Dory Previn: On My Way To Where

Writing and singing the unvarnished truth about one’s buried secret life experiences is more common today than when Dory Previn wrote brilliant, disturbing, and darkly funny songs in the 1970s. Previn began as an Academy Award nominated lyricist for Hollywood musicals with songs for Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland & Dionne Warwick before a tabloid scandal and public breakdown led to her re-emergence as a cult artist in the Laurel Canyon scene. The film taps archives for a story in Previn’s voice. J. Smith-Cameron (SUCCESSION) reads the voices in Dory’s head. Dory’s eloquent articulation of her relationship with her voices anticipates the burgeoning Hearing Voices and Mad Pride movements that are revolutionizing how we understand mental health.

Director Biographies

JULIA GREENBERG (Co-Director) co-wrote the hit off-Broadway rock opera PEOPLE ARE WRONG! with Robin Goldwasser, as well as the music for the off-Broadway play CAVEDWELLER with Stephen Trask. She has released two albums of original music: Past Your Eyes and Greenland, both produced by James Mastro. Her music has been featured on THIS AMERICAN LIFE, OXYGEN NETWORK, and ESPN, and Ronnie Spector recorded one of her songs. Julia interprets the music, and is curating the archives of the late great Dory Previn, driven to share the magic of this under-known genius with the world. In addition to musical pursuits, Julia is a health justice advocate, fighting against pharma greed and for health equity for all. 

DIANNA DILWORTH (Co-Director) directed/produced two feature-length documentaries, MELLODRAMA: THE MELLOTRON MOVIE (Bazillion Points, 2010) and WE ARE THE CHILDREN (Indiepix, 2007). She has produced videos for HarperCollins Publishers, SVA Architects, Current TV, Barack Obama’s presidential campaign, Haymarket Media, Telemundo, The Social Registry Records and Exergy Music. Her short film “Time Travel Enterprises” was shown at the infamous Terminal 5 Art show at the Eero Saarinen–designed TWA Flight Center at JFK Airport in Queens in October 2004. In addition to her film work, Dianna is a journalist covering the advertising and technology trade.