Hal Ashby and the Making of Harold and Maude

by James A. Davidson

The original script was sold to a major Hollywood studio virtually overnight; the screenwriter was working as a pool boy and driver for the producer; the director was considered an "acid freak" by the studio heads; the star was a 74-year-old actress who didn't know how to drive a car. The film flopped upon release but later became one of the great cult successes of all time. This is the fascinating, never before told story of the making of Harold and Maude, shot guerrilla-style in the San Francisco Bay Area by a crew of "New Hollywood" filmmakers in the winter of 1971.

Genres: Nonfiction

225 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 28, 2016

Reviews

[Simon Harvey · Rating 2 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading it - but didn’t feel that it was hugely illuminating. A lot of time was spent on simply recounting the film. I enjoyed the stuff about the film / directors legacy more than the actual making of stuff. Would be interested to read the Hal Ashby biog.

[Daniel H. Chinitz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Info!

Easy to read and full of great info on a Classic! I hope this author writes on more cult films.

[David Keep · Rating 4 out of 5]

Essential

Harold and Maude is a beloved cult classic. Davidson has written an well researched look at the making and impact of it

[Miriam B. Sayer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating read

About the making of one of my all time favorite movies. I had no idea all that went on in the making of it. The author has done incredible research, and this book gives me a deeper appreciation for it. So glad I took a chance on an author I knew nothing about.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read for a Harold and Maude fan. Lots of good information about the cast, locations, and Hal Ashby.

[Lee Weinstein · Rating 5 out of 5]

A marvelous backstory of the making of one of the greatest cult films of all time. Harold and Maude is #45 on the American Film Institute's list of 100 Years... 100 Laughs, the list of the top 100 films in American comedy. I saw H&M 37 times in the movie theatre and had so many questions. This book answered them all (including what happened to Harold's hearse).