This 26-minute retrospective documentary covers some interesting and informative ground on the making of Brian De Palma's "Sisters." De Palma reveals that he got the idea for the story from a photograph of female Siamese twins featured in "Life" magazine and had to convince a producer that it's possible to place a dead body in a folding couch. Producer Edward R. Pressman points out that he raised the money for the budget through credit. Editor Paul Hirsch shares a great story about receiving a savage tongue lashing from legendary cantankerous composer Bernard Herrmann. William Finley notes that there was almost no improvisation and Margot Kidder helped him with his French accent. Moreover, there's also an in depth discussion on the use of split screen, the movie was initially shot with a non-union crew, carnival freaks were used as extras for the dream sequence, and the main female characters were specifically written for Kidder and Jennifer Salt to play. Worth a watch for fans of the film.
2 Reviews
Deborah loves DePalma..DePalma fans adore Deborah!!!
MrsWLeach31 May 2007
Warning: Spoilers
Will try to keep this brief. I can only say that I WISH, OH how I wish 20th Century Fox would get its collective head out of the sand and give this man's movies the respect they deserve. Especially on anniversaries. Both Sisters and Phantom of the Paradise celebrated 30th anniversaries, and THANKS to Deborah Znaty and co. they were celebrated in style! Merci Beaucoup, Ms. Znaty!
Only wish I could have met you when you attended Phantompalooza 2 for a special screening of your documentary.
For the S.E. documentary, Sisters L'autopsie was chock full of delicious little bits I'd long since wanted to know about. Would have liked to see Margot Kidder and Jennifer Salt as part of the doc. disc. On the other hand, the annecdotes from Brian, Paul (Hirsch) and Bill Finley were insightful and humorous.
Which reminds me: William Finley is a great actor, who, unfortunately, is not acknowledged enough by other directors! How many other actors, after being swindled out of their (onscreen) music, by the actual songwriter, can get so worked up as to let loose one of filmdom's most remembered screams. Okay, wrong movie, but you get the point.
Only wish I could have met you when you attended Phantompalooza 2 for a special screening of your documentary.
For the S.E. documentary, Sisters L'autopsie was chock full of delicious little bits I'd long since wanted to know about. Would have liked to see Margot Kidder and Jennifer Salt as part of the doc. disc. On the other hand, the annecdotes from Brian, Paul (Hirsch) and Bill Finley were insightful and humorous.
Which reminds me: William Finley is a great actor, who, unfortunately, is not acknowledged enough by other directors! How many other actors, after being swindled out of their (onscreen) music, by the actual songwriter, can get so worked up as to let loose one of filmdom's most remembered screams. Okay, wrong movie, but you get the point.
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