Eraserhead

About Eraserhead

'Eraserhead' is a surreal horror film released in 1977, which was written and directed by David Lynch. It follows the story of Henry Spencer, a man living in an industrial wasteland who is thrust into fatherhood when his girlfriend gives birth to a deformed child. The film explores themes of fear, fatherhood, and the industrial world.

Making / Production

The production of 'Eraserhead' was long and challenging. Shooting began in 1972 and was completed in 1976 due to David Lynch's enormous attention to detail and incessant reshoots. The film was shot on black-and-white 35mm film, with many of the extraordinary sounds and visuals credited to Lynch's meticulous direction.

Actors

• Jack Nance as Henry Spencer - Jack Nance brought a unique sense of unease and unsettledness to the role of Henry, the film's protagonist. His performance is often cited as a highlight of the film.

• Charlotte Stewart as Mary X - As the mother of the deformed child, Stewart's performance was filled with memorable moments of intense emotion and horror.

• Jeanne Bates as Mrs. X - Bates compounds the eerie atmosphere as Mary's mother, adding to the overall discomfort and uneasiness of scenes.

• Judith Roberts as Beautiful Girl Across the Hall - Judith Roberts brought another level of mystery and intrigue to the film with her performance as the door neighbor.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• Despite its initial mixed response, 'Eraserhead' gained a following and became a cult classic.
• 'Eraserhead' was the first feature film directed by David Lynch.
• The film's budget was so low that Lynch resorted to delivering newspapers to fund the remainder of the movie's production.
• The "Lady in the Radiator" song, "In Heaven", has been covered by various musicians.

Awards

'Eraserhead' did not win any significant awards at the time of its release. However, it has since been recognized as a seminal work of American cinema, and in 2004 it was selected for preservation in the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress for being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant."

Quotes

• "In Heaven, everything is fine." - The Lady in the Radiator
• "You've got to be kidding." - Henry Spencer upon seeing the baby

Music, Soundtrack

• The film's soundtrack was composed by David Lynch and sound engineer Alan Splet. It consists largely of industrial noise and ambient sounds to enhance the film's uncomfortable atmosphere.
• The film contains only one song, "In Heaven", which was performed by the character known as The Lady in the Radiator. Even though short, it has become an iconic piece within the film's legacy.