Deconstructing Dad

Deconstructing Dad
US 2009
Director: Stan Warnow
One of the true enigmas of 20th century music, Harry Warnow— better known to the world of jazz aficionados, record collectors, exotica fiends, and electronic music tinkerers as Raymond Scott—was a highly prolific figure with a career that began in the 1930s swing/ big band era and continued on through the experimental musicage of the 1970s. Practically everyone on Earth can instantly recognize Scott’s off-kilter melodies as heard in many Warner Brothers’ cartoons, but few know that he also invented his own dazzling array of gadget-based musical instruments, played a part in busting racism on network radio, and was the director of electronic music research and development for Motown. Stan Warnow, Scott’s son and renowned film editor (WOODSTOCK, HAIR), leads us on a revealing tour of his father’s multi-faceted life, while attempting to reconcile the myth and reality of a man he never fully knew. “An enthralling film that tells the story of a truly pivotal figure in 20th century music whose madly eclectic achievements remain largely obscure. An essential view inside the wonders of creative genius, American-style.”—LA Weekly. (97 mins.)