Writers Bloc and Book Soup Present Rob Reiner

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Courtesy of Gallery Books:

A FINE LINE BETWEEN STUPID AND CLEVER: The Story of Spinal Tap

For the first time, director Rob Reiner and his costars and co-creators Christopher Guest, Michael McKean, and Harry Shearer provide the full behind-the-scenes story of This is Spinal Tap, the rock ‘n’ roll comedy classic, and its sequel, Spinal Tap II: The End Continues.

Since its release in 1984, This Is Spinal Tap has evolved from a beloved cult film into a cinematic landmark that has taken its place in the Library of Congress’s National Film Registry. It pioneered its entire genre, the mockumentary, and is one of the most quoted movies, from “These go to eleven” to “Hello, Cleveland!” Now, Reiner, Guest, McKean, and Shearer share tales of their famous collaboration: how they met, how the fictitious band Spinal Tap came to be, and how their low-budget indie film took on an unexpected, celebrated life of its own.

SMELL THE BOOK:

The majesty of rock, the mystery of roll, the humblest beginnings in Squatney, the improbably triumphs in Carnegie Hall, Glastonbury, Wembley Stadium, and the Royal Albert Hall…

Nigel Tufnel, David St. Hubbins, and Derek Smalls hold nothing back in this revealing oral history of Spinal Tap, the world’s loudest and most punctual band. Conducted by their longtime interlocutor and frenemy, director Marty DiBergi, Smell the Book is packed with insights into Tap’s shallow existence. How much more packed can it be? The answer is none—none more packed.

ROB REINER, a two-time Emmy Award–winning actor for his role in the landmark television series All in the Family, is also the acclaimed director of Stand by Me, The Princess Bride, When Harry Met Sally, Misery, A Few Good Men, The American President, Ghosts of Mississippi, and The Bucket List. He recently directed the Emmy-nominated documentary Albert Brooks: Defending My Life, and The End Continues, the sequel to This Is Spinal Tap. As a dedicated political activist, he spearheaded a tobacco tax initiative in California to fund early childhood development programs and chaired the state commission to oversee its implementation. In 2008, he cofounded the American Foundation for Equal Rights, which paved the way for marriage equality nationwide.

Moderator to be announced.

Rob Reiner Photo © Romy Reiner

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