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Tuesday, April 29th, 2003

Site reader Adele Fernandez was kind enough to email some memories of working with Jonathan Demme:

"Caged Heat was my first film, I was an extra, but Jonathan came over to me one day and said he thought I 'came through really good in the rushes,' and he asked 'if this is your first film.' I said 'yes' and he said 'well, I can assure you it won't be your last.' After that conversation, when they set up the escape shootout in the orchard, the frame opened up with me putting some lemons in a bag, etc. Suffice to say, I have put a lot of stock in those words, over the years. After years away from the business to raise a family, I'm now back doing theatre, independent films, studying (Milton Katselas's Beverly Hills Playhouse), etc.

"Mainly I want to say that I share your admiration and appreciation for his work. I remember him being very kind and friendly to everyone on the set, two very endearing qualities."

According to Dark Horizons, principal photography on The Manchurian Candidate will begin in New York City this August.

Next update: some impressions of Jonathan Demme, from a long-time friend.

For anyone seeking The Truth About Charlie memorabilia, Universal Pictures is conducting a series of auctions at eBay. Items up for auction include costumes and accessories (ie. earrings, sunglasses) from the film. The current auctions end on Wednesday and Friday so bid now, before it's too late.

I've updated the Demme on DVD section with information on The Truth About Charlie DVD.

Next update: some personal recollections from one of Demme's past collaborators.

Sorry about the sabbatical but there hasn't been much Demme news lately.

The Truth About Charlie DVD was released on April 1st and has triggered a fresh onslaught of misguided, negative reviews. For more on this subject (the peculiar critical response to The Truth About Charlie), read my article from November 2002, "15 Reasons the Critics Are Wrong About The Truth About Charlie". I still think they're wrong.

The timing of the DVD is unfortunate as there is apparently now a law that Americans must hate both Tim Robbins and the entire country of France (for their anti-war views). Jonathan Demme would probably be on the list, too, but I guess he isn't famous enough.

Reviews of The Truth About Charlie DVD are available at currentfilm.com and genreonline.net.

Next update: more on The Truth About Charlie DVD.