Weird America: Derailroaded

Wed, Jan 18
7:30
$8 general, $4 students

"A penny for your thoughts" got you nothing from Wild Man Fischer. It
cost a dime, and his thoughts came in the form of a yelping, crazy
song. Living on the streets of late-sixties L.A., veteran of several
Bedlams, the Wild Man was discovered by a motherly Frank Zappa, who
set about recording his newfound Fischer King. Soon he was an
underground rage-the schizo with a microphone, bellowing out such
nutty nuggets as "Why I Am Normal" and "Which Way Did the Freaks Go?"
But it wasn't just a glorious demimonde filled with devotees-the Wild
Man had his demons. With archival footage from Fischer's early days,
including his TV and club performances, Rubin's riveting Derailroaded
traces the artist's track from bruised child to limelight loony.
Various friends and faux, such as Zappa, Weird Al Yankovic, Devo's
Mark Mothersbaugh, and Dr. Demento, recall the crazy ride that
knocked the Wild Man from his train.

bull Photographed by Bryan Newman. (86 mins, Color, Beta SP, From the
filmmaker)

Venue:

Pacific Film Archive
2575 Bancroft Way @ Bowditch
Berkeley
info: 510-642-1124 / tickets: 510-642-5249
http://www.bampfa.berkeley.edu/pfa

Additional Info:

510-642-6883
http://www.bampfa.berkeley.edu/pfa_programs/weird/index.html