This Is Spinal Tap: Music on Film Series

by John Kenneth Muir

(Music On Filments). In 1984, four comedians Christopher Guest, Michael McKean, Rob Reiner, and Harry Shearer unleashed This Is Spinal Tap , the world's first "mock-rockumentary" and a joke that has lasted into the 21st century and inspired a generation of imitations. Now, award-winning film journalist John Kenneth Muir ( An Askew The Films of Kevin Smith ) escorts the reader through a quarter-century of heavy metal laughs, offering a detailed history of the film's genesis and an up-close look at the reasons why this beloved rock-and-roll movie comedy has endured for so long, and even met acceptance in the rock-and-roll culture it lampoons. Features interview material with the cinematographer, editor, and some supporting cast members of This Is Spinal Tap as well as "King of Nostalgia" Joe Franklin.

1 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2010

About the author

John Kenneth Muir (born 1969) is an American literary critic. He has written as of 2023 thirty two books, many in the fields of film and television, with a particular accent on the horror and science fiction genres. He has been described as one of the horror genre's "most widely read critics", and as an "accomplished film journalist". He is the creator of the 2023 audio drama Enter the House Between, as well as the new novellas based on the series.

Reviews

[David · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not a bad book. Pretty typical and light. But, written from an outsider's perspective. What this movie REALLY needs is a detailed account from all the parties involved like what was done with "Live from New York: An Uncensored History of Saturday Night Live." THAT would be incredible and it would be on my bookshelf in an instant! But, until then, this will do.

[Corey · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you love the film--and if you don't I probably don't want you at my dinner party--this book will delight you. Chock full of interesting anecdotes, history and humor. And, boy, what I wouldn't give to watch that original 6 1/2 hour version of the film.

[Andrew · Rating 3 out of 5]

Muir's book is a rather light monograph that doesn't really do too much to expand upon one's appreciation of the seminal mockumentary 'This is Spinal Tap'. It is rather short and in some respects runs out of useful things to say about the classic film after the author recounts the history of the movie's cast and production. This is a shame, as there is arguably more to be said about the film than what is discussed by Muir.

If this sounds too negative then I would like to commend what Muir writes in the first half of his monograph. His recording of the early work of the four main creative talents associated with Spinal Tap, Christopher Guest, Michael McKean, Harry Shearer and Rob Reiner is very good. It is also enjoyable and informative to read of how the concept of Spinal Tap evolved up to and including the filming. Muir does a more than satisfactory job of bringing into his narrative the views of the stars and several others, particularly June Chadwick, and some of the technical crew.

It is when Muir takes on a critical discussion of the relative themes, ideas, constructs and reception of the film that he comes a bit unstuck. His text is a bit too close to the style of fan boy's blog than a serious analysis of the movie as a text. Of course if one is coming to the book as a fan boy (or girl) then that's not a problem. However it is a consideration that one should be aware of.

Muir has written with a very accessible book that will fulfil the interests of anyone who wants to learn more about 'This is Spinal Tap'. Is it the definitive book on the subject? Probably not. However it is still worth the read.