Pecker (1998)

Director:

John Waters

Writer (WGA):

John Waters (written by)

Release Date:

25 September 1998 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama

Tagline:

He never realized how far 35 millimeters would take him.

Plot:

A Baltimore sandwich shop employee becomes an overnight sensation when photographs he's taken of his...

Plot Keywords:

Art | Art Show | Gallery | Photograph | New York City

Awards:

1 win & 1 nomination

Cast

Edward Furlong	...	Pecker
Christina Ricci	...	Shelley
Bess Armstrong	...	Dr. Klompus
Mark Joy	...	Jimmy
Mary Kay Place	...	Joyce
Martha Plimpton	...	Tina
Brendan Sexton III	...	Matt
Mink Stole	...	Precinct Captain
Lili Taylor	...	Rorey Wheeler
Patricia Hearst	...	Lynn Wentworth
Jean Schertler	...	Memama
Lauren Hulsey	...	Little Chrissy
Mo Fischer	...	T-Bone (as Maureen Fischer)
Donald Neal	...	Mr. Bozak
Carolyn Stayer	...	Miss Betty
Jack Webster	...	Outsider Al
Alan J. Wendl	...	Mr. Nellbox
Judith Knight Young	...	'Fat & Furious' Lady
Anthony Roger	...	Death Row Dave
Billy Tolzman	...	Seaford Sam
Bryan Thomas	...	Larry the Lughead (as Brian Thomas)
Tim Caggiano	...	Lester Hailbrook
Betsy Ames	...	Venetia Keydash
Scott Morgan	...	Jed Coleman
Valerie Karasek	...	Redd Larchmont
Cindy Sherman	...	Herself
Joyce Flick Wendl	...	Street Lady
Liam Hughes	...	Wild Man of 22nd Street
Greg Gorman	...	Himself
Irving Jacobs	...	Guzzles
Mary Vivian Pearce	...	Homophobic Lady
Kennen Sisco	...	Art Fan A
Jennifer Zakroff	...	Art Fan B
Angela Calo	...	Pregnant Girl
Susan Duvall	...	Saleswoman
Ruth Lawson Walsh	...	Sneaky Customer
Dean Alai	...	Body Builder (as Adin Alai)
Emmy Collins	...	Hippie
Brigid Berlin	...	Super Market Rich Lady
Kimberlee Suerth	...	Beautiful Girl
John Badila	...	Irate Manager
R. Scott Williams	...	Stylist
Susan Lowe	...	Hairdresser
Marisa Zalabak	...	Make-Up Artist
Andreas Kraemer	...	Junkie
Sharon Niesp	...	Bouncer
Delaney Williams	...	Construction Worker
Bobby J. Brown	...	Average Joe (as Bobby Brown)
Regi Davis	...	Cop A
Tyler Miller	...	Randy
Channing Wilroy	...	Wise Guy Neighbor
Rosemary Knower	...	Friend of Mary A
Kate Kiley	...	Friend of Mary B
Jack French	...	Old Fart Customer
Stan Brandorff	...	Geezer Customer
Doug Roberts	...	Death Row Dave's Father
Patsy Grady Abrams	...	Death Row Dave's Mother
Holly Twyford	...	Straight Girl
Joshua L. Shoemaker	...	Channel 11 Anchor (as Joshua Shoemaker)
Sloane Brown	...	Channel 45 Anchor
Thomas Korzeniowski	...	Toupé Man
Susan Greenhill	...	Miraculous Virgin Mary (voice)
Lola Pashalinski	...	Pelt Room Announcer (voice)
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Michael Ahl	...	Police Officer (uncredited)
Stephen Angus	...	New York Art Patron (uncredited)
David A. Dunham	...	Angry Pit-Beef Customer (uncredited)
Stacy Keibler	...	Blonde on Bus (uncredited)
LauraLee O'Shell	...	New York Art Patron (uncredited)
Andy Rapoport	...	Guy Humping the Washing Machine (uncredited)
Alan Reese	...	Extra (uncredited)
Bob Skidmore	...	Delivery Man (uncredited)
John Waters	...	Pervert on Phone (voice) (uncredited)

Directed by
John Waters

Writing credits (WGA)
John Waters		(written by)

Produced by
Joseph M. Caracciolo Jr.	....	executive producer (as Joe Caracciolo Jr.)
John Fiedler	....	producer
Pat Moran	....	associate producer
Mark Ordesky	....	executive producer
Joe Revitte	....	executive producer
Mark Tarlov	....	producer
Jonathan Weisgal	....	executive producer
Mark A. Baker	....	producer (uncredited)

Original Music by
Stewart Copeland		(music by)

Cinematography by
Robert M. Stevens		(director of photography)

Film Editing by
Janice Hampton

Casting by
Kerry Barden
Billy Hopkins
Pat Moran
Suzanne Smith

Production Design by
Vincent Peranio

Art Direction by
Scott T. Pina		(as Scott Pina)

Set Decoration by
Patty Burgee

Costume Design by
Van Smith		(costumes)

Makeup Department
Betty Beebe	....	makeup artist
Anne Marie Izner-Preston	....	assistant hair (as Anne Izner-Preston)
Cheryl 'Pickles' Kinion	....	assistant make-up
Barbara Lacy	....	makeup artist
Howard 'Hep' Preston	....	hair stylist
Gina W. Bateman	....	makeup artist (uncredited)

Production Management
Mark A. Baker	....	unit production manager
Claire Best	....	production executive
Gina Roose	....	post-production supervisor

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Gary Romolo Fiorelli	....	key second assistant director
Joe Incaprera	....	second second assistant director
Michele Ziegler	....	first assistant director

Art Department
Elizabeth Bell	....	set dresser
Randy Bobbitt	....	art department coordinator
Rebecca Castle	....	key scenic
Michael Davis	....	construction coordinator (as Mike Davis)
Susanna Glattly	....	painter
Wesley Goodwin	....	propmaker (as Wes Goodwin)
James Kelley	....	propmaker
Ted Lubonovich II	....	propmaker (as Ted Lubonovich)
John Millard	....	set dressing lead man
Sheila Muccio	....	set dresser (as Sheila P. Muccio)
Bobby Raber	....	painter (as Bob Raber)
Chuck Shacochis	....	photographs by: Pecker's
Claire Sharp	....	paint foreman (as Claire Sharpe)
Jeff Stacy	....	set dresser
Thomas Turnbull	....	construction foreman (as Tom Turnbull)
Lorraine Walker	....	property master
Steven Walker	....	property master (as Steve Walker)
Elizabeth Weber	....	on-set dresser
Dan Yeager	....	gang boss

Sound Department
Rick Angelella	....	sound mixer
David Franklin Bergad	....	dialogue editor
Mark Berger	....	supervising rerecording mixer
Yin Cantor	....	assistant sound editor
Ben Conrad	....	foley recordist (as Benjamin Conrad)
Tobin Davis	....	assistant sound editor (as Tobin John Delacca Davis)
Patrick Dodd	....	dialogue editor
Carol Everson	....	boom operator
Malcolm Fife	....	sound effects editor
Grant Foerster	....	machine room supervisor
Steve Fontano	....	foley mixer (as Steven Fontano)
Anna Geyer	....	transfer room operator
Rick Kahn	....	transfer room operator
Michael Kelly	....	transfer room operator
Kyrsten Mate	....	sound effects designer (as Kyrsten Mate Comoglio)
Marnie Moore	....	foley artist
John Nutt	....	sound supervisor
Margie O'Malley	....	foley artist
David Parker	....	sound re-recording mixer
Jim Pasque	....	machine room operator
Richard Quinn	....	dialogue editor
Patti Tauscher	....	assistant sound effects editor
Frank Canonica	....	supervising sound recordist: mix stage (uncredited)

Visual Effects by
Jennifer Basnyat	....	title designer (uncredited)
Jennifer Basnyat	....	visual effects (uncredited)
Michael Ventresco	....	title design and production (uncredited)

Camera and Electrical Department
Wayne Arnold	....	camera loader
Frank Caslin	....	best boy electric
Dean Citroni	....	grip
Rodney French	....	key grip (as Rodney G. French)
Joseph E. Gallagher	....	camera operator (as Joseph Gallagher)
Frank Gill	....	grip (as Spinner Gill)
Michael Ginsburg	....	unit still photographer
Tim Gordon	....	electrician
Susan C. Ingram	....	second assistant camera (as Susan Ingram)
Dave Jacobs	....	electrician
Mike Keelty	....	gaffer
Eric Martin	....	electrician
Lee Shapira	....	best boy grip
Blackford 'Boots' Shelton	....	first assistant camera (as Boots Shelton)
Rick Strodel	....	grip
Ethan McQuerrey	....	grip (uncredited)
Chaz Rainey	....	grip (uncredited)
Aaron Atom Vyvial	....	additional grip (uncredited)

Casting Department
Adam Fusco	....	casting assistant
John Strawbridge	....	casting associate

Costume and Wardrobe Department
David Davenport	....	wardrobe supervisor
Rolande Glicenstein	....	costume design assistant
Linda M. Boyland	....	set costumer (uncredited)

Editorial Department
Scott Brock	....	assistant editor
Fred Heid	....	color timer
Joel Heller	....	assistant editor
Tony Kadell	....	assistant editor
Sara King	....	post-production executive
Marty Levenstein	....	assistant editor (as Martin Levenstein)
Mario Ontal	....	assistant editor
Stuart Sperling	....	assistant editor
Joe Violante	....	dailies advisor

Music Department
Jennifer Barak	....	assistant music editor
Larry Benicewicz	....	music consultant
Ryan Beveridge	....	assistant: Stewart Copeland (as Ryan D. Beveridge)
Stewart Copeland	....	musician: piano, bass, drums
Michael Dittrick	....	supervising music editor
Sharyn Gersh	....	music editor (as Sharon Tylk)
Jill Meyers	....	music clearances (as Jill Meyer)
Judd Miller	....	musician: evi
Jeff Seitz	....	music score recordist and mixer
Michael Thompson	....	musician: guitars

Transportation Department
Charles Artley	....	driver
Ed Bishop	....	driver
Lenny Davis	....	driver
Stan Furrow	....	driver
Bruce Holtman	....	driver
Greg Jacobs	....	driver
Jerry H. Jordan	....	driver (as Jerry Jorden)
Frank R. Matkins	....	driver (as Frank Matkins)
Tom Mcdermott	....	driver
Frank Metts Sr.	....	driver (as Frank Metts)
Francis Raimondo	....	transportation captain
Gail Wenzel	....	driver
Foard J. Wilgis	....	transportation coordinator (as Foard Wilgis)
Bruce Zamzow	....	driver (as Bruce 'Bubbles' Zamzow)
Kenneth Ziegler Jr.	....	transportation co-captain (as Kenneth Ziegler)
Gerald Titus	....	driver (uncredited)

Other crew
David M. Atkinson	....	assistant production accountant (as David Atkinson)
Denise A. Beale	....	set production assistant (as Denise Beale)
Andrea Cipriani	....	production secretary
Brian Cooper	....	office production assistant
Carl Costanza Jr.	....	accounting assistant
Ted Criswell	....	set medic
Debra Donaldson	....	location manager (as Debra Donaldson Dorsey)
George Figgs	....	projectionist
Kelley Finn	....	assistant location manager (as Kelly Finn)
Cindy Heidel	....	location assistant
Harley Forrest Logan	....	set production assistant (as Harlem Forest Logan)
Brian Maas	....	legal services: Beldock Levine & Hoffman
Cyndi Martin	....	key set production assistant
Adrienne Maxwell	....	post-production accountant
Christine Moore	....	script supervisor
Elena Moscatt	....	craft service (as Elena A. Moscatt)
Kate Reckner Ridgley	....	assistant production coordinator
Willie Richardson	....	creator: Virgin Mary
Susan Saunders	....	production accountant
Colleen Roome Shelton	....	assistant: John Waters
Karen L. Sirota	....	production coordinator (as Karen Sirota)
Karrie Melendrez	....	story analyst (uncredited)
Eric Morgan	....	production assistant (uncredited)

Thanks
Seal Balenger	....	the producers wish to extend their thanks for contributions
Celia Blumenstein	....	the producers wish to extend their thanks for contributions
Dennis Dermody	....	the producers wish to extend their thanks for contributions
Jim Finnerty	....	special thanks
Dana Frank	....	special thanks
C. Richard Gamper Jr.	....	the producers wish to extend their thanks for contributions: Nations Bank
Marc Greenberg	....	special thanks
Jack Machen	....	special thanks
Todd Oldham	....	the producers wish to extend their thanks for contributions

Production Companies

• Polar Entertainment (as a Polar Entertainment production)

Distributors

• Fine Line Features (1998) (USA) (theatrical) (presents) (A Time Warner Company)
• Argentina Video Home (Argentina) (video)
• Concorde Filmverleih (Germany)
• Herald Film Company (Japan)
• Líder Films (Spain)
• Metropolitan Filmexport (France)
• New Line Home Video (1998) (USA) (DVD)
• Warner Bros. (Argentina)
• Warner Home Vídeo (Brazil) (VHS)

Other Companies

• Aaron Rents Furniture of Baltimore  the producers wish to extend their thanks for contributions
• Armstrong Bed and Breakfast  special thanks
• Baltimore Film Commission  the producers wish to extend their thanks for contributions
• Baltimore Sun  the producers wish to extend their thanks for contributions
• Beldock Levine & Hoffman  legal services
• Budget Rent-a-Car  the producers wish to extend their thanks for contributions (as Budget Rent a Car, Glen Burnie)
• Comme Des Garçons  the producers wish to extend their thanks for contributions (as Commes des Garcons)
• Effects House, The  title and opticals
• Entertainment Partners  payroll services by
• Extreme Catering  caterer
• Film Finances  completion bond provided by (as Film Finances)
• Flite 3 Studios  production offices and sound stages provided by
• Great Northern Brokerage Services  insurance furnished by (as Great Northern Brokerage Corporation)
• Haddad's  the producers wish to extend their thanks for contributions
• Hollywood Rentals, North Carolina  grip and electric equipment
• Jeremy Walker + Associates  publicity (uncredited)
• Kurzweil Music Systems  acknowledgement: Stewart Copeland uses (as Kurzwell Systems)
• Loop Therapy  adr group
• Maryland Film Commission  the producers wish to extend their thanks for contributions (as Maryland State Film Commission)
• Micdi Productions  music editorial (uncredited)
• N & D Negative Cutting  negative cutter (as N & D)
• Nationsbank  the producers wish to extend their thanks for contributions (as Nations Bank)
• Saul Zaentz Film Center  foley and re-recording studio
• Saul Zaentz Film Center  sound editing
• Sonic Solutions  acknowledgement: Stewart Copeland uses
• T.H.E. Tools  post-production facilities provided by
• Third Chair, The  special thanks
• Ventresco & Cossello  main title design

Also Known As:

"I Love Pecker" - Japan (English title)

MPAA:

Rated R for sexuality, graphic nudity, language and brief drug use

Runtime:

87 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Argentina:13 | Canada:14A | France:U | Japan:R-15 | Norway:11 | Portugal:M/16 (video premiere) | South Korea:18 | Spain:13 | Switzerland:16 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:16 (canton of Vaud) | UK:15 | USA:R (PCA #36080) | Israel:16 | Australia:M | Iceland:12

Filming Locations:

Baltimore, Maryland, USA

Company:

Polar Entertainment

Trivia:

Pecker's camera is an early model of the Canonet, a compact camera made over a period of more than a decade (primarily in the 1960s) by Canon for the consumer market. The camera takes so-so pictures, and today might be worth $20-$40, when it can be found. It is entirely plausible that Pecker might find such a camera in a thrift store, at a garage sale, or the like.

Goofs:

Errors in geography: When Pecker's mom exits the gallery in New York a cab goes by from the "Checker" cab company of Baltimore.

Quotes:

Memama:[talking through her Mary ventriloquist dummy] Full of grace! Full of grace!

Movie Connections:

Featured in Divine Trash (1998)

Soundtrack:

I'm Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter

Photography as an art form!

Pecker is another mainstream film by John Waters done on a smaller than Serial Mom. The title character of Pecker has a hobby of taking pictures of anything he sees. It doesn't matter if it's dirty or shocking when he takes pictures. He soon uses the pictures he taken and puts them on display at his work. Pecker live in a semi-normal middle-class family. His dad works at a drinking bar with a claw machine, but doesn't make enough money with a lesbian stripper bar across the street. His mom runs a thrift shop and loves to dress-up poor people. His older sister, Tina, works at a gay bar where her specialty is trade. His younger, Little Chrissy, has a habit of eating sugar, sugar, and nothing but sugary food. His grandmother, Memama, has a small statue of the Virgin Mary and plays ventriloquist with it. He also has 2 friends. On of his friends, Matt is a chronic shoplifter and his girlfriend, Shelley, runs a laundry mat as if she was a dictator. Soon, a tourist from New York buys his pictures and displays them at an art gallery. With the picture comes fame, but the pictures expose the unusual life style of his friends and family's simple life. For an R-rated film, Pecker is sure tamer than most of Waters previous R-rated films and even Pink Flamingos. Another 10 out of 10!