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Monday, December 30th, 2002

I've added a new section to the site, entitled Demme on Demme. This is simply a transcription of the 40 page, career-spanning interview from the (out-of-print) first issue of John Boorman and Walter Donohue's Projections series.

This transcription will appear on the site, in five parts, beginning today with Part 1: The Early Years.

Next update: Demme on Demme Part 2: Caged Heat to Fighting Mad.

Just a brief holiday reminder, today. While singing Christmas carrols to hospitalized children and senior citizens, don't forget the holiday favorite by Melvin Dummar, "Santa's Souped-Up Sleigh". Print it out and pass it around.

In case you haven't noticed, Adaptation is winning all kinds of year-end awards, including the Toronto film critics' award for Best Picture. It has also been nominated for 6 Golden Globes, including Best Picture (musical or comedy). If Adaptation wins Best Picture, Jonathan Demme will be one of the award's recipients.

Next update: a new Demme on Demme section.

The exhibit catalog Island on Fire: Passionate Visions of Haiti From the Collection of Jonathan Demme is available at medalia.net. It sells/robs-you-blind for $60 but features "over 200 pages of beautiful reproductions, articles, and commentary."

In his "Movie Answer Man" column, Roger Ebert was corrected, regarding his recent Charles Napier entry (see the November 22nd update, for the original entry).

Q. In your most recent "Answer Man" column, you cite Charles Napier as playing the guard in The Silence of the Lambs who gets his face stolen by Hannibal Lecter. This is incorrect. Alex Coleman played the unfortunate victim, Pembrey, while Napier ended up being strung crucifix-style from the rafters.
Adam Lindsley, Santa Monica, California

A. You are correct. That was a query about why Jonathan Demme, who almost always uses Napier in his films, did not have him in The Truth About Charlie. Napier must have lots of fans; 11 readers, one from Argentina, pointed out the error.

Next update: Season's Greetings from Melvin Dummar.

I've added an article and an interview, in which Jonathan Demme discusses his passion for Haitian art. Demme also discusses his activist work, in defense of Haiti, as well as his general affection for Haitian people and culture.

Selections from the 1997 exhibit, "Island on Fire: Passionate Visions of Haiti From the Collection of Jonathan Demme," are viewable at medalia.net.

Next update: more on Jonathan Demme's Haitian art collection.

I've added two positions to the Crew section: Costume Designers and Production Designers.

If anybody cares, the final domestic gross for The Truth About Charlie is $5.32 million. It never played on more than 755 screens and, as I've already illustrated, the critics didn't really do their part. Hopefully, this won't compromise the DVD too much.

Next update: two interviews with Jonathan Demme, on the subject of Haitian art.

The DVD of George Armitage's Miami Blues (produced by Jonathan Demme) is available today. This DVD includes a 1.85:1 transfer (not enhanced for widescreen TVs) and the film's theatrical trailer.

I've added a Links section to the site. This includes links to material related to Jonathan Demme and other Storefront Demme content (ie. Pauline Kael), elsewhere on the web. If you'd like to suggest any additions, please contact me.

Next update: the addition of Production Designers and Costume Designers to the Crew section.