Dennis Hopper, an iconic actor and director, known for his intense performances in films like Easy Rider, shares his transformative journey, especially around his role in Blue Velvet. He candidly discusses his battles with substance abuse and how they impacted his career. Isabella Rossellini, celebrated actress and daughter of cinema legends, reflects on the delicate art of character transformation and the emotional depths required for her roles. Together, they explore the lasting impact of their careers and the intricate connections between art, memory, and personal history.
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question_answer ANECDOTE
Hopper as Frank
Dennis Hopper told David Lynch he was Frank Booth after reading the Blue Velvet script.
Lynch worried about having lunch with him, but Hopper meant he understood the role deeply.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Method Acting
Hopper connected with Frank's sexual obsession and drug use, envisioning amyl nitrate.
He convinced Lynch to let him portray Frank's disorientation through sense memory, enhancing the character's strangeness.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Meeting Dean
Hopper's focus shifted from juvenile delinquency to acting after seeing James Dean.
Impressed by Dean's talent, Hopper confronted him, seeking guidance.
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In 'Play the Way You Feel,' Kevin Whitehead explores the complex and often uneasy relationship between jazz and film. The book examines a representative sample of films with significant jazz components, providing detailed explanations of their plots and the jazz tropes they employ. Whitehead highlights how these films often depict the struggle for creative freedom and the challenges faced by jazz musicians. The book covers 93 years of film history, offering insights into how jazz is portrayed in cinema and the mythologies surrounding jazz and its practitioners.
We continue our Classic Films and Movie Icons series and feature archival interviews with Dennis Hopper and Isabella Rossellini. They co-starred in the movie Blue Velvet, and after it became a hit, both of their careers were redefined.
Later, on the centennial of singer Dinah Washington's birth, jazz historian Kevin Whitehead has appreciation.
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