HAROLD AND LILLIAN:  A Hollywood Love Story by Carol Kaufman Segal

            Harold and Lillian, a happily married Hollywood couple whom, no doubt, you had never heard of before, will be remembered henceforth after seeing the documentary about them, Harold and Lillian:  A Hollywood Love Story written and directed by Daniel Raim.

            Harold Michelson was a storyboard artist and Lillian was a researcher who spent six decades in the film industry.  They were exceptional in their fields, and due to their talent, hard work, and dedication, they were in demand by film makers and worked on hundreds of films.  However, they were never credited on screen for the work they accomplished in aiding in the success of the films in which they collaborated. 

            Basically, the film is an interview with Lillian who recounts the story of her life with Harold.  After serving in the army in World War II, Harold, 28 years old, and Lillian, 19 yrs old, eloped to California where he got a job doing storyboards for films and Lillian was a stay-at- home mom raising their three boys.  Harold became one of the film industry’s best storyboard artists. 

            When the boys grew up, Lillian became a volunteer worker at a film research library.  Little did she know then that she would end up owning her own research library and becoming a most sought after film researcher until her retirement. 

            Throughout the documentary, the love, devotion, and collaboration to help one another brings out the quality of two of the nicest people you could possibly ever find in Hollywood, and everyone in the industry knew them for that as well.  They were married 60 years when Harold passed away at the age of 86.  Lillian is now 88 years old and resides in the Motion Picture and Television Country Home in Woodland Hills.

            Early in the movie, a few of Hollywood’s artists offer their kudos to Harold and Lillian for their collaboration with them.  They include Danny DeVito (also Executive Producer of the film), Mel Brooks, and Francis Ford Coppola.

            I found this film to be especially heartwarming and wish I could have had the opportunity of knowing this lovely and charming family.

Playing at Laemmle Theaters