Pull My Daisy
Based on an incident in the life of Beat icon Neal Cassady and his wife, the painter Carolyn, the film tells the story of a railway brakeman whose wife invites a respected bishop over for dinner. However, the brakeman's Bohemian friends crash the party, with comic results. Pull My Daisy is a film that typifies the Beat Generation. Directed by Robert Frank and Alfred Leslie, Daisy was adapted by Jack Kerouac from the third act of his play, Beat Generation; Kerouac also provided improvised narration.
Insights
Plot Summary
A surreal and poetic short film capturing a spontaneous gathering of Beat Generation poets and artists. A narrator, voiced by Jack Kerouac, describes the events as they unfold in a loose, improvisational style. The film explores themes of creativity, friendship, and the artistic lifestyle of the era.
Critical Reception
Acclaimed as a seminal work of the Beat Generation and avant-garde cinema, 'Pull My Daisy' is celebrated for its raw energy and authentic portrayal of its subjects. While experimental in nature, it resonated with audiences interested in counter-culture and artistic expression.
What Reviewers Say
- Praised for its authentic representation of the Beat Generation's spirit.
- Seen as a significant piece of avant-garde filmmaking.
- Lauded for its spontaneous and improvisational nature.
Google audience: Information not available.
Fun Fact
The film was shot with available light and features a spontaneous narration by Jack Kerouac, who famously improvised his lines while watching the footage play back.
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