There is quite a bit of material in the Bonus Features. “Lost Footage: Andy in the Raw” presents almost 50 minutes of recently discovered footage, mainly taken from the single shot of Andy in the restaurant. “Bonus Footage: Blassie Graffiti” (15:31) is awesome, showing classic footage of Blassie in action. He’s hysterical and feisty in the newsreels, as he points out the local women are pigs that dress in potato sacks. The audience in that town must have been so enraged when they went to see him. Blassie is shown in the ring during a quick fight against The Hangman, losing his title to Rikidozan, in a cage match, and later in life performing a live rendition of his novelty song “Pencil-Neck Geek,” which was written by Legend.
“Home Movies: Legendary Graffiti” (18:16) presents footage of Legend at different wrestling gigs and interviews. During “Lunch with Lautrec: The Making of My Breakfast With Blassie,” filmmakers Legend and Linda Lautrec, who appeared as an autograph seeker, tell the tale of the video’s creation and the difficulties associated with it a few weeks before “Man on the Moon” opens. It is for the devoted fan, as it is one single take that runs 34:27.
There is also “Film Premiere Footage” (7:39) shot at the Nuart Theatre in Los Angeles. Legendary ring announcer Jimmy Lennon introduces the film. Harold Ramis is seen in the lobby where Eggos are served to audience members. Andy shows up with a mohawk in what would be his final public appearance. He would die in less than a year.
My Breakfast with Blassie is more performance art than comedy, which was typical for Kaufman. This is sure to be enjoyed by his fans, but it might be a long hour for those who don’t get him. Either way, it is undeniably memorable.
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Article comments
1 - Greg Barbrick
I missed your review when it was originally published, but as a fellow Kaufman fan, I'm sure you can excuse the delay. It has been many years since I have seen this, and my memory of it was that it was typically Andy. Just farcical.
His deadpan voice-over when getting off the bus in front of Sambo's cracks me up. Hell, the fact that they chose Sambo's to film the damn thing in the first place is hilarious.
It sounds like the $20 to get this is worthwhile, for the extras alone.
Have you ever seen "I'm From Hollywood"? It documents the whole "feud" between him and Lawler, and is some of the best material Kaufman has ever done.
I'm curious as to whether it has ever been re-issued, as my copy is an old VHS. In any event, fun review. Man I wish there were someone like Andy Kaufman around these days to F* with the world.
Greg
2 - El Bicho
Greg, read them at your leisure. They ain't going anywhere.
I have seen "Hollywood", wiping away tears when chastised the fans, and it's at Amazon. What's amazing is he was ahead of the curve getting into wrestling before it broke from regional to national. And after seeing the Blassie clips, it's obvious he was Andy's inspiration.
Ever read "Lost in the Funhouse" by Zehme? Great bio about Andy, even better than Zmuda's book, and really well written.
3 - Greg Barbrick
Yes, I have read both, good stuff. As for being ahead of the curve with wrestling, you are dead-on.
Even though I miss him, I'm glad McMahon never got to use him. I just can't really imagine how he would have fit Andy in with Cyndi Lauper and Mr. T at Wrestlemania. But I guarantee you he would have tried, and Andy probably would have gone for it, just because he was so into wrestling.
Thanks for the tip about Amazon, they will probably be getting a couple of DVD orders from me today.