Many songs are inspired by movies, not as many movies are, in turn, inspired by songs. However, there are a fair few examples of this out there. The three films below managed to expand a three-minute story into a feature film. Do you know these iconic songs that inspired equally as great movies?
“Ode To Billy Joe” – Bobbie Gentry
Bobbie Gentry’s “Ode to Billy Joe” inspired a drama of the same name in 1976. The screenplay followed the basic facts in the song’s narrative, which details the events of a Mississippi man who committed suicide. The filmmakers added more context to the story, providing a reason for the suicide. The only person who knows the actual story is a girl who was left to witness it. However, those around her have no trouble theorizing on what happened. This tale of passion and small-town rumors adds a wealth of emotion to an already poignant story.
“The Fool on the Hill” – The Beatles
The Beatles “The Fool on the Hill” didn’t exactly inspire Dinner for Schmucks, but it was a major calling card for Steve Carell’s character. In fact, it was so influential for the director, Jay Roach, that he spent over one million dollars trying to obtain the rights to this Beatles original. He eventually paid the right price and earned a shocking and memorable needle drop. Carell’s character is the “schmuck” in question, living outside the confines of accepted society–much like the titular character in the Beatles track. It may not be a one-to-one adaptation of a song like the other films on this list, but it’s still a worthy mention.
“The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia” – Vicki Lawrence
Although this film borrows its title from the hit country song “The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia,” it diverges from the song’s narrative. While the track details sordid affairs, the film follows two burgeoning country stars who find love on the road. Using the title of an iconic track helps lend credence to this song’s southern setting. It’s also a great example of how one art form can inspire another, in even the most unsuspecting of ways.
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