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Official YIFY movies site:
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( doorbell rings )
4
00:00:39,417 --> 00:00:41,125
All:
Trick or treat.
5
00:00:41,125 --> 00:00:43,500
Well,
look at this.
6
00:00:43,500 --> 00:00:45,583
All the superheroes
on our porch.
7
00:00:45,583 --> 00:00:47,125
Ain't that cute?
8
00:00:47,125 --> 00:00:50,000
We got Superman here.
9
00:00:50,000 --> 00:00:53,875
And Batman.
And his sidekick Robin.
10
00:00:53,875 --> 00:00:56,291
( gasps )
The Green Lantern.
11
00:00:56,291 --> 00:00:59,625
And what about you,
young man?
12
00:00:59,625 --> 00:01:00,917
What about what?
13
00:01:00,917 --> 00:01:03,291
Who are you
supposed to be?
14
00:01:03,291 --> 00:01:04,458
I'm Harvey Pekar.
15
00:01:04,458 --> 00:01:06,458
( murmuring )
"Pecker, Pecker..."
16
00:01:06,458 --> 00:01:08,166
Harvey Pekar?
17
00:01:08,166 --> 00:01:10,458
That doesn't sound like
a superhero to me.
18
00:01:10,458 --> 00:01:13,208
( boys murmuring )
19
00:01:13,208 --> 00:01:15,208
I ain't
no superhero, lady.
20
00:01:15,208 --> 00:01:18,000
I'm just a kid
from the neighborhood,
all right?
21
00:01:20,500 --> 00:01:22,625
Oh, forget this.
22
00:01:29,792 --> 00:01:33,208
Why does everybody
have to be so stupid?
23
00:03:52,458 --> 00:03:57,000
Harvey Pekar:
Okay, this guy here,
he's our man.
24
00:03:57,000 --> 00:04:00,708
All grown up
and goin' nowhere.
25
00:04:00,708 --> 00:04:02,708
Although he's a pretty
scholarly cat,
26
00:04:02,708 --> 00:04:05,417
he never got much
of a formal education.
27
00:04:05,417 --> 00:04:08,166
For the most part he's lived
in shit neighborhoods,
28
00:04:08,166 --> 00:04:10,917
held shit jobs,
and is now knee-deep
29
00:04:10,917 --> 00:04:13,333
into a disastrous
second marriage.
30
00:04:13,333 --> 00:04:15,166
So if you're the kind
of person looking
31
00:04:15,166 --> 00:04:16,667
for romance or escapism
32
00:04:16,667 --> 00:04:19,250
or some
fantasy figure
to save the day,
33
00:04:19,250 --> 00:04:22,333
guess what?
You got the wrong movie.
34
00:04:22,333 --> 00:04:23,542
Interviewer:
That's great.
35
00:04:23,542 --> 00:04:25,417
Okay, so now
you got four takes.
36
00:04:25,417 --> 00:04:29,625
You ought to be able
to patch one together
from there, right?
37
00:04:29,625 --> 00:04:32,583
- Let's go to
the next one, all right?
- Interviewer: Hold on a second.
38
00:04:32,583 --> 00:04:34,000
Do you want some water
or something?
39
00:04:34,000 --> 00:04:35,625
Nah, I got
lots of orange.
40
00:04:35,625 --> 00:04:37,291
Interviewer:
Do you like orange soda?
41
00:04:37,291 --> 00:04:39,500
Pekar:
Yeah, orange
is all right.
42
00:04:39,500 --> 00:04:42,125
Interviewer:
All right, so let's go
to the next sequence.
43
00:04:42,125 --> 00:04:45,125
Did you actually
read the script?
44
00:04:45,125 --> 00:04:47,166
No.
A little bit.
45
00:04:47,166 --> 00:04:50,708
Just to check
the construction,
46
00:04:50,708 --> 00:04:54,375
you know, of how the piece
was constructed.
47
00:04:54,375 --> 00:04:56,333
I didn't read it
word for word.
48
00:04:56,333 --> 00:04:58,083
Interviewer:
Do you feel weird
saying that stuff?
49
00:04:58,083 --> 00:05:01,166
No, I don't
feel weird saying it.
50
00:05:01,166 --> 00:05:04,708
I don't know
how long my voice
is gonna hold on, but...
51
00:05:04,708 --> 00:05:07,250
( raspily )
Doc, you gotta
help me, man.
52
00:05:07,250 --> 00:05:11,542
My old lady's dumping me
'cause I can't talk.
53
00:05:11,542 --> 00:05:13,917
She says I'm
a "social embarrassment."
54
00:05:15,542 --> 00:05:16,959
Now that she's got
a PhD,
55
00:05:16,959 --> 00:05:20,000
she's some hot-shit
academic star
56
00:05:20,000 --> 00:05:22,875
and I'm nothin'
but a file clerk.
57
00:05:22,875 --> 00:05:25,208
You know,
me being a file clerk
was fine when I was signing
58
00:05:25,208 --> 00:05:27,000
the damn checks
for her tuition, man.
59
00:05:27,000 --> 00:05:30,041
Harvey,
stop talking, please,
and open wide.
60
00:05:30,041 --> 00:05:33,041
I started worrying
my voice would never
come back, you know?
61
00:05:33,041 --> 00:05:34,750
Say "ah," Mr. Pekar.
62
00:05:34,750 --> 00:05:37,250
- I mean, it's torture,
I'm telling ya.
- Shh.
63
00:05:37,250 --> 00:05:39,083
Ah.
64
00:05:40,333 --> 00:05:43,792
Ah-hh...
65
00:05:43,792 --> 00:05:47,917
- Doctor: Mm-hmm.
- What?
66
00:05:47,917 --> 00:05:49,708
Is it bad, Doc?
67
00:05:49,708 --> 00:05:52,208
Not good.
68
00:05:52,208 --> 00:05:53,417
It's cancer.
69
00:05:53,417 --> 00:05:55,667
First I got
marital problems,
70
00:05:55,667 --> 00:05:57,708
and now you're telling me
I got throat cancer?
71
00:05:57,708 --> 00:05:59,291
For Christ's sake, man.
72
00:05:59,291 --> 00:06:03,083
Harvey, calm down.
It's not cancer.
73
00:06:03,083 --> 00:06:05,250
You have a nodule
on your vocal cords,
74
00:06:05,250 --> 00:06:07,083
probably from screaming
and yelling so much.
75
00:06:07,083 --> 00:06:08,583
And if you don't
give it a rest,
76
00:06:08,583 --> 00:06:10,834
you're gonna lose
your voice completely.
77
00:06:10,834 --> 00:06:13,333
Okay, okay.
78
00:06:13,333 --> 00:06:15,750
But for how long?
79
00:06:15,750 --> 00:06:17,083
A few months.
80
00:06:17,083 --> 00:06:18,959
( squeaks )
Months?!
81
00:06:18,959 --> 00:06:20,166
Ugh-hh!
82
00:07:00,417 --> 00:07:04,667
( raspily )
Hey. Hey, come on,
what is this?
83
00:07:04,667 --> 00:07:07,583
It's exactly
what it looks like.
84
00:07:07,583 --> 00:07:10,041
What do you mean?
You mean you're
dumping me?
85
00:07:10,041 --> 00:07:11,708
( screeches )
For what?
86
00:07:15,542 --> 00:07:19,417
Look, this
plebeian lifestyle
87
00:07:19,417 --> 00:07:22,959
just isn't working
for me anymore, okay?
88
00:07:24,750 --> 00:07:27,500
I gotta get out of here
before I kill myself.
89
00:07:31,750 --> 00:07:35,000
( wheezing )
Wait a minute.
90
00:07:35,000 --> 00:07:38,458
( faintly )
Just listen to what
I have to say, please.
91
00:07:38,458 --> 00:07:40,041
( coughs )
92
00:07:46,750 --> 00:07:49,875
( wheezes )
Don't go.
93
00:07:49,875 --> 00:07:51,959
( squeaking )
I need you, baby.
Please--
94
00:07:51,959 --> 00:07:56,041
please
don't go, okay?
( squeaking )
95
00:08:15,583 --> 00:08:17,375
Pekar:
Here's our man.
96
00:08:17,375 --> 00:08:20,041
Yeah, all right.
Here's me--
97
00:08:20,041 --> 00:08:22,250
or the guy
playing me, anyway,
98
00:08:22,250 --> 00:08:25,166
though he don't look
nothin' like me,
but whatever.
99
00:08:25,166 --> 00:08:27,083
So it's a few
months later
100
00:08:27,083 --> 00:08:29,917
and I'm workin'
my flunky, file-clerk gig
101
00:08:29,917 --> 00:08:31,625
at the VA hospital.
102
00:08:31,625 --> 00:08:34,583
My voice still
ain't back yet.
103
00:08:34,583 --> 00:08:36,417
Thank you,
Harvey, dear.
104
00:08:36,417 --> 00:08:39,250
Things seem like
they can't get
any worse.
105
00:08:39,250 --> 00:08:42,583
( raspily )
"Plebeian"?
106
00:08:42,583 --> 00:08:45,291
Where the hell did she
get that shit, man?
107
00:08:49,417 --> 00:08:51,708
( sighs )
108
00:08:56,041 --> 00:08:58,250
Man:
"Avoid the reeking herd.
109
00:08:59,834 --> 00:09:01,792
Shun the polluted flock.
110
00:09:01,792 --> 00:09:04,083
Live like
that stoic bird,
111
00:09:04,083 --> 00:09:06,125
the eagle
of the rock."
112
00:09:06,125 --> 00:09:08,166
Hey, Mr. Boats.
113
00:09:08,166 --> 00:09:10,083
You know what
that means, son?
114
00:09:10,083 --> 00:09:14,542
Yup, it's from
an Elinor Hoyt Wylie poem.
115
00:09:14,542 --> 00:09:19,375
It means-- excuse me.
It means stay away
116
00:09:19,375 --> 00:09:21,667
from the crowds
of common, ordinary people
117
00:09:21,667 --> 00:09:24,417
and do
your own thing.
118
00:09:24,417 --> 00:09:28,917
No, it means
don't compromise
yourself for women.
119
00:09:28,917 --> 00:09:30,625
Ain't gonna do you
no good.
120
00:09:30,625 --> 00:09:32,959
Get away from 'em
as soon as you can.
121
00:09:32,959 --> 00:09:35,291
Yup, well, I ain't got
no woman now,
122
00:09:35,291 --> 00:09:38,792
so I'm livin' like
"the stoic bird," man.
123
00:09:38,792 --> 00:09:41,708
It's the only way
to live, son.
124
00:09:41,708 --> 00:09:44,708
- ( music in headset )
- Harvey: Yeah, man.
125
00:09:44,708 --> 00:09:46,375
Mr. Boats:
Look at that fool there.
126
00:09:46,375 --> 00:09:49,000
Probably listening
to that loud rock stuff.
127
00:09:49,000 --> 00:09:51,875
Junk. Junk.
It's all junk.
128
00:09:51,875 --> 00:09:54,125
I don't know.
You know, I mean...
129
00:09:54,125 --> 00:09:57,000
rock music's got
some good qualities.
130
00:09:57,000 --> 00:10:01,333
It isn't jazz
or nothin', but,
you know.
131
00:10:01,333 --> 00:10:03,667
Say, when you gonna
bring me in
132
00:10:03,667 --> 00:10:05,542
some of those
good records?
133
00:10:05,542 --> 00:10:08,166
Some Nat King Cole
with strings?
134
00:10:08,166 --> 00:10:10,041
I don't got any
of that, Mr. Boats.
135
00:10:10,041 --> 00:10:13,500
Yeah, you got that.
You keep 'em
at home, though.
136
00:10:13,500 --> 00:10:15,166
You won't turn loose
the good stuff,
137
00:10:15,166 --> 00:10:17,500
you just sell
the junk.
138
00:10:19,834 --> 00:10:21,875
- You know, I... I just--
- ( jazz music playing )
139
00:10:21,875 --> 00:10:24,500
I, you know, keep the stuff
I want to keep.
140
00:10:24,500 --> 00:10:27,875
I don't-- I sold a lot
of good material
141
00:10:27,875 --> 00:10:30,542
by people
that he didn't like.
142
00:10:32,542 --> 00:10:35,041
And Mr. Boats,
he didn't like any blues
143
00:10:35,041 --> 00:10:37,041
or anything like that.
144
00:10:37,041 --> 00:10:40,166
And he played
classical violin.
145
00:10:43,208 --> 00:10:45,041
I started
record collecting
146
00:10:45,041 --> 00:10:48,208
when I was 15
or 16 years old.
147
00:10:48,208 --> 00:10:50,500
I started getting
interested in jazz.
148
00:10:50,500 --> 00:10:53,458
Prior to that, I had
collected comic books.
149
00:10:53,458 --> 00:10:56,041
I was always
a collector.
150
00:10:59,041 --> 00:11:01,291
I admit to having
151
00:11:01,291 --> 00:11:03,667
an obsessive-compulsive
quality in me.
152
00:11:04,708 --> 00:11:06,708
( music stops )
153
00:11:06,708 --> 00:11:08,875
It's like "The Treasure
of the Sierra Madre"
or something.
154
00:11:08,875 --> 00:11:11,625
You go to thrift shops
and you go to garage sales
155
00:11:11,625 --> 00:11:13,250
'cause you think
you're gonna find something
156
00:11:13,250 --> 00:11:15,917
that's real rare
157
00:11:15,917 --> 00:11:18,750
and most of the time
it's a total waste of time.
158
00:11:18,750 --> 00:11:20,750
But once in a while
159
00:11:20,750 --> 00:11:22,917
you'll come up
with something
160
00:11:22,917 --> 00:11:24,250
and it'll
whet your appetite.
161
00:11:34,375 --> 00:11:36,750
Pekar:
In the early '60s,
I was with some buddies
162
00:11:36,750 --> 00:11:39,083
at a junk sale
looking for some
choice sides
163
00:11:39,083 --> 00:11:42,041
when I met this shy,
retiring cat from
Philadelphia
164
00:11:42,041 --> 00:11:44,208
named Bob Crumb.
You know the guy.
165
00:11:44,208 --> 00:11:47,041
"Fritz the Cat,"
"Mr. Natural" and all.
166
00:11:47,041 --> 00:11:49,208
They made a movie
about him, too.
167
00:11:51,041 --> 00:11:53,834
Ooh, Jay McShann, man.
168
00:11:57,959 --> 00:12:00,542
Aw, come on, Harv.
You gonna buy that
or what?
169
00:12:00,542 --> 00:12:01,834
Yeah, I don't know,
Marty.
170
00:12:01,834 --> 00:12:04,125
It's got
a lamination
crack in it.
171
00:12:04,125 --> 00:12:07,083
A quarter.
172
00:12:07,083 --> 00:12:09,708
Maybe I can
talk it down.
173
00:12:09,708 --> 00:12:11,500
You are one cheap
bastard, Harvey.
174
00:12:11,500 --> 00:12:13,083
Yeah, I know
I'm tight, man.
175
00:12:13,083 --> 00:12:15,291
I live on
a government wage.
176
00:12:16,834 --> 00:12:19,041
You collect
Jay McShann, man?
177
00:12:19,041 --> 00:12:21,500
- Yeah, man,
how about you?
- Yeah.
178
00:12:21,500 --> 00:12:24,708
But most
of my records
are back in Philly.
179
00:12:24,708 --> 00:12:27,125
Hey, Harvey,
meet my buddy,
Bob Crumb.
180
00:12:27,125 --> 00:12:28,959
He just moved to town.
He's an artist
181
00:12:28,959 --> 00:12:30,291
with the American
Greeting Card Company.
182
00:12:30,291 --> 00:12:31,417
Huh? That's cool.
183
00:12:31,417 --> 00:12:33,041
You should see
his comics, Harv.
184
00:12:33,041 --> 00:12:36,125
- They're outta sight.
- Yeah?
185
00:12:36,125 --> 00:12:40,166
- Hey, I'm into comics myself.
- ( thunder rumbles )
186
00:12:44,208 --> 00:12:46,208
( jazz music playing )
187
00:12:48,333 --> 00:12:51,041
Pekar:
So Crumb showed me
this comic book novel
188
00:12:51,041 --> 00:12:52,542
he was working on.
189
00:12:52,542 --> 00:12:54,333
The "Big Yum Yum Book."
190
00:12:54,333 --> 00:12:55,792
I'd never seen
anything like it.
191
00:12:55,792 --> 00:12:58,542
This is terrific.
I really dig your
work, man.
192
00:12:58,542 --> 00:13:01,875
This "Peter Wheat" book
is by Walt Kelly.
193
00:13:01,875 --> 00:13:04,000
- It's pretty rare.
- Oh, yeah?
194
00:13:04,000 --> 00:13:07,917
- Can I get
good bread for it?
- Not yet.
195
00:13:07,917 --> 00:13:10,500
Oh. Listen, man,
let's get back
to your book.
196
00:13:10,500 --> 00:13:12,500
What are you
gonna do with it?
197
00:13:12,500 --> 00:13:15,750
I haven't really
thought about it.
It's just an exercise.
198
00:13:15,750 --> 00:13:18,834
No, man, it's more
than just an exercise.
199
00:13:20,000 --> 00:13:21,750
It's breaking
ground, man.
200
00:13:21,750 --> 00:13:24,667
There's some wild shit
in here, Bob.
201
00:13:24,667 --> 00:13:27,542
You're spitting on me,
Harvey.
202
00:13:28,625 --> 00:13:29,875
( sighs )
203
00:13:33,917 --> 00:13:36,875
( music playing )
204
00:13:48,250 --> 00:13:52,667
Pekar:
Crumb and I hung out
a lot back then.
205
00:13:52,667 --> 00:13:55,792
We had records
and comics in common.
206
00:13:58,875 --> 00:14:01,583
Check it out, man.
207
00:14:05,333 --> 00:14:07,667
Pretty scary.
208
00:14:07,667 --> 00:14:11,917
Yeah, you don't know
the half of it, man.
209
00:14:11,917 --> 00:14:14,834
Pekar:
Actually, people got hip
to Crumb's artwork
210
00:14:14,834 --> 00:14:18,917
and he started
hanging out with
the bohemian crowd.
211
00:14:18,917 --> 00:14:20,959
After a while he got
sick of greeting cards
212
00:14:20,959 --> 00:14:22,875
and moved away
to San Francisco,
213
00:14:22,875 --> 00:14:26,542
where he got the whole
underground comic scene
off the ground.
214
00:14:29,834 --> 00:14:31,542
( music continues )
215
00:14:31,542 --> 00:14:33,625
He'd come back to Cleveland
every few years,
216
00:14:33,625 --> 00:14:35,875
and people would treat him
like a celebrity.
217
00:14:40,375 --> 00:14:43,458
Singer:
♪ If me my baby ♪
218
00:14:43,458 --> 00:14:45,792
♪ Fuss and fight... ♪
219
00:14:47,750 --> 00:14:51,166
Once he came to visit
when I was feelin'
real bad.
220
00:14:51,166 --> 00:14:53,917
It was right after
my wife left me.
221
00:14:53,917 --> 00:14:56,125
She got
so mean to me
at the end.
222
00:14:56,125 --> 00:14:58,625
It ain't
like I tried to
keep her captive
223
00:14:58,625 --> 00:15:00,959
or anything
like that, you know?
224
00:15:00,959 --> 00:15:04,417
- ( sighs )
- Harvey: I don't know, man.
225
00:15:04,417 --> 00:15:08,041
Yeah, but don't think
I buy into any of this
"growth" crap, man.
226
00:15:08,041 --> 00:15:10,333
Everybody's
always talking about
how bad experiences
227
00:15:10,333 --> 00:15:14,500
cause you to "grow"
and all that clichéd
stuff, man.
228
00:15:14,500 --> 00:15:18,125
I've had enough bad
experiences and growth
to last me plenty.
229
00:15:25,000 --> 00:15:27,667
Right now...
230
00:15:27,667 --> 00:15:31,166
I'd be glad
to trade some growth
for happiness.
231
00:15:38,667 --> 00:15:40,834
So how long you stayin'
in Cleveland, man?
232
00:15:42,834 --> 00:15:45,208
I don't know, I gotta see
this chick in New York,
233
00:15:45,208 --> 00:15:48,375
and I'm really busy
with the comic book stuff.
234
00:15:48,375 --> 00:15:51,667
It's good bread and all.
I'm just gettin' sick
of the whole scene.
235
00:15:51,667 --> 00:15:53,667
What are you
talkin' about?
236
00:15:53,667 --> 00:15:57,834
You make a good livin'
doing your art, right?
237
00:15:57,834 --> 00:16:00,333
How many guys
get that lucky
in their life, huh?
238
00:16:00,333 --> 00:16:02,041
Yeah, I--
239
00:16:02,041 --> 00:16:03,583
No, man, listen,
I'll tell you
something,
240
00:16:03,583 --> 00:16:06,208
people are startin'
to know the name Crumb.
241
00:16:06,208 --> 00:16:09,208
When you croak, man,
you're gonna leave
somethin' behind.
242
00:16:09,208 --> 00:16:12,041
- Yeah, I guess.
- Yeah.
243
00:16:12,041 --> 00:16:14,166
It's not like
I'm Blind Lemon Jefferson
244
00:16:14,166 --> 00:16:17,041
- or Big Mama Thornton or--
- Oh, come on, man.
245
00:16:17,041 --> 00:16:19,000
I'll tell you somethin,'
it sure beats workin'
246
00:16:19,000 --> 00:16:21,083
a gig like mine,
being a nobody flunky
247
00:16:21,083 --> 00:16:23,708
and selling records
on the side for a buck.
248
00:16:26,041 --> 00:16:30,166
- Yeah, well, that's true.
- ♪ It ain't nobody's
business ♪
249
00:16:32,083 --> 00:16:36,708
♪ Yeah, yeah,
yes, if we do. ♪
250
00:16:39,166 --> 00:16:41,250
- ( call signal beeps )
- Woman on P.A.: Dr. Whitman...
251
00:16:52,542 --> 00:16:54,750
Ahem.
252
00:17:01,542 --> 00:17:03,583
Phew.
253
00:17:07,917 --> 00:17:09,542
( sighs )
254
00:17:27,500 --> 00:17:29,959
( jazz music playing )
255
00:18:05,625 --> 00:18:07,959
( faint siren wails )
256
00:18:11,917 --> 00:18:14,500
( music playing on P.A. )
257
00:18:21,542 --> 00:18:23,667
( can clatters )
258
00:19:08,708 --> 00:19:14,083
Listen, girly,
these glasses are
six for $2.00
259
00:19:14,083 --> 00:19:15,875
because I couldn't
carry 12.
260
00:19:15,875 --> 00:19:19,875
But I wanted 12,
so today I'm buying
six more.
261
00:19:19,875 --> 00:19:23,750
But you should only
charge me $1.50 for them.
262
00:19:25,125 --> 00:19:29,583
It's all right.
You can ask the manager.
263
00:19:30,875 --> 00:19:34,125
Frank, I need
a price check.
264
00:19:35,542 --> 00:19:37,917
Man, old Jewish ladies
will argue forever
265
00:19:37,917 --> 00:19:39,667
with a cashier
about anything.
266
00:19:39,667 --> 00:19:41,625
- These glasses are six...
- You get behind them in line,
267
00:19:41,625 --> 00:19:44,250
and you're gonna wait
forever, man.
268
00:19:44,250 --> 00:19:46,000
( cart bangs )
269
00:19:46,000 --> 00:19:48,458
- Woman: So today...
- I mean, I'm a Yid myself
270
00:19:48,458 --> 00:19:50,875
and women in my family
are like that,
271
00:19:50,875 --> 00:19:52,959
but I never
got used to it.
272
00:19:52,959 --> 00:19:55,917
I mean, I may be cheap,
but I got limits, man.
273
00:19:55,917 --> 00:19:58,417
Let me 'splain
one more time.
274
00:19:58,417 --> 00:20:02,250
These glasses
are six for $2.00...
275
00:20:03,750 --> 00:20:05,417
Wake up!
276
00:20:05,417 --> 00:20:07,750
Your whole life's
getting eaten away
with this kind of crap.
277
00:20:07,750 --> 00:20:10,000
What kind of existence
is this?
278
00:20:10,000 --> 00:20:13,125
Is this all
a working stiff
like you can expect?
279
00:20:13,125 --> 00:20:15,458
You gonna
suffer in silence
for the rest of your life,
280
00:20:15,458 --> 00:20:19,500
or are you gonna
make a mark, huh?
281
00:20:19,500 --> 00:20:22,125
Huh?
282
00:20:22,125 --> 00:20:23,291
Huh?
283
00:20:25,291 --> 00:20:27,792
Woman:
Okay, I have the money
right here.
284
00:20:27,792 --> 00:20:29,583
Even money $1.50,
285
00:20:29,583 --> 00:20:32,458
you don't even have
to open the cash register.
286
00:20:32,458 --> 00:20:34,291
Even change and--
287
00:20:36,083 --> 00:20:39,000
( jazz music playing )
288
00:20:48,500 --> 00:20:51,583
( mutters )
289
00:21:01,458 --> 00:21:04,291
( mutters )
290
00:21:17,041 --> 00:21:19,959
( music continues )
291
00:21:41,583 --> 00:21:43,083
Oh, shit!
292
00:21:43,083 --> 00:21:45,500
Harvey:
Ever since I read
your stuff, man,
293
00:21:45,500 --> 00:21:48,458
I've been thinking
I could write
294
00:21:48,458 --> 00:21:49,875
comic book stories
that are different
295
00:21:49,875 --> 00:21:53,291
from anything
that's being done.
296
00:21:53,291 --> 00:21:55,208
Mm-hmm.
297
00:21:55,208 --> 00:21:59,291
I figure the guys who
are doing animal comics
298
00:21:59,291 --> 00:22:02,792
and superhero stuff,
they're really limited
299
00:22:02,792 --> 00:22:05,959
because they gotta try
to appeal to kids.
300
00:22:05,959 --> 00:22:07,750
And underground
stuff like yours,
301
00:22:07,750 --> 00:22:11,125
have been really subversive,
and it's opened things up
politically,
302
00:22:11,125 --> 00:22:14,708
but there's still
plenty more to be done
with them, too, you know?
303
00:22:14,708 --> 00:22:18,250
Pass the ketchup.
304
00:22:18,250 --> 00:22:23,000
The words and pictures,
they can be more
of an art form.
305
00:22:23,000 --> 00:22:25,083
Like those-- like those
French movies are.
306
00:22:25,083 --> 00:22:29,417
Or De Sica over in Italy.
307
00:22:31,375 --> 00:22:33,583
( sighs )
308
00:22:33,583 --> 00:22:37,291
So anyway,
I just-- I tried--
309
00:22:37,291 --> 00:22:41,250
I tried
writing some stuff
about real life.
310
00:22:41,250 --> 00:22:44,917
You know, stuff
that the everyman's
gotta deal with.
311
00:22:46,875 --> 00:22:49,792
These are all
about you?
312
00:22:49,792 --> 00:22:51,291
Yeah.
313
00:22:51,291 --> 00:22:53,875
You turned yourself
into a comic hero.
314
00:22:53,875 --> 00:22:55,542
- ( chuckles )
- Well, sort of, yeah,
315
00:22:55,542 --> 00:22:58,792
but there's no
idealized shit.
316
00:22:58,792 --> 00:23:00,458
There's no
phony bullshit.
317
00:23:00,458 --> 00:23:03,417
It's the real thing, man.
318
00:23:03,417 --> 00:23:06,458
You know, ordinary life
is pretty complex stuff.
319
00:23:11,583 --> 00:23:14,625
These are really...
320
00:23:16,208 --> 00:23:18,959
good.
321
00:23:21,333 --> 00:23:23,166
Really?
You think so?
322
00:23:23,166 --> 00:23:25,500
Yeah, this
is great stuff.
I dig it.
323
00:23:25,500 --> 00:23:27,291
( chuckles )
324
00:23:27,291 --> 00:23:29,250
Can I take 'em home
and illustrate 'em?
325
00:23:33,959 --> 00:23:36,250
( loudly )
Oh, wow, man!
326
00:23:36,250 --> 00:23:38,375
( coughs )
327
00:23:38,375 --> 00:23:42,708
( squeaking )
You'd really do that
for me, man?
328
00:23:42,708 --> 00:23:44,333
Oh, man,
that would be great,
329
00:23:44,333 --> 00:23:47,166
'cause I can't even
draw a straight line, Bob.
330
00:23:47,166 --> 00:23:48,500
Hey, what's up
with your voice,
Harv?
331
00:23:48,500 --> 00:23:49,959
All of a sudden
you sound fine.
332
00:23:49,959 --> 00:23:52,667
( coughs )
333
00:23:52,667 --> 00:23:55,333
I don't know, man.
334
00:23:55,333 --> 00:23:57,125
I guess you
cured me, man.
335
00:23:57,125 --> 00:24:01,125
( R&B music playing )
336
00:24:03,291 --> 00:24:06,166
- ♪ Ah-ah-ah ♪
- ♪ Ah-ah-ah... ♪
337
00:24:06,166 --> 00:24:09,000
- ♪ Hey, hey ♪
- ♪ Hey, hey... ♪
338
00:24:09,000 --> 00:24:11,750
- ♪ Ah-ah-ah ♪
- ♪ Ah-ah-ah... ♪
339
00:24:11,750 --> 00:24:15,041
- ♪ Hey, hey ♪
- ♪ Hey, hey... ♪
340
00:24:15,041 --> 00:24:18,000
- ♪ Ah-ah-ah-ah ♪
- ♪ Ah-ah-ah-ah... ♪
341
00:24:18,000 --> 00:24:20,583
- ♪ Ah-ah-ah ♪
- ♪ Ah-ah-ah... ♪
342
00:24:20,583 --> 00:24:23,291
♪ Whoo...
I cried too much ♪
343
00:24:23,291 --> 00:24:27,708
♪ Just like a child
that's lost its toy ♪
344
00:24:27,708 --> 00:24:30,959
♪ Maybe, baby, you think
these tears I cry ♪
345
00:24:30,959 --> 00:24:33,291
♪ Are tears of joy ♪
346
00:24:33,291 --> 00:24:35,125
♪ A child can cry so much ♪
347
00:24:35,125 --> 00:24:38,625
♪ Until you do everything
they say ♪
348
00:24:38,625 --> 00:24:40,208
♪ But unlike a child ♪
349
00:24:40,208 --> 00:24:44,583
♪ My tears don't help me
to get my way ♪
350
00:24:44,583 --> 00:24:47,500
♪ I know love can last
through years ♪
351
00:24:47,500 --> 00:24:50,375
♪ But how can love
last through tears? ♪
352
00:24:50,375 --> 00:24:53,041
♪ Tears, tears, tears
tears ♪
353
00:24:53,041 --> 00:24:55,708
- ♪ Now ain't that
peculiar, baby? ♪
- ♪ Ain't that peculiar? ♪
354
00:24:55,708 --> 00:24:58,917
- ♪ Peculiar-arity ♪
- ♪ Ain't that peculiar? ♪
355
00:24:58,917 --> 00:25:02,125
- ♪ Ain't it peculiar, honey? ♪
- ♪ Ain't that peculiar? ♪
356
00:25:02,125 --> 00:25:04,917
♪ Peculiar as can be ♪
357
00:25:04,917 --> 00:25:07,792
- ♪ Said I don't
understand it, baby ♪
- ♪ Ain't that peculiar? ♪
358
00:25:07,792 --> 00:25:10,708
- ♪ It's so strange sometimes ♪
- ♪ Ain't that peculiar? ♪
359
00:25:10,708 --> 00:25:13,875
- ♪ Ain't it
peculiar, darling? ♪
- ♪ Ain't that peculiar? ♪
360
00:25:13,875 --> 00:25:16,583
Man:
I tell you, man, that Bonnie--
legs that go forever.
361
00:25:16,583 --> 00:25:21,083
- Man #2: So how smart is she?
- Man #1: I don't know.
362
00:25:21,083 --> 00:25:23,208
I guess she's
about average.
363
00:25:23,208 --> 00:25:27,291
Average?
Hey, man, average
is dumb.
364
00:25:29,458 --> 00:25:31,542
Man #1:
So what if she's dumb?
365
00:25:31,542 --> 00:25:33,458
Man #2:
Oh, I don't care.
She's not my chick.
366
00:25:34,959 --> 00:25:37,959
Man:
"Hey, man,
average is dumb."
367
00:25:37,959 --> 00:25:40,917
How about that, man?
That's all stories
by yours truly.
368
00:25:40,917 --> 00:25:42,250
- Hot off the presses.
- That's right, man.
369
00:25:42,250 --> 00:25:44,792
We have a regular
Hemingway here.
370
00:25:44,792 --> 00:25:47,625
No way, man,
I don't go in for
any of that macho crap.
371
00:25:47,625 --> 00:25:49,083
I didn't know
you could draw, Pekar.
372
00:25:49,083 --> 00:25:51,041
No, no, no, no.
I don't draw, Doc.
373
00:25:51,041 --> 00:25:53,000
I just--
I write the stories.
374
00:25:53,000 --> 00:25:55,583
- Harvey, am I in here?
- Yeah, Toby, you're
in there, all right?
375
00:25:55,583 --> 00:25:58,000
Take it easy,
for Christ's sake.
376
00:25:58,000 --> 00:26:00,041
Buddy of mine,
some of his friends,
377
00:26:00,041 --> 00:26:03,375
- they do the artwork.
- Let me see this.
378
00:26:03,375 --> 00:26:06,291
Mr. Boats,
it's not polite
to grab things.
379
00:26:06,291 --> 00:26:09,291
- Next time--
- Ah-ah ah-ah ah-ah.
380
00:26:11,291 --> 00:26:12,792
Mr. Boats:
Hmm.
381
00:26:12,792 --> 00:26:16,125
That's not bad.
382
00:26:16,125 --> 00:26:18,792
Son, you done good.
383
00:26:18,792 --> 00:26:22,583
But, you know, I was up
in Toronto a few weeks back,
384
00:26:22,583 --> 00:26:25,750
and I saw
the Red Chinese Ballet.
Now, that was beautiful.
385
00:26:25,750 --> 00:26:28,000
The way those people
were dancing together.
386
00:26:28,000 --> 00:26:30,458
Those Chinese,
they work hard.
387
00:26:30,458 --> 00:26:33,625
I tell you,
they work hard.
388
00:26:33,625 --> 00:26:35,500
Where's everybody
going?
389
00:26:43,917 --> 00:26:47,000
Mr. Boats:
Where are these sickly men
rushing off to?
390
00:26:48,542 --> 00:26:51,000
They ain't goin'
nowhere for now.
391
00:26:51,000 --> 00:26:54,542
Maybe not
for a long time.
392
00:26:54,542 --> 00:26:59,583
But, damn if they not
rushin' off to get there.
393
00:26:59,583 --> 00:27:02,125
- ♪ Ain't it peculiar, honey? ♪
- ♪ Ain't that peculiar ♪
394
00:27:02,125 --> 00:27:05,041
- ♪ Peculiar as can be ♪
- ♪ Ain't that peculiar? ♪
395
00:27:05,041 --> 00:27:08,083
- ♪ Said I don't
understand it, baby ♪
- ♪ Ain't that peculiar? ♪
396
00:27:08,083 --> 00:27:11,417
- ♪ It's so strange sometimes ♪
- ♪ Ain't that peculiar ♪
397
00:27:11,417 --> 00:27:13,333
♪ Ain't it peculiar,
darling? ♪
398
00:27:13,333 --> 00:27:15,583
Interviewer:
So, Harvey, how do your
coworkers and friends
399
00:27:15,583 --> 00:27:17,667
feel about you putting
them in your comics?
400
00:27:17,667 --> 00:27:20,875
They love it.
They can't get
enough of it.
401
00:27:23,000 --> 00:27:24,792
They come up to me
demanding to know
402
00:27:24,792 --> 00:27:27,375
"why I'm not
in the new issue."
403
00:27:27,375 --> 00:27:29,041
Most of them.
404
00:27:29,041 --> 00:27:30,917
What about overhearing
what people say?
405
00:27:30,917 --> 00:27:33,000
Are you always
listening at work?
406
00:27:33,000 --> 00:27:35,375
Are you listening
riding the bus?
407
00:27:35,375 --> 00:27:37,458
- Yeah, I listen.
- Supermarket?
408
00:27:37,458 --> 00:27:40,041
Yeah, I listen.
409
00:27:40,041 --> 00:27:42,875
I fall asleep
on people, too,
but I listen some.
410
00:27:58,125 --> 00:28:02,583
Pekar:
Here's our man
eight comics later.
411
00:28:02,583 --> 00:28:06,708
A brand-new decade,
same old bullshit.
412
00:28:10,000 --> 00:28:12,333
Yeah, sure, he gets
lots of recognition
413
00:28:12,333 --> 00:28:14,333
for his writing now.
414
00:28:14,333 --> 00:28:17,625
Sure, his comics
are praised by all
the important media types
415
00:28:17,625 --> 00:28:20,792
telling people
what to think.
But so what?
416
00:28:20,792 --> 00:28:24,834
It's not like
he makes a living at it
like Bob Crumb.
417
00:28:24,834 --> 00:28:27,917
He can't go and quit
his day job or nothing.
418
00:28:33,917 --> 00:28:35,792
Who am I kidding?
419
00:28:35,792 --> 00:28:39,417
Truth is, I'd be lost
without my work routine.
420
00:28:39,417 --> 00:28:42,291
- ( bangs )
- ( panting )
421
00:28:49,125 --> 00:28:54,166
( sighs )
I got a job.
422
00:28:54,166 --> 00:28:56,083
Oh...!
423
00:28:57,750 --> 00:28:59,750
I got a job.
424
00:29:01,625 --> 00:29:03,667
"I got a job."
425
00:29:05,917 --> 00:29:09,625
Hi, Harvey.
Do you want these
gourmet jelly beans?
426
00:29:09,625 --> 00:29:12,708
I gave up sweets
for Lent.
427
00:29:12,708 --> 00:29:14,250
Yeah, sure,
I'll take 'em.
428
00:29:14,250 --> 00:29:17,000
I recommend
the piña coladas.
429
00:29:17,000 --> 00:29:20,458
They're excellent
and very authentic tasting.
430
00:29:24,333 --> 00:29:26,667
It's watermelon.
That's pretty good, Tobe.
431
00:29:26,667 --> 00:29:29,667
Wait till you try
the piña coladas.
432
00:29:38,166 --> 00:29:42,083
Hey, Tobe,
tell me somethin'.
433
00:29:42,083 --> 00:29:46,000
Can you eat lentils
during Lent?
434
00:29:46,000 --> 00:29:48,333
Sure, I don't see
why not.
435
00:29:48,333 --> 00:29:50,750
You can't eat meat
on certain days,
436
00:29:50,750 --> 00:29:54,208
but lentils should be acceptable
anytime.
437
00:29:54,208 --> 00:29:57,041
Oh, yeah?
438
00:29:57,041 --> 00:29:58,291
Do you think
there's any connection
439
00:29:58,291 --> 00:30:00,000
between lentils and Lent?
440
00:30:00,000 --> 00:30:03,250
I don't think so, but
I'll ask Sister Mary Fred
441
00:30:03,250 --> 00:30:05,083
at church on Sunday.
442
00:30:05,083 --> 00:30:08,834
Sister Mary Fred, huh?
443
00:30:08,834 --> 00:30:11,583
Is she cute?
She sounds kinda mannish,
444
00:30:11,583 --> 00:30:13,333
but who the hell
am I to be picky?
445
00:30:13,333 --> 00:30:17,834
Harvey, you're funny.
She's a nun.
446
00:30:17,834 --> 00:30:20,792
So what, man?
Maybe she became a nun
447
00:30:20,792 --> 00:30:22,750
because she couldn't
get a guy.
448
00:30:22,750 --> 00:30:24,708
Harvey,
she became a nun
449
00:30:24,708 --> 00:30:27,792
because she had
a higher calling.
450
00:30:27,792 --> 00:30:30,000
Higher calling.
What a crock of shit.
451
00:30:30,000 --> 00:30:32,125
Man, you know,
I don't even know
452
00:30:32,125 --> 00:30:34,208
why you bother
praying anyway.
453
00:30:34,208 --> 00:30:38,208
I enjoy the ritual,
and I'm a very
spiritual person.
454
00:30:38,208 --> 00:30:40,000
You know, you should
try believing
455
00:30:40,000 --> 00:30:42,708
in something bigger
than yourself.
456
00:30:42,708 --> 00:30:45,417
It might
cheer you up.
457
00:30:49,000 --> 00:30:51,458
What, do I seem
depressed, Toby?
458
00:31:11,083 --> 00:31:13,041
- Cut.
- ( bell rings )
459
00:31:13,041 --> 00:31:16,291
That was great, guys.
The bakery scene's next.
460
00:31:16,291 --> 00:31:19,125
Pekar:
The bakery scene's next?
I don't know of a bakery scene.
461
00:31:19,125 --> 00:31:21,875
Did you ever hear
of a bakery scene
in the film?
462
00:31:21,875 --> 00:31:23,125
A bakery scene's
next.
463
00:31:23,125 --> 00:31:26,792
Bakery's my scene,
but not in that way.
464
00:31:26,792 --> 00:31:29,083
Forget the bakery,
let's eat some jelly beans.
465
00:31:29,083 --> 00:31:33,083
Toby Radloff:
Yeah, I think
one might be lime,
466
00:31:33,083 --> 00:31:35,166
one might be,
like, mint.
467
00:31:35,166 --> 00:31:38,166
Well, what's
the difference
between this and this?
468
00:31:38,166 --> 00:31:40,208
One's cherry,
one's cinnamon.
469
00:31:40,208 --> 00:31:42,458
You can tell that
by just looking at 'em?
470
00:31:42,458 --> 00:31:45,458
Not really.
I have to put it
in my mouth first.
471
00:31:50,625 --> 00:31:53,500
Radloff:
Loneliness can feel
so bad.
472
00:31:53,500 --> 00:31:55,625
There had been times
I felt lonely
473
00:31:55,625 --> 00:31:58,708
'cause a lot of times
it was just me and
my grandmother.
474
00:31:58,708 --> 00:32:01,083
And I would just be sitting
in my room all day
475
00:32:01,083 --> 00:32:04,417
watching television
or reading books.
476
00:32:04,417 --> 00:32:07,000
That was before I bought
a computer, of course.
477
00:32:07,000 --> 00:32:11,166
So how do you cope
with loneliness, Harvey?
478
00:32:11,166 --> 00:32:13,583
Did I say I watch
television?
479
00:32:13,583 --> 00:32:15,291
Yeah, you mentioned
you watch TV.
480
00:32:15,291 --> 00:32:17,291
You listen to your
jazz records.
481
00:32:17,291 --> 00:32:20,166
You read.
You write.
482
00:32:20,166 --> 00:32:21,417
You do your
stick figures
483
00:32:21,417 --> 00:32:26,625
so you can plan for
your next comic book.
484
00:32:26,625 --> 00:32:28,333
Yeah.
485
00:32:28,333 --> 00:32:30,250
'Cause I've seen many
of your stick figures
486
00:32:30,250 --> 00:32:33,375
and that seems to be
pretty interesting. Hmm.
487
00:32:33,375 --> 00:32:34,959
- Yeah.
- Chocolate jelly beans.
488
00:32:34,959 --> 00:32:37,166
- I might have
to try one.
- Go ahead.
489
00:32:57,917 --> 00:33:00,792
( doorbell jingles )
490
00:33:00,792 --> 00:33:02,875
Uh...
491
00:33:02,875 --> 00:33:04,041
Woman:
Excuse me,
can I help you?
492
00:33:04,041 --> 00:33:07,125
Yeah, um...
493
00:33:07,125 --> 00:33:11,875
Yeah, give me
two crullers...
494
00:33:11,875 --> 00:33:15,708
- a jelly donut
with the powdered sugar...
- Woman #2: Thanks for comin'.
495
00:33:15,708 --> 00:33:18,208
and, hey, you got any
of that day-old bread?
496
00:33:18,208 --> 00:33:20,500
- Woman: I think so.
- Yeah?
497
00:33:23,625 --> 00:33:25,583
Here you go.
498
00:33:28,125 --> 00:33:30,959
Three dollars.
499
00:33:30,959 --> 00:33:33,208
You're Harvey Pekar.
500
00:33:33,208 --> 00:33:34,583
Yeah.
501
00:33:34,583 --> 00:33:37,959
Alice Quinn
from school.
502
00:33:37,959 --> 00:33:41,250
Oh, yeah, yeah.
503
00:33:41,250 --> 00:33:43,291
College, yeah,
yeah.
504
00:33:43,291 --> 00:33:45,375
Yeah, we had a couple of
lit classes together.
505
00:33:45,375 --> 00:33:46,834
What happened
to you?
506
00:33:46,834 --> 00:33:50,291
I mean,
you just disappeared
after two semesters.
507
00:33:50,291 --> 00:33:52,708
Yeah, I know, man.
508
00:33:52,708 --> 00:33:54,750
And, you know,
I got good grades
and all,
509
00:33:54,750 --> 00:33:57,458
but there was that
required math class
510
00:33:57,458 --> 00:33:59,250
you know,
hanging over my head.
511
00:33:59,250 --> 00:34:02,375
Eventually the pressure
got to be too much.
512
00:34:04,125 --> 00:34:05,959
You're doing
okay anyway.
513
00:34:05,959 --> 00:34:09,583
I mean, I heard
all about your jazz
reviews and your comics.
514
00:34:09,583 --> 00:34:12,708
- You did?
- Sure. You're famous.
515
00:34:12,708 --> 00:34:15,792
- Ah-hh...
- Meanwhile,
I got my degree
516
00:34:15,792 --> 00:34:18,333
and I'm just a plain old
wife and mother.
517
00:34:19,917 --> 00:34:21,917
Oh.
518
00:34:23,375 --> 00:34:26,208
Yeah, well...
519
00:34:26,208 --> 00:34:28,708
I'm not doing
as great as you think.
520
00:34:28,708 --> 00:34:31,708
My second wife
divorced me.
521
00:34:31,708 --> 00:34:35,291
I work a dead-end job
as a file clerk,
522
00:34:35,291 --> 00:34:37,917
so, you know,
sometimes I hang out
523
00:34:37,917 --> 00:34:40,125
with the guys
on the corner,
but most of the time
524
00:34:40,125 --> 00:34:43,083
I just stay at home
by myself and I read.
525
00:34:43,083 --> 00:34:46,000
Well, you're luckier
than you think.
526
00:34:46,000 --> 00:34:48,417
Between my husband
and my kids,
527
00:34:48,417 --> 00:34:51,458
it's impossible
for me to curl up
with a good book.
528
00:34:57,500 --> 00:35:00,875
You know,
I'm reading this book
by Dreiser now,
529
00:35:00,875 --> 00:35:04,291
- "Jennie Gerhardt."
- That's one of my favorites.
530
00:35:04,291 --> 00:35:06,333
Yeah?
531
00:35:06,333 --> 00:35:08,166
You know, I hope
that book don't end
532
00:35:08,166 --> 00:35:10,708
like so many of those
naturalist novels
533
00:35:10,708 --> 00:35:14,417
with someone getting
crushed to earth
534
00:35:14,417 --> 00:35:16,083
by forces
he can't control.
535
00:35:16,083 --> 00:35:18,333
- I think you'll be
pleasantly surprised.
- Yeah?
536
00:35:18,333 --> 00:35:20,834
I mean, it's certainly not
your Hollywood happy ending,
537
00:35:20,834 --> 00:35:22,959
but it's pretty
truthful,
538
00:35:22,959 --> 00:35:27,291
- which is rare
these days.
- Yeah.
539
00:35:27,291 --> 00:35:29,542
- This is me.
- Oh, all right.
540
00:35:31,041 --> 00:35:34,041
( door opens )
541
00:35:35,083 --> 00:35:36,959
Nice car.
542
00:35:36,959 --> 00:35:38,375
- Thanks.
- I don't have one yet.
543
00:35:38,375 --> 00:35:40,208
Oh! Can I give you
a lift somewhere?
544
00:35:40,208 --> 00:35:41,708
Uh...
545
00:35:41,708 --> 00:35:43,875
nah, that's all right.
It's a nice day.
546
00:35:43,875 --> 00:35:45,708
I'll just--
I'll walk.
547
00:35:57,875 --> 00:35:59,708
It was nice
seeing you, Harvey.
548
00:35:59,708 --> 00:36:02,083
Yeah.
549
00:36:07,625 --> 00:36:10,583
( engine starts )
550
00:36:22,750 --> 00:36:25,375
Pekar:
And when I got home,
I finished reading
551
00:36:25,375 --> 00:36:27,458
"Jennie Gerhardt."
552
00:36:27,458 --> 00:36:30,875
It was real good.
That Alice was right.
553
00:36:32,917 --> 00:36:37,500
Sure, Lester,
the main character,
croaks in the end,
554
00:36:37,500 --> 00:36:41,083
but at least he's old
and dies a natural,
dignified death.
555
00:36:45,000 --> 00:36:47,792
I was more alone
that weekend than any.
556
00:36:47,792 --> 00:36:51,375
Sometimes in my sleep,
I'd feel a body
next to me,
557
00:36:51,375 --> 00:36:54,417
like an amputee
feels a phantom limb.
558
00:36:57,083 --> 00:36:59,250
All I did
was think about
"Jennie Gerhardt"
559
00:36:59,250 --> 00:37:04,166
and Alice Quinn
and all the decades
of people I've known.
560
00:37:04,166 --> 00:37:08,792
The more I thought,
the more I felt
like crying.
561
00:37:08,792 --> 00:37:10,834
Life seems so sweet
562
00:37:10,834 --> 00:37:12,291
and so sad
563
00:37:12,291 --> 00:37:14,959
and so hard to
let go of in the end.
564
00:37:14,959 --> 00:37:17,208
But, hey, man,
565
00:37:17,208 --> 00:37:20,333
every day's
a brand-new deal,
right?
566
00:37:20,333 --> 00:37:23,000
Just keep on working
and something's bound
to turn up.
567
00:37:29,875 --> 00:37:32,083
♪ Know your rights ♪
568
00:37:34,041 --> 00:37:36,083
♪ Number one ♪
569
00:37:36,083 --> 00:37:38,083
♪ You have the right ♪
570
00:37:38,083 --> 00:37:42,542
♪ Not to be killed ♪
571
00:37:42,542 --> 00:37:47,500
♪ Murder is a crime... ♪
572
00:37:47,500 --> 00:37:50,458
What happened to the new
"American Splendor"?
573
00:37:50,458 --> 00:37:52,959
I think
we sold 'em, babe.
574
00:37:52,959 --> 00:37:56,333
- All of them?
- Yeah.
575
00:37:56,333 --> 00:37:59,333
Rand, I put one
aside for myself
576
00:37:59,333 --> 00:38:00,583
next to the register.
577
00:38:00,583 --> 00:38:03,083
I haven't even had time
to read it yet.
578
00:38:03,083 --> 00:38:05,125
Oh, sorry, Joyce,
I didn't know
579
00:38:05,125 --> 00:38:06,333
you were such
a Splendor fan.
580
00:38:06,333 --> 00:38:08,583
Next time,
take it home.
581
00:38:08,583 --> 00:38:10,458
( sighs )
582
00:38:15,708 --> 00:38:18,625
Well, maybe I'll call
the publisher.
583
00:38:18,625 --> 00:38:21,333
But it takes
so damn long-- shit!
584
00:38:21,333 --> 00:38:22,667
Why does everything
in my life
585
00:38:22,667 --> 00:38:25,041
have to be such
a complicated disaster?
586
00:38:26,750 --> 00:38:29,834
Okay, well,
maybe we can
call someone--
587
00:38:29,834 --> 00:38:33,291
- What is this?
- All right, okay.
588
00:38:33,291 --> 00:38:36,041
I'm gonna hustle
before the vibe in here
589
00:38:36,041 --> 00:38:38,250
gets any worse.
590
00:38:38,250 --> 00:38:40,375
You can just hang.
591
00:38:45,375 --> 00:38:47,917
( clicking pen )
592
00:38:51,750 --> 00:38:53,250
Joyce:
"Dear Mr. Pekar,
593
00:38:57,917 --> 00:39:01,750
Greetings from
the second smallest state
in the union...
594
00:39:05,333 --> 00:39:08,208
an endless plastics
and nylon plantation
595
00:39:08,208 --> 00:39:11,083
controlled by giant
chemical corporations.
596
00:39:12,875 --> 00:39:14,834
To make matters
more dismal,
597
00:39:14,834 --> 00:39:17,959
there are no decent
comic book stores
in my town,
598
00:39:17,959 --> 00:39:21,208
which is why
my partner and I
opened one ourselves.
599
00:39:23,917 --> 00:39:25,917
Despite our steadily
faltering business,
600
00:39:25,917 --> 00:39:28,583
my partner managed
to sell the last copy
601
00:39:28,583 --> 00:39:31,750
of "American Splendor,"
number 8, out from
under me.
602
00:39:33,625 --> 00:39:36,250
I'm a big fan,
and I hate to wait
for a new order.
603
00:39:36,250 --> 00:39:39,500
Is there any way I can
get it from you direct?
604
00:39:39,500 --> 00:39:41,583
Sincerely,
Joyce Brabner."
605
00:39:41,583 --> 00:39:44,625
Man, she's got
good-lookin' handwritin'.
606
00:39:47,250 --> 00:39:50,583
Harvey:
"Dear Joyce,
Thanks for the letter."
607
00:40:00,333 --> 00:40:03,458
"Dear Joyce,
Thanks for the letter.
608
00:40:03,458 --> 00:40:05,250
What do you do besides
selling comics?"
609
00:40:05,250 --> 00:40:06,917
Anybody in the room
ever done
610
00:40:06,917 --> 00:40:09,291
any creative writing
of any sort?
611
00:40:09,291 --> 00:40:12,583
- ( signal buzzes )
- Joyce: "I'm a sometime
activist
612
00:40:12,583 --> 00:40:14,667
and I teach writing
to prisoners.
613
00:40:14,667 --> 00:40:17,166
I try to help them build
an interior life
614
00:40:17,166 --> 00:40:21,333
and make art
out of their monotonous,
suffocating routine."
615
00:40:21,333 --> 00:40:23,166
Harvey:
"This sounds familiar.
616
00:40:23,166 --> 00:40:25,583
So are you married
or what?"
617
00:40:25,583 --> 00:40:28,041
Joyce:
I'm divorced, thank God.
618
00:40:28,041 --> 00:40:33,834
Look, I think you and I
got a lot in common,
you know?
619
00:40:33,834 --> 00:40:36,750
How am I gonna get you
to come visit me
in Cleveland?
620
00:40:36,750 --> 00:40:38,375
- Cleveland?
- Yeah.
621
00:40:38,375 --> 00:40:40,125
You think that's
a good idea?
622
00:40:40,125 --> 00:40:42,834
Yeah, it's a great idea.
623
00:40:42,834 --> 00:40:46,834
You should meet me
because I'm a great guy
You know?
624
00:40:46,834 --> 00:40:48,375
Despite the way
my comics read,
625
00:40:48,375 --> 00:40:52,500
I got a lot of redeeming
characteristics.
626
00:40:52,500 --> 00:40:55,250
I don't know.
Where would I stay?
627
00:40:55,250 --> 00:40:57,500
I don't know.
With me.
628
00:40:57,500 --> 00:41:00,000
Don't worry.
I'm not gonna
put no moves on ya
629
00:41:00,000 --> 00:41:01,625
- or anything.
- I'm not worried
about that.
630
00:41:01,625 --> 00:41:03,875
Hold on,
I just spilled
my chamomile tea
631
00:41:03,875 --> 00:41:05,959
- all over me.
- Yeah.
632
00:41:05,959 --> 00:41:09,166
So what are you
worried about, then?
633
00:41:12,375 --> 00:41:14,583
Well, it's the way--
I mean, it's the way
634
00:41:14,583 --> 00:41:16,583
- all the different
artists draw you.
- What?
635
00:41:16,583 --> 00:41:18,792
You know,
I don't really know
what to expect.
636
00:41:18,792 --> 00:41:21,959
Sometimes you look
like a younger Brando,
637
00:41:21,959 --> 00:41:23,500
but then the way
Crumb draws you,
638
00:41:23,500 --> 00:41:26,166
you look like
a hairy ape,
639
00:41:26,166 --> 00:41:30,208
with all these
wavy, stinky lines
640
00:41:30,208 --> 00:41:31,708
undulating
off your body.
641
00:41:31,708 --> 00:41:33,375
I don't really know
what to expect.
642
00:41:33,375 --> 00:41:37,208
No, those are
motion lines.
643
00:41:37,208 --> 00:41:39,750
I'm an active guy.
644
00:41:39,750 --> 00:41:41,834
Look, just
come out here
645
00:41:41,834 --> 00:41:44,500
and I will try
to be anyone
646
00:41:44,500 --> 00:41:47,250
that you want me
to be, okay?
647
00:41:47,250 --> 00:41:50,917
That's a dangerous offer.
I'm a notorious reformer.
648
00:41:52,083 --> 00:41:55,750
( train horn blares )
649
00:42:07,083 --> 00:42:09,375
( sighs )
650
00:42:13,375 --> 00:42:15,583
( belches )
651
00:42:17,291 --> 00:42:19,083
( whistles )
652
00:42:21,208 --> 00:42:22,959
Hm...?
653
00:42:24,208 --> 00:42:25,792
Ahem.
654
00:42:28,458 --> 00:42:30,792
Ahem.
655
00:42:32,792 --> 00:42:34,750
( sighs )
656
00:42:38,208 --> 00:42:41,041
Hey, are you Joyce?
657
00:42:41,041 --> 00:42:42,708
- Hey, Harvey.
- Hey.
658
00:42:42,708 --> 00:42:46,083
- So we finally meet
in person.
- Yeah.
659
00:42:46,083 --> 00:42:48,792
Ahem.
660
00:42:48,792 --> 00:42:50,458
Look, before
we get started
with any of this,
661
00:42:50,458 --> 00:42:51,667
you might as well know
right off the bat,
662
00:42:51,667 --> 00:42:53,792
I had a vasectomy.
663
00:43:15,000 --> 00:43:17,250
What's wrong?
664
00:43:17,250 --> 00:43:18,834
Nothing.
665
00:43:18,834 --> 00:43:22,583
Something's wrong.
You keep lookin' around
everywhere.
666
00:43:22,583 --> 00:43:25,166
I guess
I never imagined
667
00:43:25,166 --> 00:43:27,417
you'd eat in a place
like this.
668
00:43:27,417 --> 00:43:32,792
What? Me?
No, I've never
been here.
669
00:43:32,792 --> 00:43:36,000
I don't know,
I thought you'd like it,
670
00:43:36,000 --> 00:43:38,041
but obviously
you don't, do you?
671
00:43:38,041 --> 00:43:40,000
No, it's fine.
What difference
does it make?
672
00:43:40,000 --> 00:43:41,208
( sighs )
673
00:43:43,959 --> 00:43:46,291
I don't know.
None, I guess.
674
00:43:50,750 --> 00:43:54,083
They got a lot
of meat on this menu.
675
00:43:54,083 --> 00:43:55,500
You're a vegetarian?
676
00:43:55,500 --> 00:44:01,208
Kinda, you know.
I mean, ever since
I got a pet cat,
677
00:44:01,208 --> 00:44:03,875
I've had
a lot of trouble
eatin' animals.
678
00:44:03,875 --> 00:44:05,250
Hmm.
679
00:44:09,083 --> 00:44:11,959
I support and identify
with groups like PETA,
680
00:44:11,959 --> 00:44:16,250
but unfortunately
I'm a self-diagnosed anemic.
681
00:44:16,250 --> 00:44:18,333
Uh-huh.
682
00:44:18,333 --> 00:44:21,708
Also, I have all
these food allergies
to vegetables
683
00:44:21,708 --> 00:44:25,041
which give me serious
intestinal distress.
684
00:44:26,291 --> 00:44:28,708
I guess I have a lot
of borderline
685
00:44:28,708 --> 00:44:31,333
health disorders
that limit me politically
686
00:44:31,333 --> 00:44:33,083
when it comes to eating.
687
00:44:35,792 --> 00:44:38,458
Wow, you're a--
you're a sick woman.
688
00:44:38,458 --> 00:44:41,083
Not yet,
but I expect to be.
Everyone in my family
689
00:44:41,083 --> 00:44:43,750
has some sort of
degenerative illness.
690
00:44:46,083 --> 00:44:47,583
Good evening.
691
00:45:01,750 --> 00:45:03,375
Look, I was gonna
clean up,
692
00:45:03,375 --> 00:45:06,875
but why should
I give you any
false notions?
693
00:45:06,875 --> 00:45:10,750
The truth is I got
a serious problem
with cleanliness.
694
00:45:10,750 --> 00:45:13,500
Well, I could wash
a dish 10 times,
695
00:45:13,500 --> 00:45:15,792
it'd still
be dirty.
696
00:45:15,792 --> 00:45:17,792
They even kicked me
out of the army
697
00:45:17,792 --> 00:45:20,291
'cause I couldn't
learn to make a bed.
698
00:45:22,291 --> 00:45:24,250
I've seen worse.
699
00:45:26,875 --> 00:45:29,959
Harvey, would you
get me some water
700
00:45:29,959 --> 00:45:31,542
and a few aspirin?
701
00:45:31,542 --> 00:45:33,417
What, do you got
a headache?
702
00:45:33,417 --> 00:45:35,208
No, but I want
to avoid one.
703
00:45:35,208 --> 00:45:37,166
All right, yeah.
704
00:45:52,917 --> 00:45:56,583
Let me tell you
somethin', Joyce,
705
00:45:56,583 --> 00:45:59,750
it sure is nice
to have company.
706
00:45:59,750 --> 00:46:04,000
You know, I mean,
despite all your problems,
707
00:46:04,000 --> 00:46:06,542
you seem like
a great person.
708
00:46:06,542 --> 00:46:08,834
And, hey, I'm sorry
if my datin' skills
709
00:46:08,834 --> 00:46:11,542
are a little rusty.
710
00:46:11,542 --> 00:46:13,166
It's just I--
711
00:46:13,166 --> 00:46:16,291
I've been
through hell and
back with women.
712
00:46:16,291 --> 00:46:20,625
The last one
turned out to be
a real nasty bitch, man.
713
00:46:20,625 --> 00:46:22,875
I had a nice time
with you, too.
714
00:46:22,875 --> 00:46:26,041
Yeah?
You had a nice time?
715
00:46:26,041 --> 00:46:29,959
Don't make people
repeat themselves.
That's annoying.
716
00:46:29,959 --> 00:46:32,625
Oh.
Sorry.
717
00:46:37,708 --> 00:46:39,667
Come here.
718
00:46:55,959 --> 00:46:57,917
( crackles )
719
00:47:03,125 --> 00:47:06,166
- ( Harvey moans )
- ( sighs )
720
00:47:06,166 --> 00:47:09,500
Uh... Harvey,
721
00:47:09,500 --> 00:47:11,667
which way
is the bathroom?
722
00:47:11,667 --> 00:47:14,000
Oh, through the kitchen
on the right.
723
00:47:14,000 --> 00:47:15,583
( Joyce groaning )
724
00:47:16,792 --> 00:47:19,417
( Joyce retching )
725
00:47:20,834 --> 00:47:23,792
( water gurgling )
726
00:47:23,792 --> 00:47:26,000
Harvey:
Joyce, hey--
727
00:47:26,000 --> 00:47:29,041
Joyce, what's wrong?
What is it?
728
00:47:29,041 --> 00:47:30,500
Uh, I don't know.
729
00:47:30,500 --> 00:47:33,041
I think
that yuppie food
did me in.
730
00:47:35,750 --> 00:47:38,917
I feel terrible.
731
00:47:38,917 --> 00:47:42,250
Let me at least
do somethin' for ya.
732
00:47:42,250 --> 00:47:44,708
Can I make you
somethin'?
733
00:47:44,708 --> 00:47:47,291
Hey, how about
some chamomile tea?
734
00:47:47,291 --> 00:47:49,250
- Chamomile tea?
- Yeah.
735
00:47:49,250 --> 00:47:50,583
What's a guy like you
doing with that?
736
00:47:50,583 --> 00:47:52,917
I thought you drank
soda pop for breakfast.
737
00:47:52,917 --> 00:47:54,166
I don't know, you know,
738
00:47:54,166 --> 00:47:55,917
I just noticed you
drank a lot of them
739
00:47:55,917 --> 00:47:59,208
when we start talkin'
on the phone.
740
00:47:59,208 --> 00:48:02,917
You know, the girl
at the food co-op,
741
00:48:02,917 --> 00:48:06,083
she picked me out
all kinds of herbal stuff.
742
00:48:09,208 --> 00:48:11,291
Man, one of these
is good for stomachaches.
743
00:48:11,291 --> 00:48:12,834
Here...
744
00:48:12,834 --> 00:48:15,959
"Grandma Bear's Tummy Mint"
or something like that.
745
00:48:19,750 --> 00:48:21,625
Hey, are you still there?
( knocking )
746
00:48:28,125 --> 00:48:29,708
Hey.
747
00:48:29,708 --> 00:48:32,125
Harvey...
748
00:48:32,125 --> 00:48:33,667
I think
we should skip
749
00:48:33,667 --> 00:48:35,458
the whole courtship thing
and just get married.
750
00:48:46,375 --> 00:48:50,208
Man, am I glad
I talked you into
coming up here, you know?
751
00:48:50,208 --> 00:48:53,542
Any more time alone,
I really might have
lost it.
752
00:48:53,542 --> 00:48:57,000
Mmm, me, too.
753
00:49:00,083 --> 00:49:03,667
You don't have any
problems with moving
to Cleveland?
754
00:49:03,667 --> 00:49:06,333
Not really.
I find most
American cities
755
00:49:06,333 --> 00:49:09,000
to be depressing
in the same way.
756
00:49:14,667 --> 00:49:17,500
And you're okay
with a vasectomy, then?
757
00:49:22,542 --> 00:49:25,875
( music playing )
758
00:49:31,583 --> 00:49:34,959
♪ I was tired
of my lady ♪
759
00:49:34,959 --> 00:49:38,875
♪ We'd been together
too long... ♪
760
00:49:38,875 --> 00:49:43,125
- Hey, Toby.
- No, you can't have any of my
White Castle hamburgers,
761
00:49:43,125 --> 00:49:46,041
so please
don't even ask.
762
00:49:46,041 --> 00:49:47,667
Yeah, can I have a fry?
763
00:49:47,667 --> 00:49:50,041
Okay, but just
a couple, Harvey.
764
00:49:50,041 --> 00:49:52,708
I'm not going to be eating
dinner until very late
765
00:49:52,708 --> 00:49:54,875
and this has got
to hold me over.
766
00:49:54,875 --> 00:49:56,583
Yeah, what do you got?
A church function?
767
00:49:56,583 --> 00:50:00,166
No, I'm driving
to Toledo to see
a movie.
768
00:50:00,166 --> 00:50:02,166
Would you
like to come?
769
00:50:02,166 --> 00:50:04,083
Well, nah,
you know I gotta--
770
00:50:04,083 --> 00:50:05,750
I gotta go
to Delaware tonight.
771
00:50:05,750 --> 00:50:07,458
- I'm gettin' married.
- Oh.
772
00:50:07,458 --> 00:50:09,083
- Yeah.
- Why Delaware?
773
00:50:09,083 --> 00:50:12,083
Well, the chick I'm marrying
is from Wilmington.
774
00:50:12,083 --> 00:50:14,792
Plus I gotta help her
move her stuff back here.
775
00:50:16,750 --> 00:50:19,583
Why are you driving
to Toledo to see
a movie, Tobe?
776
00:50:19,583 --> 00:50:22,917
- It's not playing
at the Mapletown.
- Okay.
777
00:50:22,917 --> 00:50:24,834
I didn't know
you had a girlfriend,
Harvey.
778
00:50:24,834 --> 00:50:26,917
Yeah, yeah, yeah,
we met last week.
779
00:50:28,542 --> 00:50:31,083
( music continues )
780
00:50:34,667 --> 00:50:38,250
Tobe, what movie
could possibly be worth
781
00:50:38,250 --> 00:50:41,792
drivin' 260 miles
roundtrip for?
782
00:50:41,792 --> 00:50:46,250
It's a new film called
"Revenge of the Nerds."
783
00:50:46,250 --> 00:50:48,125
It's about a group
of nerd college students
784
00:50:48,125 --> 00:50:50,834
who are being picked on all
the time by the jocks.
785
00:50:50,834 --> 00:50:53,125
So they decide
to take revenge.
786
00:50:53,125 --> 00:50:54,959
Ah, so what
you're saying
787
00:50:54,959 --> 00:50:57,667
is you identify
with those nerds?
788
00:50:57,667 --> 00:51:00,792
Yes. I consider myself
a nerd.
789
00:51:00,792 --> 00:51:05,458
And this movie
has uplifted me.
790
00:51:05,458 --> 00:51:07,625
There's this one scene
where a nerd
791
00:51:07,625 --> 00:51:10,250
grabs the microphone
during a pep rally
792
00:51:10,250 --> 00:51:12,500
and announces
that he is a nerd
793
00:51:12,500 --> 00:51:14,542
and that he
is proud of it
794
00:51:14,542 --> 00:51:17,125
- and stands up for
the rights of other nerds.
- Harvey: Right on.
795
00:51:17,125 --> 00:51:19,750
Then he asks all the kids
at the pep rally
796
00:51:19,750 --> 00:51:22,500
who think they are nerds
to come forward.
797
00:51:22,500 --> 00:51:25,291
So--
( coughs )
798
00:51:25,291 --> 00:51:28,166
so nearly everyone
in the place does.
799
00:51:28,166 --> 00:51:30,959
- That's the way
the movie ends.
- Uh-huh.
800
00:51:30,959 --> 00:51:34,542
- So the nerds won, huh?
- Yes.
801
00:51:34,542 --> 00:51:37,083
All right.
802
00:51:37,083 --> 00:51:40,708
Wow, you got this movie
and I'm gettin' hitched.
803
00:51:40,708 --> 00:51:42,291
We both had
a good month, huh?
804
00:51:42,291 --> 00:51:44,000
- Right.
- Yeah.
805
00:51:51,875 --> 00:51:53,959
Harvey! Harvey!
806
00:51:53,959 --> 00:51:55,166
- Harvey!
- What? Yeah?
807
00:51:55,166 --> 00:51:57,083
How long are you
gonna be in Delaware
808
00:51:57,083 --> 00:51:59,917
because I'd really like
to see this movie with you.
809
00:51:59,917 --> 00:52:02,625
Yeah,
I don't know, man.
810
00:52:02,625 --> 00:52:04,166
I'm gonna be gone
like a week.
811
00:52:04,166 --> 00:52:06,625
But then I'm gonna
have a wife,
812
00:52:06,625 --> 00:52:09,333
so I'm gonna have
to bring her along, too.
813
00:52:09,333 --> 00:52:12,834
- Is it a girl flick?
- Depends on the girl.
814
00:52:12,834 --> 00:52:17,792
What kinda girl
is your new bride?
Is she a nerd?
815
00:52:17,792 --> 00:52:20,583
( sighs )
I don't know, man.
816
00:52:20,583 --> 00:52:22,917
Maybe, yeah.
She's into herbal tea.
817
00:52:24,542 --> 00:52:28,083
♪ If you like making love
at midnight ♪
818
00:52:28,083 --> 00:52:31,542
♪ In the dunes
on the cape ♪
819
00:52:31,542 --> 00:52:34,959
♪ You're the lady
I've looked for ♪
820
00:52:34,959 --> 00:52:37,458
♪ Come with me
and escape. ♪
821
00:52:37,458 --> 00:52:40,875
Joyce Brabner:
I did end up becoming
a character in his comics.
822
00:52:40,875 --> 00:52:42,458
And...
823
00:52:42,458 --> 00:52:46,041
Harvey
tends to push
824
00:52:46,041 --> 00:52:47,750
the negative
or the sour
825
00:52:47,750 --> 00:52:50,750
and he can be
very depressed,
826
00:52:50,750 --> 00:52:52,959
and therefore
very depressing.
827
00:52:54,959 --> 00:52:57,500
So, Harvey, do you think
you portray Joyce fairly?
828
00:52:57,500 --> 00:53:00,667
Yeah, I think
I portray her fairly.
829
00:53:00,667 --> 00:53:03,834
I--
830
00:53:03,834 --> 00:53:05,250
( chuckles )
You know,
831
00:53:05,250 --> 00:53:06,917
there's some things
that she does
832
00:53:06,917 --> 00:53:08,417
that I don't
put in there
833
00:53:09,750 --> 00:53:12,458
for, you know,
834
00:53:12,458 --> 00:53:14,166
obvious reasons.
835
00:53:14,166 --> 00:53:16,667
I don't want to get
my head cut off.
836
00:53:16,667 --> 00:53:18,583
But...
837
00:53:18,583 --> 00:53:24,291
I think my portrayal
is generally fairly
accurate.
838
00:53:24,291 --> 00:53:27,125
There have been stories
that I've participated in
839
00:53:27,125 --> 00:53:28,750
or things
that have happened
840
00:53:28,750 --> 00:53:32,125
and I've seen them
841
00:53:32,125 --> 00:53:34,959
as a lot more
happy things going on
and he just doesn't--
842
00:53:34,959 --> 00:53:37,333
he won't put that in
because he just
doesn't think
843
00:53:37,333 --> 00:53:40,333
that sunshine
and flowers sell.
844
00:53:42,041 --> 00:53:44,000
Is that right?
845
00:53:44,000 --> 00:53:48,625
You always say
"misery loves company."
846
00:53:48,625 --> 00:53:51,875
Well, I mean,
I'm just a gloomy guy.
847
00:53:51,875 --> 00:53:54,667
- That's all.
- Yeah.
848
00:53:54,667 --> 00:53:57,792
That's my perspective.
Gloom and doom.
849
00:53:57,792 --> 00:53:59,625
And, see, I thought
I was marrying somebody
850
00:53:59,625 --> 00:54:03,500
with a sense of humor.
851
00:54:03,500 --> 00:54:04,959
I guess I fooled you.
852
00:54:06,166 --> 00:54:08,959
Harvey:
What a crock of shit, man.
853
00:54:08,959 --> 00:54:11,458
Joyce:
I think you missed
the whole point of the movie.
854
00:54:11,458 --> 00:54:13,125
- Toby: I like
the Pee-wee suit.
- Where the hell
855
00:54:13,125 --> 00:54:15,542
am I supposed to find
the point in garbage, Joyce?
856
00:54:17,000 --> 00:54:19,208
I agree with Toby.
I think it's a story
857
00:54:19,208 --> 00:54:21,208
of hope
and tolerance.
858
00:54:21,208 --> 00:54:22,959
Yes, it's about time
that the people
859
00:54:22,959 --> 00:54:25,500
who get picked on
get to be the heroes.
860
00:54:25,500 --> 00:54:27,166
It's an entertaining
flick and all
861
00:54:27,166 --> 00:54:29,083
and I can see why
you like it, Toby,
862
00:54:29,083 --> 00:54:30,500
but those people
on the screen
863
00:54:30,500 --> 00:54:33,125
ain't even supposed
to be you, man.
864
00:54:33,125 --> 00:54:35,041
They're-- they're
college students
865
00:54:35,041 --> 00:54:36,125
who live with
their parents
866
00:54:36,125 --> 00:54:38,166
in big houses
in the suburbs.
867
00:54:38,166 --> 00:54:40,000
They're gonna
get degrees,
868
00:54:40,000 --> 00:54:42,875
get good jobs,
and they're gonna
stop being nerds, man.
869
00:54:42,875 --> 00:54:44,333
Remember what I told you
about loud talking?
870
00:54:44,333 --> 00:54:46,333
Use your
inside voice, please.
871
00:54:46,333 --> 00:54:49,166
Look, Toby, the guys
in that movie
872
00:54:49,166 --> 00:54:51,083
are not 28-year-old
file clerks
873
00:54:51,083 --> 00:54:53,333
who live with
their grandmother
in an ethnic ghetto.
874
00:54:53,333 --> 00:54:54,834
All right,
that's enough,
Harvey.
875
00:54:54,834 --> 00:54:56,708
They didn't get
their computers
the way you did,
876
00:54:56,708 --> 00:54:59,834
by trading a bunch
of box tops and $49.50
877
00:54:59,834 --> 00:55:01,125
at the supermarket, man.
878
00:55:01,125 --> 00:55:03,417
Toby:
You're funny, Harvey.
879
00:55:03,417 --> 00:55:04,959
Joyce:
Getting in the front.
880
00:55:04,959 --> 00:55:08,041
Sure, Toby, fine.
You go to the movies
and daydream,
881
00:55:08,041 --> 00:55:10,917
but this
"Revenge of the Nerds"
ain't reality.
882
00:55:10,917 --> 00:55:13,166
It's Hollywood
bullshit, Tobe.
883
00:55:13,166 --> 00:55:15,875
Joyce:
Harvey, let him alone.
884
00:55:15,875 --> 00:55:18,291
Joyce:
The thing that I loved
about it is I was transported
885
00:55:18,291 --> 00:55:20,333
to another time
in my own life.
886
00:55:20,333 --> 00:55:22,375
Toby:
I really liked when
they took the video camera--
887
00:55:22,375 --> 00:55:24,208
Joyce:
If everyone in America
could see this film.
888
00:55:24,208 --> 00:55:26,083
It's the same as the
"I Have a Dream" speech.
889
00:55:26,083 --> 00:55:27,750
Toby:
Very empowering...
890
00:55:27,750 --> 00:55:29,500
Pekar:
Maybe I was being
so harsh on Toby
891
00:55:29,500 --> 00:55:31,500
on account of
my own problems.
892
00:55:31,500 --> 00:55:33,417
You see, I wasn't
even married a month
893
00:55:33,417 --> 00:55:37,083
and my old lady
was already showing
signs of trouble.
894
00:55:37,083 --> 00:55:39,667
Granted, I tend
to get married fast
895
00:55:39,667 --> 00:55:42,625
'cause I'll take any woman
that'll have me.
896
00:55:42,625 --> 00:55:45,250
But this time
I really met my match.
897
00:55:45,250 --> 00:55:48,959
- Joyce?
- Okay, how about
these old 78s, Harvey?
898
00:55:48,959 --> 00:55:50,917
Can't you sell them
to one of your collectors?
899
00:55:50,917 --> 00:55:53,083
Are you kidding me,
man, no way.
900
00:55:53,083 --> 00:55:55,083
I ain't gettin' rid
of my 78s.
901
00:55:55,083 --> 00:55:57,625
- It's okay?
- Forget it, then.
I give up.
902
00:55:57,625 --> 00:55:59,166
How can I make
more storage space
903
00:55:59,166 --> 00:56:00,792
if you won't get rid
of anything?
904
00:56:00,792 --> 00:56:03,333
You know what,
I'll get rid of stuff,
okay?
905
00:56:03,333 --> 00:56:06,959
- Just not my good stuff.
- Everything is
your good stuff.
906
00:56:06,959 --> 00:56:09,250
How am I
supposed to live here
if there's no room for me?
907
00:56:09,250 --> 00:56:11,750
Come on, baby.
908
00:56:11,750 --> 00:56:13,667
Look, I'll make room
for you, okay?
909
00:56:13,667 --> 00:56:15,375
- You just have
to give me time.
- ( doorbell buzzes )
910
00:56:15,375 --> 00:56:17,000
I'm not so good
at these kinds of things.
911
00:56:17,000 --> 00:56:18,708
That's because you're
obsessive-compulsive.
912
00:56:18,708 --> 00:56:20,166
Oh, come on!
913
00:56:20,166 --> 00:56:21,625
I don't want to hear
that psychobabble crap.
914
00:56:21,625 --> 00:56:22,917
I don't care if you
don't want to hear it.
915
00:56:22,917 --> 00:56:25,125
You are the poster child
for the DSM-III.
916
00:56:25,125 --> 00:56:26,875
I'll have you know
I come from
917
00:56:26,875 --> 00:56:28,875
a very dysfunctional
family, Harvey.
918
00:56:28,875 --> 00:56:32,417
I can spot a personality
disorder miles away.
919
00:56:32,417 --> 00:56:33,750
( knocks at door )
920
00:56:35,625 --> 00:56:40,750
Hello, Joyce.
Is Harvey home?
921
00:56:40,750 --> 00:56:42,959
Borderline autistic.
922
00:56:47,667 --> 00:56:51,125
Are you listening to me?
I tell you that Toby
is a spy.
923
00:56:55,458 --> 00:56:57,667
Paranoid personality
disorder.
924
00:57:11,333 --> 00:57:13,166
Polymorphously
perverse.
925
00:57:14,667 --> 00:57:16,417
( phone rings )
926
00:57:16,417 --> 00:57:18,583
Recording:
Hey, leave a message.
927
00:57:18,583 --> 00:57:22,333
- ( beeps )
- Harvey: It's me.
Pick up the phone.
928
00:57:22,333 --> 00:57:23,959
You're not gonna
believe this,
929
00:57:23,959 --> 00:57:26,667
but some L.A. producer called
and wants to do a play
930
00:57:26,667 --> 00:57:27,834
about my life.
931
00:57:27,834 --> 00:57:31,500
Call me back.
Call me here.
932
00:57:31,500 --> 00:57:34,208
Delusions
of grandeur.
933
00:57:34,208 --> 00:57:37,333
♪ And she gave me
language lessons ♪
934
00:57:37,333 --> 00:57:42,375
♪ On the beach
at Waikiki. ♪
935
00:57:42,375 --> 00:57:44,708
( applause )
936
00:57:56,792 --> 00:57:58,708
See, I think comics
can pretty much
937
00:57:58,708 --> 00:58:00,375
be an art form, man.
938
00:58:00,375 --> 00:58:04,166
I mean, pictures can be
as good as they wanna be,
939
00:58:04,166 --> 00:58:05,959
and the words can be
as good as they wanna be.
940
00:58:05,959 --> 00:58:09,083
And a man can do
pretty much anything
he wants to.
941
00:58:12,583 --> 00:58:14,250
That's true, Harvey,
but I didn't come
942
00:58:14,250 --> 00:58:17,250
all the way from Delaware
to talk about comics.
943
00:58:41,875 --> 00:58:44,917
( retches )
944
00:58:47,750 --> 00:58:52,083
♪ Where is my
American Splendor ♪
945
00:58:52,083 --> 00:58:55,625
♪ In a world
that's cloudy and gray ♪
946
00:58:55,625 --> 00:58:59,458
♪ Where life keeps
passing by me ♪
947
00:58:59,458 --> 00:59:02,208
♪ Day by day? ♪
948
00:59:04,417 --> 00:59:08,583
♪ Where is my
American Splendor ♪
949
00:59:08,583 --> 00:59:12,834
♪ In a world
that's cloudy and gray ♪
950
00:59:12,834 --> 00:59:16,375
♪ Where life keeps
passing by me
951
00:59:16,375 --> 00:59:18,959
♪ Day by day? ♪
952
00:59:21,583 --> 00:59:24,875
Pekar:
If you think reading comics
about your life seems strange,
953
00:59:24,875 --> 00:59:27,875
try watching a play
about it.
954
00:59:27,875 --> 00:59:29,125
God only knows
how I'll feel
955
00:59:29,125 --> 00:59:32,708
when I see this movie.
956
00:59:32,708 --> 00:59:34,708
( signal buzzing )
957
00:59:34,708 --> 00:59:37,125
Things were going
pretty good for a change.
958
00:59:37,125 --> 00:59:40,625
"Variety" called me
the "blue-collar Mark Twain."
959
00:59:40,625 --> 00:59:42,792
And Doubleday
was interested in publishing
960
00:59:42,792 --> 00:59:45,959
an anthology
of "American Splendor."
961
00:59:45,959 --> 00:59:50,208
Harvey:
I hate checking bags, man.
It always takes forever.
962
00:59:50,208 --> 00:59:51,583
The bus is gonna
leave soon.
963
00:59:51,583 --> 00:59:53,000
That means I gotta
shell out an extra
964
00:59:53,000 --> 00:59:54,834
30 bucks for a cab, man.
965
00:59:56,083 --> 00:59:58,166
Oh, here we go.
966
00:59:59,792 --> 01:00:01,583
Figures,
that lucky yuppie's
967
01:00:01,583 --> 01:00:02,959
gonna get in
the bus in time.
968
01:00:08,959 --> 01:00:10,917
You know, vasectomies
are reversible.
969
01:00:10,917 --> 01:00:13,667
Goddamn yuppies
get everything, man.
970
01:00:13,667 --> 01:00:17,000
Are you listening to me?
I said vasectomies
are reversible.
971
01:00:17,000 --> 01:00:18,667
What?
972
01:00:18,667 --> 01:00:20,792
What are you
talkin' about?
973
01:00:20,792 --> 01:00:22,667
I don't want no kids.
974
01:00:22,667 --> 01:00:24,625
And I came clean
about my vasectomy
975
01:00:24,625 --> 01:00:26,125
the first time
I set eyes on ya.
976
01:00:26,125 --> 01:00:28,834
I know, but I think
things have changed.
977
01:00:28,834 --> 01:00:31,625
I think we can be
a family.
978
01:00:31,625 --> 01:00:32,959
Family? Right.
979
01:00:32,959 --> 01:00:34,917
What kind of family
could we possibly be?
980
01:00:34,917 --> 01:00:36,417
I ain't no good
with kids.
981
01:00:36,417 --> 01:00:39,041
Christ, I can barely
take care of myself.
982
01:00:39,041 --> 01:00:41,625
I can take care
of the kid and you.
983
01:00:41,625 --> 01:00:43,792
No way, Joyce.
984
01:00:43,792 --> 01:00:45,208
Forget it.
985
01:00:45,208 --> 01:00:46,917
I can't have
no kids.
986
01:00:46,917 --> 01:00:48,917
I can't do it.
987
01:00:48,917 --> 01:00:51,333
( baggage signal
buzzes )
988
01:00:59,375 --> 01:01:02,959
Joyce, where the hell
is that Ornette Coleman
album?
989
01:01:02,959 --> 01:01:05,959
You know, I got
a review due tomorrow.
990
01:01:05,959 --> 01:01:07,417
I didn't
touch it, Harvey.
991
01:01:07,417 --> 01:01:09,083
Would you please
let me sleep?
992
01:01:12,708 --> 01:01:14,125
Come on,
it's 1:00.
993
01:01:14,125 --> 01:01:17,000
Come on.
How late can
a person sleep, man?
994
01:01:17,000 --> 01:01:18,875
Ouch.
995
01:01:21,458 --> 01:01:23,917
It happens to be Saturday,
you selfish son of a bitch.
996
01:01:23,917 --> 01:01:25,500
That don't make
no difference.
997
01:01:25,500 --> 01:01:27,166
And don't you
tell me what to do.
998
01:01:27,166 --> 01:01:28,625
I'm not telling you
what to do.
999
01:01:28,625 --> 01:01:31,125
I'm the one who moved
into your city,
1000
01:01:31,125 --> 01:01:33,250
into your home.
1001
01:01:33,250 --> 01:01:35,875
Into your vasectomy.
1002
01:01:35,875 --> 01:01:37,792
To your whole
screwed-up life.
1003
01:01:37,792 --> 01:01:39,959
The least you could do
is allow me to live here
1004
01:01:39,959 --> 01:01:42,708
in my own way.
1005
01:01:46,750 --> 01:01:49,750
Pekar:
I tried everything,
but nothing could
1006
01:01:49,750 --> 01:01:52,083
get this woman
out of bed.
1007
01:01:52,083 --> 01:01:54,417
I mean, she wouldn't
get a job,
1008
01:01:54,417 --> 01:01:57,125
wouldn't go out,
wouldn't make friends.
1009
01:01:57,125 --> 01:01:58,917
Nothin'.
1010
01:01:58,917 --> 01:02:00,667
( Harvey whistles )
1011
01:02:00,667 --> 01:02:02,458
Joyce?
1012
01:02:02,458 --> 01:02:07,375
Pekar:
Joyce diagnosed herself
as clinically depressed.
1013
01:02:07,375 --> 01:02:09,500
I don't know what the hell
she was going through,
1014
01:02:09,500 --> 01:02:12,000
but it was sure
takin' its toll on me.
1015
01:02:13,625 --> 01:02:18,583
Joyce, we got a message here.
How come you didn't pi--
1016
01:02:18,583 --> 01:02:20,083
Useless, man.
1017
01:02:24,041 --> 01:02:27,125
Recording:
Hi, this is a message
for Harvey Pekar.
1018
01:02:27,125 --> 01:02:29,000
My name is Jonathan Green
and I'm a producer
1019
01:02:29,000 --> 01:02:30,792
of "Late Night
with David Letterman."
1020
01:02:30,792 --> 01:02:32,458
I would like to talk to you
about coming on the show
1021
01:02:32,458 --> 01:02:34,000
to plug your comic.
1022
01:02:34,000 --> 01:02:38,250
Please give us a call
at 212-555-3333.
1023
01:02:38,250 --> 01:02:42,708
- Thanks.
- ( tape whirrs )
1024
01:02:42,708 --> 01:02:45,542
Pekar:
Joyce finally
got off the futon.
1025
01:02:50,291 --> 01:02:53,166
- ( whistles )
- ( car horn beeps )
1026
01:03:00,250 --> 01:03:04,667
♪ Well, I'm all alone ♪
1027
01:03:04,667 --> 01:03:06,834
♪ In the city ♪
1028
01:03:06,834 --> 01:03:11,083
♪ Yes, won't someone ♪
1029
01:03:11,083 --> 01:03:14,458
♪ Please have
a little pity? ♪
1030
01:03:16,792 --> 01:03:19,417
♪ Now don't you
ee-spiddly-doo ♪
1031
01:03:19,417 --> 01:03:21,125
♪ Ee-doo-you-blue ♪
1032
01:03:21,125 --> 01:03:24,000
♪ Then I won't
siddly-doo-bla-dee-ya-doo ♪
1033
01:03:24,000 --> 01:03:26,041
♪ Eel-ya-blue ♪
1034
01:03:26,041 --> 01:03:29,166
♪ Oh, oh, oh ♪
1035
01:03:29,166 --> 01:03:32,708
♪ Oh, lady,
be so good to me ♪
1036
01:03:34,375 --> 01:03:36,041
♪ And if you ooh-doo-doo
ooh-lee-coo... ♪
1037
01:03:36,041 --> 01:03:39,291
- Huh?
- No.
1038
01:03:39,291 --> 01:03:43,250
Oh, for Chr-- come on,
who the hell cares?
1039
01:03:43,250 --> 01:03:46,125
- Jesus Christ...
- Give that to me.
1040
01:03:46,125 --> 01:03:48,250
What the hell
are you doin' anyway?
1041
01:03:48,250 --> 01:03:51,041
Merchandising.
1042
01:03:51,041 --> 01:03:56,083
♪ And if you ooh-ool-ya-doo
oo-lee-coo... ♪
1043
01:03:56,083 --> 01:03:58,417
( audience cheering )
1044
01:04:06,458 --> 01:04:08,041
- Okay--
- Joyce: People like
this show?
1045
01:04:08,041 --> 01:04:10,834
Harvey:
Yeah.
1046
01:04:10,834 --> 01:04:13,083
( speaking hoarsely )
I can't believe my voice
is going now.
1047
01:04:13,083 --> 01:04:16,291
- What's the matter with you?
You were fine in the car.
- I don't know.
1048
01:04:16,291 --> 01:04:18,125
Do you want
something to drink?
1049
01:04:18,125 --> 01:04:20,750
No, I'm all right.
I'm hungry.
Man, aren't you hungry?
1050
01:04:20,750 --> 01:04:23,458
They should give you
donuts or somethin',
you know?
1051
01:04:23,458 --> 01:04:25,166
Dave's ready
for you now, Mr. Pekar.
1052
01:04:25,166 --> 01:04:27,417
- Oh, hey--
- Joyce: Oh, he is?
1053
01:04:27,417 --> 01:04:29,542
Listen, you got
somethin' to eat, 'cause
my stomach is growlin'.
1054
01:04:29,542 --> 01:04:31,417
- There's no time
to eat now.
- Oh, come on, man.
1055
01:04:31,417 --> 01:04:35,291
Oh, but
wait, wait, wait.
What about the doll?
1056
01:04:35,291 --> 01:04:37,417
He's got it at the desk.
Will you relax about that?
1057
01:04:37,417 --> 01:04:39,125
Guys, guys,
we're in a hurry here.
1058
01:04:39,125 --> 01:04:41,458
Okay, man.
Which way?
1059
01:04:41,458 --> 01:04:42,667
Right over here.
1060
01:04:43,708 --> 01:04:46,291
( audience cheers )
1061
01:04:46,291 --> 01:04:48,000
Thank you, boys.
1062
01:04:48,000 --> 01:04:50,458
Our next guest tonight
works as a file clerk
1063
01:04:50,458 --> 01:04:51,625
at a Cleveland hospital.
1064
01:04:51,625 --> 01:04:53,083
He also writes
comic books
1065
01:04:53,083 --> 01:04:55,333
which deal with
his day-to-day pains
and pleasures.
1066
01:04:55,333 --> 01:04:58,041
And this is
an anthology of nine
of those comics.
1067
01:04:58,041 --> 01:04:59,792
It's entitled
"American Splendor."
1068
01:04:59,792 --> 01:05:01,708
From off the streets
of Cleveland, folks,
1069
01:05:01,708 --> 01:05:03,458
please say hello
to Harvey Pekar.
1070
01:05:03,458 --> 01:05:06,792
- Harvey, come out here.
- ( audience cheers )
1071
01:05:06,792 --> 01:05:08,500
Hi, Harvey.
1072
01:05:08,500 --> 01:05:10,792
Thanks for
coming out here.
1073
01:05:13,333 --> 01:05:16,041
Have a seat.
1074
01:05:16,041 --> 01:05:18,083
What do you mean
calling me "curious"?
1075
01:05:18,083 --> 01:05:20,125
I met you before
the show, and--
1076
01:05:20,125 --> 01:05:22,333
I meant "curious"
in a fascinating way.
1077
01:05:22,333 --> 01:05:25,083
- All right, I'll buy that.
- A man who has the presence
1078
01:05:25,083 --> 01:05:26,583
of one who is
quite fascinating.
1079
01:05:26,583 --> 01:05:28,375
Okay, 'cause I met you
before the show.
1080
01:05:28,375 --> 01:05:30,166
I thought you knew
I'm a pretty nice guy,
you know what I mean?
1081
01:05:30,166 --> 01:05:32,542
In fact,
I might be nursing
1082
01:05:32,542 --> 01:05:35,166
a viper in my bosom.
Something like that?
1083
01:05:35,166 --> 01:05:36,875
A little defensive
about this, huh?
1084
01:05:36,875 --> 01:05:39,083
Yeah, I am, man.
I'm waitin' for those
Cleveland jokes.
1085
01:05:39,083 --> 01:05:40,750
- Go ahead.
- All right,
settle down, Harvey.
1086
01:05:40,750 --> 01:05:42,959
- Yeah, all right.
- ( audience laughs )
1087
01:05:42,959 --> 01:05:45,750
Letterman:
Now let's explain
to folks
1088
01:05:45,750 --> 01:05:47,333
who may not be familiar
with your work
1089
01:05:47,333 --> 01:05:48,792
what it is you do here
exactly.
1090
01:05:48,792 --> 01:05:51,875
You have comic books
about you
1091
01:05:51,875 --> 01:05:54,166
in your daily life,
and you also have
1092
01:05:54,166 --> 01:05:56,333
a regular
job in Cleveland
working at a hospital.
1093
01:05:56,333 --> 01:05:58,125
That's right,
that's right.
1094
01:05:58,125 --> 01:05:59,959
- You know this guy?
- I'm beginning
to wonder.
1095
01:05:59,959 --> 01:06:01,625
Harvey, that
if you wanted to,
you could probably
1096
01:06:01,625 --> 01:06:04,125
get by on what you make
selling your work,
1097
01:06:04,125 --> 01:06:06,291
because I know people
are after you to write
other things
1098
01:06:06,291 --> 01:06:07,875
and you're publishing
this anthology--
1099
01:06:07,875 --> 01:06:10,041
What do you mean?
Who? What people?
1100
01:06:10,041 --> 01:06:12,041
What are you
talking about?
1101
01:06:12,041 --> 01:06:14,375
- Where the hell did
you get that stuff?
- I know that you--
1102
01:06:14,375 --> 01:06:15,875
( audience laughing )
1103
01:06:19,125 --> 01:06:22,041
I'm no showbiz phony,
I'm tellin' the truth.
1104
01:06:22,041 --> 01:06:24,041
- Go on, man.
- Now you can't--
1105
01:06:24,041 --> 01:06:25,959
Well, at least he's
keeping up with Letterman.
1106
01:06:25,959 --> 01:06:27,750
Pandering is
more like it.
1107
01:06:27,750 --> 01:06:29,542
Letterman:
You mean to tell me
that other people
1108
01:06:29,542 --> 01:06:31,375
haven't contacted you
about writing literary--
1109
01:06:31,375 --> 01:06:34,041
( beeps )
1110
01:06:35,375 --> 01:06:36,708
( clicks )
1111
01:06:36,708 --> 01:06:39,041
- Well, I mean--
- Damn it.
1112
01:06:39,041 --> 01:06:41,375
- Letterman: You can make
a living as a writer.
- What you trying to do?
1113
01:06:41,375 --> 01:06:42,834
Harvey:
How do you know
all that stuff?
1114
01:06:42,834 --> 01:06:44,208
I'm trying to
get some news.
1115
01:06:44,208 --> 01:06:45,708
There's a big story
about to break
1116
01:06:45,708 --> 01:06:47,291
about the U.S.
selling arms
1117
01:06:47,291 --> 01:06:49,917
to Iran
and the Contras.
1118
01:06:49,917 --> 01:06:52,542
- Relax, relax.
- All right, don't worry
about it.
1119
01:06:52,542 --> 01:06:55,750
- I'm not worried about it.
- Finally something good.
Watch this.
1120
01:06:55,750 --> 01:06:57,917
- I got a job.
- I'm trying-- I know
you've got a job.
1121
01:06:57,917 --> 01:07:00,875
I've got a job.
We're both very lucky.
We both have jobs.
1122
01:07:00,875 --> 01:07:03,834
Well, what's
the matter?
1123
01:07:03,834 --> 01:07:05,583
We gotta go.
1124
01:07:05,583 --> 01:07:07,750
- Harvey, I like you.
I'm on your side.
- All right, man.
1125
01:07:07,750 --> 01:07:09,500
- I enjoy
the comic books.
- Okay.
1126
01:07:09,500 --> 01:07:11,667
And here, quickly, tell us
about the little doll here.
1127
01:07:11,667 --> 01:07:13,333
- My wife made it.
- Okay.
1128
01:07:13,333 --> 01:07:14,959
( audience laughs )
1129
01:07:14,959 --> 01:07:17,500
Harvey:
Am I giving you
a hard time?
1130
01:07:17,500 --> 01:07:19,417
Letterman:
No, you're not
giving me a hard time.
1131
01:07:19,417 --> 01:07:21,458
- Do I make you nervous?
- No, you're not making
me nervous.
1132
01:07:21,458 --> 01:07:23,250
We have to go now,
and I want to mention
these are for sale,
1133
01:07:23,250 --> 01:07:24,875
- Yes.
- They're made out
of your old clothing.
1134
01:07:24,875 --> 01:07:26,291
- That's right.
- ( audience laughs )
1135
01:07:26,291 --> 01:07:29,083
- And what do these go for?
- 34 bucks.
1136
01:07:29,083 --> 01:07:30,667
$34?
1137
01:07:30,667 --> 01:07:32,417
$34 for this?
1138
01:07:32,417 --> 01:07:34,083
Harvey:
What, are you cheap?
You're cheaper than me?
1139
01:07:34,083 --> 01:07:36,041
Would you pay
$34 for that?
1140
01:07:36,041 --> 01:07:38,125
No, but I'm not asking it.
My wife is.
1141
01:07:38,125 --> 01:07:41,667
- Oh, I see.
- ( audience laughs )
1142
01:07:41,667 --> 01:07:44,250
Such brilliant
repartee.
1143
01:07:47,208 --> 01:07:49,667
Shit, man.
1144
01:07:49,667 --> 01:07:51,708
Letterman on TV:
I realized that was probably
an ugly thing
1145
01:07:51,708 --> 01:07:53,792
to have said about
your delightful island
there, but...
1146
01:07:53,792 --> 01:07:55,333
- So, what do you think?
- Letterman: that's what
I get paid for.
1147
01:07:55,333 --> 01:07:57,125
( laughs )
No, it's not.
1148
01:07:58,458 --> 01:08:00,333
- Megalomaniac.
- Letterman: I'm sorry.
1149
01:08:02,417 --> 01:08:04,792
Recording:
Hi, this is a message
for Harvey Pekar.
1150
01:08:12,542 --> 01:08:14,333
Letterman:
From the streets
of Cleveland,
1151
01:08:14,333 --> 01:08:16,041
ladies and gentlemen,
please welcome back
1152
01:08:16,041 --> 01:08:18,500
the one, the only
Harvey Pekar.
1153
01:08:18,500 --> 01:08:21,291
- Harvey, come on out, buddy.
- ( applause )
1154
01:08:21,291 --> 01:08:22,667
Harvey.
1155
01:08:22,667 --> 01:08:24,750
Pekar:
It became clear
pretty fast
1156
01:08:24,750 --> 01:08:27,625
that I was invited
on the show just
for laughs.
1157
01:08:27,625 --> 01:08:28,959
You look like
a lot of guys
1158
01:08:28,959 --> 01:08:30,375
you see sleeping
on buses.
1159
01:08:30,375 --> 01:08:31,959
( audience laughs )
1160
01:08:31,959 --> 01:08:34,625
- Sorry.
- It's all right, Dave,
have a good time.
1161
01:08:34,625 --> 01:08:36,375
I know, we're doin'
what we can.
1162
01:08:36,375 --> 01:08:38,333
It's your world,
I'm just livin' in it.
1163
01:08:42,375 --> 01:08:44,750
Pekar:
What the hell
did I care?
1164
01:08:44,750 --> 01:08:46,917
Letterman
was an okay guy.
1165
01:08:46,917 --> 01:08:48,583
Let him take
potshots at me
1166
01:08:48,583 --> 01:08:51,041
so long as I got paid
and got to plug my comics.
1167
01:08:51,041 --> 01:08:53,750
Letterman on TV:
I said to myself,
you look like every police
1168
01:08:53,750 --> 01:08:56,125
artist sketch
I've ever seen.
1169
01:08:56,125 --> 01:08:58,500
Pekar:
Funny thing is,
something about me
1170
01:08:58,500 --> 01:09:00,250
and Letterman clicked
for the viewers.
1171
01:09:00,250 --> 01:09:02,166
He kept
wantin' me back.
1172
01:09:02,166 --> 01:09:04,250
You know, Harvey,
it was about a year ago
this month--
1173
01:09:04,250 --> 01:09:05,959
That's right.
No, last month, Dave.
1174
01:09:05,959 --> 01:09:07,542
A year ago last month
you made your first
1175
01:09:07,542 --> 01:09:09,375
- appearance on this show.
- Right.
1176
01:09:09,375 --> 01:09:13,375
- What has happened
to you since?
- Not much, David.
1177
01:09:13,375 --> 01:09:15,625
It's slow goin'.
I still have the same job--
1178
01:09:15,625 --> 01:09:20,125
But, see, Harvey,
you're the embodiment
of the American dream.
1179
01:09:20,125 --> 01:09:23,125
Pekar:
And it wasn't just me
gettin' all the attention.
1180
01:09:23,125 --> 01:09:24,375
Director:
Action.
1181
01:09:26,792 --> 01:09:29,166
Any of these free?
1182
01:09:29,166 --> 01:09:31,708
Pekar:
As a result of my
appearances on Letterman,
1183
01:09:31,708 --> 01:09:33,750
my buddy, Toby Radloff,
landed a gig
1184
01:09:33,750 --> 01:09:36,041
extolling the virtues
of MTV.
1185
01:09:38,417 --> 01:09:40,208
Hey, yo, yo!
1186
01:09:40,208 --> 01:09:42,166
Watch where
you're going.
1187
01:09:42,166 --> 01:09:44,583
All right, you fuckin'
yuppie freak.
1188
01:09:44,583 --> 01:09:46,917
Who the fuck is this
on my set?
1189
01:09:50,583 --> 01:09:53,583
Look at this.
The man of the hour.
1190
01:09:55,583 --> 01:09:59,583
This is my new do
for the MTV generation.
1191
01:09:59,583 --> 01:10:01,750
( whirring )
1192
01:10:03,792 --> 01:10:06,166
We came upon Toby Radloff
while doing a story
1193
01:10:06,166 --> 01:10:08,208
in Cleveland last year
on his friend,
1194
01:10:08,208 --> 01:10:09,917
the comic artist
Harvey Pekar.
1195
01:10:09,917 --> 01:10:11,959
Toby's a genuine nerd
and he doesn't care
1196
01:10:11,959 --> 01:10:13,542
if you have a problem
with that.
1197
01:10:13,542 --> 01:10:15,333
Hi, my name
is Toby Radloff,
1198
01:10:15,333 --> 01:10:17,625
a genuine nerd
from Cleveland, Ohio.
1199
01:10:17,625 --> 01:10:20,458
And as you know,
many hip people,
1200
01:10:20,458 --> 01:10:23,000
including a lot
of college students,
1201
01:10:23,000 --> 01:10:25,208
are gonna be heading
for spring break,
1202
01:10:25,208 --> 01:10:28,959
but I have decided
to spend my own personal
spring break
1203
01:10:28,959 --> 01:10:32,750
right here in beautiful
Cleveland, Ohio.
1204
01:10:33,917 --> 01:10:35,458
♪ I'm on fire... ♪
1205
01:10:35,458 --> 01:10:38,375
Pekar:
That day, I had
an epiphany.
1206
01:10:38,375 --> 01:10:40,875
It seemed that real
salt-of-the-earth people
1207
01:10:40,875 --> 01:10:42,792
like Toby and me
were gettin' co-opted
1208
01:10:42,792 --> 01:10:45,208
by these huge
corporations.
1209
01:10:45,208 --> 01:10:48,041
We were gettin' held up
and ridiculed as losers
1210
01:10:48,041 --> 01:10:49,500
in the system.
1211
01:10:49,500 --> 01:10:50,834
This is Toby Radloff,
1212
01:10:50,834 --> 01:10:54,542
the genuine spring break
party nerd signing off.
1213
01:10:54,542 --> 01:10:56,417
( laughs )
1214
01:10:56,417 --> 01:10:59,041
Pekar:
What can I say?
It was the '80s, man.
1215
01:11:00,834 --> 01:11:03,208
Joyce:
Harvey, you
listening to me?
1216
01:11:03,208 --> 01:11:05,750
I've been reading
about these kids
who grew up
1217
01:11:05,750 --> 01:11:07,750
in these war zones.
1218
01:11:07,750 --> 01:11:10,041
You know,
Palestinians,
Israelis,
1219
01:11:10,041 --> 01:11:13,208
El Salvadorians,
Cambodians,
1220
01:11:13,208 --> 01:11:15,000
these kids are amazing.
They're totally--
1221
01:11:15,000 --> 01:11:17,583
You're the guy from
the Letterman show, right?
1222
01:11:17,583 --> 01:11:19,041
Yeah, that's me.
1223
01:11:19,041 --> 01:11:21,375
That's so excellent.
1224
01:11:21,375 --> 01:11:25,291
You and Stupid Pet Tricks
are a riot.
1225
01:11:25,291 --> 01:11:26,667
Oh, yeah?
1226
01:11:26,667 --> 01:11:29,208
Then how about you buy
one of my comics, man?
1227
01:11:29,208 --> 01:11:31,458
It's the only reason I go
on that dumb show anyway.
1228
01:11:31,458 --> 01:11:36,333
Right, sure.
Later, Harvey Pekar.
1229
01:11:36,333 --> 01:11:39,917
So anyway, I want to write
a political comic book
1230
01:11:39,917 --> 01:11:42,542
about these kids.
1231
01:11:42,542 --> 01:11:44,458
There's a--
listen to me.
1232
01:11:44,458 --> 01:11:46,875
There's a conference
in Jerusalem in a couple
of weeks.
1233
01:11:46,875 --> 01:11:48,458
I'm gonna start by
doing some interviews there.
1234
01:11:48,458 --> 01:11:50,250
Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa.
Wait a minute.
1235
01:11:50,250 --> 01:11:52,542
What are you talking
about, Jerusalem?
1236
01:11:52,542 --> 01:11:54,875
Lately I can barely
drag you off the futon
1237
01:11:54,875 --> 01:11:56,708
to go with me
to the Letterman show.
1238
01:11:56,708 --> 01:11:58,208
Jerusalem?
( chuckles )
1239
01:11:58,208 --> 01:12:00,542
- Do you wanna
know why?
- Yeah.
1240
01:12:00,542 --> 01:12:03,333
Because I don't give a damn
about the Letterman show.
1241
01:12:03,333 --> 01:12:05,500
I want to do something
important to me.
1242
01:12:05,500 --> 01:12:07,250
Something that matters.
1243
01:12:08,625 --> 01:12:11,125
Hey, you know
I only go on the show
1244
01:12:11,125 --> 01:12:13,041
for the extra bread.
1245
01:12:13,041 --> 01:12:16,041
You know, maybe if you
got your lazy ass up
1246
01:12:16,041 --> 01:12:17,375
and got yourself a job,
1247
01:12:17,375 --> 01:12:19,375
I could do somethin'
that matters, too.
1248
01:12:19,375 --> 01:12:22,708
- Harvey, you're yelling.
- You ever think of that?
1249
01:12:33,583 --> 01:12:35,750
Don't--
1250
01:12:39,708 --> 01:12:41,291
I'm sorry.
1251
01:12:43,375 --> 01:12:46,125
Joyce, I'm sorry.
1252
01:12:51,959 --> 01:12:54,041
Pekar:
I guess it was good
to finally see Joyce
1253
01:12:54,041 --> 01:12:55,667
excited about somethin'
of her own.
1254
01:12:55,667 --> 01:12:57,417
This is crazy.
1255
01:12:57,417 --> 01:12:59,291
Can't you just do
somethin' here
in Cleveland?
1256
01:12:59,291 --> 01:13:02,166
Harvey, you'll survive
a couple of weeks
by yourself.
1257
01:13:04,000 --> 01:13:05,291
All right.
1258
01:13:09,291 --> 01:13:11,458
Be careful out there,
all right?
1259
01:13:11,458 --> 01:13:12,792
I love you, baby.
1260
01:13:15,959 --> 01:13:17,750
Pekar:
Sure, I was happy
for her,
1261
01:13:17,750 --> 01:13:20,917
but I was still
upset for me.
1262
01:13:22,125 --> 01:13:23,625
( engine starts )
1263
01:13:25,959 --> 01:13:29,917
It was later that night
when I first found
the lump.
1264
01:13:36,083 --> 01:13:39,166
( cat purring )
1265
01:13:42,333 --> 01:13:44,375
I was determined
to put it out of my mind
1266
01:13:44,375 --> 01:13:46,708
until Joyce got back.
1267
01:13:47,917 --> 01:13:50,041
Easier said than done.
1268
01:13:50,041 --> 01:13:52,625
What do I care?
Just give me the chart
already.
1269
01:13:52,625 --> 01:13:54,125
What is your
problem today?
1270
01:13:54,125 --> 01:13:55,834
Miguel, look,
I just don't wanna
1271
01:13:55,834 --> 01:13:57,792
keep comin' back
here for it, okay?
1272
01:13:57,792 --> 01:14:00,000
Harvey, that patient's
due to be admitted
a week from now.
1273
01:14:00,000 --> 01:14:01,917
Why do you always
have to go picking fights?
1274
01:14:01,917 --> 01:14:04,000
How many times do
we gotta go through
the same shit, man?
1275
01:14:04,000 --> 01:14:05,875
Just give me
the fuckin' charts.
1276
01:14:05,875 --> 01:14:07,959
We'll listen to what
the doctor has to say
about this.
1277
01:14:07,959 --> 01:14:09,834
Fine.
1278
01:14:21,250 --> 01:14:22,834
What?
1279
01:14:38,500 --> 01:14:40,750
( clatters )
1280
01:14:44,875 --> 01:14:47,083
( sighs )
1281
01:14:49,333 --> 01:14:52,208
What do you mean
another two weeks?
1282
01:14:52,208 --> 01:14:55,083
Jesus Chr--
you gotta come home
sometime!
1283
01:14:57,208 --> 01:14:59,166
Joyce?
1284
01:15:00,375 --> 01:15:02,208
Hello?
1285
01:15:02,208 --> 01:15:04,375
God damn it.
1286
01:15:04,375 --> 01:15:07,041
( handset clatters )
1287
01:15:08,834 --> 01:15:11,625
( phone tone echoes )
1288
01:15:18,250 --> 01:15:20,083
Letterman:
And there you have it, folks,
1289
01:15:20,083 --> 01:15:23,417
another lightning episode
of Stupid Pet Tricks.
1290
01:15:25,667 --> 01:15:27,667
Just walk straight out
to the desk...
1291
01:15:27,667 --> 01:15:30,083
I know,
okay, fine, yeah.
1292
01:15:30,083 --> 01:15:33,083
- You all set?
- Yeah.
1293
01:15:33,083 --> 01:15:35,417
Pekar:
I was startin' to lose it.
1294
01:15:35,417 --> 01:15:37,667
Between the lump,
the loneliness,
1295
01:15:37,667 --> 01:15:41,583
I felt like everything
was closin' in on me.
1296
01:15:41,583 --> 01:15:44,750
And with Joyce over there
savin' the world,
1297
01:15:44,750 --> 01:15:47,667
I never felt more like
a sellout hack in my life.
1298
01:15:47,667 --> 01:15:51,417
- Letterman: Okay.
- ( applause )
1299
01:15:51,417 --> 01:15:53,917
You know, folks,
if it really is true
1300
01:15:53,917 --> 01:15:55,792
that misery
loves company,
1301
01:15:55,792 --> 01:15:58,792
our next guest
must always have
a house full of people.
1302
01:15:58,792 --> 01:16:00,625
( chuckles )
Okay, asshole.
1303
01:16:00,625 --> 01:16:02,750
Letterman:
You can read
all about his misery
1304
01:16:02,750 --> 01:16:04,917
- in the latest issue...
- You're gonna pay
for that one, man.
1305
01:16:04,917 --> 01:16:06,667
of the comic book entitled
"American Splendor."
1306
01:16:06,667 --> 01:16:08,750
Ladies and gentlemen,
please welcome back
1307
01:16:08,750 --> 01:16:10,959
Harvey Pekar.
1308
01:16:10,959 --> 01:16:13,125
Letterman:
Harvey, this is not
the forum.
1309
01:16:13,125 --> 01:16:15,125
This is not
"Meet the Press."
1310
01:16:15,125 --> 01:16:17,458
Harvey:
You just want me to talk about
simpleminded bullshit, David.
1311
01:16:17,458 --> 01:16:20,333
- But I ain't
co-opted like you.
- Oh, relax, Harvey.
1312
01:16:20,333 --> 01:16:21,583
I've got things
I wanna say.
1313
01:16:21,583 --> 01:16:22,875
For instance,
like, I wanna talk
1314
01:16:22,875 --> 01:16:24,542
about a conflict
of interest situation.
1315
01:16:24,542 --> 01:16:26,959
- Harvey--
- Can we do that, David?
How about that?
1316
01:16:26,959 --> 01:16:29,667
You know,
like GE owning
this network NBC.
1317
01:16:29,667 --> 01:16:31,917
GE has basically
become a military,
1318
01:16:31,917 --> 01:16:33,458
industrial,
financial--
1319
01:16:33,458 --> 01:16:35,667
Can we get the singing
shih tzu back out here,
Larry?
1320
01:16:35,667 --> 01:16:37,166
Has he left
the building yet?
1321
01:16:37,166 --> 01:16:39,125
The news is gonna cover
what they do fairly?
1322
01:16:39,125 --> 01:16:40,708
- That's funny, Dave.
- Harvey.
1323
01:16:40,708 --> 01:16:42,208
I got other things
I wanna talk about, though.
1324
01:16:42,208 --> 01:16:43,875
- That's enough, Harvey.
- Just shut up, man.
1325
01:16:43,875 --> 01:16:46,417
Don't push me, man.
I'm doin' my own thing.
1326
01:16:46,417 --> 01:16:48,750
Harvey on TV:
Are you afraid
of the truth, David?
1327
01:16:48,750 --> 01:16:51,208
Letterman:
It's not about what
you're saying, Harvey,
1328
01:16:51,208 --> 01:16:53,708
- it's about
your choice of venue.
- The truth will set you free.
1329
01:16:53,708 --> 01:16:56,000
Letterman:
It may shock you,
but this is a comedy show.
1330
01:16:56,000 --> 01:16:58,542
Harvey:
Not tonight it ain't, okay?
Let's mix it up a little.
1331
01:16:58,542 --> 01:17:01,166
- Come check this out.
- Letterman: You can take
your winning personality,
1332
01:17:01,166 --> 01:17:03,125
go out and get
your own show.
1333
01:17:03,125 --> 01:17:05,333
Harvey:
I don't want my own
goddamn show, David.
1334
01:17:05,333 --> 01:17:07,375
It seems to me
we've had you on this show
many, many times.
1335
01:17:07,375 --> 01:17:09,250
You sulk and complain
and promote your comic book
1336
01:17:09,250 --> 01:17:11,208
and you really haven't been
very appreciative.
1337
01:17:11,208 --> 01:17:13,583
Well, you didn't do me
any favors, Dave, okay?
1338
01:17:13,583 --> 01:17:15,959
- Harvey--
- I'm still a file clerk.
1339
01:17:15,959 --> 01:17:18,291
- I have always been
a file clerk.
- That's enough, Harvey.
1340
01:17:18,291 --> 01:17:22,041
And it's no thanks
to you or to your goddamn
pathetic audience, man.
1341
01:17:22,041 --> 01:17:23,333
( audience boos )
1342
01:17:23,333 --> 01:17:25,458
Okay, we're gonna
take a commercial
1343
01:17:25,458 --> 01:17:28,333
and when we come back,
guess who's not gonna
be here?
1344
01:17:28,333 --> 01:17:29,834
You want me
to leave, David?
1345
01:17:29,834 --> 01:17:31,500
Come on, ask me
like a man, David.
1346
01:17:31,500 --> 01:17:33,333
Don't hide it behind
a commercial, man.
1347
01:17:33,333 --> 01:17:35,083
Letterman:
Are things okay
at home, Harvey?
1348
01:17:35,083 --> 01:17:37,250
Things are just great
at home, Dave, okay?
1349
01:17:37,250 --> 01:17:40,708
Goodbye, Dave.
Goodbye, America.
Thanks for nothin', Dave.
1350
01:17:40,708 --> 01:17:43,708
Letterman: Harvey Pekar,
ladies and gentlemen.
We'll be right back.
1351
01:17:43,708 --> 01:17:45,750
( applause )
1352
01:17:47,166 --> 01:17:49,875
( Joyce chuckles )
1353
01:17:49,875 --> 01:17:51,917
I guess you really
did it this time, huh?
1354
01:17:51,917 --> 01:17:54,250
Harvey:
Yeah, who the hell cares?
1355
01:17:54,250 --> 01:17:57,250
That show wasn't helping
my sales anyway.
1356
01:18:01,417 --> 01:18:06,166
- Baby, please don't
go away anymore.
- ( Joyce sighs )
1357
01:18:06,166 --> 01:18:08,417
Because I just--
I can't take being alone.
1358
01:18:08,417 --> 01:18:11,250
If you met those kids
over there and you saw
what they went through,
1359
01:18:11,250 --> 01:18:12,583
you wouldn't
ask that of me.
1360
01:18:12,583 --> 01:18:14,083
I'm tellin' you
somethin'--
1361
01:18:14,083 --> 01:18:16,917
if you go away again,
I'm gonna lose it.
1362
01:18:16,917 --> 01:18:18,750
Harvey, this is not
up for discussion.
1363
01:18:18,750 --> 01:18:21,041
I need this
in my life right now.
1364
01:18:28,333 --> 01:18:31,875
I do appreciate the fact
that you missed me
so much, baby.
1365
01:18:43,917 --> 01:18:46,625
Harvey,
what is that?
1366
01:18:46,625 --> 01:18:49,083
Joyce:
I don't understand.
1367
01:18:49,083 --> 01:18:54,834
Does tumor mean
the same thing
as cancer?
1368
01:18:54,834 --> 01:18:56,834
We know the growth
is malignant,
1369
01:18:56,834 --> 01:18:59,291
what we don't know
is how far it may
have spread.
1370
01:18:59,291 --> 01:19:01,291
Once we
have the results,
we can make
1371
01:19:01,291 --> 01:19:03,458
more informed decisions
about treatment.
1372
01:19:03,458 --> 01:19:07,500
( voice echoes )
CAT scans... diagnosis...
1373
01:19:07,500 --> 01:19:11,625
MRI... Cancer...
1374
01:19:14,041 --> 01:19:18,166
How can I
have cancer?
1375
01:19:18,166 --> 01:19:20,500
I don't feel
sick at all.
1376
01:19:20,500 --> 01:19:24,959
That's
a positive thing.
1377
01:19:24,959 --> 01:19:27,458
My cousin Norman
died of lymphoma.
1378
01:19:29,500 --> 01:19:31,083
He was 29.
1379
01:19:31,083 --> 01:19:33,375
- And he was a
brilliant oncologist.
- Stop it.
1380
01:19:33,375 --> 01:19:35,458
You're not
gonna die, Harvey.
1381
01:19:35,458 --> 01:19:37,333
You're not.
1382
01:19:37,333 --> 01:19:39,000
What's gonna happen
to you, baby?
1383
01:19:39,000 --> 01:19:40,583
Who's gonna take care
of you if I'm not around?
1384
01:19:40,583 --> 01:19:45,500
Harvey, look at me
and focus.
1385
01:19:45,500 --> 01:19:47,708
We are gonna get
through this.
1386
01:19:47,708 --> 01:19:49,708
I understand illness.
1387
01:19:49,708 --> 01:19:51,750
I know how to
handle these things.
1388
01:19:51,750 --> 01:19:55,834
Yeah, but
that's... you, you know?
I'm not strong enough.
1389
01:19:55,834 --> 01:19:58,208
I don't know
how to be positive.
1390
01:19:58,208 --> 01:20:00,291
I can't do that.
I can't do it.
1391
01:20:00,291 --> 01:20:02,000
- Yes, you can.
- No, I can't.
1392
01:20:02,000 --> 01:20:04,041
Yes, you can.
1393
01:20:04,041 --> 01:20:07,041
I'll tell you how.
1394
01:20:07,041 --> 01:20:10,208
You'll make a comic book
of the whole thing.
1395
01:20:10,208 --> 01:20:12,542
You'll document
every detail,
1396
01:20:12,542 --> 01:20:15,959
and that way
you'll remove yourself
1397
01:20:15,959 --> 01:20:18,208
from the experience
until it's over.
1398
01:20:23,625 --> 01:20:25,917
I can't do that.
1399
01:20:25,917 --> 01:20:28,000
I'm just not
strong enough.
1400
01:20:29,583 --> 01:20:31,875
Man, I just wanna die.
1401
01:20:33,708 --> 01:20:36,041
That's fine,
I'll do it without you.
1402
01:20:50,041 --> 01:20:52,875
( clock ticking )
1403
01:21:06,667 --> 01:21:08,792
( doorbell buzzes )
1404
01:21:14,000 --> 01:21:15,792
( buzzes )
1405
01:21:22,208 --> 01:21:26,458
Hey, I'm Fred.
You called me about
the comic book...?
1406
01:21:28,208 --> 01:21:31,458
Right, the artist.
Come in.
1407
01:21:35,208 --> 01:21:37,458
This is my daughter,
Danielle.
1408
01:21:39,000 --> 01:21:40,917
Had to bring her along.
I hope you don't mind.
1409
01:21:44,583 --> 01:21:46,667
Well, hi, Danielle.
1410
01:21:46,667 --> 01:21:48,750
What's that
you're holding?
1411
01:21:49,917 --> 01:21:51,333
A pony.
1412
01:21:51,333 --> 01:21:56,375
A pony?
What's his name?
1413
01:21:56,375 --> 01:21:59,625
She's a girl.
Clarissa.
1414
01:21:59,625 --> 01:22:01,625
Oh, I see.
1415
01:22:01,625 --> 01:22:04,959
Well, I'm Joyce,
and I'm very pleased
1416
01:22:04,959 --> 01:22:06,875
to meet both you
and Clarissa.
1417
01:22:06,875 --> 01:22:11,458
Hey, I'm real sorry
to hear about Harvey.
Is he here?
1418
01:22:11,458 --> 01:22:13,708
No, he's going to work
until next week when
he starts the chemo.
1419
01:22:13,708 --> 01:22:15,792
But that's why I wanna
get this project started
1420
01:22:15,792 --> 01:22:18,667
because once
he's stuck here,
I know he'll take over.
1421
01:22:28,166 --> 01:22:31,125
( sighs )
Aw, shit.
1422
01:22:34,000 --> 01:22:36,834
- Man.
- ( doorbell buzzes )
1423
01:22:40,000 --> 01:22:42,667
Fuckin' idiot, man.
1424
01:22:42,667 --> 01:22:47,166
Hey! Joyce!
Open the door!
1425
01:22:47,166 --> 01:22:49,583
I forgot my keys
again, Joyce.
1426
01:22:52,750 --> 01:22:55,166
Hold the door,
hold the door.
1427
01:23:00,708 --> 01:23:04,208
( music playing )
1428
01:23:05,458 --> 01:23:07,500
( knocks )
1429
01:23:09,542 --> 01:23:12,041
( thumps )
Joyce?!
1430
01:23:12,041 --> 01:23:15,208
Open the fuckin'
door, man!
1431
01:23:19,000 --> 01:23:21,208
Hey, Harvey.
1432
01:23:21,208 --> 01:23:23,875
Fred...?
1433
01:23:23,875 --> 01:23:28,375
♪ There was
no train station ♪
1434
01:23:28,375 --> 01:23:32,083
♪ There was
no downtown... ♪
1435
01:23:32,083 --> 01:23:33,542
What's goin' on, man?
1436
01:23:33,542 --> 01:23:36,667
♪ The town
had disappeared... ♪
1437
01:23:36,667 --> 01:23:39,625
Fred:
Gee, I thought it was
a great idea that Joyce had.
1438
01:23:39,625 --> 01:23:42,250
We try to just follow you
through your treatments.
1439
01:23:42,250 --> 01:23:44,834
Guess she thought
it was a good idea, too,
didn't she?
1440
01:23:44,834 --> 01:23:47,708
But here's some
of the great ideas
1441
01:23:47,708 --> 01:23:50,834
we've been
battin' around,
I mean--
1442
01:23:50,834 --> 01:23:53,542
All right.
1443
01:23:53,542 --> 01:23:55,917
( sighs )
1444
01:23:55,917 --> 01:23:59,625
Jesus, we--
1445
01:23:59,625 --> 01:24:02,333
Joyce has no idea
what she's doin', man.
1446
01:24:02,333 --> 01:24:05,917
There's too many words
in these frames.
1447
01:24:05,917 --> 01:24:08,458
When are you
comin' back, Fred?
1448
01:24:08,458 --> 01:24:12,291
Uh... she said
somethin' about
next Tuesday,
1449
01:24:12,291 --> 01:24:14,208
which is fine
with me.
1450
01:24:14,208 --> 01:24:17,375
It's just--
only thing is
1451
01:24:17,375 --> 01:24:19,542
I might have
the kid again.
1452
01:24:19,542 --> 01:24:21,250
My ex-wife is
supposed to take her,
1453
01:24:21,250 --> 01:24:24,041
but I don't have
much faith in her
showin' up.
1454
01:24:24,041 --> 01:24:27,291
She's in worse shape
than me these days.
1455
01:24:33,917 --> 01:24:36,041
( Joyce chuckles )
1456
01:24:36,041 --> 01:24:40,750
Next week
my treatment begins.
1457
01:24:43,458 --> 01:24:46,625
Do me a favor, man,
bring the kid, will ya?
1458
01:24:52,834 --> 01:24:54,333
Okay.
1459
01:25:39,125 --> 01:25:41,291
Joyce:
Harvey, what are you doing?
1460
01:25:41,291 --> 01:25:43,083
Stop it!
( echoes )
1461
01:25:46,542 --> 01:25:48,917
( slaps )
You're doing this on purpose.
1462
01:25:48,917 --> 01:25:50,542
Purpose...
( echoes )
1463
01:26:17,000 --> 01:26:19,625
( mutters )
1464
01:26:24,834 --> 01:26:26,792
Thanks.
( echoes )
1465
01:26:40,875 --> 01:26:44,083
I wanna die.
1466
01:26:46,250 --> 01:26:48,750
Just wanna die... die...
( echoes )
1467
01:27:22,083 --> 01:27:24,417
Joyce?
1468
01:27:26,125 --> 01:27:28,208
- Joyce?
- What?
1469
01:27:28,208 --> 01:27:30,291
What's wrong, honey?
1470
01:27:30,291 --> 01:27:33,208
What are you doing up?
1471
01:27:33,208 --> 01:27:36,333
What is it?
1472
01:27:36,333 --> 01:27:38,375
Tell me the truth.
1473
01:27:39,750 --> 01:27:44,500
Am I a guy who writes
about himself
1474
01:27:44,500 --> 01:27:48,166
in a comic book
1475
01:27:48,166 --> 01:27:51,625
or am I just--
1476
01:27:51,625 --> 01:27:54,000
am I just a character
in that book?
1477
01:27:54,000 --> 01:27:57,166
What are you
talking about?
What are you saying?
1478
01:27:58,583 --> 01:28:04,083
If I die, will that
character keep goin'
1479
01:28:04,083 --> 01:28:07,166
or will he
just fade away?
1480
01:28:09,208 --> 01:28:11,000
- ( groans )
- Harvey.
1481
01:28:11,000 --> 01:28:12,792
Harvey!
1482
01:28:12,792 --> 01:28:15,333
Harvey.
Oh, my God.
1483
01:28:15,333 --> 01:28:18,417
Harvey, wake up.
Wake up, Harvey.
1484
01:28:18,417 --> 01:28:20,375
Come on.
1485
01:28:20,375 --> 01:28:23,500
Harvey?
Oh, no, no.
1486
01:28:23,500 --> 01:28:25,875
Come on, wake up.
1487
01:28:25,875 --> 01:28:28,500
Harvey,
can you hear me?
1488
01:28:38,417 --> 01:28:41,333
My name is Harvey Pekar.
1489
01:28:41,333 --> 01:28:44,500
Oh, that's
an unusual name,
Harvey Pekar.
1490
01:28:48,875 --> 01:28:52,125
1960 was the year I got
my first apartment
1491
01:28:52,125 --> 01:28:54,750
and my first
phone book.
1492
01:28:54,750 --> 01:28:58,041
Now imagine my surprise
when I looked up my name
1493
01:28:58,041 --> 01:29:00,500
and saw that
in addition to me,
1494
01:29:00,500 --> 01:29:02,583
another Harvey Pekar
was listed.
1495
01:29:04,750 --> 01:29:08,750
You know, I was listed
as "Harvey L. Pekar."
1496
01:29:08,750 --> 01:29:11,166
- My middle name is Lawrence.
- ( phone ringing )
1497
01:29:11,166 --> 01:29:16,083
He was listed
as "Harvey Pekar."
1498
01:29:16,083 --> 01:29:19,708
Therefore his was
a purer listing.
1499
01:29:21,750 --> 01:29:25,417
Then in the '70s,
I noticed
1500
01:29:25,417 --> 01:29:27,250
that a third
Harvey Pekar
1501
01:29:27,250 --> 01:29:29,125
- was listed
in the phone book.
- ( phone ringing )
1502
01:29:29,125 --> 01:29:32,250
Now, this filled me
with curiosity.
1503
01:29:33,834 --> 01:29:35,250
How can there be
three people
1504
01:29:35,250 --> 01:29:37,166
with such an unusual
name in the world,
1505
01:29:37,166 --> 01:29:39,792
let alone in one city?
1506
01:29:42,041 --> 01:29:44,625
Then, one day...
1507
01:29:44,625 --> 01:29:46,041
a person I work with
1508
01:29:46,041 --> 01:29:49,208
expressed her
sympathy to me
1509
01:29:49,208 --> 01:29:50,583
concerning what
she thought
1510
01:29:50,583 --> 01:29:52,250
was the death
of my father.
1511
01:29:52,250 --> 01:29:55,917
And she pointed out
an obituary notice
1512
01:29:55,917 --> 01:29:59,583
in the newspaper
for a man named
Harvey Pekar.
1513
01:29:59,583 --> 01:30:03,625
And one of his sons
was named Harvey.
1514
01:30:06,542 --> 01:30:09,583
Now these were
the other Harvey Pekars.
1515
01:30:14,500 --> 01:30:18,792
And six months later,
Harvey Pekar Jr. died.
1516
01:30:18,792 --> 01:30:22,542
Although I'd met
neither man,
1517
01:30:22,542 --> 01:30:26,959
I was filled
with sadness.
1518
01:30:26,959 --> 01:30:29,041
"What were they like,"
I thought.
1519
01:30:30,333 --> 01:30:32,500
It seemed our lives
had been linked
1520
01:30:32,500 --> 01:30:36,792
in some indefinable way.
1521
01:30:36,792 --> 01:30:40,917
But the story
does not end there.
1522
01:30:40,917 --> 01:30:44,500
For two years later,
another Harvey Pekar
1523
01:30:44,500 --> 01:30:47,417
appeared
in the phone book.
1524
01:30:47,417 --> 01:30:49,208
( phone rings )
1525
01:30:49,208 --> 01:30:52,875
Who are these people?
1526
01:30:52,875 --> 01:30:56,125
Where did they
come from?
1527
01:30:56,125 --> 01:30:58,208
What do they do?
1528
01:31:01,000 --> 01:31:03,792
What's in a name?
1529
01:31:05,959 --> 01:31:09,041
Who is Harvey Pekar?
1530
01:31:28,708 --> 01:31:30,583
You know,
we've got the T-shirts
for sale upstairs
1531
01:31:30,583 --> 01:31:32,708
- if you're interested.
- Yeah, come on, man.
1532
01:31:32,708 --> 01:31:36,583
Pekar:
Here's our man
a year later.
1533
01:31:36,583 --> 01:31:38,667
Somehow I made it
through the treatments,
1534
01:31:38,667 --> 01:31:40,458
and the doctors
are optimistic.
1535
01:31:40,458 --> 01:31:42,542
Joyce:
Quite a year for us,
quite a year.
1536
01:31:42,542 --> 01:31:46,000
Pekar:
I guess Joyce was right
about doing a big comic book.
1537
01:31:46,000 --> 01:31:48,583
We published the thing
as a graphic novel,
1538
01:31:48,583 --> 01:31:50,750
our first collaboration,
1539
01:31:50,750 --> 01:31:53,708
and ended up
with rave reviews.
1540
01:31:53,708 --> 01:31:56,917
We even won a couple
of national book awards.
1541
01:31:56,917 --> 01:31:59,708
Go figure.
1542
01:31:59,708 --> 01:32:01,708
- Mm-hmm. Bye.
- Joyce: Those
are beautiful.
1543
01:32:01,708 --> 01:32:03,625
- Did you find those in there?
- Danielle: Mm-hmm.
1544
01:32:03,625 --> 01:32:06,708
Joyce:
I didn't even see those.
1545
01:32:06,708 --> 01:32:10,875
- Danielle: ...these flowers.
- Joyce: Are you finished?
1546
01:32:10,875 --> 01:32:13,000
Oh, Danielle,
I love it.
1547
01:32:13,000 --> 01:32:14,500
Very expressive
colors.
1548
01:32:14,500 --> 01:32:15,708
( chuckles )
1549
01:32:20,291 --> 01:32:25,000
- Hey, Joyce.
- What is it, Harvey?
1550
01:32:25,000 --> 01:32:27,125
It was the doctor.
1551
01:32:32,375 --> 01:32:34,625
He says I'm all clear.
1552
01:32:44,917 --> 01:32:47,667
( jazz music playing )
1553
01:33:01,125 --> 01:33:03,458
Pekar:
The weirdest thing
that came out of my illness
1554
01:33:03,458 --> 01:33:05,417
was Danielle.
1555
01:33:07,583 --> 01:33:11,000
With her real
mother runnin' around
who knows where
1556
01:33:11,000 --> 01:33:14,917
and seeing how well
her and Joyce got on,
1557
01:33:14,917 --> 01:33:17,708
Fred decided she'd have
a better life with us.
1558
01:33:27,500 --> 01:33:30,834
I was scared at first,
but then I thought
what the hell,
1559
01:33:30,834 --> 01:33:34,792
- she's a good kid.
- Joyce: Hi, Harvey.
1560
01:33:34,792 --> 01:33:38,000
Pekar: So we ended up
takin' her and raisin' her
as our own.
1561
01:33:45,208 --> 01:33:48,166
You keep readin' 'em
backwards.
1562
01:33:48,166 --> 01:33:51,208
I like reading them
backwards.
1563
01:33:51,208 --> 01:33:52,792
Is that one you?
1564
01:33:52,792 --> 01:33:57,041
I keep telling you,
all of 'em's me, man.
1565
01:33:57,041 --> 01:33:59,375
You look like
a monster.
1566
01:33:59,375 --> 01:34:01,417
Yeah? Well, you know,
wait till you see
1567
01:34:01,417 --> 01:34:03,708
what you're gonna
look like.
1568
01:34:03,708 --> 01:34:05,458
- Me?
- Yeah.
1569
01:34:05,458 --> 01:34:07,625
You're part of
the story, too, now.
1570
01:34:07,625 --> 01:34:09,041
What story?
1571
01:34:09,041 --> 01:34:11,917
The story of my life.
1572
01:34:11,917 --> 01:34:14,875
Oh.
1573
01:34:14,875 --> 01:34:16,500
Yeah, I know I'm
not as interesting
1574
01:34:16,500 --> 01:34:18,834
as "The Little Mermaid"
and all that magical crap.
1575
01:34:18,834 --> 01:34:22,125
I think I'm gonna
write my own comic.
1576
01:34:22,125 --> 01:34:24,041
Oh, yeah, what about?
1577
01:34:24,041 --> 01:34:27,458
I'm not sure yet,
but not about you.
1578
01:34:27,458 --> 01:34:31,208
I think you have
enough already.
1579
01:34:38,542 --> 01:34:40,834
You know,
you should write
1580
01:34:40,834 --> 01:34:43,208
about things
in your own life.
1581
01:34:43,208 --> 01:34:46,250
You know, like
school and...
1582
01:34:47,917 --> 01:34:50,750
ponies, I don't know.
Girl stuff.
1583
01:34:53,000 --> 01:34:56,083
Do you have
to hold my hand?
1584
01:34:56,083 --> 01:34:59,083
What are you,
embarrassed of me?
1585
01:34:59,083 --> 01:35:01,625
I know, I know, I know,
I'm embarrassing.
1586
01:35:01,625 --> 01:35:03,959
I felt the same way
about my father.
1587
01:35:03,959 --> 01:35:06,750
No, Harvey,
it's just when you
hold my hand,
1588
01:35:06,750 --> 01:35:08,750
you squeeze it
too hard.
1589
01:35:10,083 --> 01:35:12,083
Okay, go on.
1590
01:35:13,917 --> 01:35:17,291
Joyce is right.
You are obsessive-compulsive.
1591
01:35:17,291 --> 01:35:19,583
( chuckles )
Go on.
1592
01:35:28,708 --> 01:35:31,500
( engine starts )
1593
01:35:41,917 --> 01:35:44,792
Pekar:
Yeah, so I guess
comics brought me a lot.
1594
01:35:46,458 --> 01:35:49,291
But don't think this is
some sunny happy ending.
1595
01:35:49,291 --> 01:35:52,542
Every day is still
a major struggle.
1596
01:35:52,542 --> 01:35:54,583
Joyce and I
fight like crazy,
1597
01:35:54,583 --> 01:35:56,875
and she barely works.
1598
01:35:56,875 --> 01:36:00,083
The kid's got ADD
and is a real handful.
1599
01:36:00,083 --> 01:36:03,500
My life is total chaos.
1600
01:36:13,000 --> 01:36:15,333
With a little luck,
I'll get a window
1601
01:36:15,333 --> 01:36:18,333
of good health between
retirin' and dyin'.
1602
01:36:18,333 --> 01:36:21,291
"The golden years,"
right?
1603
01:36:21,291 --> 01:36:24,041
Who knows,
between my pension
1604
01:36:24,041 --> 01:36:26,375
and the chunk of change
I get for this film,
1605
01:36:26,375 --> 01:36:29,333
I should be able
to swing somethin'.
1606
01:36:32,333 --> 01:36:35,250
Sure, I'll lose the war
eventually,
1607
01:36:35,250 --> 01:36:37,667
but the goal
is to win a few skirmishes
1608
01:36:37,667 --> 01:36:39,750
along the way,
right?
1609
01:36:44,041 --> 01:36:45,708
Group:
Surprise!
1610
01:36:45,708 --> 01:36:48,000
♪ For he's a jolly
good fellow ♪
1611
01:36:48,000 --> 01:36:51,375
♪ For he's
a jolly good fellow ♪
1612
01:36:51,375 --> 01:36:54,333
♪ Which nobody
can deny. ♪
1613
01:36:54,333 --> 01:36:55,750
- Woman: Surprise!
- Man: Surprise!
1614
01:36:55,750 --> 01:36:58,708
Man:
Go ahead and make a wish.
1615
01:37:44,708 --> 01:37:47,417
( music playing )
1616
01:38:06,458 --> 01:38:09,792
♪ You do me wrong ♪
1617
01:38:09,792 --> 01:38:13,959
♪ And I'm crazy
about you ♪
1618
01:38:15,959 --> 01:38:19,542
♪ Stay away too long ♪
1619
01:38:19,542 --> 01:38:23,458
♪ And I can't do
without you ♪
1620
01:38:25,250 --> 01:38:29,208
♪ Every chance you get ♪
1621
01:38:29,208 --> 01:38:34,166
♪ You seem to hurt me
more and more ♪
1622
01:38:35,792 --> 01:38:40,625
♪ Each hurt
makes my love ♪
1623
01:38:40,625 --> 01:38:44,125
♪ Stronger than before ♪
1624
01:38:44,125 --> 01:38:49,000
♪ I know flowers
can go through rain ♪
1625
01:38:49,000 --> 01:38:54,667
♪ But how can love
go through pain? ♪
1626
01:38:58,625 --> 01:39:02,166
♪ Ain't that peculiar? ♪
1627
01:39:10,625 --> 01:39:13,625
♪ You tell me lies ♪
1628
01:39:13,625 --> 01:39:18,000
♪ That should be
obvious to me ♪
1629
01:39:20,208 --> 01:39:23,917
♪ I've been so much
in love with you ♪
1630
01:39:23,917 --> 01:39:29,041
♪ Till I--
I don't wanna see ♪
1631
01:39:29,041 --> 01:39:33,542
♪ The things
you do and say ♪
1632
01:39:33,542 --> 01:39:38,250
♪ Are designed
to make me blue ♪
1633
01:39:40,375 --> 01:39:43,834
♪ It's such a shame
my love ♪
1634
01:39:43,834 --> 01:39:48,542
♪ Makes all your lies
seem true ♪
1635
01:39:48,542 --> 01:39:53,166
♪ And if truth makes love
last longer ♪
1636
01:39:53,166 --> 01:39:59,375
♪ Why do lies
make my love stronger? ♪
1637
01:40:02,708 --> 01:40:06,708
♪ Ain't that peculiar? ♪
1638
01:40:15,250 --> 01:40:17,583
( music continues )
1639
01:40:24,583 --> 01:40:28,041
♪ A child can cry
so much ♪
1640
01:40:28,041 --> 01:40:33,083
♪ You do everything
that they say ♪
1641
01:40:33,083 --> 01:40:35,750
♪ But unlike a child ♪
1642
01:40:35,750 --> 01:40:39,667
♪ My tears
don't help me ♪
1643
01:40:39,667 --> 01:40:42,291
♪ Get my way ♪
1644
01:40:42,291 --> 01:40:47,583
♪ I know love
can last through tears ♪
1645
01:40:47,583 --> 01:40:53,625
♪ But how can love last
through years? ♪
1646
01:40:56,834 --> 01:41:02,542
♪ Ain't that peculiar? ♪
1647
01:41:02,542 --> 01:41:07,083
♪ Peculiar as can be ♪
1648
01:41:07,083 --> 01:41:09,458
♪ It's just weird ♪
1649
01:41:13,417 --> 01:41:15,625
♪ Strange. ♪
115447
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