Mystic
Guest
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 Posted: Wed Oct 22, 2008 3:21 am Post subject: Last Days of the Fillmore: Due on DVD 11/11/08 |
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This movie is a precious time-capsule that is, unfortunately, out of
print on home video. The terrific performances from the likes of Boz
Scaggs, Santana, Jefferson Airplane and particularly the Grateful Dead
each at their respective peaks, would be reason enough to celebrate
this film... But they almost pale in comparison to the portrait of the
magnetic pioneering rock impresario Bill Graham and his immortal
magical San Fransiscan rock palace, the Fillmore West.
In 1971, Graham decided the time had come to close the doors to the
fabled concert hall (and it's NYC counterpart, The Fillmore East) due
to what he candidly describes as the egos of the performers having run
amuck. This now-rarely seen documentary gives us a glimpse into the
hassles and headaches (and joy) Graham experiences while trying to put
together the lineup of acts for this final week of shows at the
Fillmore. Footage of Graham doing dances to accommodate the needs of
this performer or meet the demands of that agent illustrate his sense
of disillusionment with the "business" in fascinating detail.
While the split screen techniques applied here are derivative of the
ground breaking work by Mike Wadleigh and company on the Woodstock
film project, the subject matter in Fillmore is sufficient to set this
movie apart from most other such films of the time.
http://www.amazon.com/Last-Days-Fillmore-Various-Artists/dp/B001FWRZ14/ref=sr_1_122?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1224627483&sr=1-122 |
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Burton Busk
Guest
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| Posted: Wed Oct 22, 2008 4:27 am Post subject: Re: Last Days of the Fillmore: Due on DVD 11/11/08 |
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"Mystic" <mystic@bellsouth.net> wrote in message
news:rblsf4pcr40ud7kprqi8n60p7ocrkfc57m@4ax.com...
| Quote: | This movie is a precious time-capsule that is, unfortunately, out of
print on home video. The terrific performances from the likes of Boz
Scaggs, Santana, Jefferson Airplane and particularly the Grateful Dead
each at their respective peaks, would be reason enough to celebrate
this film... But they almost pale in comparison to the portrait of the
magnetic pioneering rock impresario Bill Graham and his immortal
magical San Fransiscan rock palace, the Fillmore West.
In 1971, Graham decided the time had come to close the doors to the
fabled concert hall (and it's NYC counterpart, The Fillmore East) due
to what he candidly describes as the egos of the performers having run
amuck. This now-rarely seen documentary gives us a glimpse into the
hassles and headaches (and joy) Graham experiences while trying to put
together the lineup of acts for this final week of shows at the
Fillmore. Footage of Graham doing dances to accommodate the needs of
this performer or meet the demands of that agent illustrate his sense
of disillusionment with the "business" in fascinating detail.
While the split screen techniques applied here are derivative of the
ground breaking work by Mike Wadleigh and company on the Woodstock
film project, the subject matter in Fillmore is sufficient to set this
movie apart from most other such films of the time.
http://www.amazon.com/Last-Days-Fillmore-Various-Artists/dp/B001FWRZ14/ref=sr_1_122?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1224627483&sr=1-122
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Wow, that's wild. I swear I looked this movie up on Netflix about 4 hours
ago (and of course they didn't have it). Great to see it's finally coming
out.
I haven't seen it since it's theatrical release, so it's been like 35 years
or more, but the soundtrack is excellent (I only have the vinyl). Music
highlights: Elvin Bishop Group; Boz Scaggs; Tower Of Power; Cold Blood; Sons
Of Champlin; Taj Mahal; all in their prime, and many more. Malo is on the
soundtrack, but I can't remember if they're in the movie. The big groups are
cool to see as always, but these lesser acts weren't well documented
elsewhere on film and it's fun to see them. The Airplane isn't on the
soundtrack, and I don't remember them being on the bill that final week (I
thought there were problems with negociating the money), but I guess they
were.
One thing I do remember about the movie is the hilarious scene where a guy
who was in the Charlatans (Mike Wilhelm, I think?)is in the Fillmore during
the weekly pick-up basketball game in which Graham is playing, trying to get
Bill to let them play during the closing week, as they were a San Francisco
staple back in the early Fillmore days. Graham turns him down, and as
Wilhelm turns to leave, he says something like, "Well, then, fuck you and
thanks for the memories!". Oh man. Bill Graham was the kind of guy who, if
you were smart, you NEVER said "fuck you" to. He was rather large (standing
next to me anyway), very intimidating, and would take no shit. As I recall,
Graham chases him, cursing all the while, basketball in hand, through the
theater, out the door, and down the block a good ways! Pretty funny, and so
typically Uncle Bobo. What a character, I sure miss him.
Thanks for the heads up, Mystic. |
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