The Next Reel Film Podcast

Who is this Colin Higgins fellow and why are we talking about him? How resonant is Harold and Maude still? Are jokes about suicide okay in a context like this? Tune in to this week’s show to get these answers and more!

Show Notes

“You can’t let the world judge you too much.”

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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Creators and Guests

Host
Andy Nelson
With over 25 years of experience in film, television, and commercial production, Andy has cultivated an enduring passion for storytelling in all its forms. His enthusiasm for the craft began in his youth when he and his friends started making their own movies in grade school. After studying film at the University of Colorado Boulder, Andy wrote, directed, and produced several short films while also producing indie features like Netherbeast Incorporated and Ambush at Dark Canyon. Andy has been on the production team for award-winning documentaries such as The Imposter and The Joe Show, as well as TV shows like Investigation Discovery’s Deadly Dentists and Nat Geo’s Inside the Hunt for the Boston Bombers. Over a decade ago, he started podcasting with Pete and immediately embraced the medium. Now, as a partner at TruStory FM, Andy looks forward to more storytelling through their wide variety of shows. Throughout his career, Andy has passed on his knowledge by teaching young minds the crafts of screenwriting, producing, editing, and podcasting. Outside of work, Andy is a family man who enjoys a good martini, a cold beer, a nice cup o’ joe. And always, of course, a great movie.
Host
Pete Wright
#Movies, #ADHD, & #Podcasting • Co-founder @trustory.fm🎥 The Next Reel Family of #Film Podcasts @thenextreel.com🎙️ Taking Control: The ADHD Podcast @takecontroladhd.com📖 Co-author of Unapologetically ADHD • https://unapologeticallyadhdbook.com

What is The Next Reel Film Podcast?

A show about movies and how they connect.
We love movies. We’ve been talking about them, one movie a week, since 2011. It’s a lot of movies, that’s true, but we’re passionate about origins and performance, directors and actors, themes and genres, and so much more. So join the community, and let’s hear about your favorite movies, too.
When the movie ends, our conversation begins.