SCORSESE'S LIVING IN THE MATERIAL WORLD

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THE WEB GOSSIP
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Martin Scorsese

HARI'S BACK -- I finally got the chance to watch the almost three-hour Martin Scorsese/HBO documentary on George Harrison called Living In The Material World. It aired two weeks back, I DVR'd it, but didn't have a chance to watch until this weekend. The early reviews were fairly good, but each one mentioned that much of the source material and photos had been seen before. Truth to told; the reviews were rather tepid. George was always my favorite Beatle; I'll admit I didn't particularly cotton to the whole Hare Krishna-thing (though I did give it some serious research back then), but, face it: he wrote some great songs; his 3-album All Things Must Pass opus still holds up some 30 years later; and, his Concert For Bangla Desh was the first-ever charity concert and set the template for subsequent events like that. That said, I'm happy to report that the entire production was just lovingly put together and was a real joy from start to finish. Part 1 is a bit slower in terms of the narrative and his growing up, and ends, interestingly enough, as Harrison composes and releases his real first masterpiece, “While My Guitar Gently Weeps.” Part 2 picks up with some more terrific back-story and some never before seen videos from Harrison at home. The interviews, especially with Eric Clapton, Paul McCartney, Neil Aspinall and several members of the Monty Python troupe, including Eric Idle and Terry Gilliam, paint a fascinating portrait of Harrison as a man with conflicted ideals; sure he had millions, but he was also a man often given to the pleasures from those millions. Harrison himself says that he once chanted up to four hours while driving across Europe; and, McCartney says that he was a “man's man and enjoyed what men enjoyed.” Bassist Klaus Voorman, who actually lived at Harrison's home for years gives a very moving series of interviews. I was pleasantly surprised that his first wife, the former-model Patti Boyd, is interviewed and quite honesty too I must say, especially when Harrison's best friend Clapton bluntly announced his love for Patti; she was the inspiration for Clapton's brilliant song “Layla." My only criticism is the barely-there intel of Harrison's battles with managers Allen Klein, and later, Denis O'Brien. Omitting them is probably for the best, but to Harrison-intimates, they were crucial incidents in his life. There's also some great footage from his dalliance with The Traveling Wilburys; Harrison's last full-blown band with Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, Jeff Lynne, and the late-Roy Orbison. I would have liked to have seen some more interviews, maybe Dylan or even Jeff Lynne. Their omissions are most odd. Also, the terrific concert that Clapton organized after George's death; called The Concert For George is not even mentioned; nor, any footage shown ... very odd indeed as it was a standout concert, with many of Harrison's friends (McCartney; Petty; Starr; and Lynne participating). Lennon's death sets the stage for Harrison’s downward spiral. Ringo Starr gives a positively riveting interview about George's last hours. It is spell-binding. Also, Olivia Harrison gives several brilliant interviews. I've met her (with Q104.3's Ken Dashow) and she is the perfect keeper of Harrison's memory. She is elegant, well-spoken, and somewhat saucy herself. She says she knew Harrison loved women and probably strayed once or twice … “People ask me how do you have a long marriage … you don't get divorced!” Harrison was lucky to have her. There are also several interviews with his son Dhani which are eerily captivating; as he looks exactly like his Father. The entire documentary is without a doubt the strongest thing Scorsese has done in this genre. It'll be out on DVD soon, do yourself a favor and check it out.


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Joshua Jackson

TV NOTES --- Our fave Fringe roared back to form with a rather, brilliant episode Friday night called Subject 9. This show, when everything is working, is just spot-on brilliant. Anna Torv and John Noble had some terrific moments together and proved yet again: If it ain't on the page; it ain't on the stage. Also, the character of Peter Bishop (Joshua Jackson), as predicted here, returned! Great TV … The much hoped for Charlie's Angels was canceled Friday. No great surprise, but TNT's Memphis Beat, which starred the wonderful Jason Lee was shuttered too. This is a real shame as it was a quirky, yet terrifically well written and well acted show; and, was produced by George Clooney and Grant Heslov. A real shame. Patrick Wilson’s somewhat derided A Gifted Man continues to impress. He's terrific and if you buy the premise, you buy the show. Still, J.J. Abrams Person Off Interest just may be the show to shine for this rather dismal-TV season. Terrific writing, captivating acting by Michael Emerson and Jim Caviezel all works. Terrific show!


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Ali McGraw

MENGERS RIP --- Legendary Hollywood agent Sue Mengers died Saturday night at her Beverly Hills home after a series of small strokes. She was 81. Mengers was surrounded by her closest friends: Ali McGraw; Joanna Poitier and Boaty Boatwright. “Sue was unlike anyone I've ever met – a true original,” said Boatwright. “Her name became synonymous with women and what she helped us all accomplish, but her legend is really the vitality with which she lived life, and her wit, which will be celebrated in stories throughout our community for years to come.”


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Whoopi Goldberg

KIDS 4 KIDS-- The annual Kids 4 Kids event in lower Manhattan for the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS (http://www.pedaids.org/) ( foundation is Saturday, November 4. Look for Micky Dolenz and Dayme to attend the event, as well as James Gandolfini; Julianne Moore; and, Whoopi Goldberg. Thanks to their Bob Yule for his efforts this year. We'll be there with a full report.


Photos By: RD/Kirkland/Dziekan/Walter McBride/Retna