Talk Back To David Lynch

**CountFunkula** · 09-24-2011, 05:24 PM

For most of us, we love our city. Ok, maybe not that guy that thinks Springfield, Illinois is like Paris. But the rest of us - get it. Of course, it has its warts, idiots, trashy people, and decay, but many of us have called it home for life and enjoy watching it change and grow - or for some people ...stay frustratingly the same.

One of our most famous - semi-detractors has been oft quoted about his disdain and fascination with our city. In a very back-handed way, he compliments the city by saying that it influenced his twisted view of the world and that he loved its scary textures. It is sort of like saying...your sister has an ugly face, but I find it chillingly charming and a really fun turn-off.

So, I found this on the net - it is apparently some of his wording about our city. I thought that it would be interesting to explore whether we've changed since these days and whether his experience is similar to yours. And here is a chance to talk back to this dude who dares to speak about this curious place called Philadelphia which we all love (except that orange sweater wearing guy) or not.

The words of director David Lynch - (I am not a journalist so I didn't double-check my source)

"I had my first thrilling thought in Philadelphia."
"...when I was there it was a very sick, twisted, violent, fear-ridden, decadent, decaying place."

"Philadelphia, more than any filmmaker, influenced me. It's the sickest, most corrupt, decaying, fear-ridden city imaginable. I was very poor and living in bad areas. I felt like I was constantly in danger. But it was so fantastic at the same time."

"It all started for me in Philadelphia because it's old enough, and it's got enough things in the air to really work on itself. It's decaying but it's fantastically beautiful, filled with violence, hate and filth."

"The house I moved into was across the street from the morgue, next door to Pop's Diner. The area had a great mood - factories, smoke, railroads, diners, the strangest characters, the darkest nights. The people had stories etched in their faces, and I saw vivid images-plastic curtains held together with Band-Aids, rags stuffed in broken windows, walking through the morgue en-route to a hamburger joint."

"We lived cheap, but the city was full of fear. A kid was shot to death down the street, and the chalk marks around where he'd lain stayed on the sidewalk for five days. We were robbed twice, had windows shot out and a car stolen."

"I lived at 13th and Wood, right kitty-corner from the morgue; That's real industrial. At 5:00 there's nobody in that neighborhood. No one lives there. And I really do like that. It's beautiful , if you see it the right way."

"Yes, [Philadelphia is] horrible, but in a very interesting way. There were places there that had been allowed to decay, where there was so much fear and crime that just for a moment there was an opening to another world. It was fear, but it was so strong, and so magical, like a magnet, that your imagination was always sparking in Philadelphia...I just have to think of Philadelphia now, and I get ideas, I hear the wind, and I'm off into the darkness somewhere."

Take that Philly.....now tell him how you feel. (PS - this isn't about his often crappy movies)

**supersupper** · 09-24-2011, 07:07 PM

I have no problem with his statement about the influence of Philadelphia on his work. Furthermore, what he was saying about his experiences can hardly be labeled "not-true".

Now if you want to compare Philadelphia from the 60's with today, then yea, sure, things have changed much since then- so go ahead and round up your posse and lynch David Lynch for callng it what it was. He was telling the truth about Philly then, and truth be told, it pretty much can be true for some areas of Philadelphia. Maybe not for the loft district as it is today (though according to some people on this board yes it is- and they'd be wrong nonetheless).

Lynch can still be an asshat regarding philly. But heck, it's his thing. It's sort of like asking Mick Jagger to stop wearing a wig.

Anyway, go across the street when business for mattresses is slow and get some real stories from a guy who knows.

**MTEMPLE** · 09-24-2011, 07:25 PM

Maybe the morgue was scarier back then.

**supersupper** · 09-24-2011, 07:32 PM

maybe not in 1928

and that copper looks straight out of a Lynch movie.

**supersupper** · 09-24-2011, 07:40 PM

And lest we forget: Edgar Allen Poe live a few blocks away as well.

**MTEMPLE** · 09-24-2011, 07:41 PM

Originally Posted by supersupper

maybe not in 1928

and that copper looks straight out of a Lynch movie.

No that's just Leonard Zelig

**supersupper** · 09-24-2011, 07:50 PM

starting at 4:20, you get to see Lynch's own photos of Philly at the time he was living there, as well as hear him say "...it was beautiful"

**torts** · 09-24-2011, 07:58 PM

**supersupper** · 09-24-2011, 08:02 PM

In this clip around 9:00 or so, you hear David Lynch explain how he went to Europe for 3 years to study with Kokoshka, but left after 15 days because "it was too clean".

**supersupper** · 09-24-2011, 08:10 PM

Another great quote on the topic: Lynch and Fisk rented a house in a crime-ridden poverty zone, next door to Pop's Diner and kitty-corner from the morgue. "David would dress up to visit the morgue," says Fisk. "He was fascinated, and he would always wear at least two ties, one for luck."

**Colin P. Varga** · 09-24-2011, 08:10 PM

13th & Wood

I think if Lynch came back to live there he would still be inspired.

**supersupper** · 09-24-2011, 08:20 PM

And finally, how can you possibly beat this quote about Philly by David Lynch:

A friend once asked me where the weirdest place I ever had sex was.
I didn't hesitate for a moment with my reply.

"Philadelphia," I answered. "Definitely Philadelphia."

**supersupper** · 09-24-2011, 08:30 PM

Originally Posted by Colin P. Varga

13th & Wood

I think if Lynch came back to live there he would still be inspired.

I seriously doubt it. He now finds more weird stuff elsewhere in America.
Watch these series of weird interviews chronicling the human condition:

DAVIDLYNCH.COM PRESENTS INTERVIEW PROJECT - NEW EPISODE EVERY THREE DAYS

**OKT3** · 09-24-2011, 10:49 PM

The last time I rode my bike up Carlton from 13th to Broad, it was lined with logs of human ****. I guess that's progress

**CountFunkula** · 09-27-2011, 02:50 PM

Were you riding on the sidewalk again?

**OKT3** · 09-28-2011, 02:53 PM

Originally Posted by CountFunkula

Were you riding on the sidewalk again?

Nah, no need to on that street. The only activity is people poopin'.

**CountFunkula** · 09-28-2011, 06:10 PM

This is the poopinest place on the planet. Say that three times fast.

**loveisnoise** · 09-28-2011, 09:28 PM

In his latest documentary about himself, he describes moments in Philly. He and his friends saw a lot of police brutality back then. Apparently if you were on the street at night and looked the wrong way, you were getting beat.

**MTEMPLE** · 09-28-2011, 09:37 PM

Originally Posted by OKT3

Nah, no need to on that street. The only activity is people poopin'.

That street/alley is shooting gallery

**loveisnoise** · 09-29-2011, 12:35 AM

Personally, Lynch is still one of my faves- and he still exhibits in old city since the gallery owner is responsible for funding and starting his movie career.