David Lynch and Musicals/Broadway

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 1/16/25 at 10:40pm

I know many of us are mourning the death of the singular David Lynch today.

Which has got me thinking about his work and wondering… did he ever do an interview talking about being a fan of musicals? (SEO makes it crazy to try to find any Lynch news from pre-12 hours ago.)

I can only assume he loved musicals. 

He used music so well in his films.

AND he named a key character in Twin Peaks Leland Palmer (aka, original Fastrada in Pippin and the Gwen Verdon standin in All That Jazz…hardly a coincidental name)

AND he cast WEST SIDE STORY stars Richard Beymer and Russ Tamblyn in Twin Peaks (not exactly guys who were at the top of Hollywood casting lists in the 90s)

Would have loved to see him try his hand at a movie musical. 

[TotallyEffed]

Posted: 1/16/25 at 11:05pm

He was totally obsessed with Hollywood classics like The Wizard of Oz and Sunset Boulevard. He referenced both in his work. And of course used Ann Miller in Mulholland Dr.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 1/16/25 at 11:08pm

Check out the documentary “Lynch/Oz” that looks at how “The Wizard of Oz” influenced Lynch. 

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 1/16/25 at 11:35pm

TotallyEffed said: "He was totally obsessed with Hollywood classics like The Wizard of Oz and Sunset Boulevard. He referenced both in his work. And of course used Ann Miller in Mulholland Dr."

HOW COULD I FORGET ANN MILLER! I love that performance in Mulholland Drive.

I wish he had seen Jamie Lloyd’s SUNSET. I bet he would have loved it. (I know he could have, but it sounds like he was pretty housebound by the end due to lung problems)

[TotallyEffed]

Posted: 1/16/25 at 11:47pm

Gordon Cole, the role Lynch himself played in Twin Peaks, is named after a minor character in Sunset Boulevard.

 

Really gonna miss him.

[Sammy232]

Posted: 1/17/25 at 7:32am

Jordan Catalano said: "Check out the documentary“Lynch/Oz” that looks at how “The Wizard of Oz” influenced Lynch."

Hadn't heard of this - thank you! On deck to watch this weekend.

[Alex Kulak2]

Posted: 1/17/25 at 8:59am

Sweaty Oracle, of all people, had the best tribute to David Lynch yesterday:

"David Lynch was America to me. His art was the true voice of what happens here; the rot, the decay, the beauty. He created the singular best piece of art I think has ever been made in [Twin Peaks] The Return. The world is much worse now that he isn't in it."

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 1/17/25 at 12:03pm

Sammy232 said: "Jordan Catalano said: "Check out the documentary“Lynch/Oz” that looks at how “The Wizard of Oz” influenced Lynch."

Hadn't heard of this - thank you! On deck to watch this weekend."

 

[StylishCynic]

Posted: 1/17/25 at 12:07pm

It's always been a fervent belief of mine that David Lynch is the only director who could ever adapt Anyone Could Whistle properly for the screen.


His surrealist interpretation of suburban Americana seemed perfectly positioned to mine this absurdist musical for maximum value. 

Updated On: 1/17/25 at 12:07 PM