Doc Jenkins is a country music star who's become fed up with the industry. With some help from an old friend he attempts to right some wrongs and get back at the ruthless promoter who's swin... Read allDoc Jenkins is a country music star who's become fed up with the industry. With some help from an old friend he attempts to right some wrongs and get back at the ruthless promoter who's swindled him.Doc Jenkins is a country music star who's become fed up with the industry. With some help from an old friend he attempts to right some wrongs and get back at the ruthless promoter who's swindled him.
- Nominated for 1 Oscar
- 1 win & 2 nominations total
- Director
- Writer
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaBack in the 1970, Willie Nelson had grown discontented with the role that those in the music industry in Nashville had tried to impose upon him. He left the country music capitol and moved back to his native Texas. Sitting around in a hotel room in Austin with longtime friend Edwin "Bud" Shrake [Bud Shrake], the two devised a story about a songwriter who was going through hard times, trying to find himself. That discussion, and several others following it, would be the beginning of the script of "Songwriter." In fact, the very hotel in which the two first spoke, would later serve to lodge the cast and crew of the film.
- GoofsWhen Gilda shows up at Doc's hotel room she told him that "Doc" told her where he was. Response: She says "Ralph told me."
- Quotes
Blackie Buck: Do you suppose a man's got to be a miserable son of a bitch all the time, just to write a good song every now & then? That's a terrible thought.
- SoundtracksHow Do You Feel About Fooling Around
Written by
Kris Kristofferson, Stephen Bruton,
and Mike Utley
I was delighted to see how effortlessly Nelson threw himself into the role of Doc. Did his inspiration come from the real life financial troubles he faced a while back? You decide. It's just a pleasure to see him using that golden voice and interacting with old pal, Kristofferson. I also enjoyed the trip that Rudolph takes us on the road and behind the stage of the country music scene.
Setbacks include the discovery of Gilda. Although possessed with a fine voice, I had trouble believing that she had enough talent to sweep Blackie and Doc off their feet. Showing a newcomer as "gifted" in film is always tough. The voice has to be right and the songs interesting. I just don't think it worked here. I also didn't agree with Rocky's character who came off as a little too slimy, although we are talking about the record industry.
I enjoyed it overall. The story keeps you watching and Nelson with his guitar is worth the price of the rental alone. Watching this songwriter was a pleasure.
- How long is Songwriter?Powered by Alexa
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Official site
- Language
- Also known as
- Der Songschreiber
- Filming locations
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- $8,600,000 (estimated)
- Gross US & Canada
- $865,915
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $497,406
- Oct 14, 1984
- Gross worldwide
- $865,915
- Runtime1 hour 34 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.85 : 1