Colin Higgins had one of those incredibly lucky starts to his career in motion pictures – knowing the right people at the right time while still in school. Of course, he also proved right out of the gate that he was incredibly talented, which always helps. His first script, Harold and Maude, was written as his thesis project while at UCLA, and even if he didn’t end up getting to direct it, with Hal Ashby on board, he was able to be involved from start to finish to see his vision come to life. Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we kick off our Colin Higgins series with his first film, Ashby’s 1971 film Harold and Maude.
We talk about Higgins and why he still resonates as a great writer/director. We look at Ashby’s career and discuss this in relation to it. We discuss why this film had a hard time finding its audience upon its initial release but how it’s become a popular classic now. We look at the humor in it and chat about why jokes about suicide end up being okay in the movie. We touch on Cat Stevens and his music which feels so of a part of the movie. And we cover the amazing Ruth Gordon and Bud Cort in the titular roles (not to mention several of the other amazing actors rounding out the cast).
It’s one of our favorites and we have a great time talking about it, so check it out then tune in. The Next Reel – when the movie ends, our conversation begins.
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- Script Transcript
- Original theatrical trailer
- Original poster artwork
- Flickchart
- Letterboxd
