Miles at The Movies.

To mark our 50th show and our 2nd birthday, we return to the subject of our first ever episode to use film as a way of showing what changed and what stayed the same throughout Miles Davis's Career.

Jul 14, 2023

Ascenseur Pour L’Echafaud (1958)

(Lift to the Scaffold/ Elevator to the Gallows)

here’s a short promotional clip that was probably a set up for the camera rather than the actual recording session. It does capture the atmosphere very well.

…and here is the wonderful Jeanne Moreau talking about the film. Worth watching.

This is how the locations of the film look today.

Jack Johnson (1970)

HERE is a link to an article from Sports Illustrated which fills in some of the fascinating story of Johnson’s early career that the film misses.

...and Here is a link to David Remnick’s book “King of the World”. Although largely dealing with Ali and the two Liston fights, it also has an exhaustive account of Boxing in 20th Century America.

Siesta (1987)

Here’s the cast of Siesta at a screening of the restored version. It’s interesting that some of the actors were not really sure what the plot was all about…

The Hot Spot (1990)

HERE is an interesting interview with Dennis Hopper by Roger Ebert. Sadly, they don’t talk about the music!
Here’s a Gas Giants tip. If you’ve got this edition of the paperback book, maybe try and sell it! If you’re curious about the hard-boiled fiction of Charles Williams, there are other, cheaper editions available.

Here, Dennis Hopper and his cast try desperately to find something to say about the Movie

Here is a little more information, in case this Movie has left you wanting to have your own Harry Maddox adventure. Great little town , but it’s a Hot Spot!