NOPE, NOTHING WRONG HERE: THE MAKING OF "CUJO" (paperback)
“It’s not a monster . . . it’s just a doggy . . . .”
No American horror film did more to spike cat adoptions than Cujo (1983). Based on Stephen King’s psychological thriller about a rabid dog, the terror story remains forever etched into the minds of filmgoers, as well as in the grip marks on many theater seats.
Lee Gambin analyzes the film scene by scene, including exhaustive coverage of the production from its problematic early days with originally-assigned director Peter Medak to the final edit by ultimate director Lewis Teague. Drawn from interviews with Teague, screenwriter Barbara Turner, and cast and crew, including Dee Wallace, Daniel Hugh Kelly, Danny Pintauro, Jan de Bont, Jennifer Jason Leigh, composer Charles Bernstein, and stunt man Gary Morgan.
With its sophistication and deep subversive intelligence, Cujo is a biting critique on the breakdown of the American family, an electric take on the “woman in the storm” story trope, a personal and introspective ecologically themed horror film (a subgenre usually socially and politically motivated), and a perfectly realised example of the power of circumstance. It also thoroughly scrutinizes fear—both real and imagined—in a sharp and magnetic manner.
Featuring:
- -the film’s problematic early days with originally assigned director Peter Medak being fired.
- -Lewis Teague being brought in to take over as director along with cinematographer Jan de Bont.
- -detailed insight into screenwriter Barbara Turner’s take on the source material.
- -over thirty candid interviews with cast and crew, such as stars Dee Wallace, Daniel Hugh Kell, Danny Pintauro, director Lewis Teague, composer Charles Bernstein, and stunt man Gary Morgan.
- -remembrances from Danny Pintauro’s parents.
- -highly deserving and loving insight about the late great animal trainer Karl Lewis Miller from his daughter, Teresa Ann Miller.
Index. Illustrated with over 200 pictures (most never before seen).
About the author: Film historian Lee Gambin has written for Fangoria, Shock Till You Drop, Delirium, and Scream Magazine, among others. His previous works include Massacred By Mother Nature: Exploring the Natural Horror Film, and We Can Be Who We Are: Movie Musicals of the 1970s. He is the director of Melbourne-based film collective, Cinemaniacs.
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"In the pantheon of great horror films, ‘Cujo’ seems a little out of place. Based on Stephen King’s 1981 novel, the film adaptation directed by Lewis Teague appeared when King’s ubiquity on the bookshelves meant that everything except his laundry list was made into a film. Released to modest reviews, the story about a rabid dog who terrorises a woman and her son who find themselves trapped in a car, ‘Cujo’ was seen as having some effective moments, though not in the list of great movies or even in the list of great King adaptations, though King himself counts it as one of his favourites. But time has been kind and the film has garnered something of a cult following over the years. Now, in ‘Nope, Nothing Wrong Here: The Making Of Cujo’, Lee Gambin has created a very comprehensive and honest account of the creation of the film.
"Structurally, the book alternates between a scene-by-scene analysis of the film and recollections from the cast about the making of the film. On the former, Gambin veers between close examination of the film’s techniques, such as the use of low camera angles to emphasise Cujo’s point of view and praise. Gambin is an engaging and enthusiastic writer, though sometimes his praise for the film does drift into the realm of hyperbole. A more measured take on the positives and negatives of the film would sometimes be welcome.
"Gambin has managed to speak to almost major player in the film, from star Dee Wallace and director Lewis Teague to the daughter of deceased dog trainer Karl Lewis Miller. Perhaps the biggest omission is cinematographer Jan De Bont. Gambin is lucky in that the cast and crew are effusive with their recollections and anecdotes, with most remembering much about the film. Jerry Hardin, perhaps most notable for playing Deep Throat in ‘The X-Files’ is an exception, as he basically says ‘I don’t remember a thing’ about his small part."
- SFCrowsnest.info
Article from FourThreeFilm.com
Author interview with ihorror.com
Author interview on The Director's Suite Cast
Review from Watching Horror Movies from Behind the Couch
Review from Scream Horror Magazine
Article from Diabolique Magazine
Interview with the author by Cult of Monster
Review by FilmInt.nu
Nope, Nothing Wrong Here: The Making of Cujo Review - Manta Ray Pictures
“Released in the summer of 1983, director Lewis Teague's CUJO was quickly overshadowed by a pair of higher-profile Stephen King adaptations, THE DEAD ZONE and CHRISTINE. But author Lee Gambin is determined to set the record straight with this 500-page chronicle about the (often chaotic) creation of this intense tale about a rabid St. Bernard. Each chapter begins with Gambin analyzing a portion of the film, then intercuttng interviews with dozens of cast and crew members, including Teague, writer Don Carols Dunaway and actors Dee Wallace, Daniel Hugh Kelly and Danny Pintauro. He even speaks to the film's original director (Peter Medak, THE RULING CLASS) and cinematographer (Tony Richmond, DON'T LOOK NOW) about their more supernatural take on the material and unceremonious sacking. Meanwhile, production manager Christopher Medak contributes some of the juiciest anecdotes, involving alcohol, sex, the idiot producer, and "dickhead" cinematographer Jan de Bont. Along the way, we get info about King's jettisoned script, varied recollections of the directorial turnover, the day-to-day filming and creation of key sequences, as well as numerous behind-the-scenes photos (gotta love stunt man Gary Morgan goofing around in his dog suit!). Gambin's admiration for CUJO is apparent throughout - even espousing the (highly debatable) notion that Dee Wallace deserved an Oscar nomination for her performance - with this hefty, highly entertaining tome delivering everything you could possibly want to know about the film.” – Shock Cinema