooklyn being raised by relatives when his father deserted him and his mother.

This episode of See Hear focuses on our thoughts about the film, Harry's music, and how it evolved. We discuss the friendship between Harry and The Beatles (particularly Ringo and John). The friendships resulted in a poorly regarded horror film called Son Of Dracula (Harry Nilsson plays as Count Downe.....yep you read that right....sigh) and a poorly regarded album. Do they have merit? Download the show and find out.

BUT WAIT...there's more. After the main discussion there's an interview with Anthony Sloman, the editor of Son Of Dracula. He talks about coming up through the British film industry and the amazing films he worked on and people he got to work with (including Ray Harryhausen). What was it like working on Son Of Dracula with Harry Nilsson? Anthony was fascinating to talk with and we hope you enjoy this special addition to the show. My huge thanks to his son, Jonathan Sloman who set the interview up.

We are hugely grateful once again to Kerry for joining us. She will be back. You can read her excellent writings on film at https://prowlerneedsajump.wordpress.com/. She also contributes articles at http://www.brattleblog.brattlefilm.org/ and is part of the fun at http://bmoviemaniacs.com/

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Download episode 52 from here.

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