You won't be disappointed!

Too many fans seem to be blown away

Disturbing yet enthralling

Story: It's very simple but honestly that is fine.

Larry "Wild Man" Fischer was without a doubt one of the most colorful and idiosyncratic musical artists to emerge from the frenzied 1960's Los Angeles psychedelic rock scene. A diagnosed paranoid schizophrenic and manic depressive, Fischer's mental problems both hurt and helped him in equal measure. On one hand, the psychological demons that plagued Fischer throughout his anguished existence resulted in music that's shockingly raw and alive in its unbridled eccentricity. On the other hand, Fischer was his own worst enemy, as his volatile and unpredictable nature made him difficult to be around and care about, resulting in the alienation of both friends and family alike and further putting the kibosh on any chance Fischer might have had in achieving the rock music stardom he desperately yearned for. That said, Fischer did manage to record several albums that include a now legendary double album collaboration with Frank Zappa (who eventually dumped Fisher after realizing how dangerously unstable he was) and the very first album for Rhino Records as well as recorded a duet with Rosemary Clooney called "It's a Hard Business." Amongst the people interviewed are Larry's exceptionally tolerant and long suffering older brother David, Barnes & Barnes (they did two albums with Fisher in the early 1980's), Dr. Demento, Weird Al Yankovic, Mark Mothersbaugh of Devo (who describes Larry as "pure"), and even soulman Solomon Burke (who gave Larry his Wild Man nickname). The archive footage of Fischer in his gloriously loopy 1960's prime is absolute gold (he even appeared on "Rowan & Martin's Laugh In"!); ditto the footage of Fischer live in concert in 2001. However, this documentary sometimes borders on the uncomfortably voyeuristic with the interviews done with an aged, burnt-out, lonely, and friendless Larry in the present; it's both sad and upsetting to see Fischer degenerate into a quivering ball of paranoid nerves in front of the camera, yet these scenes are vital in presenting Fischer in a warts and all manner. Stripping bare both Fischer's tortured soul and unbalanced mind, this documentary rates as essential viewing for fans of this quintessential embodiment of true outsider music.

Very disappointing! I saw this documentary at a screening event and I actually walked out of the theater cause it was so bad. The sound editing was terrible, fisher's voice is enough to drive anyone into a mental institution (seriously - like freakin long pointy nails on a chalk board), and the bottom line is i don't think anyone really even knows of or cares about this man. I mean I certainly never heard of him, my friends never heard of him, so why make a film about him? why? My suggestion to the producers....try making a documentary about something worth watching next time and hire a different editor and sound person while you are at it. Also, maybe go back to film school, if you even attended, and try it again

Derailroaded played at the Kansas Film Festival on 09/10/05 and I got a ticket. The documentary is of Wild Man Fischer, a Rock singer from the 1960's. I never heard of him but Frank Zappa produced one of his albums and he was the initial pitchman for Rhino records and recorded the Rhino radio jingle. Wild Man Fischer suffers from paranoid schizophrenia which has profoundly impacted his life and career. In some of the concern footage from the early 60's you see him jamming with Frank Zappa (very nice to see him again) and see glimpses of what might have been. For years Dr. Demento was a big fan. In fact he played once at Giants stadium with Zappa, Janice Joplin, The Byrds and Hendrix so he wasn't a hack. If you have never been around true mental illness this film is an eye-opener. Mental illness isn't funny; in fact it is extremely scary. Fascinating movie. Two things stand out for me. The first is Billy Mummy (the kid from "Lost in Space") turned out pretty well. In fact he seemed to have his stuff together. He might be Wild Man's only friend. The second was the Dr. Demento puppet show where Frank Zappa finds out how crazy Wild Man really is and breaks it off. The family interviews are touching and tragic. His family has pretty much stuck by Wild Man all these years and seem to truly care about his welfare. From the Aunt dying of cancer who gives him a place to live to his brother dropping off groceries. A wonderful glimpse into the birth of Rock and Roll and a life completely out of control. See it.

Derailroaded might be about music, but Wild Man Fischer isn't particularly musical in any conventional sense. More of an outsider artist, or maybe just an exploited freakshow, suffering from paranoid schizophrenia and creating during his manic peaks. This is more a study of mental illness than anything else, and we see Fischer beginning to treat the film crew as he has finally treated everyone who has tried to help him in the past. Notable scenes include a re-enactment of an interview between Dr. Demento & Frank Zappa, done with puppets, in which each reveals to the other just how beyond-the-pale crazy Fischer is.