Killing Me Softly With His Songs

<p><img alt="Laurel icon denoting the film is in competition for a Jury Prize." border="0" src="https://data.ajff.org/sites/default/files/2023-01/laurel_2023_JuryPrize_01.png" style="width:20%; max-width:20%; margin-left:10px; float:right;" />From Bronx streets to fabled showbiz career, explore the richly diverse, ever-surprising life and iconic works of lyricist-composer Charles Fox.</p>

<p>Though not a household name, his discography of infectious tunes and TV themes is instantly familiar. The son of Polish-Jewish immigrants, young Fox heard his father pluck melodies on a mandolin, before heading to the Fontainebleau conservatory near Paris to study under legendary Nadia Boulanger. Landing in Hollywood in the ‘70s, his first credits spanned ABC's <em>Wide World of Sports</em> and <em>Monday Night Football</em> themes, to the giddy pop perfection of <em>Happy Days</em>, <em>Laverne & Shirley</em>, <em>The Love Boat</em>, and <em>Wonder Woman</em>. In all, the prolific melodist wrote scores for over 100 films and TV shows, spawning hit singles Jim Croce’s "I Got a Name” and Barry Manilow’s “Ready to Take a Chance Again.” His Grammy-winning “Killing Me Softly With His Song” was a global chart topper for Roberta Flack as well as the Fugees. Fox takes a trip down memory lane, sharing precious anecdotes about his vast oeuvre, before returning to his roots in Latin rhythms with an all-star concert in Havana.</p>

<p>Featuring exuberant performances and an array of entertainers—Rita Wilson, Jason Alexander and Henry Winkler to rapper-actor Common and rock band Barenaked Ladies, and more—this utterly engaging profile of a wildly talented yet humble artist showcases music’s unique ability to transcend languages, borders and genres…hitting a universal note.</p>