RE: Subject: RE: [Harp-L] Cadillac Records - Little Walter

[Buck Worley <boogalloo@xxxxxxx>]

Thanks for all the responses.
 
I just finished watching the movie again with the director/writer's commentary. Most of the answers to my questions were there or in the credits. I can understand how this particular movie is a rub for the blues aficionado. I have mixed feelings about it but I just have to let it go considering that most Hollywood movies are all about the money and most Hollywood producers probably could not care less how I feel.
 
I do not want to spoil it for those who have not seen it (I forgot when the free-view is happening) by discussing it any more and as Elizabeth pointed out to me, there has already been a discussion on this topic on harp-l. Hopefully be my last post on this topic.
 
I do have to say that I got a chuckle when they shot the scene where LW was depicted as "going electric" on harp for the very first time and the amps were narrow panel Fender tweeds....all wrong. I would bet that Kim Wilson was not around when they did that scene even though he did part of the sound track. I had forgotten that Kim had been nominated for an award for his performance. And there is that rub again; some Hollywood producer's assistant probably decided what amps to use for that scene. Correct me if I am wrong.
 
As far as facts go, I do not trust certain internet information. Don't get me wrong. I am not knocking the replies that quoted a certain website. In fact I do appreciate those folks that took the time to post the info.
 
I imagine that folks who have achieved celebrity status have to expect to be misrepresented from time to time. IMHO, that is a price those people just have to pay; sort of like the cost of doing business. I, too, do not think it is right though. 
 
There are plenty of movies and even text books in schools and libraries that put out bad or incorrect information and I still get ticked off about certain depictions in history books about the South. In order for me to maintain my sanity I have to accept those things I can not change... Oops... yes, I had to attend a few AA meetings a long time ago after my bad experience with pain killers but since I am no celebrity, I do not think my story will make the tabloids. My addiction was the result of a ruptured disc and the drugs were prescribed by a doctor. An addiction is an addiction no matter how it came to be. Hollywood is going to be Hollywood and unfortunately I can not change things. I think the 12 step program should be a mandatory class in senior high school.
 
Again, thanks for ALL the responses to my questions.
Buck  
 


From: EGS1217@xxxxxxx
Date: Wed, 11 May 2011 18:18:52 -0400
Subject: Subject: RE: [Harp-L] Cadillac Records - Little Walter 
To: boogalloo@xxxxxxx
CC: soulchicken@xxxxxxxx; harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx



Hi Buck:
 
>From the info given at the time, Kim Wilson was credited with ALL of Little Walter's playing for the movie. The Actor playing Little Walter was supposedly simply taught how to mimic playing blues harp for the role. There was a lot of discussion on harp-l at the time so more details should be in the archives.
 
As far as it not being a documentary and comparing it to Amadeus, there is one huge difference: Mozart lived and died a very long time ago and there is no likelihood of his having surviving immediate relatives with painful memories and hurt feelings due to an inaccurate portrayal. With a movie purporting to tell the story of real people of just a couple of generations ago, there undoubtedly is. I'm one who feels that extra care should always be taken to get as close to the truth as possible, especially when some of those famous people are still alive (Etta James, for instance).
 
It's simply unfair (besides being unethical) to take dramatic license with an individual's real life. None of us would appreciate having an erroneous spotlight pointed at our own parents or other family members.
 
Elizabeth
 
"Message: 6
Date: Wed, 11 May 2011 11:23:14 -0500
From: Buck Worley <boogalloo@xxxxxxx>
Subject: RE: [Harp-L] Cadillac Records - Little Walter
To: <soulchicken@xxxxxxxx>, <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
Message-ID: <SNT143-w55EEC29A403EAAA59662EA1860@xxxxxxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"


Yep, just a movie. When I first saw it and liked it so much, I bought myself a copy. In the special features and commentaries the director seems to convey that they were trying to stay as close to historical accuracy as possible. But the bottom line is that it is just a movie.

I have a couple of questions for the group:

Did LW really die in the arms of MW's wife?

Did Chess really die within site of the studio?

Also, if I remember correctly, Kim Wilson did some of the LW tracks for the movie. Did he, or was he brought in just to coach?

I agree with Michael R.'s statement that care should be taken when recommending such a movie.

Thanks,
Buck

> From: soulchicken@xxxxxxxx
> To: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
> Subject: RE: [Harp-L] Cadillac Records - Little Walter
> Date: Tue, 10 May 2011 13:32:29 -0400
> 
> 
> I agree that it's just a movie, and most of the folks on here know better about the folks portrayed in it, but unfortunately, the unwashed masses out there tend to take this stuff as gospel. I can hear someone now talking about the blues and saying " Oh yeah, Little Walter shot guys for using his name". Oh well, such is the effect of media in America. Would be nice if they were a little more realistic in the storyline, still would have made a great movie.
> 
> > To: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
> > Subject: Re: [Harp-L] Cadillac Records - Little Walter
> > From: icemanle@xxxxxxx
> > Date: Tue, 10 May 2011 11:52:39 -0400
> > 
> > It's a movie - not a documentary.
> > 
> > 
> > I loved "Amadaus", but don't really believe that Mozart was a giggling goofball."
> >