Flipping the Whale-Sammy's Bar

From "Flipping the Whale" (2000), written and directed by Sean Guinan, produced by Joshua Eckhardt and Sean Guinan. With Eddie Shin (Gilmore Girls, Dr. Miracles), Amy Bakos and Sean Guinan. The song was written by Cyril Tawney and recorded by the Golden Ring, a short-lived Chicago folk group from the early 70s.

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

• Sammy's
• Bar
• Flipping
• Whale
• Eddie
• Shin
• Amy
• Bakos
• Sean
• Guinan
• Golden
• Ring

[McGrenzer]

Never cared much for mimes until now. This is a wonderful use of Tawney's song, turning it into a one-act play. The song stands on its own, but I think the actors add a new dimension to its sadness. Thanks to everyone for the mighty effort!

[possiblyblank]

Isn't THIS odd: despite the whiteface and the pantomime, I've never really thought of this as mime...for the same reason you probably never cared for it, which is that mimes tend to be unbearably precious. But I'm so glad you enjoyed this!

[McGrenzer]

@possiblyblank I have seen some excellent pantomimes over the years--Marcel Marceau "Running against the wind" and "Smelling a flower", Jackie Gleason as the "Poor Soul" and Tommy Makem singing "The Cobbler"--but I still think yours is the best, perhaps because I like the song so much. Thanks again for the great effort; I promise not to call the actors "mimes"!

[possiblyblank]

Haha...thank you so much!

[brucewhirsch]

Astonishing work! I can't imagine how much time this must have taken but the editing is powerful and exact! I LOVE it when the actors not only narrate but also illustrate (and compliment) the score. I confess I stumbled upon this gold mine while seeking the words to the Tawney song, but what you did with it is a beautiful work if genius. Thanks for posting it, I can't wait to see what you will come up with next!

[possiblyblank]

Thanks, Bruce! I'm so glad you like it. This is from a feature-length indie movie I made called "Flipping the Whale", which you can find other clips of on my channel. I'm afraid this is the only time I've ever dramatized Cyril Tawney, though.

[tradfolky1]

Great treatment of a great song. Golden Ring was mostly based out on the east coast, rather than Chicago. Their first album was recorded in Chicago by the Midnight Special's host (one of them), Norm Pellegrini for WFMT, thus the Chicago connection.

[ColonelErnie]

12 years later, still gorgeous.

[jgrannell1]

@possiblyblank Quite lovely this was to find. Cyril wrote some beautiful songs. Excellent job with the film. Cheers.

[cusco50]

I loved this and I think Cyril would have too.Then again he could be a little bit grumpya and would have let you know if he didn't.

He was the first (or at least one of the earliest) professional folk singer on the british scene.

He also mad one of the earliest music videos when his "Life of a man" was played over a dreamlike view of a churchyard. To much acclaim at the time.

[crc778Hypnodoc]

I think this is a beautiful treatment of Cyril's song, I perform this version regularly