CBGB
- Director: Randall Miller
- Writer: Jody Savin; Randall Miller
- Producer: Michael Arougheti; Lisa Kristal Burgman
CGiii Comment
For those of a certain age, this is a nostalgic look at times gone by...when dippy-hippy idealism was ravaged and ransacked by angry kids thrashing out a few chords on a cheap guitar and screaming melodious[less]ly into a microphone...
Not the earliest days of punk - that was in the UK - but, the early days of some mighty names and their humble beginning...made possible by the punk benefactor...Hilly Kristal.
Rickman makes him lovable and loathsome at the same time...
For those of a certain age...a sweet, cacophonous memory.
Trailer...
The(ir) Blurb...
CBGB follows the story of Hilly Kristal's New York club from its conceit as a venue for Country, Bluegrass and Blues (CBGB) to what it ultimately became: the birthplace of underground rock 'n roll and punk. When Kristal had difficulty booking country bands in his club on the Bowery he opened his doors to other kinds of rock music. Kristal had one demand of the acts he booked; they could only play original music. No top 40's, no covers. It was the credo he lived by, support the artist at whatever the cost. Hilly Kristal ironically became known as the godfather of punk giving a chance to such bands as Blondie, Television, Ramones, Talking Heads, Dead Boys and The Police.
Cast & Characters
Alan Rickman as Hilly Kristal;
Malin Akerman as Debbie Harry;
Justin Bartha as Stiv Bators;
Richard de Klerk as Taxi;
Johnny Galecki as Terry Ork;
Kyle Gallner as Lou Reed;
Ashley Greene as Lisa Kristal;
Rupert Grint as Cheetah Chrome;
Estelle Harris as Bertha Kristal;
Taylor Hawkins as Iggy Pop