Harold and Lillian: A Hollywood Love Story (2017)

"Harold and Lillian: A Hollywood Love Story" (2017) chronicles the captivating journey of an unsung power couple in the heart of Tinseltown. Harold Michelson, a storyboard artist turned production designer, and Lillian Michelson, a dedicated film researcher, weave a tale of love and creativity that spans from their wedding day to the present. Their remarkable symbiosis, often uncredited, has painted some of the most memorable scenes in Hollywood's A-list movies, blending reality and fantasy in a dance that mesmerizes audiences across the globe. This immersive documentary, directed by Academy Award®-nominated Daniel Raim, explores the intricate layers of their professional and personal lives, where boundaries often blur. Harold and Lillian's resilience in the face of adversity, including their brave response to their son's autism and Harold's recovery from a debilitating accident in 1974, is a testament to their unwavering bond. Told through a compelling mix of intimate interviews, archival footage, and lifelike drawings reminiscent of Harold's storyboards, the film also features candid conversations with industry stalwarts such as Danny DeVito, Mel Brooks, and Francis Ford Coppola. They offer insight into the couple's profound influence on auteurs like Alfred Hitchcock, Steven Spielberg, and Stanley Kubrick, among others. The narrative also ventures into the rich history of the Lillian Michelson Research Library, an invaluable resource for the Hollywood community. This documentary is as much a tribute to the Michelsons' enduring love story as it is a homage to the invisible artisans who sculpt the magic of cinema. Even if their names don't ring a bell, their handiwork has indelibly etched itself onto the canvas of classic cinema, shaping the way we experience and love films.

Harold and Lillian: A Hollywood Love Story is a documentary movie featuring Lillian Michelson and directed by Daniel Raim.

Harold and Lillian: A Hollywood Love Story is currently streaming for free (ad-supported) on Kanopy.

It is also possible to buy Harold and Lillian: A Hollywood Love Story on Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, Kino Now and YouTube.