Mellodrama
- Directed by: Dianna Dilworth
- Released: 2025 (educational)
- Year of Production: 2008
Mellodrama, a documentary by Dianna Dilworth, explores the rising and falling fortunes of the Mellotron – the first musical keyboard to "sample" the sounds of other instruments – from its birth in a California garage in the 1950s, through its dominance on concert stages in the 1970s, through its almost religious cult of followers in the 2000s. From the Beatles' "Strawberry Fields" to Black Sabbath to Opeth and Maroon 5, Mellodrama is a 70-year odyssey of musical invention, revolution, betrayal, and rediscovery.
The Mellotron is a keyboard instrument that plays prerecorded tapes to play back the sounds of other instruments. It was invented as the Chamberlin organ in Harry Chamberlin's Southern California backyard in the early 1950s. Harry wanted to sell his "orchestra at your fingertips" to every Aunt Mable in America, and drove his motorhome across the country doing so. But his trusted salesman Bill Franson took two instruments to England, and found manufacturers to replicate the Chamberlin.
Under this dubious pretense, the Mellotron was born. Soon, through the music of the Beatles, the Zombies, and the Moody Blues, the Mellotron became the "instant magic sound." In the 1970s, the Mellotron defined the sound of progressive rock bands like King Crimson, Roxy Music, and Genesis. Though forgotten during the 1980s, when digital synthesizers hijacked pop music, the Mellotron is today again a highly desired and sought-after device, a connection to the mystical lost world of invention and possibility.
Alamo Drafthouse Austin, TX • Artists' Television Access San Francisco, CA • Atlantic International Film Festival Halifax, NS • Big Sky Documentary Film Festival Big Sky, MT • Brooklyn Rod & Gun Club Brooklyn, NY • Cinefamily Los Angeles, CA • CMJ Film Festival New York, NY • Glasslands Brooklyn, NY • indieMemphis Memphis, TN • Jackpot Records Music & Film Festival Portland, OR • Mods & Rockers Film Festival Los Angeles, CA • Museum of Making Music Oceanside, CA • Philadelphia Independent Film Festival Philadelphia, PA • Tucson Film & Video Festival Tucson, AZ • Whistle Stop Bar San Diego, CA
"Perfectly put together... Captivating." - Larry Crane, TapeOp
"With a mix of humor and clever insight, Mellodrama does a very fine job of opening your eyes to what the Mellotron means to a lot of people in addition to how and why it became what the musical oddity that it is today." - Ian Jane, Rock! Shock! Pop!
"Dilworth explores every facet of these machines, letting its users, sellers, and technicians do the talking, making Mellodrama an affectionate and sometimes gripping tale where inspiration changed the course of modern performance and composing." - Mark R. Hasan, KQEK.com
Brand Innovator’s Managing Editor Dianna Dilworth has been covering brands, advertising and technology since 2006. Prior to joining Brand Innovators in 2020, she has held senior editorial roles at MediaPost, Adweek, Mediabistro, The Marketer Quarterly, Luxury Daily and DM News. Her byline has also been featured in Businessweek and Marketing Dive. A California-native with New York roots, Dianna is currently based in Switzerland.
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