Today’s hed gif is taken from the 1979 movie Hair, a filmed production based on the theatrical musical of the same name. The story focuses on a young man’s friendship with a group of free-loving hippies that live in Central Park1 and enjoying his last few days of freedom before reporting for duty, having been drafted into the military. Set against the backdrop of the social changes and anti-government sentiments of the 60’s and 70’s—in part driven by opposition to the US participation in Vietnam—aspects of the story include the counter-culture revolution, sexual freedom, recreational drug use, racism, gender inequality, individuality, spirituality, and pacifism. The gif’s featured song is “Donna/Hashish” sung by Treat Williams (as George Berger) and you can listen to it below.
While, as mentioned, the film is based on the musical Hair: The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical, there are quite a few differences between the original theatrical production and the celluloid one. Gerome Ragni and James Rado, who wrote the stage show, were displeased with the movie version, feeling that it did not fully capture the essence of their original. They did not approve of the way that the hippies (known as “The Tribe”) were portrayed as oddballs, nor did they feel the movie adequately captured their commitment to the anti-Vietnam peace movement. Overall, they believed that the film did not delve deeply enough into the counter-culture themes they wanted to celebrate. However, as I have not had the pleasure of seeing the original stage production at Biltmore Theatre on Broadway 1968, and therefore have no frame of reference, I think the film is pretty groovy. And I’m not alone: film critics Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert both put hair on their list of Top Films of 1979, wish Siskel naming it his top pick of the year. The film was nominated for a “Best Picture - Musical or Comedy” Oscar and Williams was nominated for a “New Star of the Year - Male” Oscar. The New York Times has put the film on their list of “Best 1000 Movies Ever.” And of course composer Galt MacDermot’s fabulous Grammy-winning score from the original musical is pure fun: go ahead and dust off your old vinyl and sing along. Or, if you prefer, join in with Bob McGrath and friends.
Internet Archive: New York Times, NYT Critics' Pick “Hair (1979)" by Perry Seibert
How’s that location for a bit of irony? The Exonerated Five of Central Park would like you to read a bit about justice delayed by clicking on Robyn’s story at Wonkette.
I love your musical interludes, Martini. So much fun. I don't think I have seen Hair since it came out and that was a very long time ago in a galaxy far away. I was only 8 when the theatre production came out and all I remember was people tut tuting about (gasp) nakedness (shrieks, faints). I'll have to watch the movie again. Thanks Martini!
Those horses were extremely well behaved, considering there were a bunch of weird actors jumping and dancing around them.