Cronenberg, David (Burroughs, William S.)

Five Original Publicity Photographs for Naked Lunch Film

N/P: First Independent Films Limited, 1991. First Editions. Single Sheets. Five original glossy publicity photographs produced for the 1991 film version of William S. Burroughs' Naked Lunch directed by David Cronenberg. Each captioned photograph presents a still image from the film: Peter Weller as WSB nodding off beside his typewriter; Weller as WSB at his home aiming his pistol; Weller as WSB "(enjoying) a cocktail with a friend"- an actor in Mugwump costume; Weller as WSB with Judy Davis portraying WSB's ill-fated wife Joan Vollmer; & Weller as a bespectacled WSB staring at the viewer, both expressing & eliciting fright. Cronenberg's film version of WSB's breakthrough novel was the first (& so far only) completed & released attempt to depict the ultimately undepictable Naked Lunch, after several false starts since its first publication in 1959. This writer & all Burroughsians can confirm that the novel & film are entirely disparate experiences, never to be confused with each other- Cronenberg's vision goes its own way & incorporates aspects of WSB's life & work outside the book. But this film adaptation is a noble effort which, though not a substitute for reading its source, succeeds as a production, was acclaimed by critics & audiences, & most importantly was given the blessing of WSB himself. From the collection of Kevin Ring, editor-publisher of & contributor to Beat Scene magazine & other indispensable productions (many available here), & our good friend in the UK. A most-evocative gathering of very rare publicity photographs; a delightful WSB-related collectible compilation with distinguished provenance. All five photographs are printed at recto only, & are in very fine condition with only hints of rubbing, faint scratching to developed glossy surfaces; a touch of wear & a few tiny bumps, creases at edges & corners; small area of spotting/smudging at blank verso of one photograph from upper edge (with no effect on recto image thereof). Very Fine. [Item #6733]

Price: $150.00