CHICAGO– Mention the name Colin Higgins and it might draw a blank. But mention the film “Harold and Maude” (1971) and any cinema room will light up with passion. Higgins took his Grad Thesis screenplay from his late 1960s USC days and created (with director Hal Ashby) a legitimate 1970s classic. This film, and many other fan favorites, are in the documentary The Life and Films of Colin Higgins” … directed by Nicholas Eliopoulos. Click COLIN for info and tickets.
Colin Higgins is probably best known for his classic comedy juggernaut “9 to 5” as well as “Harold and Maude,” in addition to “Foul Play,” “Silver Streak” and the film adaptation of the musical comedy “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas.” Higgins, the shyest of six brothers, spent his formative years in Australia and grew up in the 60s and 70s, his life and work were shaped amidst the turmoil of student activism and the Vietnam War protests. Higgins came out as gay later in life, and that had implications that would shake his world later. His life/career is lovingly and humorously recalled in the documentary by actors who were in his films, including Jane Fonda, Dolly Parton, Lily Tomlin, Dom Deluise, Charles Durning, and many more.
Director Nicholas Eliopoulos is a film production veteran, who first met Colin Higgins shortly after “Harold and Maude” was filmed. Several years later, he began a professional collaboration in the sound department on Higgin’s film “Foul Play” (1978). His most notable work as sound editor was in the Best Picture of 1986, “Out of Africa.” He has turned to producing and directing, including the award winning documentary “Mary Pickford: The Muse of the Movies.”
Celebrating Laughter: The Life and Films of Colin Higgins
Photo credit: REELINGFilmFestival.org
In PARTONE of a interview via Zoom with Nicholas Eliopoulos of “Celebrating Laughter: The Life and Films of Colin Higgins” by Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com, “Harold and Maude” and more on CH is discussed …
In PARTTWO, a significant and surprising contribution from Richard Pryor on “Silver Streak” and life for Colin Higgins once he came out gay …
 | By PATRICK McDONALD |