Albert Maysles who with his brother David filmed Gimme Shelter and the Beatles First American Visit, just passed away. Also filmed Grey Gardens. http://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/07/m...pioneering-documentarian-dies-at-88.html?_r=0
A big loss. 'Gimme Shelter' is an amazing document of a time that you can revisit because of his work. I recently watched his Rufus Wainwright concert DVD, 'Milwaukee at Last.' I am not a huge RW fan, but that may be the best concert DVD I've ever seen. Really well shot from the stage and some great backstage stuff.
I do not know why they won't put out the original film What's Happening!! The Beatles in the USA on DVD/Blu-Ray. I saw said original film at the Egyptian Theater here in L.A. in 2007. Rest in peace, Albert.
Gimme Shelter was the film that first inspired me to want to make movies about bands and festivals. I wrote a letter to Albert a few years ago, thanking him, and he wrote me back.
RIP to a great filmmaker who lived a long, productive, and influential life. Lots of mentions of Gimme Shelter and Grey Gardens, which is not surprising as they're obviously both very fine films, but I'd like to add Salesman to that list. It isn't as well known, but is equally great.
All respect to Richard Lester, but I think the Maysles brothers were the true architects of A Hard Days Night with their documentary of the February 1964 visit. It's like the Lester film in tone and rhythm, but real. RIP and thanks.
Caught Salesman on late night TV years ago and was absolutely riveted, which is something considering I was a teenager and it's a b&w documentary about middle-aged dudes selling Bibles door-to-door. Great, great movie.
Have to admit that I always thought the tone and rhythm of a lot of what Lester did owed much to the influence of Spike Milligan and Peter Sellers. RIP Here's an obit, a tribute and two interviews with the man himself - and some other stuff: http://fridaynightboys300.blogspot.co.uk/2015/03/albert-maysles-film-maker-who-had.html
Would it be wrong to call the Maysles the 'godfathers' of 'reality.... fill-in-the-blank'? "Grey Gardens" is the proto-'reality show'; I could watch Big Edie & Little Edie for HOURS!!
Thanks for interview link above. Also watched again The Beatles - First U.S. Visit and switched on audio commentary by Albert, great team with his brother.
