Music Man Murray

Vinyl is dead, and America’s rare record stores now dot the landscape like temples to obsolescence. 'Music Man Murray' takes us inside of one of the largest record collections in the world at the hour of its demise, and examines the complicated legacy of the man who built it, octogenarian Murray Gershenz.

Though business has never been worse, Murray (a former synagogue cantor and opera buff) still spends most days inside the store with his collection, housed inside a dusty old cinderblock warehouse on Exposition Boulevard off of the 10 freeway in Los Angeles. Nearing 90, Murray has put the business up for sale, but is struggling to find a buyer. Meanwhile, Murray's son, the emotional Irv, 53, clings to the collection and his father with an almost pathetic obeisance—though he must soon say goodbye to both, forever.

The drama between the sensible father and emotional son, dual eccentrics who evoke contrasting sympathies in the viewer, provides a humorous and moving counterpoint to the story about Murray’s legacy in his 22-minute documentary portrait.

Regie: Richard Parks, 2012 USA