When Mel Brooks, producer of "The Elephant Man", hired Lynch to direct that film, he told him that "You're a crazy man". That assessment was based on his viewing of this film, which firmly established the Lynch directorial canon as a "crazy" one rivalling the similar one of Brooks himself. Crazy people can spot each other a mile away.
Your post reminded me of the time I decided to watch a “Making of” Inland Empire. First thing out of Lynch’s mouth (to a crew member): “What are you doing, Jeremy?!” Definitely made me sit upright because it was almost like he saw me. I saw Eraserhead at the Valley Art Theatre in Tempe, AZ and it was so much more intense. I considered it a spiritual experience, too.
I would say that all of Lynch’s films are spiritual at their core. My first thought was The Straight Story in terms of spiritual themes but Eraserhead was equally so on a less direct plain.
More of my friends (re)watched that one the day he died than I expected, but then it made sense to me. He had a wild mind but a wholesome character. So I think you're right.
I saw Eraserhead at the Uptown theater with my Uncle Lance who was my spiritual guru without trying to be. I saw Castenada, Hesse, the Gita on his bookshelf he didn't say "hear,read this". The same experience going to see Eraserhead. No ", let's go see this film, it's great". We just went. I don't remember us discussing it afterwards. I guess you could say my uncle was Lynchian. Lynch's films always remind me of my uncle Lance. One of the few people who's being was so profound and powerful, devoid of overt explanation. My kid is a filmmaker. I like to think they have inherited some of this in their art.
When Mel Brooks, producer of "The Elephant Man", hired Lynch to direct that film, he told him that "You're a crazy man". That assessment was based on his viewing of this film, which firmly established the Lynch directorial canon as a "crazy" one rivalling the similar one of Brooks himself. Crazy people can spot each other a mile away.
I love that Mel left his name out of the credits of Elephant Man. There's a guy that understands the industry and audiences as large.
He knew that if his name was there people would get the wrong impression about the film's genre, and the businessman in him couldn't let that happen.
Exactly. That's the mark of a great producer!
Cheers to Chris.
I like to think my buddy is living his best penguin life in Dreamland.
Your post reminded me of the time I decided to watch a “Making of” Inland Empire. First thing out of Lynch’s mouth (to a crew member): “What are you doing, Jeremy?!” Definitely made me sit upright because it was almost like he saw me. I saw Eraserhead at the Valley Art Theatre in Tempe, AZ and it was so much more intense. I considered it a spiritual experience, too.
Oh man, that would've jarred me too. 😂 That's the only one of his films I can't get into. Maybe he knew I wouldn't like it before I did.
I would say that all of Lynch’s films are spiritual at their core. My first thought was The Straight Story in terms of spiritual themes but Eraserhead was equally so on a less direct plain.
More of my friends (re)watched that one the day he died than I expected, but then it made sense to me. He had a wild mind but a wholesome character. So I think you're right.
I saw Eraserhead at the Uptown theater with my Uncle Lance who was my spiritual guru without trying to be. I saw Castenada, Hesse, the Gita on his bookshelf he didn't say "hear,read this". The same experience going to see Eraserhead. No ", let's go see this film, it's great". We just went. I don't remember us discussing it afterwards. I guess you could say my uncle was Lynchian. Lynch's films always remind me of my uncle Lance. One of the few people who's being was so profound and powerful, devoid of overt explanation. My kid is a filmmaker. I like to think they have inherited some of this in their art.
My cousins are a lot like your uncle! They love music and movies and we see a lot of good stuff. Hope Lynch made an impact on your kid and their work!
This was so lovely, Jer. Can't believe he's gone.
Thanks pal. 🥲 I really miss him.
An excellent tribute. RIP!!
Thank you Abigail! I really wasn't sure how this one would turn out, so I'm glad you enjoyed it. 💙
Beautiful tribute to our boy DL. Thanks, Jeremy.
Thanks brother. 🥲 He's worthy of all the tributes we can muster!
God. We lost a major one yesterday. I’m still reeling. Thanks for this newsletter today.
Writing this one really helped me out. Glad to hear you enjoyed it, my friend. 💙