BS: Songcatcher

Subject: Great new movie: "Songcatcher."
From: Peter Kasin
Date: 25 Jun 01 - 10:19 PM

I just saw a movie I want to recommend that is a real gem - "Songcatcher." In 1907, a musicologist specialising in English folksong who has been passed over for a full professorship, Dr. Lily Penleric, goes to the Appalachian mountains in search of authentic mountain music. She is surprised and captivated by what she finds - beautiful, pure renditions of old English ballads, preserved for over two hundred years, and woven into the fabric of everyday life. With Edison cylinders and phonograph in tow, she slowly wins the trust of most of the people she meets, and records them with the hope of publishing a book of the songs. There are many layers and a few twists of plot, but the real star is the beautiful singing and fiddling that is central and runs throughout the movie. This is one movie that gets the music right, with attention to presenting songs, fiddle, and banjo music in authentic style. Wonderful acting and cameo appearances by Hazel Dickens and Taj Mahal.

-chanteyranger

Subject: RE: BS: Songcatcher
From: Peter Kasin
Date: 25 Jun 01 - 10:27 PM

Although there is a disclaimer run at the closing credits of the "any resemblance to anyone living or dead" variety, I kept wondering if the professor who shows up near the end is supposed to be based on Cecil Sharp, and if there was a woman collecting songs in Appalachia who the lead character is based on.

-chanteyranger

Subject: RE: BS: Songcatcher
From: Peg
Date: 26 Jun 01 - 12:13 AM

thank you, chanteyranger but this now makes about a dozen threads on this film!!!!!!!!

I believe I was the first Mudcatter to see it (reviewed it for the Boston Film Festival last year) and I also recommend it highly.

BTW the Cecil Sharp character does appear in the film but he is the guy who asks her to assist him, then ends up asking if he can assist her...

Peg

Subject: RE: BS: Songcatcher
From: Peter Kasin
Date: 26 Jun 01 - 12:22 AM

Yes, we're talking about the same guy who appears near the end. I somehow missed those other threads, so sorry about this new one.

Subject: RE: BS: Songcatcher
From: Amergin
Date: 26 Jun 01 - 01:45 AM

well, one of these days I'll actually catch this show....then, I could start my own thread about it....

Subject: RE: BS: Songcatcher
From: chip a
Date: 26 Jun 01 - 12:13 PM

In a previous thread it was suggested that the woman was based on Olive Dame Cambell. She was the founder of the John C. Cambell folk school in Brasstown, N.C. The school was a dream of hers and her usbands, though he didn't live long enough to see it happen.

Check out folkschool.com

Chip A.

Subject: RE: BS: Songcatcher
From: catspaw49
Date: 29 Aug 01 - 10:12 PM

Subject: RE: BS: Songcatcher
From: Rt Revd Sir jOhn from Hull
Date: 29 Aug 01 - 10:15 PM

Watch out Spaw, Murray might curse you! :-)

Subject: RE: BS: Songcatcher
From: Dicho (Frank Staplin)
Date: 29 Aug 01 - 10:55 PM

This thread is definitely a dark horse in the race for Songcatcher postings. The fewest so far.

Subject: RE: BS: Songcatcher
From: GUEST
Date: 30 Aug 01 - 01:49 AM

Anyone out there (apart from spaw) who hasn't seen 'Songcatcher'?

Subject: RE: BS: Songcatcher
From: annamill
Date: 30 Aug 01 - 12:29 PM

Yea! ME! And I own a video store! Is this a movie that was in the movies, on TV, etc. Where can I find it?? It sound really good.

Thank you in advance for the info.

Love, Annamill

Subject: RE: BS: Songcatcher
From: Amergin
Date: 30 Aug 01 - 12:34 PM

I don't think it's out on video yet....

Subject: RE: BS: Songcatcher
From: catspaw49
Date: 30 Aug 01 - 12:35 PM

Well anna dear, in one of these ten threads we discussed that and YOU are the best source HERE to find out for us. It made some limited theatre play and passed through Columbus so fast you'd have thought it was a rocket!

So far we have been unable to find it on tape and they seeem to have not released it on tape yet and I don't know if or when they will......HOWZABOUT YOU as our resident Video Store owner looking into it? There are a lot of refersnces on Google to the movie and the soundtrack, which is available, but no word yet on the video.....Think you can find out anything?

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: Songcatcher
From: annamill
Date: 30 Aug 01 - 12:51 PM

I just called my dealer and he says it will be out Oct 23rd and I will pre-book it Oct 1st. You won't be able to buy it for awhile, but you will be able to rent it. I didn't know about this movie til I read this thread and I only read this thread because someone mentioned it in another thread. I can't wait to see it and more importantly, I can't wait to HEAR it.

I'm not sure how many I should order for the store as this is the first I've heard of it.

From what I heard and read here, it may be worth 10 threads ;-)

Love, Annaill

Subject: RE: BS: Songcatcher
From: catspaw49
Date: 30 Aug 01 - 03:14 PM

Thanks annap!!! And I have reposted your message on ALL of the other "Songcatcher" threads. You always come through whether it's tapes or spuds!!!

Love,

Spaw