Pull My Daisy

The background drama is interesting, I think, and not well known. Like Subterraneans, this story was transplanted from one coast to another.

The Cassadys lived in the scenic foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains, and the neighborhood was gentrifying in the years they were there. Many of the cultural contrasts in Beat epics were actually suggested by the various Beats and Pranksters playing off against the ritzy neighbors in Monte Sereno. There really was a bishop and his wife visiting in the Cassady home one evening while Ginsberg and Corso were there.

Milo is a stand-in for Neal Cassady, of course, and the resentment and struggles against wife Carolyn are not made up neither. The rhythm of the commentary over the action is exceptional. I don't know where I have seen the like.

Perhaps the definitive Beat flick "Pull My Daisy" stars some of the foremost figures of the fabled Beat Generation from the literary genre's prime. Based on a play by Jack Kerouac the film is narrated by Kerouac himself as fellow Beat compadres Allen Ginsberg, Gregory Corso and Peter Orlovsky chat, horse around and try to behave in a family setting. Friendship, familial interactions, music and intellectualism ("Is Baseball holy?") constitute the gathering. While not among the best shorts as this slow going and tedious affair will appeal to die hards alone the personages involved make it priceless and essential. Historical, charmingly pretentious and fascinating this is one every film buff and lit enthusiast should view.

Although this "short" is very hard to find - you are most likely going to have to hunt for a bootleg copy somewhere - it is worth the hunt for anyone who understands the historical context of the picture. It was the only film the beats ever made, and the highlights can are to be found in the narration by Jack Kerouac and the musical score (classical / be-bop / jazzy) done by David Amram. The themes are typical of the beats and of Kerouac - railroad brakemen, beer, poetry, pot.. etc, but in all seriousness this is a rare gem and gives a brief look into the consciousness of the beat poets / writers. Kerouac sounds drunk and probably is drunk, but that just adds to the aura and humor of the film.

I just finished my kerouac biography and am still interested in seeing this film even though he was pretty much worthless as a human being in all practical terms. He is commendable in one thing and that one thing is that he had a passion, and while I believe everyone should have a passion, I'm not into the capitalistic approach of "copy, steal, and loved ones be damned because I'm all that matters to me" approach that feeds Kerouac's delusions(or perhaps not)of grandeur. Anyway, I don't mean to put him down too much. I still liked THE SUBTERRANEANS and ONE THE ROAD because no matter how whimsical the storyline may be, he comes up with valuable truths about life, relationships, and massive orgies!-My top three things to look for in a book-baby SOo-um-yah I would preferably like to rent the movie before I buy it and I've tried libraries, movie rental places(firstchoice&moviegallery), I've even tried ebay(withtherestoftheworld!)- with no luck. Anyone know who might carry it? I'd appreciate any point in the right direction-Thanks!

Various "Beat Generation" luminaries hang out in a New York apartment. I usually couldn't care less about the Beats, but this short film is fairly absorbing, thanks mostly to Jack Kerouac's vibrant narration. It makes me nostalgic for the '50s, and I wasn't even around back then.