Neil Young secretly directed a barely-released 1982 vanity film starring his rock star friends and Devo.
The episode begins with Chris and Emmet introducing 'Human Highway,' a 1982 film directed by Neil Young under the pseudonym Bernard Shakey. They note its obscurity, having been barely released and funded by Young's own money. The hosts explain that the film was heavily improvised, with no real script, and features a cast of Young's friends, including actors Dennis Hopper, Dean Stockwell, and Russ Tamblyn, as well as the band Devo. They discuss watching the director's cut from 2016, which re-edits the film for better narrative flow, such as moving a soliloquy by Boogie Boy from the beginning to the end. The conversation covers the film's structure, which starts with a post-apocalyptic setting and Devo handling nuclear waste, then shifts to a diner storyline before a dream sequence montage. Chris and Emmet analyze how the film's improvisational nature leads to bizarre, memorable scenes, like a gas pump mishap that prefigures 'Dumb and Dumber.' They delve into the music, noting that Neil Young used tracks from his album 'Trans' and that the song 'Hey Hey, My My' evolved from a jam session with Devo during filming. The hosts share personal perspectives: Chris, a Neil Young fan, appreciates the film's earnestness, while Emmet enjoys its absurdity. They address the film's divisive reception, with some considering it the worst movie ever, but argue that its homemade, ad-hoc quality gives it a unique charm. The discussion touches on production details, such as Dennis Hopper's drug use leading to an on-set knife accident, and the professional cinematography by David Myers, who worked on Woodstock and THX 1138. They conclude by reflecting on the film's cult status and its appeal to fans of weird, indie cinema, before transitioning to announcements about future podcast episodes.
