In honor of Jack Kerouac’s birthday (March 12), here are some videos to enjoy.
1. Kerouac & friends in New York
“Silent footage of Jack Kerouac, Allen Ginsberg, Lucien Carr, and others in New York, Summer 1959. The location is in and around the Harmony Bar & Restaurant at E 9th St. and 3rd Ave. Others seen are Mary Frank (wife of film-maker Robert Frank) and children Pablo and Andrea, as well as Lucien’s wife Francesca Carr and their three sons, Simon, Caleb and Ethan.” – lupine22
2. Kerouac reading from “On the Road” / shooting pool
“Beat writer Jack Kerouac shooting pool at the Pawtucketville Social Club, Lowell, Mass., in early 1967.” – lupine22
3. Kerouac Reading “McDougall Street Blues”
4. Gregory Corso discusses Jack Kerouac
Scott says
I turned to Beatdom in my recognition that I have been beat. The airport that I fought to see live has been crushed to death. Well at least my record is being played. Maybe on the radio. I don’t know. I gave up poetry for lyrics. The rent has gone up again and again as I dwindle in pain. All over the country people dwindle in pain. We who loved anarchy but have learned it only led to isolation and despair. And Stoicism is not recommended. Depressed you need lawyers as friends. But they, the lawyers, all that is left to the man in the fight he will lose over and over and over in his own little life, they only can be real friends with other lawyers. If friends with anybody. Sometimes justice comes along. “Howl” too great to be crushed out of the minds of 14 year olds looking for what to do with it, life. “On the Road” doing it. Later it is just done. Poverty or civilization. Beats doomed to something between.