THIS IS SPINAL TAP was released 41 years ago today. Widely regarded as one of the funniest comedies ever made, and the film that spawned the ‘mockumentary’, the behind the scenes tale goes to 11… 1/40 - ThreadSky

alltherightmovies.com • 2 days ago

THIS IS SPINAL TAP was released 41 years ago today. Widely regarded as one of the funniest comedies ever made, and the film that spawned the ‘mockumentary’, the behind the scenes tale goes to 11…

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alltherightmovies.com•2 days ago

In 1978, college pals-turned-comedians Christopher Guest and Michael McKean featured in a pilot for a sketch show called The TV Show. The pilot was unsuccessful but their sketch – about a parody rock band called Spinal Tap – was very well received.

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alltherightmovies.com•2 days ago

Filmmaker Rob Reiner and actor Harry Shearer had also worked on The TV Show, and Reiner secured $60k from Marble Arch Productions to allow the 4 of them to write a script based on their Spinal tap characters – Nigel Tufnel, David St Hubbins, Derek Smalls and Marty Di Bergi.

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alltherightmovies.com•2 days ago

After just a few days writing, the foursome realised no script could capture the kind of of-the-cuff, loose comedy they wanted to make. Instead, they shot a 20 minute demo and shopped it round studios. Norman Lear – owner of Embassy Pictures – agreed to fund a $2m budget.

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alltherightmovies.com•2 days ago

The first person approached to direct was Penelope Spheeris, known for a documentary about the L.A. punk scene called The Decline of Western Civilization. When she declined due to not wanting to mock the genre, Rob Reiner decided to direct himself.

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alltherightmovies.com•2 days ago

As well as directing, Reiner was also set to play one of the Spinal Tap band members. He reportedly changed his mind when Harry Shearer told him he “didn’t look good in spandex.” Instead, he played the mockumentary filmmaker, Marty Di Bergi.

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alltherightmovies.com•2 days ago

Guest and McKean played bandleaders Nigel Tufnel and David St. Hubbins. Guest took his character’s name from Eric Clapton – a dull, English first name and a location in London for a surname.

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chrismurray.bsky.social•2 days ago

Brutal.

dickiebyrne.bsky.social•1 day ago

I met her on Monday, it was my lucky fun day - you know what I mean....

jen05.bsky.social•2 days ago

I'm so ready for part 2

gaffa.bsky.social•2 days ago

I saw it as a sneak preview by KY-102, the local Rock station. Most of the audience didn't seem to be aware that it was a comedy, which made it 10 times funnier. I literally had to walk back out into the lobby of the theater to be able to resume breathing, after the bit about the drummers.

shakerstu.bsky.social•2 days ago

It was good to hear American actors making a decent fist of English accents. A rarity.

ellinst.bsky.social•2 days ago

Chris Guest is, in fact, English. Moreover, he is the 5th Baron Haden-Guest, which makes Jaime Lee Lady Haden-Guest!

shakerstu.bsky.social•2 days ago

He would be if his birthplace of New York was still under British control. It would be better off if it was. The French had the right idea with aristocrats.

thormageddon.bsky.social•2 days ago

Rob Reiner was a genius.

alanother.bsky.social•2 days ago

Best band ever!

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