Crazy, a film inspired by the life of guitar great Hank Garland, begins with a man in bathrobe and pajamas being dragged down the corridor of what appears to be a psychiatric hospital by two orderlies. Flashed on the screen is a quote from Garland, “The music business can be hazardous to your health.” There in a nutshell, so to speak, is the story of Hank Garland. At least, that’s the biopic version.
Rewind to Nashville, 1945—it’s the Grand Ol’ Opry and Hank Garland (Waylon Payne) is making his debut. Hank Williams advises him to play something fast, and he does, quickly winning the audience over. Fast forward to 1955, same stage, an older Hank. He picks up a girl who feeds this session musician’s ego by telling him he’s the best guitarist in Nashville. He denies this, asserting he’s the best guitarist in the world. We then see him playing with Patsy Cline and Ray Orbison, and brawling with record producers. Do we think this is the story of a troubled young man?
Crazy paints Garland as promiscuous, reckless, brawling, full of himself (and a lot of other things), and jealous, yet a remarkably talented egomaniac. He was a session musician who played with the likes of Chet Atkins, Conway Twitty, Elvis Presley, Eddy Arnold, the Everly Brothers, Duane Eddy, and many other Nashville notables. He brought a unique sound into the studio, and evolved into jazz and blues.
Garland can’t seem to get it though his head that he’s hired as a performer and won’t be getting anything out of the compositional contributions he makes during recording sessions. Eventually this comes round to bite him and Bobby Helm on the butt when “Jingle Bell Rock” makes millions and it all goes to the studio. Recording executive Ryan Douglas shows no sympathy and tells Garland there’s nothing he can do—go see the big shots on music row. This is the beginning of a beautifully contentious relationship.
Garland meets a girl named Evelyn (Ali Larter) in a Chicago club, falls in love, cheats on her, then marries her. When they dance at their wedding to “The Tennessee Waltz,” we know the relationship is doomed.
.jpg?t=20130517094513)
Article comments
1 - Debra Garland
Well...all I can say about this thing they call a movie is there is more fiction than truth in it. I should know...I lived it. I am Hank's youngest daughter. In real life my Sister, Cheryl was 11 and I was 9 when Dad had his accident. My guess is they had to keep us as much out of it so we couldn't sue. My Mother wasn't perfect but she was a musician's wife. There was much infidelity on my Dad's part after they were married. But then he was a musician, involved with alcohol and drugs. Mom was an abused wife suffering with beatings when Dad drank too much. Dad did not live in FL a couple yrs after the accident. He lived in Milwaukee with my Mom, Sister & I. He moved to SC to live with his parents in 1964, I believe. His parents spent their lives taking care of him, not his brother. It's sad that he left that part out? He gave no credit to his only parents, who were loving and caring people.
I am 60 yrs old now. My Sister, Cheryl passed away this year on May 10th. She would have been 62 in July. She tried to straighten out some of the lies told in this movie. Both of us were written out of Dad's will which showed him having nothing anyway. His brother took everything Dad had and sheltered it in his own name so he wouldn't have to pay hospital bills. I just wish this whole thing would go away. Dad's brother can have what he stole. Karma has a way of someday making things right all on it's own. I have no hatrid in my heart for anyone only sympathy. Greed is a terrible thing...
2 - Debra Garland
The only important thing about all of this is Hank was my Dad and Evelyn was my Mom. I loved them very much. I spent much of my childhood trying to escape some of the situations that occurred. But they were good to us kids and I know up until the day Dad died he loved all of us very much. They were very much in love but that love came with a price which they both paid. I miss them everyday and only hope they have finally found peace. There is no blame in real life...only choices. We're all human and must live with those choices, some good, some bad. But whatever they are we all own them ourselves. So to anyone that watches that movie, keep in mind it was written by someone that wasn't around that much and told a story he made up in his own mind. That was his choice...
3 - sammie from ontario canada
Your Dad made beautiful music ! Your mother picture perfect.I am so sorry about your sister . I have a similar story but just wanted to say
I liked looking up this one . Thankyou for sharing and good luck