IMDb > Blue Velvet (1986)
Blue Velvet
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Blue Velvet (1986) More at IMDbPro »

Photos (See all 69 | slideshow) Videos (see all 23)

Overview

User Rating:
7.8/10   128,508 votes »
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Popularity: ?
Up 19% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
David Lynch
Writer:
David Lynch (screenplay)
Contact:
View company contact information for Blue Velvet on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
21 January 1987 (France) See more »
Genre:
Drama | Mystery | Thriller See more »
Tagline:
It's a strange world.
Plot:
The discovery of a severed human ear found in a field leads a young man on an investigation related to a beautiful, mysterious nightclub singer and a group of psychopathic criminals who have kidnapped her child. Full summary » | Full synopsis »
Plot Keywords:
See more »
Awards:
Nominated for Oscar. Another 23 wins & 11 nominations See more »
NewsDesk:
(1010 articles)
Karen O, Wayne Coyne, Duran Duran Set for David Lynch Tribute Album
 (From Rolling Stone. 7 April 2016, 6:36 AM, PDT)
‘The Music of David Lynch’ Tribute Concert Getting Double-lp Release
 (From The Film Stage. 6 April 2016, 12:59 PM, PDT)
April Fool’S Day at 30: The Cast Reflects on the Cult Classic Horror Comedy
 (From DailyDead. 29 March 2016, 5:36 PM, PDT)
User Reviews:
Only in dreams… See more (673 total) »

Cast

  (in credits order) (verified as complete)

Isabella Rossellini ... Dorothy Vallens

Kyle MacLachlan ... Jeffrey Beaumont

Dennis Hopper ... Frank Booth

Laura Dern ... Sandy Williams

Hope Lange ... Mrs. Williams

Dean Stockwell ... Ben
George Dickerson ... Detective John Williams

Priscilla Pointer ... Mrs. Beaumont

Frances Bay ... Aunt Barbara
Jack Harvey ... Tom Beaumont
Ken Stovitz ... Mike

Brad Dourif ... Raymond

Jack Nance ... Paul
J. Michael Hunter ... Hunter
Dick Green ... Don Vallens
Fred Pickler ... Yellow Man
Philip Markert ... Dr. Gynde
Leonard Watkins ... Double Ed
Moses Gibson ... Double Ed

Selden Smith ... Nurse Cindy
Peter Carew ... Coroner
Jon Jon Snipes ... Little Donny

Angelo Badalamenti ... Piano Player (as Andy Badale)
Jean Pierre Viale ... Master of Ceremonies
Donald Moore ... Desk Sergeant
A. Michelle Depland ... Party Girl
Michelle Sasser ... Party Girl
Katie Reid ... Party Girl
Sparky ... The Dog
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Robert J. Maxwell ... Slow Club Customer (uncredited)

Directed by
David Lynch 
 
Writing credits
David Lynch (screenplay)

Produced by
Fred C. Caruso .... producer (as Fred Caruso)
Richard A. Roth .... executive producer (as Richard A. Roth)
Dino De Laurentiis .... executive producer (uncredited)
 
Original Music by
Angelo Badalamenti 
 
Cinematography by
Frederick Elmes (director of photography)
 
Film Editing by
Duwayne Dunham 
 
Casting by
Pat Golden 
Johanna Ray 
 
Production Design by
Patricia Norris 
 
Set Decoration by
Edward 'Tantar' LeViseur 
 
Makeup Department
Jeff Goodwin .... makeup supervisor
Dean Jones .... special effects makeup
Barbara Page .... assistant makeup artist
Barbara Page .... hair stylist
Dean Gates .... special makeup effects artist (uncredited)
 
Production Management
Fred C. Caruso .... production manager (as Fred Caruso)
Gail Kearns .... production supervisor (as Gail M. Kearns)
 
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Ellen Rauch .... first assistant director
Ian Woolf .... second assistant director
 
Art Department
Michel Anderson .... props-set dresser
Shaw Burney .... set prop man
Catherine Davis .... art department assistant
Vernon Harrell .... props-set dresser
Edward 'Tantar' LeViseur .... property master (as Tantar Leviseur)
Tanya Lowe .... scenic artist
Loren McNamara .... props-set dresser (as Loren Mcnamara)
Les Pendleton .... construction coordinator (as Les Pendelton)
Paul Sebastian .... props-set dresser
Dawn Serody .... draftsperson
Robert Testerman .... chief scenic artist
Tim Viereck .... lead carpenter
Arron Waitz .... props set dresser
Doug White .... props-set dresser
Keith Darwin .... scenic (uncredited)
Mark S. Turner .... stand-by painter (uncredited)
Harley Whitehurst .... painter (uncredited)
 
Sound Department
Alan Abrams .... assistant sound editor
Mark Berger .... re-recording mixer
Karen Brocco .... assistant sound editor
Frank E. Eulner .... sound recordist (as Frank Eulner)
Rob Fruchtman .... sound editor
Vivien Hillgrove Gilliam .... dialogue editor (as Vivien Gilliam)
Sarah Goldsmith .... assistant sound editor (as Sarah Rothenberg)
Richard Hymns .... sound effects editor
Pat Jackson .... sound editor
Ann Kroeber .... sound mixer
Patrick Moriarty .... boom operator
John Morris .... assistant sound editor
John Nutt .... dialogue editor
David Parker .... sound re-recording mixer
Paige Sartorius .... assistant sound editor (as Page Sartorius)
Michael Silvers .... dialogue editor
Alan Splet .... sound designer
Dennie Thorpe .... foley artist
John Verbeck .... assistant sound editor
Frank E. Eulner .... assistant sound editor (uncredited)
Frank E. Eulner .... assistant sound supervisor (uncredited)
Philip Rogers .... sound recordist (uncredited)
 
Special Effects by
George R. Hill .... special effects (as George Hill)
Greg Hull .... special effects
 
Stunts
Reginald Barnes Jr. .... stunt performer
David Boushey .... stunt performer
Robert Burton .... stunt performer
Mark Fincannon .... stunt performer (as W. Mark Fincannon)
Richard Langdon .... stunt coordinator
Sherrie Ann Langdon .... stunt performer
John W. McEuen .... stunt performer (as John W. Mceuen)
Dean Mumford .... stunt performer
Debra Shuckman .... stunt performer (as Debra Schuckman)
Ken Sprunt Jr. .... stunt performer
 
Camera and Electrical Department
Jock Brandis .... rigging
Donne Daniels .... key grip
Mark Shane Davis .... dolly grip (as Mark Davis)
Monte Dhooge .... electrical department
Lex DuPont .... first assistant camera (as Lex Dupont)
Tim Farrow .... electrical department
Austin Goss .... rigging
Mike Hall .... rigger
Douglas Evan Hersh .... rigging (as Doug Hersh)
Robert Hoelen .... rigging
Neil Holcomb .... electrical department
Michael Katz .... gaffer
Ross Kolman .... rigging
Joe C. Maxwell .... best boy (as Joe Maxwell)
Umberto Montiroli .... still photographer
David Rudd .... camera assistant
Roger Russ .... electrical department
David Salamone .... electrical department (as Dave Salamone)
Dennis E. Shelton .... electrical department (as Dennis Shelton)
Anthony Stephens .... grip department (as Tony Stephens)
David W. Strong .... rigging (as David Strong)
James Tomaro .... rigging
Steve Venetis .... rigging chief
Franklin Williams Jr. .... generator operator (as Frank Williams)
Jeff Williams .... grip department
Jay W. Yowler .... rigging (as Jay Yawler)
Joe D'Alessandro .... grip (uncredited)
Dan Kneece .... Steadicam operator (uncredited)
Katherine Ray .... intern (uncredited)
 
Casting Department
Sharon Bialy .... casting assistant
Pamela Guest .... casting associate (as Pam Rack)
Nina Axelrod .... casting assistant (uncredited)
 
Costume and Wardrobe Department
Gloria Glynn .... costume shop supervisor (as Gloria Laughridge)
Ronald Leamon .... costumer
Henry Earl Lewis .... set wardrobe
 
Editorial Department
Donah Bassett .... negative cutter (as Donnah Bassett)
Brian Berdan .... apprentice editor
Tim Craig .... apprentice editor
Jonathan P. Shaw .... assistant editor (as Jonathan Shaw)
Mary Sweeney .... assistant editor
Daniel Frisch .... post-production assistant (uncredited)
 
Music Department
Mark Adler .... music editor
Angelo Badalamenti .... conductor
Sandina Bailo-Lape .... assistant music editor
Todd Boekelheide .... music re-recording mixer
David Lynch .... composer: additional music
 
Transportation Department
John Bankson .... driver
Doug DuRose .... driver (as Doug Du Rose)
Pat Hill .... transportation coordinator (as Patricia Hill)
Cynthia Jarose .... driver
A. Welch Lambeth .... driver (as Welch Lambeth)
 
Other crew
Morris Atkins .... location coordinator
Celia Claire Barnes .... production assistant
Frank Behnke .... intern associate
Edward Bowen .... location assistant (as Edward Bown)
Peter Braatz .... intern associate
Mary Bridges .... craft service
Patty Clark .... production assistant
Kathryn Colbert .... production office coordinator
Chrissie Davis .... production secretary (as Sarah Christine Davis)
Steve Day .... production assistant
Roe Fonvielle .... production assistant
Cindy J. Gray .... assistant accountant (as Cindy Jo Gray)
Bobby Kearns .... production assistant (as Robert Kearns)
Kathi Levine .... assistant accountant
Lyn Lucibello .... auditor (as Rita M. Lucibello)
Jennifer Chambers Lynch .... production assistant (as Jennifer Lynch)
Rena Sternfeld-Allon .... script supervisor (as Rina Sternfeld)
John Wentworth .... assistant: David Lynch
John Wildermuth .... key production assistant
Greg Ferris .... marketing canada (uncredited)
 
Crew believed to be complete


Production CompaniesDistributorsOther Companies

Additional Details

Also Known As:
See more »
Parents Guide:
View content advisory for parents
Runtime:
120 min
Country:
USA
Language:
English
Color:
Color
Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1 See more »
Sound Mix:
Dolby
Certification:
Argentina:18 | Australia:R18+ | Australia:MA15+ (Cable TV rating) | Brazil:16 | Canada:R (Manitoba/Nova Scotia/Ontario) | Canada:13+ (Quebec) | Finland:K-16 (1999) | Finland:K-18 (1987) | France:-12 | France:U (re-rating) | Greece:K-17 (tv rating) | Hong Kong:III | Iceland:16 | Ireland:18 | Israel:18 | Italy:T | Italy:VM18 (VHS rating) (self applied) | Japan:R-15 | Mexico:D (cut) | Netherlands:12 | New Zealand:R18 | Norway:18 | Norway:15 (re-rating) (2007) | Peru:18 | Portugal:M/16 | Singapore:R(A) | Singapore:M18 (re-rating) | South Korea:18 | Spain:18 | Sweden:15 | Switzerland:16 | Switzerland:14 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:18 (canton of Vaud) | Switzerland:18 (canton of the Grisons) | UK:18 | USA:R (certificate #28301) | West Germany:16 | West Germany:18 (original rating)
Filming Locations:
128 Northern Boulevard, Wilmington, North Carolina, USASee more »
Company:
De Laurentiis Entertainment Group (DEG)See more »

Did You Know?

Trivia:
The prosthetic ear found by Kyle MacLachlan's character at the beginning of the film has remained in the possession of its creator and makeup supervisor Jeff Goodwin despite numerous claims to the contrary. The ear was originally modeled from Goodwin's own ear until Lynch remarked that it looked like a child's ear. It was then remodeled from a producer's ear.See more »
Goofs:
Continuity: Jeffrey's hands jump between the top of his head and his ear between shots when he is kneeling before Dorothy when she first discovers him in the closet.See more »
Quotes:
[first lines]
Radio announcer:It's a sunny, woodsy day in Lumberton, so get those chainsaws out. This is the mighty W.O.O.D., the musical voice of Lumberton. At the sound of the falling tree, it's 9:30. There's a whole lotta wood waitin' out there, so let's get goin'.
Nurse Cindy:Mr. Beaumont? Your son Jeffrey's here to see you.
See more »
Movie Connections:
Featured in The 100 Greatest Scary Moments (2003) (TV)See more »
Soundtrack:
Gone Ridin'See more »

FAQ

Is there a soundtrack available for the film?
Is there a significance to the ear and the bugs?
What is the origin of the title song and its' significance?
See more »

User Reviews

   (Review this title)
74 out of 116 people found the following review useful.
Only in dreams…, 21 April 2002
Author: AdFin from UK

With Blue Velvet, David Lynch made a film that was so pure to his original vision that it would become the archetype of his work for the next fifteen years. Here, Lynch cast his ever probing, surrealist gaze upon small town middle America, and for the first time in a US film, showed the audience the darker side to what was often depicted as nothing more than the birth place of apple pie. We are drawn into the story almost immediately, with what would seem like a simple depiction of small town life, but the use of slow-motion hints that there is something not quite right with what we are looking at. So by the time Lynch has pushed his camera through the soft green grass of a regular front lawn, only to show us the slithering insects that hide in the darkness, we know that we are about to enter a very dark world.

Blue Velvet is a world filled with not only darkness, but also ambiguity. The characters of this world are constantly hiding behind some kind of façade, be it the wardrobe doors that practicing teenage voyeur Jeffrey peers from behind as he watches Dorothy and Frank interact, or something as simple as the make-up worn by Ben. Everything suggests to us that these characters inhabit a world at night, a world away from the life they live in the day. As the film moves closer and closer to the climax Jeffrey begins to feel more of a connection with Frank, having to go to some very dark places within his psyche. However Lynch's message, that underneath the normal persona of a regular human being is a repressed pervert laying in wait, or whatever point he is making doesn't really translate well. Not least to today's audience.

Blue Velvet is very much a film of its time, that time being the mid-eighties, with aids paranoia everywhere, it's easy to see this metaphor for the dangers of sex and love within the films turgid dreamscapes. But beneath this message hides a strong detective story, a modern day neo-noir that delivers interesting twists and a controversial pay-off with it's almost fairytale climax. This is the film David Lynch got right, proceeding to make great films that where all personal, but completely different in terms of style and substance from one another. Blue Velvet is a great film, with some fine (albeit bizarre) performances, still challenging to this day, If only Lynch hadn't gone on to spend the rest of his career re-making it.

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Song Inspired by Blue Velvet Skywalkling
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