The Last Ride

Hank Williams died New Years day 1953 in the back seat of his Cadillac.  On that day Williams stepped into history as a great elder of both Country Music and Rock and Roll.  From his imposing shadow people like Buddy Holly, Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson and Bob Dylan (to name a few) stepped out and continued the rich tradition in popular music.

Hank's immense creative ability was often overwhelmed by his addictions, first to alcohol then to morphine.  Born with Spina bifida, a congenital disorder of the spine, Hank suffered chronic back pain which partly led to his substance abuse.  

Despite his limitations Hank produced eleven "number 1" hits and was elected to the Grand Ole Opry.  Ultimately the alcohol and the pain killers would be his undoing.  He was so debilitated that more often than not he was drunk and tardy or altogether absent from his concerts.   Promoters were afraid to trust him, but when Hank did perform frustrations and hard feelings made way for his loyal fans.  The people listening on the radio and in concert never deserted him no matter how badly he behaved.  Hank spoke to them with intimate and simple lyrics.

There is a new movie out about the final three days in the life of Hank Williams.  The Last Ride takes place in the back of a blue 1953 Cadillac convertible.  Hank's manager hired a young man to drive the song writer across the south on what turned out to be Williams' last concert tour.  

The idea for this movie originated from an old man who was the young boy that drove Hank on those last days.  Too ashamed to say anything until recently about his experience, he still prefers to remain anonymous.   After all Hank Williams died on this man’s "watch."  Apparently the driver (called Silas in the movie) didn't recognize nor understand who was occupying the back seat through the troubled final days of Hank Williams' life.  This is understandable, for in the middle part of the 20^th century there were not many TV's, no CNN and no DVDs.  People listened to the radio and it was easy not to know what a famous musician looked like on the Grand Ole Opry

In The Last Ride two strangers embark on a journey across the south that culminates in the death of a music legend.  The journey is star-crossed from the beginning with too much booze and too many unplanned stops along the way.   Whiskey and hypodermics of B-12 laced with morphine were snatching the already flickering life from Hank.  

Harry Thomason, producer of the popular early 90’s TV shows Evening Shade and Designing Women, acquired The Last Ride from writer Howard Klausner.  Producer and partner Tim Jackson liked the notion that The Last Ride is NOT a bio-pic like I Walk the Line about Johnny Cash.  There are no flashbacks and Henry Thomas (the kid who played Elliot in ET and plays Hank Williams) did no singing. “Lip-syncing would be too phony,” says Tim Jackson, “and what actor has the nerve to sing a Hank Williams song.”

Hank Williams was a charismatic musical genius.  There aren't many of those around at any given moment in world history.  It is easy to forget The Last Ride is a movie.  The final days of Hank Williams' life flash before you in a funny, awesome and sad way.  He leaves us with some good advice; 

           Ya know there was a time when I didn't dream 
           about nothin' but this (traveling and performing).  
           Be careful what you wish for . . . it might just fall
           on you.

In a couple months The Last Ride will be playing alternately in 600 theaters in the U.S.   If you are not near one of those showings pick it up on DVD in the near future. It's worth a look.