Book Vs Movie Podcast

Book Vs. Movie: Ode to Billy JoeThe 1967 Song Vs. the 1976 Movie It was a hot and steamy summer day when we recorded this episode, so we decided to go as far south as we could get here in the USA with the tale of Billie Joe Macallister (named Billy Joe for the movie adaptation) and why he may have jumped to his death off the Tallahacthie Bridge. Mississippi native Bobbie Gentry wrote the song in 1967 for her first album, and it became a huge sensation. The song is written from the viewpoint of the narrator, a young girl who knew Billie Joe but did not say if she is privy to why he died the way he did. How did she know him, and what did they throw from the bridge? These are still asked of the singer, but she kept it opaque. (She is also a recluse who never gives interviews, though she is considered a legend in country music.The film was produced and directed by Max Baer, Jr. and written by Herman Racuher (of Summer of ‘42 fame ), who spoke privately with Gentry about the path he wanted to take fleshing out the