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UK Quad poster for
David Lynch's 1977 debut feature, Eraserhead, a landmark of surrealist horror. Often described by Lynch as "a dream of dark and troubling things," the film follows Henry Spencer (played by Jack Nance) as he navigates a bleak industrial landscape and the birth of a monstrous, crying "baby".
Fascinating Movie Trivia
The 5-Year Shoot: Due to constant funding issues, the film took five years to complete. In one famous scene, Henry opens a door; the shot of him walking through to the other side was filmed 18 months later.
A "Spiritual" Paper Route: To fund the production, Lynch delivered The Wall Street Journal on a nightly paper route, earning $48 a week. He often had to pause filming to go complete his deliveries.
Living on Set: Because he was broke and production was so long, Lynch lived in the set used for Henry’s bedroom for over a year.
The Mystery Baby: The creation of the deformed baby (nicknamed "Spike") remains a closely guarded secret. Lynch even blindfolded projectionists during dailies to keep the prop's nature hidden. Common theories suggest it was made from an embalmed calf or lamb fetus.
Famous Fans: Stanley Kubrick loved the film so much he made the cast and crew of The Shining watch it to get into the right "mood". After seeing it, Mel Brooks hired Lynch to direct The Elephant Man.
The Story Behind the Hair
Jack Nance's iconic "eraserhead" hairstyle was created by Catherine E. Coulson (who later played the Log Lady in Twin Peaks). She spent hours teasing it into its distinct shape, a process Nance found painful. Nance was so dedicated that he maintained this unorthodox hairstyle for the entire five-year production period. |
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