This film brought me to tears. I did not expect the story I encountered. I found it by accident on the Documentary Channel. Based on a few minor familiarities, I should have been more aware of this story. Yet I knew little of the New York Dolls, their music and the intricate vein of Arthur "Killer" Kane's life that resulted in this film.
I'm a fan of The Smiths and was always aware of Morrissey's connection to the Dolls as their UK fan club president. A few of my favorite late-70s/early-80s bands often credited the Dolls as a major influence. Yet I never took the time to seek out their music, despite music-collecting being one of my favorite hobbies. I also recall Buster Poindexter and David Johansen's role in the movie "Scrooged." I don't emotionally invest in pop culture or worship celebrity so that was all the knowledge I had of these characters. However, I'm a useless-facts junkie, usually observant of the obscure and gravitate a little toward the counter-culture. So I should have known something about this.
To add to the circle of tangential connections, I'm also Mormon. Yet I never knew of Kane's conversion nor was I aware of this story until now. I'm embarrassed I know so little about something I'm connected with both through my favorite music and my religion. Nevertheless, I'm extremely grateful to have stumbled upon this film and for the efforts made by the filmmaker to make it happen. I think Morrissey was a conduit in the hands of God, whether he believes it or not, to help fulfill a 30-year wish of a tortured man.
Obviously, Morrissey was one of their biggest fans, but fame causes many to lose sight of reality. Even when successful people give back, it sometimes seems feigned via contrived charities and photo ops. That's how I always perceived Bob Geldof and his so-called charities. So it was no surprise to me that he gave one the most jaded, back-handed commentaries on Kane throughout the film. Given the bad experiences some people have in religion and the misguided perception a lot of people have of Mormons, I'd say it was rather magnanimous of Morrissey and others to go through with everything and continually praise Kane as a musician, as a person in general and for his choice in personal beliefs.
It was the final scenes and Kane's overall persona that really struck a chord (pun intended) and inspired me. I was a little turned off by Johansen's mockery of the Mormon faith. It didn't help to watch the many perpetual myths and misinformation of Mormons go unchallenged in that same scene, as always. (e.g. myth - Mormons have never been asked to abstain from caffeine. It's not the crux of abstention from coffee.) However, Johansen redeemed himself in the end with his kind comments about Kane. It was also nice to hear Johansen's homage to Mormons via the song at the end, "A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief." (An absolutely moving song if you ever get a chance to hear it sung a cappella.) Through it all, Kane remained humble, stalwart, confident and composed. If you ever wanted to truly understand the tenets or mindsets of Mormons, and not the misguided crap you get everywhere else, Kane's post-conversion life is great example. His personality is the epitome of Mormon beliefs and a Christ-like person. He never shirked responsibility to his church nor his fellow man. He never blamed, spoke ill or got too down on himself despite a lack of wealth, defeated life and old grudges. Kane had little, yet gave everything he had to bring about a lifelong dream of a reunion and to mend broken relationships. He simultaneously lived in both worlds (his past glory and present faith), as if everything culminated with purpose. All the wheels and cogs aligned perfectly to make it happen, even if only for a brief moment in time. Yet, consider how little was required to potentially ignore or destroy such a beautiful story. It only needed one person in the mix to say, "No. I can't be bothered." Not only did the reunion happen, but it was uncharacteristically triumphant and successful. I don't think it was a coincidence. It seemed to happen just long enough to simply allow it to happen; to merely edify the prayer of a faithful man who sacrificed pride for a love of God and was rewarded quite simply and directly for his effort.
Meanwhile, Kane never regressed into his old lifestyle or felt regretful about it. He could have easily caved, especially considering his health. However, he was steadfast to the end, doing his duty, seeking a kind of content happiness that can't be explained or found in a worldly vice. Ironically, a former alcoholic, rock-n-roll legend and mid-life convert to the Mormon faith is a better example than I – a lifelong Mormon. However, you'll find the most diligent and faithful ones are the late converts, not the ones born into it, because those who find it later don't take it for granted. Arthur "Killer" Kane has inspired me to try harder, to have bit more faith – especially in others, and to be a better person.
I'm a fan of The Smiths and was always aware of Morrissey's connection to the Dolls as their UK fan club president. A few of my favorite late-70s/early-80s bands often credited the Dolls as a major influence. Yet I never took the time to seek out their music, despite music-collecting being one of my favorite hobbies. I also recall Buster Poindexter and David Johansen's role in the movie "Scrooged." I don't emotionally invest in pop culture or worship celebrity so that was all the knowledge I had of these characters. However, I'm a useless-facts junkie, usually observant of the obscure and gravitate a little toward the counter-culture. So I should have known something about this.
To add to the circle of tangential connections, I'm also Mormon. Yet I never knew of Kane's conversion nor was I aware of this story until now. I'm embarrassed I know so little about something I'm connected with both through my favorite music and my religion. Nevertheless, I'm extremely grateful to have stumbled upon this film and for the efforts made by the filmmaker to make it happen. I think Morrissey was a conduit in the hands of God, whether he believes it or not, to help fulfill a 30-year wish of a tortured man.
Obviously, Morrissey was one of their biggest fans, but fame causes many to lose sight of reality. Even when successful people give back, it sometimes seems feigned via contrived charities and photo ops. That's how I always perceived Bob Geldof and his so-called charities. So it was no surprise to me that he gave one the most jaded, back-handed commentaries on Kane throughout the film. Given the bad experiences some people have in religion and the misguided perception a lot of people have of Mormons, I'd say it was rather magnanimous of Morrissey and others to go through with everything and continually praise Kane as a musician, as a person in general and for his choice in personal beliefs.
It was the final scenes and Kane's overall persona that really struck a chord (pun intended) and inspired me. I was a little turned off by Johansen's mockery of the Mormon faith. It didn't help to watch the many perpetual myths and misinformation of Mormons go unchallenged in that same scene, as always. (e.g. myth - Mormons have never been asked to abstain from caffeine. It's not the crux of abstention from coffee.) However, Johansen redeemed himself in the end with his kind comments about Kane. It was also nice to hear Johansen's homage to Mormons via the song at the end, "A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief." (An absolutely moving song if you ever get a chance to hear it sung a cappella.) Through it all, Kane remained humble, stalwart, confident and composed. If you ever wanted to truly understand the tenets or mindsets of Mormons, and not the misguided crap you get everywhere else, Kane's post-conversion life is great example. His personality is the epitome of Mormon beliefs and a Christ-like person. He never shirked responsibility to his church nor his fellow man. He never blamed, spoke ill or got too down on himself despite a lack of wealth, defeated life and old grudges. Kane had little, yet gave everything he had to bring about a lifelong dream of a reunion and to mend broken relationships. He simultaneously lived in both worlds (his past glory and present faith), as if everything culminated with purpose. All the wheels and cogs aligned perfectly to make it happen, even if only for a brief moment in time. Yet, consider how little was required to potentially ignore or destroy such a beautiful story. It only needed one person in the mix to say, "No. I can't be bothered." Not only did the reunion happen, but it was uncharacteristically triumphant and successful. I don't think it was a coincidence. It seemed to happen just long enough to simply allow it to happen; to merely edify the prayer of a faithful man who sacrificed pride for a love of God and was rewarded quite simply and directly for his effort.
Meanwhile, Kane never regressed into his old lifestyle or felt regretful about it. He could have easily caved, especially considering his health. However, he was steadfast to the end, doing his duty, seeking a kind of content happiness that can't be explained or found in a worldly vice. Ironically, a former alcoholic, rock-n-roll legend and mid-life convert to the Mormon faith is a better example than I – a lifelong Mormon. However, you'll find the most diligent and faithful ones are the late converts, not the ones born into it, because those who find it later don't take it for granted. Arthur "Killer" Kane has inspired me to try harder, to have bit more faith – especially in others, and to be a better person.