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Tracklisting & More Information
Background:
Even for Frank, his original vision of 'Touring Can Make You Crazy' was always going to be a very strange film.
Most of the dialogue came from road tapes of group conversations, which the band then found themselves having to re-speak as lines in the film.
Some serious changes were made from this original shooting script to the scenes that ended up appearing n the film. Not least of which was the main character, Jeff Simmons, quitting the group just before they flew to the UK to start shooting. This led to Wilfred Brambell [Albert Steptoe] being cast as Jeff, but he quit during rehearsals. The role finally went to Martin Lickert, Ringo's chauffeur, who by a real stroke of luck also played bass.
The bass parts that appear in the film score, although most scenes were shot'live', were later overdubbed by Frank.
Other notable differences were that the film was originally meant to have Pete Townsend (dressed as Donovan) to play Jeff's Good Conscience. In the film, it was Mark Volman voicing the animated Billy The Mountain (dressed up like Donovan).
Keith Moon (dressed up like Ginger Baker) was supposed to play Jeff's Bad Conscience. In the film, it was Jim Pons voicing the animated Studebacher Hoch (dressed up like Jim Pons).
Mick Jagger was supposed to play the nun (while being pursued by Larry the Dwarf). Miss Pamela was supposed to play the nun (as the third groupie ODing). In the film, Keith Moon played the nun throughout.The soprano soloist of the chorus (Phyllis Bryn-Julson) was supposed to play the rock & roll interviewer, speaking as well as singing. In the film, Miss Pamela took over the speaking role.
Jeff Beck was supposed to play the fake Lucy. In the film, Motorhead played the fake Lucy.
The shooting script contains a non-speaking role for Meredith [Monk, presumably] as the newt-rancher's girlfriend in The Pleated Gazelle.
Herb Cohen was supposed to appear in two scenes, speaking his name in one of them.
The script itself is intact and complete, although four irrelevant pages were removed from the main binder. These are still present but as loose pages.
There is a floor map of the shooting stages of Centreville and the settings for the scenes.
Because of the chaos surrounding the castings, rehearsing the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, band & cast in just a week of filming, several of the intended scenes and musical numbers had to be cut from the film. As such, this shooting script remains the most complete document of Frank's original idea, with the running order, missing scenes and musical interludes listed as they were originally intended to happen, rather than as they finally appeared in the finished film.
Interestingly, in addition to the Royal Philharmonic, there was also a classical guitar trio including John Williams.
The 'missing music' eventually appeared in alterate form, scattered between the Soundtrack LP, Fillmore East 71 & Chunga's Revenge.
With this script, you can now assemble your own 'soundtrack album' in the order that the music was meant to go had the film been completed as planned.
The 10" x 8" photograph that was taken on the film set has pencil annotations in the back which appear to be the sizings for a lobby card. There are pinholes from mounting and a tape rip on the back where it was obviously once mounted in something, probably a portfolio book. Some of the writing on the back looks very familiar, but it's impossible to be sure, so check out the scans and you decide.
Copies of the original shooting script have seldom turned up for sale. I can think of only one in the last ten years. This is a vitally important document for any serious FZ collector or archiver.
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MEMORABILIA
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