Jack Kerouac

DVD Features:

Description by OLDIES.com:

What Happened To Kerouac? is a lively and revealing investigation into the personal history and creative process of Jack Kerouac, father of the Beat Generation, author of "On The Road" and pivotal figure of the '50s countercultural revolution. This portrait shows us what happened when fame and notoriety were thrust upon an essentially reticent man whose influence is still felt all over the world. What Happened To Kerouac? features interviews with Allen Ginsberg, Gregory Corso, William Burroughs, Steve Allen, William Buckley, Charlie Parker, Neal Cassady, Carolyn Cassady, Lawrence Ferlinghetti, Michael McClure and Gary Snyder.

Product Description:

This powerful documentary shows Jack Kerouac's unique creative process and rise to fame as a writer, while also shedding light on his turbulent personal life and his decline to an alcoholism-related death. Kerouac is the Beat Generation icon best known for his counterculture manifesto ON THE ROAD. He possessed unparalleled genius, but also suffered from uncontrollable personal demons that ultimately caused his demise. The film chronicles his chaotic yet fertile career in which he produced an astonishing number of novels and made history collaborating with artists such as Allen Ginsberg. The sometimes contentious relationship between Kerouac and author Neal Cassady factors significantly into the story. Cassady joined Kerouac on many of his road trips and unwillingly served as a character in Kerouac's literature. Kerouac never embraced the spotlight as his work fully consumed him. Instead, the film details how, through unsuccessful marriages, other relationships, and fathering one child, Kerouac yearned for a normal life.

Archival footage illustrates some of Kerouac's most notable public moments, including a moving, harrowing appearance taped just a year before his death. Through intimate interviews with fellow authors, relatives, and friends, including entertainer Steve Allen, author William Burroughs, poet Allen Ginsberg, and ex-wife Edie Kerouac Parker, filmmakers Richard Lerner and Lewis MacAdams elicit a touching, well-rounded picture of this brilliant but troubled artist.

Plot Keywords:

1950s | 1960s | Authors | Biographical | Biographical Picture | Biography | Documentary | Historic Figures | Historical | History | Literature | Writers

Production Notes:

• WHAT HAPPENED TO KEROUAC? started as a video project in 1982, but then grew into a full-length feature film over the next 3 years.
• Jack Kerouac died less then a year after his legendary, drunken appearance on William F. Buckley's Firing Line television show in 1968, which is featured in the film.
• The scroll of paper featuring the original text of ON THE ROAD (which was bought in 2002 by Jim Irsay, owner of the football team The Indianapolis Colts) made a tour of US museums and libraries from 2004 to 2007.

Cast and Crew: