Spalding Gray in Film
(and other ditties)
in Alphabetical Order
1) Almost You
- reviews are mixed but plot
sounds interesting, Spalding not mentioned so maybe small part
VHS ONLY – about $1 half decent
used to $7.00 NEW
2) Bad
Company directed by Damian Harris
Ranked
#10 in Entertainment Weekly's "10 Best Video Releases of 1995" --
"...More fun than almost anything else on video....The kind of great trash
that Hollywood is too timid to make anymore..." I thought it was pretty
bad - the only stand out being the few appearances of Spud playing a timid
crime boss.
3) Beaches
- 1988 (also called Forever Friends)
4)Beyond
Rangoon, 1996 directed by John Boorman
- reviews
make it sound promising with good acting - also stars another of my favs,
Frances McDormand, Best Actress for Fargo and married to one of them Coen
brothers. If you think she looks frumpy, think again...
Beyond
Rangoon
VHS ONLY
- prices are all over the map but there are 5 copies NEW for 3.77 – so
don’t pay too much for this
- I didn't
even watch the end of this wantabe (BUT Spalding is good when he's in it...so
is Frances. Big mistake was last half without them)...reminds me though
that Burmese government REALLY sucks.
5) Bliss
- 1997- directed by Craig Sheffer
- reviews
sound good - excuse me while i go rent it...
- I mean
to resurrect my review as this is a must see film - Indie, made in Vancouver
which is why Spalding loved Vancouver - Terrence Stamp deserved an oscar!!!
6) Brother’s Keeper – 10th Anniversary
DVD has the original theatrical trailer which is kinda like a mini Spud
monologue
-hey, I bought it just for that
(truly obsessed!) besides the fact that this is an excellent documentary
– truly strange but as a documentary, it keeps you right on the edge of
your seat (unless you already know the verdict in this bizarre true murder
trial.)
7) Cafe
Lena - 1990 (UK Documentary)
Cannot
find listed anywhere
GOES
ON MOST WANTED LIST
8) Clara's Heart
VHS ONLY
- solid 5 star ratings – I think
you gotta like Whoppi…
- from $2.85 (used/like new)
to $20.00 new
9) Coming
Soon - 2000 - directed by Collette Burson
- became
the center of a controversy over gender biased ratings when the MPAA Ratings
deemed Burson's film NC-17 film not long after granting the far racier
AMERICAN PIE an R - sounds surprisingly good and worth watching - AF has
a good review under hyperlink, you guessed it, Reviews...
- the
reviews are mostly very good but are all over the map – a must see as it
was treated in a very sexist way by the rating system.
From $5
new on VHS to $30 new on DVD - DVD's of this are becoming RARE.
10) Communists
Are Comfortable - 1985 - (Documentary)
http://www.canyoncinema.com/K/Kobland.html
VHS, b&w/color/so,
66m, $50 Home
I am trying
to articulate, through the use of landscape and monologue, a sense of human
"fatality," a sense of the inevitable failure of idealism; inevitable because
its fate is in people, and their foibles.
The films'
imagery is drawn from personal memory, urban housing project landscapes,
social history, dreams, HUAC testimony, apartment interiors, a "woods."
The "Other Stories" (the monologues) are formed out of the male-gender
rhetoric of success and defeat, of dealing and "getting-by."
11) Cowards
-
1970 -
–
a bomb in 1970, quickly underwent emergency surgery: some of the original
footage was dropped , new scenes were added featuring the character of
Steve and all those naked hippies, and viola — Cowards suddenly became
Love-In 1972. SO – these are the same films!
Monologist
Spalding Gray is alternately funny and scary as a psycho terrorist babbling
at a party — "We need us a real revolution! The streets of every city is
like the jungles of Vietnam! Attack and retreat, regroup, attack and retreat
again! In no time there'd be no government in Washington! The police force
and the army would be powerless!"
- could
not find it available anywhere… GOES ON MOST WANTED LIST ****
12)
Diabolique - 1996
– a remake of the classic
50’s French film. The reviews are all over, a few good, a few very bad.
Sounds to me like I’d like to see the classic version first, before I satisfy
my Spalding obsession. Generally, it sounds like you’d have to be obsessed
like me, or really Sharon Stone or want to a see a brief shot of Isabelle
Adjani in the nude to see this, or maybe it shows up late night – who knows.
Readily available. Original
is on DVD – new and used running 20 – 25 $
New one on DVD – used $4.50, new $10
New one gets very so, so mixed
reviews – won’t stop me…
13) Drunks
- 1997 - directed by Peter Cohn
An extremely
strong ensemble cast, intelligent script, and careful direction keep the
story well above the level of maudlin self-revelation. Based on the stage
play "Blackout" by Gary Lennon. (I liked it a lot...)
14)
The Farmer's Daughter
- the
one, the only - adult only!!! XXX- very hard to find - I am looking for
a good quality VHS as the one I have is very washed out - I want this only
for collection sake, of course (not to be confused with other series
of porno flicks with similar name, as in Farmer's Daughter Does Dallas...)
- by the way, even if someone was into porno, this film really is BAD -
the emphasis on rape and violence is disturbing... makes Russ Meyers
look good!
15) Glory
Daze - 1997 - directed by Rich Wilkes
DVD -
89 used & new from $4.94 (used) to 5.90 new
- reviews
are fairly consistent in the 4 to 5 star range.
16) Gray's
Anatomy - 1997- directed by Steven Soderbergh
- enough
said - one of Spalding's monologues... the same Steven who is making the
docu on Spalding...write me!
17) Hard
Choices - 1985
26 used & new from
$0.28 VHS only
- an early indie with an indie
rough edge – good reviews are based on the performance including John Sayles
(the father of the idie???) and Spalding
- I’m also a huge fan of John
Sayles so I ordered it - $1.22 new – good price!
- Just realized it never came…so
I reordered an new one at .79 cents and will check the old email to what
happened with the order…make sure you’re buying any of the ‘only on vhs’
as shipping is so much lower.
18) Heavy
Petting - 1989 - (Documentary)
- I have
this - very rare - very odd but very funny - financed by the son of the
man who invented white bread! - no kidding!
UPDATE:
May,2007 - released on double DVD with tons of extras including 20 minutes
with Spalding.
See review
at http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/review.php?ID=28201
19) How
High - 2002 - directed by Jesse Dylan
- stars
Method Man - rappers trying to be Cheech and Chong, although review
is a little kinder... I thought it was worth a watch as it's silly
and funny, but I'd watch anything if Spalding wandered thru... - as some
may know, Spalding keeps his bit parts going to get the union medical insurance
- is this the film that covered his accident bills???
20) Jimmy
Zip - 1996
DVD - 15 used & new from
$6.49
the web page info had said 1996
but this says 1999 – either a mistake or it just took time for the video/DVD
release (must be same film) – good review
21) Julie
Johnson - 2001
UPDATE
May 2005
Gay and
lesbian pay network Here TV has bought exclusive rights to movie "Julie
Johnson,"
co-starring Lily Taylor, Courtney Love, Mischa Barton, Spalding Gray.
Originally
produced by the Shooting Gallery and entered in the Sundance Film
Festival
in 2001, "Julie Johnson" never got a theatrical release. The movie
will have
its U.S. premiere in June.
Movie's
new owners, Cinemavault Releasing, have sold Here TV a three-year
window
not only for pay TV but also for homevideo, pay-per-view, video-on-
demand
and subscription VODVOD, said Paul Colichman, cofounder with Stephen P.
Jarchow
of Here and of the distribution company Regent EntertainmentRegent
Entertainment.
Directed
by Bob Gosse, "Julie Johnson" features Taylor as the title character
who falls
in love with her best friend, played by Love, when her marriage
breaks
up.
22) IIsa
- Harem Keeper of the Oil Sheiks, 1601 (that's what it says!) directed
by Don Edmonds
- no,
I'm not kidding! As guardian of a Middle East harem, Ilsa's barbaric talents
are in full flower. Beautiful women are abducted, and enslaved, until a
CIA agent comes to their rescue and arouses Ilsa's revenge. Lots of women's
breasts but the sadistic parts are very hard to take - especially since
it is a terrible film...
and guess
what I just found out - Spalding is NOT in this film - this has been confirmed
by the
the Director - and I had to sit thru this piece of S&M Trash looking
for Spud... the price of obsession...
23) Kate
and Leopold - 2001 - highly recommended
DVD 94
used & new from $7.99
Mostly
4 star reviews
24) King
of the Hill - 1994 - directed by Steven Soderbergh
- Very
strong, positive reviews, it's on my list...I got this - It's very well
done film - excellent in every way...a must see!!!
25) Little
Orphan Dusty - 1976 - anybody got this?
26) Love-In
'72 - 1972
Love-In
'72 – available for rental at
http://www.wandwvideo.com/catalog/catalog.cgi/VIDEO/21041
but only
local rentals now (Louisville, KY) but may expand at some point to
mail order
rentals
– can any spuddy in Loiusville please rent this/buy for me in return for
something that you want in return…please…for the museum…
27) Maraschino
Cherry - 1978
Available at http://www.toyboxxx.com/products/228449.htm
$24.95
- strictly XXX ADULT
- Spalding doesn’t get a credit
in write up
28) Monster
in a Box - 1993 - directed by Nick Broomfield
- enough
said - a monologue...
29) New
York - A Documentary Film (PBS - an American Experience) - Spalding's
voice
New York (7 Episode PBS Boxed
Set) (PBS American Experience)
- 7 part Box Set
- VHS - $50 to $100
- DVD – Cheapest new on DVD
is about $110
- Spalding is used as
narrator in at least one episode
- more details appreciated from
visitors to site
30) Our
Town (TV) - 1989 - rare - on VHS -
- very expensive – used $40
– new $75
AS OF 04/06, now available on
DVD as a double feature with the original PBS version with Hal Holbrook
from www.mastervision.com/article/CA6326600.html ($59.95)
- Spalding version produced for
Lincoln Center and taped for the PBS series "Great Performances", is the
casting of monologuist and actor Spalding Gray as the Stage Manager. He
gives a sardonic, astringent performance, and much of Wilder's dialogue
sounds distinctly chilling coming from him.
- sometimes (rarely) on ebay
on VHS for $40 new – check the ebay links on our Fund Raising Page as of
04/06.
31) Poetry in Motion - 1982 -
Award winning director Ron Mann filmed over 75 poets and writers for what
AMERICAN FILM called "the Woodstock of Poetry". Ginsberg, Burroughs, Baraka,
Giorno, Ondaatje, Bukowski, and Di Prima are just a few of the "beat" poets
featured for the first time in this groundbreaking film.
And yes, under 'believe it or
not', they left Spalding on the cutting floor. BUT...Spalding was saved
by the miracle of DVD extras! 'Over one hour of additional performances
seen here for the first time'
Lots of new DVD copies on Amazon.
32) Revolution
#9 - 2002 - directed by Tim McCann
"...A
taut, intelligent psychological drama that effectively plays one nightmare
against the other..."
- finally available on DVD –
a straight 5 star reviews
- a grim, realistic portrait
of the failure of the mental health system as a man has a sudden onset
psychotic break – Spalding’s character as a video artist is his main delusion.
Indie, might be rough to watch for some people who have experienced the
possible horrors of the broken mental system. Spalding’s role is special.
- (I am a former psychiatric
social worker with an MSW degree).
33) Terrors
of Pleasure - 1988 - directed by Thomas Schlamme
- hilarious,
this shows up on TV occasionally because it's 60 minutes long - an HBO
special - avialable on VHS but pricey...
- 10 used
& new from $29.90
VHS ONLY
– out of print – like new is 50.00, so the rare times it’s on ebay, the
prices are better
34) Trying
Times (PBS) - episode 'Bedtime Story' - written by Spalding
and starring Spalding. - this was a SUPERB series done by up and
coming stars - such as Steven Wright, Candice Bergen etc.) Bedtime
Story is a MUST see...never released on VHS or DVD - PBS is asleep at the
wheel... but I've got most of them on tape, including this unforgettable
episode.
35) Seven
Minutes in Heaven - 1985 (beware of Spanish Dub - unless you're
Spanish!)
-reviews are straight 5 stars!
Again Spalding’s role appears to be minor – I read the reviews though and
ordered it right away
- VHS ONLY
- 14 used & new from $5.88
36) Stars
and Bars - 1994 - director Pat O'Connor
- an amazing
list of stars
-
a funny indie, a must see
-
Spalding's role as a southern preacher is small but marvellous - see my
review under Reviews
- VHS
ONLY –
-
17 used & new from $2.99
37) Straight
Talk - 1992
VHS - 41 used & new from
$0.65
DVD - 87 used & new from
$4.99 – DVD gets poor rating due to lack of extras
In general, movie gets 4 stars
38) Swimming
to Cambodia - directed by Jonatham Demme
- enough
said, a tour de force monologue...
39) The
Image (TV) - 1990
- 25 used & new from $1.98
(1990) TV (HBO) NOT a monologue
5 star ratings VHS only (no
DVD)
40) The
Killing Fields - 1996 - Roland Joffe
- as good
as this film is, i like the story about Spalding's small part better (Swimming
to Cambodia)...
41) The
Paper Mache Chase - 2003
– appears
to be unavailable – I am looking at the moment and have a contact
- GOES
ON MOST WANTED LIST
Review
- http://www.filmthreat.com/Reviews.asp?Id=4335
Director:
Dave Jordan
10min
Cast:
Cynthia Nixon, Jim Gaffigan, Spalding Gray, Kate Burton, Lonette Mckee
UPDATE:
04/06 - unavailable due to film being made into feature length version.
This news is an exclusive to spaldinggray.com
My thanks
to Producer Barbara Feinstein for this helpful info. Note that this film
is copyrighted and will be legally protected.
42) The
Paper –
- I remember
this Ron Howard film kinda bombing at the box office but the DVD reviews
are quite postive – except for some whines about not being the wide screen
version
43) The
Pickle - 1993
- 29 used & new from $0.43
44) To
Save a Child (TV) - 1991 (aka The Craft)
45) True
Stories - 1986 - directed by David Byrnes
- this
film is simply amazing, a must see...
46) 20th
Century - Yesterday's Tomorrow (TV) - 1999
47) Twenty
Bucks - 1994 - directed by Keva Rosenfeld
- the
premise sounds great - a twenty dollar bill passes from person to person
- hey, i wrote a story about a nickel doing that while i was in public
school - can i sue?
- a bonus
point of trivia - a survey in the U.S. indicated that 80% of twenty dollar
bills in big cities had traces of cocaine...
48) Variety
- 1983 -
-
including a vocal cameo by Spalding Gray
- 4 used
& new from $15.99
(Spalding
is uncredited!)
49) What
You Mean We? (TV movie) - Talk Show Host (voice) - Year: 1987
I could
no information on it at all so any info is greatly appreciated
50) Zelda
(TV) - 1993 - does anyone know anything about this one...
UPDATE
- June 26, 2004
- thanks
to spuddie Matt Strickland (see links for his site) for:
1) 2 short
monologues - Map of L.A. and A Brief Personal History of
American Theatre - both rare - occasionally at libraries or thru
Electronic Arts Intermix ( vhs one day rental, $50, purchase $200 -
so if anyone knows where I could get copies at a better price, LET ME KNOW...
)
2) a web
film about Spalding - A Life in Progress - available in streaming
video at CinemaNow.
SPALDING
GRAY FILM REVIEWS
Submit
yours here
I am interested
in Spalding's OTHER APPEARANCES. Do you have info on Spalding's Broadway
and off-Broadway appearances? Email
me.
