Page One: ‘Blue Velvet’ (1986)

Written by David Lynch

Ah, hell. Let’s do the whole opening.

Here’s the movie version:

At least two interesting additions in the movie:

• The water-drinking dog.
• Descending into the grass into a close-up of devouring bugs.

The former is funny, the crazy critter leaping about while poor Mr. Beaumont lies dying of a hear attack. The latter is thematically resonant because it speaks to how there is a veneer of civility to this town, but go beneath the surface and we discover all sorts of weird stuff going on. Combined with the dog, Lynch sets the tone straight away: The movie is going to creepy and funny at the same time. Frankly, I’ve always looked at it as being a satire.

You may download the screenplay here.

FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY!

Page One is a daily Go Into The Story series featuring the first page of notable movie scripts from the classic era to contemporary times. Comparing them is an excellent way to study a variety of writing styles and see how professional writers start a story.

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