Subject
LOLITA film exchange (fwd)
Date
Body
EDITORIAL NOTE. Suellen Stringer-Hye supplies the following combination of
news, rumor, and chat on the new (and old) LOLITA film culled from one of
the rec.arts lists. Some of it should be taken with a large dose of
(Epsom) salt(s). The shooting of the new film is supposed to begin today
in North Carolina.
---------- Forwarded message
---------- From: Suellen Stringer-Hye <STRINGERS@library.vanderbilt.edu>
Below you will find an exchange that appeared on the newsgroup
rec.arts.movies.production originating at the University of North
Carolina at Chapel Hill. It is disjointed as these exchanges
inevitably are but nevertheless reflects the passion and interest
that Nabokov's book, Kubrick's film, and the upcoming Lyne remake
generate in the "film community". The next question--What other
Nabokov movie is so clandestinely being made into a film?(see
screenwriter's post below)
*******************************************************************
-- As a film Lolita is excellent, but it is in a completely
different category from the book. The movie could never approach how
how wonderful the book was - after all it is a book about language not a
dirty old man - but as a movie Kubrick did quite well. The people
that I know (all) who don't like the movie dislike it because they are
affronted by the lack of Nabokov's love of language and what it can
convey, and while I agree I do think that taken on its own it does
very well at doing what it does. Pressing boundaries and telling a
good story.
********************************************************************
Hello folks, I'm trying to figure out whatever I can about Adrian
Lyne's new production of LOLITA, but I don't really know where to
start. How could I find out where to write (US Postal System-write)
the producers? I'm trying to get a hold of whatever I can about the
film for use in my Master's thesis on Nabokov's LOLITA from print
through his screenplay to Kubrick's movie. I'm not so naive to think
I could get a hold of the script itself, although it's nice to dream.
What *could* I learn by writing the right people? Is VARIETY really
a good resource for things like this? Reply by e-mail if you can
help. Thanks in advance.
************************************************************--
Good news... They are are shooting in N.C. beginning Aug 14.
Richard Zanuck is producing. Try calling 910-343-3477 or
310-652-2096. These are number for enlisting crew. Or write:
Lolita
c/o Carolco Studios
1223 N 23rd St.
Wilmington N.C. 28405
It's a great book, hopefully this movie will turn out to be the
same! film. That makes it definitive.
**************************************************************
Not necessarily, Kubrick and James Harris altered the script a good
deal, enough to dismay Nabokov despite the brave face that he put on
with the media at the time. Kubrick has publicly considered 'Lolita'
his weakest effort - a comment I completely disagree with - and
saying that it was almost an impossible task to translate one of the
greatest books of the twentieth century to the silver screen.
But back to Adrian Lyne's version.
Sometimes, I'm really amazed at the crap that is thrown around in
the name of film-making, art, books, etc. You know all that creative
stuff.*Stuff* in which we all try to make sense of the world around
us.
How can anyone really expect Adrian Lyne, director of *Foxes*,
*Fatal Attraction*, *9 1/2 weeks*, etc, etc to make a good (not even
great) movie out of one of the masterpieces (*Lolita* truly is one of
the works of art that can be considered a masterpiece) of the
twentieth century.
Has anyone actually read *Lolita*? It is truly a brilliant book, the
best work of as close as it gets to a literary genius. I cannot even
come close to articulating how well written this book is, except by
using such ham-fisted cliches such as "brilliantly insightful",
"hysterically funny"and, god help us, "a masterpiece."
I'm sorry, but I don't remember *9 1/2 weeks* or *Fatal Attraction*
as being witty or even remotely insightful.
Kubrick had made *Paths of Glory* and *The Killing* before he made
*Lolita*. They are only two of the insightful, revealing and witty
movies out of the five that he directed at that time, but they are
two more insightful, revealing and witty films than Adrian Lyne has
made in his entire life.
Now, I'm not against Adrian Lyne making the movie. Not at all, in
fact.I know that his making the film will put money in the pockets of
technicians, actors, local economies etc. It will be big at the box
office, thus helping to ensure the economic viability of American
cinema which is good for everyone. It will bring Kubrick's version
onto the repertory screens and, most importantly, it will sell more
copies of Nabokov's book and help keep his name in the public eye.
Even though I don't like his movies, Adrian Lyne is a great director
- he makes his films as he wants them to be made. He isn't a hack -
he knows exactly what he's doing. That, to me, is far more
frightening.
*****************************************************************
Inflated with self-importance and research, I must point out:
: everyone who cares about "Lolita," Kubrick and Nabakov. Let's not
forget : that Nabakov himself wrote the script for the original film.
That makes it : definitive.
Rather, Nabokov wrote *a* script for the original film, only
scattered bits of which were used by Kubrick:
Here are the stats that I know:
Director: Adrian Lyne
Writers: James Deardon, David Mamet, Harold Pinter
Executive Producer: Mario Kassar
Producer: Richard Zanuck
Production Co.: Chargeurs S.A.
5 Blvd. Malesherbes
Paris, France 75008
+33-1-4924 40 40
This info was correct as of February, but maybe it will still help.
Let's not forget that Nabakov himself wrote the script for the
original
******************************************************************
I am a working screenwriter and, CONFIDENTIALLY, adapting another
Nabokov novel into a script, to be directed by Uri Edel, to be shot
late this year/early next. So I hear a fair bit about _Lolita_.
that other address someone posted as a contact for _Lolita_ and
Zanuck is no good. That's the actual studio where it's being shot;
mail would never reach him that way. Dick Zanuck's address and phone
numbers are: Dick Zanuck The Zanuck Co. 202 North Canon Drive Beverly
Hills, CA 90210 (310) 274-0261 (310) 273-9217 (fax) Since I am in a
competitive position with them right now (marketing two Nabokov-based
films at the same time will be somewhat dicey), you would be very_
wise not to use my name. Rather than trying to contact Dick, you may
want to contact Jeffrey Levine, vice president of creative affairs
for the Zanuck Co., at the above address. I'd suggest a faxed
letter. You may want to even fax Jeffrey's assistant first,
befriending her. She is Brenda Arechiga. If that's no good, try
going to Dick via either of his assistants, Karen McKinnon or Brenda
Berrisford.
I am supposed to be getting a shooting script for _Lolita_ but that
has not arrived yet. I pulled some clips off Nexis, so if I can
figure out a way to e-mail them to you, I will. Mum's the word as far
as my giving you any of this information. Our Nabokov will probably
be done before theirs and they will hate us for it until the end of
our days.
Suellen Stringer-Hye
Special Collections
Jean and Alexander Heard Library
Vanderbilt University
stringers@library.vanderbilt.edu
news, rumor, and chat on the new (and old) LOLITA film culled from one of
the rec.arts lists. Some of it should be taken with a large dose of
(Epsom) salt(s). The shooting of the new film is supposed to begin today
in North Carolina.
---------- Forwarded message
---------- From: Suellen Stringer-Hye <STRINGERS@library.vanderbilt.edu>
Below you will find an exchange that appeared on the newsgroup
rec.arts.movies.production originating at the University of North
Carolina at Chapel Hill. It is disjointed as these exchanges
inevitably are but nevertheless reflects the passion and interest
that Nabokov's book, Kubrick's film, and the upcoming Lyne remake
generate in the "film community". The next question--What other
Nabokov movie is so clandestinely being made into a film?(see
screenwriter's post below)
*******************************************************************
-- As a film Lolita is excellent, but it is in a completely
different category from the book. The movie could never approach how
how wonderful the book was - after all it is a book about language not a
dirty old man - but as a movie Kubrick did quite well. The people
that I know (all) who don't like the movie dislike it because they are
affronted by the lack of Nabokov's love of language and what it can
convey, and while I agree I do think that taken on its own it does
very well at doing what it does. Pressing boundaries and telling a
good story.
********************************************************************
Hello folks, I'm trying to figure out whatever I can about Adrian
Lyne's new production of LOLITA, but I don't really know where to
start. How could I find out where to write (US Postal System-write)
the producers? I'm trying to get a hold of whatever I can about the
film for use in my Master's thesis on Nabokov's LOLITA from print
through his screenplay to Kubrick's movie. I'm not so naive to think
I could get a hold of the script itself, although it's nice to dream.
What *could* I learn by writing the right people? Is VARIETY really
a good resource for things like this? Reply by e-mail if you can
help. Thanks in advance.
************************************************************--
Good news... They are are shooting in N.C. beginning Aug 14.
Richard Zanuck is producing. Try calling 910-343-3477 or
310-652-2096. These are number for enlisting crew. Or write:
Lolita
c/o Carolco Studios
1223 N 23rd St.
Wilmington N.C. 28405
It's a great book, hopefully this movie will turn out to be the
same! film. That makes it definitive.
**************************************************************
Not necessarily, Kubrick and James Harris altered the script a good
deal, enough to dismay Nabokov despite the brave face that he put on
with the media at the time. Kubrick has publicly considered 'Lolita'
his weakest effort - a comment I completely disagree with - and
saying that it was almost an impossible task to translate one of the
greatest books of the twentieth century to the silver screen.
But back to Adrian Lyne's version.
Sometimes, I'm really amazed at the crap that is thrown around in
the name of film-making, art, books, etc. You know all that creative
stuff.*Stuff* in which we all try to make sense of the world around
us.
How can anyone really expect Adrian Lyne, director of *Foxes*,
*Fatal Attraction*, *9 1/2 weeks*, etc, etc to make a good (not even
great) movie out of one of the masterpieces (*Lolita* truly is one of
the works of art that can be considered a masterpiece) of the
twentieth century.
Has anyone actually read *Lolita*? It is truly a brilliant book, the
best work of as close as it gets to a literary genius. I cannot even
come close to articulating how well written this book is, except by
using such ham-fisted cliches such as "brilliantly insightful",
"hysterically funny"and, god help us, "a masterpiece."
I'm sorry, but I don't remember *9 1/2 weeks* or *Fatal Attraction*
as being witty or even remotely insightful.
Kubrick had made *Paths of Glory* and *The Killing* before he made
*Lolita*. They are only two of the insightful, revealing and witty
movies out of the five that he directed at that time, but they are
two more insightful, revealing and witty films than Adrian Lyne has
made in his entire life.
Now, I'm not against Adrian Lyne making the movie. Not at all, in
fact.I know that his making the film will put money in the pockets of
technicians, actors, local economies etc. It will be big at the box
office, thus helping to ensure the economic viability of American
cinema which is good for everyone. It will bring Kubrick's version
onto the repertory screens and, most importantly, it will sell more
copies of Nabokov's book and help keep his name in the public eye.
Even though I don't like his movies, Adrian Lyne is a great director
- he makes his films as he wants them to be made. He isn't a hack -
he knows exactly what he's doing. That, to me, is far more
frightening.
*****************************************************************
Inflated with self-importance and research, I must point out:
: everyone who cares about "Lolita," Kubrick and Nabakov. Let's not
forget : that Nabakov himself wrote the script for the original film.
That makes it : definitive.
Rather, Nabokov wrote *a* script for the original film, only
scattered bits of which were used by Kubrick:
Here are the stats that I know:
Director: Adrian Lyne
Writers: James Deardon, David Mamet, Harold Pinter
Executive Producer: Mario Kassar
Producer: Richard Zanuck
Production Co.: Chargeurs S.A.
5 Blvd. Malesherbes
Paris, France 75008
+33-1-4924 40 40
This info was correct as of February, but maybe it will still help.
Let's not forget that Nabakov himself wrote the script for the
original
******************************************************************
I am a working screenwriter and, CONFIDENTIALLY, adapting another
Nabokov novel into a script, to be directed by Uri Edel, to be shot
late this year/early next. So I hear a fair bit about _Lolita_.
that other address someone posted as a contact for _Lolita_ and
Zanuck is no good. That's the actual studio where it's being shot;
mail would never reach him that way. Dick Zanuck's address and phone
numbers are: Dick Zanuck The Zanuck Co. 202 North Canon Drive Beverly
Hills, CA 90210 (310) 274-0261 (310) 273-9217 (fax) Since I am in a
competitive position with them right now (marketing two Nabokov-based
films at the same time will be somewhat dicey), you would be very_
wise not to use my name. Rather than trying to contact Dick, you may
want to contact Jeffrey Levine, vice president of creative affairs
for the Zanuck Co., at the above address. I'd suggest a faxed
letter. You may want to even fax Jeffrey's assistant first,
befriending her. She is Brenda Arechiga. If that's no good, try
going to Dick via either of his assistants, Karen McKinnon or Brenda
Berrisford.
I am supposed to be getting a shooting script for _Lolita_ but that
has not arrived yet. I pulled some clips off Nexis, so if I can
figure out a way to e-mail them to you, I will. Mum's the word as far
as my giving you any of this information. Our Nabokov will probably
be done before theirs and they will hate us for it until the end of
our days.
Suellen Stringer-Hye
Special Collections
Jean and Alexander Heard Library
Vanderbilt University
stringers@library.vanderbilt.edu