New Book Details the Road to David Lynch’s Award-Winning ‘Wild at Heart’

I have a special place in my heart for David Lynch’s ultimate road trip film, Wild At Heart, as it was my introduction to his work. I missed the film when it drove into theatres on August 17, 1990. Three years later, I discovered the CD soundtrack at my local library. Chris Isaak’s “Wicked Game” – which Lynch directed the original, movie clip-filled video – was most likely the catalyst for why the album piqued my interest. The same library carried a VHS copy of Lynch’s award-winning film and, after a late August viewing, my decades-long obsession with Lynch was born. This is why I can’t wait to get my hands on author Scott Ryan’s new book, “The Road to David Lynch’s Wild at Heart.” This oral history will include rare behind-the-scenes photos and interviews with the crew and cast who made snakeskin jackets a symbol of personal freedom.

THE ROAD TO DAVID LYNCH’S WILD AT HEART BY SCOTT RYAN

Author and one-time Twede’s Cafe employee, Scott Ryan, served as the managing editor and creative director of The Blue Rose magazine. He has written several insightful David Lynch and Twin Peaks books including Fire Walk With Me: Your Laura Disappeared; Lost Highway: The Fist of Love; Always Music in the Air: The Sounds of Twin Peaks; and Twin Peaks: Through the Red Curtain.

For his fifth book about David Lynch’s works, Scott takes a wild ride into the 1990 film based on Barry Gifford’s novel of the same name. The movie was released nationwide on August 17, 1990 and starred Laura Dern, Nicolas Cage, Diane Ladd, Harry Dean Stanton, Isabella Rossellini, and Willem Dafoe. Despite polarizing responses from audiences and critics, the film won the coveted Palme d’Or during the Cannes Film Festival held from May 10-21, 1990.

In “The Road to David Lynch’s Wild at Heart,” Ryan spoke with 25 cast and crew members about their experiences making this cult-classic. The book is available to order from BlueRoseMag.com. Retail is $29.99.

Inside, there is an extensive look at the infamous torture scene of private detective Johnnie Farragut (Harry Dean Stanton) that sparked a mass exit during an early test screening. Scott and music editor David Slusser (who also worked on the soundtrack to Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me) also go step by step through the film’s soundtrack, offering insights about the songs that scored this masterpiece. Other highlights include rare behind-the-scenes seen images shared from the people who made the film in 1990.

In college, I recall reading Barry Gifford’s original 1990 novel so I’m most curious about the changes that were made between novel, script, and theatrical release. Scott told me the book will also include how and when The Wizard of Oz references began seeping into the script and film.

As an archivist, it’s wonderful that Scott captured stories from the following individuals as their stories come from a time when David Lynch was truly on fire.

• Frida Aradottir – Hair stylist
• Michelle Bühler – Makeup artist
• Kate Butler – Second assistant camera
• Eddy Dixon – Rex
• Duwayne Dunham – Editor
• Frederick Elmes – Cinematographer
• Sherilyn Fenn – Girl in Accident
• Barry Gifford – Novelist
• Jon Huck – Sound mixer/music consultant
• Dean Hurley -Lynch Sound Designer
• David Patrick Kelly – Dropshadow
• Kevin Laffey – Music consultant
• Kinny Landrum – Musician
• Sheryl Lee – Good Witch
• Margaux Mackay – First assistant director
• Kool Marder – Production manager
• Monty Montgomery – Producer
• Deepak Nayar – Second assistant director
• Heidrun Reshöft – Assistant to producers
• Scott Ressler – Second assistant camera
• David Slusser – Music editor
• W. Thomas Snyder – Second assistant director
• Charlotte Stewart -David Lynch’s long-time friend
• Mary Sweeney – First assistant film editor/script supervisor
• Rob Sweeney – First assistant camera
• Randy Thom – Sound designer
• Roger Williams – Art department assistant
• Kimberly Wright – Still photographer

This whole world may be “wild at heart and weird on top” right now but this book will certainly help me not turn away from love. Congratulations to Scott on the latest creation!