DERAILROADED:
INSIDE THE MIND OF
LARRY 'WILDMAN' FISCHER

Year: 2004
UK: Plexifilm
Cast: Larry 'Wild Man' Fischer, Frank Zappa, Gail Zappa, Weird Al' Yankovic, Mark Mothersbaugh, Solomon Burke, Dr. Demento (Barry Hansen), Harold Bronson, Ruth Buzzi, Josephine Chuey, Irwin Chusid, Dennis P Eichhorn, Miguel Ferrer, David Fischer, Richard Foos, Freak, Robert Haimer, Fugly the Klown, Dick Martin, Bill Mumy, Bill Paxton, Dan Rowan, Dr Louis Sass, Gigi Shepard
Director: Josh Rubin
Country: USA
UK: 86 mins
UK Release Date: 24 February 2006 (Limited Release - London, ICA)


Synopsis

DERAILROADED is a shocking and sensitive musical journey through the thunderstorms of the mind of paranoid-schizophrenic Larry 'Wild Man' Fischer. Institutionalized at 16 after attacking his mother with a knife, Fischer wandered the mean streets of L.A. singing his unique brand of songs for 10 cents each to passers-by. He was discovered by Frank Zappa, with whom he cut his first record album, and earned himself the title of 'godfather of outsider music.'

Extensive archival footage - including his TV and club performances - trace his life from neglected child to tortured genius, a 40-year career that has seen him featured on 'Rowan & Martins Laugh-In', become the subject of his own comic book and sing a duet with the late Rosemary Clooney. The film includes insightful testimonies from those who have witnessed and survived his erratic behaviour: family members, his doctor, Frank and Gail Zappa, 'Weird Al' Yankovic, Mark Mothersbaugh of Devo, Solomon Burke, Dr. Demento and Barnes and Barnes.