Dear Mr. Bradbury- I am an avid fan and hears and met you years ago when you spoke at Cerritos College in Norwalk, California. I love the film-"The Picasso Summer" that you wrote and have tried everywhere to secure a copy. Any suggestions? I'm at wits end. Thank you in advance. Good health to you.
all the best,
greg potzler
wildwgp@yahoo.com

Greg,

the film doesn't appear to have ever had an official release on DVD or VHS, but it is occasionally available from rare film dealers. Here's one current link (for a PAL version - make sure you have a suitable DVD player and TV/monitor!):

http://www.robertsvideos.com/browse.php3?catid=135

Generally, a Google search "picasso summer" AND "DVD" eveery few months should help you find a copy you can afford. (It worked for me!)

Incidentally, Mr Bradbury was not terribly pleased with the film, which is why he withdrew his name from the screenplay and substituted his pseudonym "Douglas Spaulding".

Greg, there is a copy of the film PICASSO SUMMER (described as region-free and playing anywhere) listed by a dealer on eBay for a set price of $9.95. Just type in "Picasso Summer" as your search term, and check the "Buy It Now" listings. However, I make no warranty as to the quality of what you might receive!

I have a copy that I obtained elsewhere, and believe that Ray is rightfully unhappy with the film. The filmmakers deviated significantly from his screenplay. Despite a fine cast (Albert Finney and Yvette Mimieux) and a great score by Michel Legrand, the movie (in my personal opinion) is simply not that good, especially when you think what might have been.

quote:

Originally posted by philnic:
Incidentally, Mr Bradbury was not terribly pleased with the film, which is why he withdrew his name from the screenplay and substituted his pseudonym "Douglas Spaulding".

Hey now!

Actually, it was a pretty bad film wasn't it?

How can a movie be considered bad with Marty Ingels in the cast?

"I'm Dickens, He's Fenster" didn't last long either.

And that even had John Astin, too!

quote:

Originally posted by Doug Spaulding:

quote:

Originally posted by philnic:
Incidentally, Mr Bradbury was not terribly pleased with the film, which is why he withdrew his name from the screenplay and substituted his pseudonym "Douglas Spaulding".

Hey now!

Actually, it was a pretty bad film wasn't it?

Sorry, Doug! Better make sure you attach your REAL name to your movies, lest you be thought of as another Alan Smithee, Cordwainer Bird, or P.H.Fazak.

Cordwainer is a good word.

Saturday night, Mr B handed me a homemade DVD of The Picasso Summer, and asked if I could make him four copies. I said probably, as I have Toast 9, Popcorn, and the like.

Made the copies and delivered them to him at his home yesterday, along with a DVD of Alfred Hitchcock Presents, series one, which he had earlier asked me to obtain (And So Died Riabouchinska, Shopping For Death), and a lovely bottle of Australian Cabernet Merlot, which I threw in as an added bonus.

Had a nice visit with Alexandra, Donn, and Jon Eller as well.

Then I left (thru the basement and the garage).

quote:

Originally posted by Doug Spaulding:
...Then I left (thru the basement and the garage).

I hope Alexandra, Donn, Jon and Ray don't think you're still down there in the basement.

quote:

Originally posted by philnic:
...Better make sure you attach your REAL name to your movies, lest you be thought of as another Alan Smithee, Cordwainer Bird, or P.H.Fazak.

I know it's odd to quote myself in a post, but I offer bonus points to anyone who can state the real identities of the the pseudonymous Smithee, Bird and Fazak. Anyone?

quote:

Originally posted by philnic:
I hope Alexandra, Donn, Jon and Ray don't think you're still down there in the basement.

Oh no - Jon personally shut the garage door after me!

quote:

Originally posted by philnic:
I know it's odd to quote myself in a post, but I offer bonus points to anyone who can state the real identities of the the pseudonymous Smithee, Bird and Fazak. Anyone?

I know Smithee has something to do with Don Siegel, and of course, most on this board probably know about the Bird-Ellison connection.

Fazak I do not know.

Have I earned enough points to get me a trip to Edinburgh?!

Partial credit to Spaulding for mentioning the name Don Siegel, although this is only PART of the answer for Smithee.

A point for Bird-Ellison, although I should push you to give first names as well as surnames.

Nothing for not knowing Fazak. (And a point deducted from philnic for the misspelling. It's supposed to be Vazak. Don't know where the F came from back in June 2008 when I did the original post.)

Enough points to get you to the Azores, perhaps, but more work needed for the Porta Delgada-Edinburgh leg of the journey.

Anyone else wish to answer for the remaining points?