A Conversation with Henry Jaglom
Anyone who wants a filmography of Henry Jaglom can take a look at imdb.com (and hope that it’s accurate). Instead, I’d like to offer up some thoughts on his films and the personalities he’s interacted with over the years. Note: As this list is not intended to be complete, some of his work is not described.
As an actor, Jaglom has appeared as a hippie in Psych-Out (1968) with Jack Nicholson, Bruce Dern, Susan Strasberg, and Dean Stockwell. In Drive, He Said (1971) he was directed by Jack Nicholson. His co-stars were William Tepper, Karen Black, Michael Margotta, Bruce Dern and screenwriter Robert Towne. That year also saw the release of The Last Move, directed by Dennis Hopper. This trippy piece about of an American film crew making a western in Peru starred Dennis Hopper himself. Julie Adams, Tom Baker, Toni Basil, Rod Cameron, Peter Fonda, Samuel Fuller, Kris Kristofferson, John Phillip Law, Sylvia Miles, Dean Stockwell and Russ Tamblyn were among Jaglom’s fellow actors in a move that I personally enjoyed but has been called “pretentious nonsense” by critic David Thomson. But between these three films-what a list of cult actors!
Since the 1970s he has successfully been making emotionally involving independent features. No other American independent film director (except for perhaps John Sayles) has as long a track record. And Jaglom’s films are certainly more personal and definitely quirkier than anyone else’s. He’s been called the “West Coast Woody Allen” but unlike Allen he’s not hesitant to populate his films with unlikable characters (including himself). The films he has directed have starred Karen Black, Tuesday Weld, Orson Welles and Dennis Hopper.
His first feature was A Safe Place (1971) a modern fairy tale starring Tuesday Weld, Jack Nicholson, Orson Welles, Phillip Proctor (of Firesign Theater) and Gwen Welles.
Dennis Hopper plays a Vietnam vet on a cross-country train escorting the coffin of a dead comrade in Tracks (1974). Things don’t turn out well but he does encounter Dean Stockwell, Taryn Power, Topo Swope, Michael Emil, Zack Norman and James Frawley.
Sitting Ducks (1978) is an improvised comedy road movie with mismatched Michael Emil and Zack Norman on the run in a limo who pick up an odd assortment of passengers as they try to reach Costa Rica with their loot. Patrice Townsend, Irene Forrest, Richard Romanus and Jaglom are in the cast.
Karen Black stars in Can She Bake A Cherry Pie? (1983) as a New York City woman abandoned by her husband who takes up with a balding middle-aged character actor (Michael Emil) in her quest for affection.
Always (1985) is a semiautobiographical dramedy about three couple spending a July 4th holiday together. The cast includes Jaglom and Patrice Townsend (Jaglom’s ex-wife) and it explores adult relationships and the need for love and how it doesn’t always work out.
Someone To Love (1987) looks at Jaglom’s life after the break down of his marriage. At a party, friends converse on relationships and solitary living. The cast includes Orson Welles (his last screen performance), Andrea Marcovicci (Jaglom’s current girl friend), Michael Emil, Sally Kellerman, Oja Kodar, Stephen Bishop and Dave Frishberg.
Eating (1990) is an improvisational conversational comedy with all female cast, Frances Bergen, Lisa Richards and Gwen Welles. The main topics are food and sex.
Jaglom stars in New Year’s Day (1989) as a recently divorced man who leaves Los Angeles for New York City only to find his new apartment still occupied by the old tenants. The ensuing party reveals innermost feelings and personal problems. Gwen Welles, Maggie Jakobson, Melanie Winter, David Duchovny, Milos Forman, Michael Emil, Donna Germain and Tracy Reiner are in the cast.
Babyfever (1994) stars Victoria Foyt (Jaglom’s wife) in a story about ticking middle-aged biological clocks.
Last Summer in the Hamptons (1995) has been compared to Bergman’s Smiles of a Summer Night. Before they sell their summer house, a family gathering of a theatrical dynasty indulge themselves in conversation, acting exercises, and sex out in the Hamptons. Viveca Lindfors is the family matriarch and the cast features Foyt, Jon Robin Baitz, Roddy McDowall, Martha Plimpton, Roscoe Lee Brown, Andre Gregory and Ron Rifkin.
Déjà Vu (1998) stars Foyt in an international romantic search for her soul mate. Co-stars include Stephen Dillane, Vanessa Redgrave, Noel Harrison and Anna Massey.
His most recent film, Hollywood Dreams, a look at celebrity culture, has just been released on DVD.
-Andrew Melomet, HTF
Meeting him and seeing his presentation and award at the EMA show was a great opportunity to celebrate the work of a very passionate independent film maker.
I am very interested now after reading this and meeting him in exploring his body of work.
-Michael Wistock, HTF
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HENRY JAGLOM DTS PARTIES AND PEOPLE
All photos taken and used with permission from Samuel Posten. Visit his website on
NAVESINK.NET and to see additional photos from this event be sure to check out
his flickr page.
Inside our theater room was a private conversation with director Henry Jaglom. While we were waiting, we were presented with a collection of trailers showcasing his work. After a few short minutes, Mr. Jaglom entered the room with a surprise guest, Tanna Frederick, an actress who starred in his recent movie "Hollywood Dreams". Mr. Jaglom was very well spoken, and talked about how each of his films and similar messages and themes.
He also spoke about another important scene in Hollywood Dreams, that involved Tanna but originated by a self experience by Mr. Jaglom himself. The scene in question was Tanna's character pleasuring herself. Mr. Jaglom pointed out that it's done in a very nice way and was to show the obsessive need to be famous. He also mentioned about the upcoming sequel to Hollywood Dreams, in which what happens to Tanna's character when you've reached your dream, and your need starts to die off. Miss Frederick added to Henry's comments and was very warm and friendly and shared in his thoughts and her own.
Afterwards Mr. Jaglom and Miss Frederick were very nice enough to spend some time with each member and take some pictures and even sign some autographs inside copies of the script books of Hollywood Dreams we were each given. When it came time to meet Tanna in person, she was equally warm and friendly as she was when speaking with us. Even taking the time to spend a few minutes talking with each one of us personally. Tanna and I were in a discussion of how fascinated she was with my hawaiian shirt I was wearing, wanting to know where I got it. Another conversation from the person ahead of me involved the movie "High Spirits." It was a real pleasure getting the chance to hear Mr. Jaglom speak and share his thoughts with us. And a real nice surprise that he brought along the lovely Tanna Frederick.
-John Steffens, HTF
