Why, yes, there was a Tam Lin movie. It was an artsy film directed by Roddy McDowell in the 70s, starring Ian McShane as Tam Lin, Stephanie Beacham as Janet, and Ava Gardner as Mrs. Cazaret (the fairy queen).
It was not a very popular movie, and word has that the story wasn't handled very well. My current mission in life, number one, at the top of the list, is to find this movie and watch it so that I can accurately assess it. From what I've gathered, it's best appreciated if you try to think like a pretentious art snob "it's-so-incomprehensible-it-must-be-profound" standpoint. The highlights of the film reportedly include Tam Lin's acid trip (you have no idea how much I laughed trying to type that phrase) and a transformation costume that apparently looks like "something rejected from Captain Kangaroo."
The film has brief entries in both The Internet Movie Database and AllMovie.com. It merited a few lines in the comprehensive "Blockbuster Movie Guide 1995," where it's listed under the alternate title of "The Devil's Widow."
Yes, the alternate title. Apparently this flop of a film has earned many different names. It's known as "Tam Lin," "Tamlin," "The Devil's Widow," "The Devil's Woman," and occasionally its working title, "Toys and G@m3s*." Toys and G@m3s*? I don't want to know. (*please forgive the l33t on that word... when I get to a computer that doesn't censor that word out, I'll fix it).
The only screenshots to be found on-line (to my knowledge) are at Simply Stephanie Beacham, a site about the actress who portrayed Janet. Since it particularly forbids using the shots elsewhere on the internet, I honored that and am only providing a link so that you may see them for yourself.
Is it just me, or is Ian McShane a little funny-looking?
Word has it that the Frouds and Neil Gaiman are collaborating on a new Tam Lin movie. Details are practically non-existant. Is it animated? Puppets, live action? Is it geared towards children or adults? I plan to keep this as updated as possible, but that could prove difficult. Mr. Gaiman has mentioned it in two or three entries of his web log, and I can't find anything about it at World of Froud. I eagerly anticipate any further news on this project, as I love the work of both Neil Gaiman and the Frouds, so their collaboration on a Tam Lin movie is a wet dream for me. Pray that it doesn't disappoint.
"Lift My Sorrowed Heart" is a planned full-length production that filmmaker Chelsea Spear intends to release. A short from the movie, called "The Unhappy Medium," is available to view here. Her e-mail address is posted there if you want to e-mail her and ask how to donate money to the cause of producing this movie.
The Music of Tam Lin
The Carter Hall Library
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