A new documentary on the life of Harry Chapin was released on DVD in fall 2020. Harry Chapin: When In Doubt, Do Something follows the singer from childhood – spent under the shadow of his jazz drummer father – throughout his tragically short life and captures the up-and-down spirit of one of folk’s great humanitarians. The film was released in theaters and virtual theaters on October 16 on World Food Day — a fitting coincidence for a man who co-founded the influential hunger non-profit WhyHunger.

View the trailer below.

From the original Sept. 16 announcement: Told through archival footages and new interviews, When In Doubt, Do Something explores the key moments in Chapin’s life, including performing with his brothers and working on the Academy Award-nominated documentary Legendary Champions, to his solo success with hits like “Taxi,” “W.O.L.D.” and “Cat’s in the Cradle,” as well as his tireless philanthropic work, which included his efforts with WhyHunger and a seemingly endless run of benefit performances, all of which led to him being posthumously awarded the Congressional Gold Medal.

The documentary paints a new picture of the singer-songwriter who used his fame as a launching point to help others and influence politics. It features testimonials from Chapin’s family (including Tom Chapin and Steve Chapin), as well as peers including Billy Joel, Bruce Springsteen, Pete Seeger, Kenny Rogers, Robert Lamm (Chicago), Darryl “DMC” McDaniels, Pat Benatar, Bob Geldof, longtime bassist John Wallace, his manager Ken Kragen, and WhyHunger co-founder Bill Ayres.

“Harry Chapin was one of the greatest storytellers of all time. He wanted to change the world. And he did.”

Watch the official trailer

This documentary was directed by Rick Korn and is being released by Greenwich Entertainment (Jimmy Carter Rock & Roll President, Creem: America’s Only Rock ‘n’ Roll Magazine, Gordon Lightfoot: If You Could Read My Mind).

A portion of proceeds from the film will go to both WhyHunger and The Harry Chapin Foundation.

Chapin was born on Dec. 7, 1942. He sold a reported 16 million records in his career and earned two GRAMMY nominations. In 1977 he was a key participant in the creation of the Presidential Commission on World Hunger. He died in a car accident on July 16, 1981, while on his way to perform a benefit concert. In 1986, he was posthumously awarded the GRAMMY President’s Merit Award. He was inducted into the GRAMMY Hall of Fame in 2011.

Related: Chapin’s inspiration for “Taxi”