This looks like a cool documentary about Raymond Scott, a true musical innovator. It’s going to be at the Hippodrome this Tuesday only; check it out, it’s getting great reviews.
From the Hippodrome website:
A “CINEMA LOUNGE” EVENT – ONE NIGHT ONLY!
TUESDAY, AUGUST 7 AT 7:15PM
Raymond Scott first came to the attention of the music world on CBS radio with his innovative group the Raymond Scott Quintette in late 1936. He went on to a career that included writing music for and appearances in several Hollywood films, touring Big Bands, and in the 1940s he formed the first integrated radio orchestra — a jazz group that was a critical favorite. It included musical greats like Coleman Hawkins and Cozy Cole.
Along the way, many of his highly original musical compositions — with their characteristic sophisticated yet quirky melodies and rhythms — were licensed by Warner Bros. for their internationally famous LOONEY TUNES. If you’ve ever been entertained by the wacky antics of Bugs Bunny, or the Road Runner and Wile E. Coyote, you’ve almost surely heard his music. He’s been called “the man who made cartoons swing.”
From the 1950s through the 1970s he invented and refined a dazzling array of electronic musical instruments (as well as other devices like an early fax machine), that were years ahead of what was being done elsewhere. Scott’s crowning invention, The Electronium, which he described as ”an instantaneous composition and performance machine,” was purchased by Berry Gordy for Motown, and Scott worked for Motown for several years as their Director of Electronic Music Research and Development.
Deconstructing Dad: The Music, Machines and Mystery of Raymond Scott is a documentary exploration of the life and work of Scott, presented from a unique perspective – the filmmaker is his only son. Going beyond biographical documentary, it is also a personal quest to unravel the timeless fabric of love, connection and rejection that are a part of every parent child relationship, with the additional element of a famous father obsessed with his work, and further complicated by divorce and related scandal.
Featuring interviews with Mark Mothersbaugh of DEVO, John Williams (multi-Academy Award®-winning movie soundtrack composer for “JAWS,” “STAR WARS,” etc.) and others.
After the film, we’ll have a Skype Talkback with Director and Scott’s son, Stan Warnow, and Co-Producer/Curator of the Raymond Scott Archives, Jeff Winner! Click HERE for more info.
Directed by: Stan Warnow