Daily Dialogue — March 15, 2012

Merrick holds an elegant, silvertipped walking stick across his lap, and admires a ring that only fits his little finger.

MERRICK: Thank you for your kind gifts. I can’t say enough about this ring. And this walking stick is ever so dashing. So much more elegant than my old one. More tea?

The Lady and Gentleman nod nervously. John takes the teapot from the service and refills their cups. The Lady’s hand shakes, rattling the cup against the saucer.

MERRICK: If you have a chill I can close the window.

THE LADY: Oh no, no, no, I’m fine. Please… I mean, thank you.

MERRICK: I don’t get out as often as I’d like to, for some people DO find my appearance disturbing. Of course, I can’t fault them.

We see the smiling pictures.

MERRICK (V.O.): People are often frightened by what they don’t understand.

We see the picture of Merrick’s Mother.

MERRICK (V.O.): And it is hard to understand, even for myself, for you see, Mother was so very beautiful.

We draw close to his Mother’s picture.

— Merrick (John Hurt), The Lady (Kathleen Byron), The Elephant Man (1980), screenplay by Christopher De Vore & Eric Bergren & David Lynch, based on a book by Frederick Treves and a book by Ashley Montagu

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The Daily Dialogue theme for the week is statement of theme, suggested by John Penny. Today’s suggestion by Teddy Pasternak.

Trivia: David Lynch’s first studio film.

Dialogue On Dialogue: “People are often frightened by what they don’t understand.” That theme is in play in every single scene featuring Merrick’s character.