Everyone knows Tab Murphy, ... even if they don't immediately know his name. The Oscar-nominated writer behind GORILLAS IN THE MIST, Disney's THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME, ATLANTIS, TARZAN and BROTHER BEAR, critically acclaimed D.C. actioners such as BATMAN: YEAR ONE, BATMAN / SUPERMAN: APOCALYPSE, and Warner's much loved 2011 THUNDERCATS revival (see, told 'ya you knew him!) ... . Well, he's something of a film industry rarity. Weaned on classic horror, 60s era TV, 70s Drive-in triple bills and an avalanche of old-school adventure novels, his inspiration springs from venerable staples such as Edgar Rice Burroughs and Sergio Leone, but he's got an inate facility to translate that ageless vibe into new era cinema classics for an all new generation. In this regard there is perhaps no greater example of "Murphy's Law" than Tab's underrated 1995 modern day lost civilization saga - and directorial debut - LAST OF THE DOGMEN starring Tom Berenger and Barbara Hershey. Kinda / sorta "LOST HORIZON meets DANCES WITH WOLVES", he and producer Joel Michaels are presently preparing a new "Director's Edition" Blu-ray set for release next year. And in what proves perfect timing we've managed a sitdown with Tab which falls somewhere between a film school guest professorship ... and a neighborhood watering hole beer summit between movie geeks! ... wherein we candidly dive into his background and earliest creative endeavors, how he went from late night 7/11 clerk to much-sought-after screenwriter, his (at times topsy-turvy) experiences on films such as GORILLAS IN THE MIST and his involvement in the famous Art Buchwald / COMING TO AMERICA case, his writing and directing DOGMEN, the animated films and much more. So much more in fact, we had to break this one up into two parts - with Part 1 focusing mostly on the live action films and Pt. 2 on his voluminous output in animation. Crack one open, light 'em if you got 'em, and sit back and chill, and learn and enjoy as "Murphy's Law" takes on a whole new (much more positive) meaning.
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