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‘m cheating a bit this week. An injury to the ring finger of my right hand will make my life a bit hard for a while, never mind writing. I likely will ease off for a bit on the posting. The finger is swollen, won’t bend, can’t grasp anything, reading is even hard, and I’m beginning to learn just how much I use it every time I feel that twinge.
A BOY AND HIS DOG was a film based on a Harlan Ellison novella. Actor L. Q. Jones, known mostly as a western actor, wrote the script and directed. Here's the link to my original post. It starred a very young Don Johnson(twenty-five at the time) and is one of my all time favorite movies, but hardly overlooked. At least by older generations. I’m not sure what the younger folks might think. Quaint probably.
I remember one amusing story back when it was released to theaters. I saw it with friends and a co-worker mentioned taking his young son to see it. He thought it was a Disney film with that title.
Here’s a link to the movie, however long it may stay up. It’s worth watching. At least check out the first few minutes. You might get hooked.
For more overlooked films, and related matters, as always, check out Todd Mason over at SWEET FREEDOM.,
Sorry about the digit Randy but this is a great choice. I love Harlan Ellison’s work but haven’t watched this in ages. Don Johnson in a good movie – wow!
Cheers.
Sergio
Great film. Even though Ellison famously hates the altered last line (it is unfortunate when the original is so much more affecting), you can’t help but marvel at the expanded vision Jones creates of “Music Man” Americana run amok as Vic goes “underground”. Brilliant stuff.
I remember loving this film, but I’ve forgotten it so thoroughly I don’t remember why.
Also sorry to read of your injury; heal quickly, Randy…I don’t love this film, but it is a game attempt at capturing the novella, and I’m not sure anyone’s done better in translating Ellison fiction to the screen (as opposed to Ellison drama, of which he’s written better than this, but it helped that the best work was usually budgeted up to par).
I’d forgotten that Ellison disavowed that last line, Todd. It was amusing, but I understand his feelings.
Chandler beat me to that observation, but given the very name of the novella and the film, you’d think they’d've kept that…
I hope your friend didn’t take his son! Definitely not for kids.
In fact he did, Alex. He mentioned it to me after the fact. I didn’t make that clear in the post.
I liked it a lot. I’d already read the story and loved that first.
I’m with Todd on A BOY AND HIS DOG. Harlan Ellison has done better work. This movie version is as close to the original story as it’s possible to get. Sorry to hear about your injury. Ice and Motrin will help.
Randy, I hope you’re healed up soon! This is a film I saw in theater, and was shocked at the ending, since I assumed they would pretty up the ending from Ellison’s original, which they didn’t. At lease that’s my recollection.