One reason I decided to launch the Wonderful and Strange Blog was I wanted a way to share my love for David Lynch’s The Straight Story. Released on October 11, 1999, this biographical Disney film tells the story of a 73-year-old Alvin Straight who takes a six week trip on his riding lawn mower to mend his relationship with his older brother Lyle, who is ill. Leading up to the film’s release, Asymmetrical Productions several photo slides used for advertising and publicity.
BRIEF HISTORY OF PHOTO SLIDES
The use of photo slides for movie publicity dates back to the earliest days of cinema. Glass slides, also known as lantern slides, were used to promote upcoming films, advertise local businesses, and entertain audiences while the projector changed reels. In 1935, Eastman Kodak introduced Kodachrome color slide film which was considered the “first real” consumer color film.
The first carousel slide projector was patented in 1965 by David E. Hansen and sold to Eastman Kodak. Long before things like Facebook or Instagram existed, families would show off vacation photos, families memories and more using these slide projectors. The format remained popular for decades until the rise of digital cameras and mobile phones in the 2000s.
Kodachrome 35mm slides are typically mounted on 2-inch by 2-inch cardboard with a clear plastic cover that protects the image from damage and oxidation.
I love that transparencies were created for Lynch’s 1999 film, an analogue format nearing the end of its popularity before the dawn of a new Millennium.
THE STRAIGHT STORY PUBLICITY SHOTS
Each slide is labeled “The Straight Story” along with a slide number beginning with “SSC-FF.” The slides also contain an “All Rights Reserved” copyright for The Straight Story, Inc.
According to Wilson Webb, who was an electrician and part of the small crew that helped with lighting and power on set, there was no dedicated on-set photographer during this film. Michael Hoffer is credited on the Internet Movie Database as providing “additional photography” but it’s unclear if he took the slides featured in this story. Gaye Pope served as the Unit Publicist so most likely she was involved with selecting images used in the press kit.
The first slide – labeled SSC-FF-3R-4 – features Rose “Rosie” Straight (Sissy Spacek) and Alvin Straight (Richard Farnsworth) outside the doctor’s office.
Another shot of Spacek and Farnsworth listening to rain and watching a good lightning storm is featured on the slide labeled SSC-FF-12-2.
The third slide has Alvin Straight riding his old Rhed’s lawn mower down the main street of Laurens, Iowa flanked by Apple (Jack Walsh), Bud (Joseph A. Carpenter), Pete (Ed Grennan) and Sig (Donald Weigert).
Alvin Straight is seen sitting next to a campfire in slide SSC-FF-41A-8.
The iconic shot of Alvin Straight riding his lawn mower at sunset is found on slide SSC-FF-49-9. This shot is used on the theatrical poster, soundtrack and more.
For slide SSC-FF-59-5, Alvin Straight is seen riding next to a white semi-truck. In the background, you can see a Sara Lee bakery sign. There was a plant that operated in the town of New Hampton, Iowa until 1999.
This spot, located at 815 North Linn Avenue, looks very different today. The blade sign is now owned by Deb El Foods. On the right side, only one of the homes remains next to a gigantic tree.
The final slide in my collection is labeled SSC-FF-83AR-7 and features Alvin Straight enjoying a glass of milk with Verlyn Heller (Wiley Harker) at a local bar.
I found only seven publicity slides but there may be one or two more (which I’ll add to this story once located). Nevertheless, these are great images from an incredibly heartwarming and phenomenal film. I watch it every fall and the soundtrack with music by Angelo Badalamenti and John Neff is on heavy rotation often in my home.
Download high-resolution images from this article on my Flickr account: https://www.flickr.com/photos/aloha75/albums/72177720321833828