Filmmaker Jeffrey Schwarz: "You Made Allan Carr a Hero""

Show Notes

Documentary filmmaker Jeffrey Schwarz returns to the podcast to discuss is new film "The Fabulous Allan Carr" about the legendary, larger-than-life producer of Grease, Can't Stop the Music, the Broadway musical La Cage Aux Folles and the 1989 Oscars where Rob Lowe sang "Proud Mary" with Snow White. Jeffrey talks about what drew him to Carr as a film subject, Allan's crazy, drug-fueled parties, his passion for making and remaking stars like Marlo Thomas and Ann-Margaret, how Allan helped "The Deer Hunter" win Best Picture, Allan's mega-success with "Grease" and how he hogged the credit for its success. Jeffrey also discusses Allan's struggle with his weight and penchant for wearing caftans. Jeffrey also answers Dennis's burning question: Why on earth was Bounty lady Nancy Walker chosen to direct "Can't Stop the Music" when she had never directed a movie before? Jeffrey talks about the tricky process of landing interviews, Maxwell Caulfield's off-the-chart hotness, the opening of "La Cage Aux Folles" on Broadway at the dawn of the AIDS crisis and the qualities of each of his doc subjects that he tried to incorporate into his own life. Other topics include: the voicemail he got from a "Can't Stop the Music" star, why he learned to type at 9, being on John Water's Christmas card list, connecting with HBO and Sheila Nevins, winning a Emmy and "What flannel would Jack Wrangler wear?"

http://www.allancarrmovie.com/

http://www.jeffrey-schwarz.com/