Harlan Ellison: Dreams with sharp teeth

[Greg_phpbb3_import1]

Don't be afraid, CF. I don't think I will get into any copyright problems merely talking about the movie.

I've always liked Harlan Ellison. I think he's done some good work and I think he's done some bad work, despite what Mr. Ellison contends. I was intrigued when I heard there was going to be a documentary about him and Robin Williams was going to do some of the commentary. It was odd to think these two had crossed paths and had become friends.

It's a very good documentary. It discusses Ellison, warts and all. They talk about his genius. They talk about his temper. They even show it. The film is full of current interviews as well as clips from Ellison's past, including interviews he did on the Today Show with Tom Brokaw and the Tomorrow show with Tom Snyder. It talks about Ellison's battles with Producers. Did you know he broke Irwin Allen's hip in one meeting? It talks about the lawsuits. They spend a lot of time in his house which I now want to visit.

One of the odd things about the film is they keep referring to him as this old Jew, yet in one segment he talks about his devout Atheism. A little odd, but I got through it. The weakest part of the movie was him interpreting his own works. I don't think I need to hear him doing "Repent Harlequin, said the Ticktokman" The voices were very odd.

[cranefly]

Youuuuuuuuuuuu are soooooooooo litigated!!!!

Interestingly, there's a wikipedia entry for HE. You can bet he's been over it with a fine-tooth comb. The entry seems to rely on direct quotes from HE that are in the public record, so they can't be contested.

Yeah, reading your own work is tricky, and usually icky. I just had the opportunity to do that for one of my stories (for a website hosting audio recordings of stories). I chose to let some lady read it for me. Pay? None. But it gives me exposure. So one could say I'm in the Cory Doctorow camp (exposure is king) rather than the HE camp ("You reach into my pocket and you'll pull out a bloody stump.").

The audio recording should be up by end of August. I'll be sure to point everyone to it at that time.

[Greg_phpbb3_import1]

If of course, one is able to predict one's own death. If you want to read the whole article, which adds some more vintage Harlan go here: Harlan Story

Fans of fantastic fiction -- or just some of the finest damn writing to be put on paper -- take heed: If you've ever wanted to talk to Harlan Ellison, this weekend's MadCon 2010 is your last chance.

The 76-year-old writer, cultural critic and longtime den mother of the genre he'd prefer you didn't call "science fiction" is the guest of honor at the convention, happening Sept. 24-26 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel. Ellison is the winner of multiple Hugo, Nebula and Edgar awards and the author of such oftreprinted short stories as "'Repent, Harlequin!' Said the Ticktockman" and "The Man Who Rowed Christopher Columbus Ashore," as well as the mind behind the original screenplay for what many consider Star Trek's best episode, "The City on the Edge of Forever." Other scheduled notables at MadCon include writers Gene Wolfe, Peter David and Patrick Rothfuss, and Doctor Who's Sophie Aldred.

Due to his failing health, there had been some doubt about whether Ellison would show up in person or participate in panels, readings and other events by telephone from his home in Sherman Oaks, Calif. But at press time he affirmed he was coming. He is also adamant that MadCon will be the final convention he ever attends, in any fashion.

"The truth of what's going on here is that I'm dying," says Ellison, by phone. "I'm like the Wicked Witch of the West -- I'm melting. I began to sense it back in January. By that time, I had agreed to do the convention. And I said, I can make it. I can make it.'"

Besides giving several talks and sitting on panels, Ellison has a book signing with David scheduled for 3 p.m. Friday at Frugal Muse's west-side location. His Sept. 26 event at the Barrymore Theatre is up in the air; check MadCon2010.com for updates.

The legendarily opinionated author says there is no question he will not answer. (Although he'd prefer not to hear the one about whether he threw a fan down an elevator shaft -- answer: he didn't -- again. "That will follow me to my grave," he mutters.) And he strongly encourages fans to attend.

"This is gonna be the biggest fucking science-fiction convention ever," Ellison says, "because no con has ever had a guest of honor drop dead while performing for the goddamn audience. The only comparison is the death of Patrick Troughton, at a Doctor Who convention. And I don't think he was even onstage."

[Greg_phpbb3_import1]

What the hell. I'll put this here. Just make sure you don't record this episode.

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