The discovery of a severed human ear found in a field leads a young man on an investigation related to a beautiful, mysterious nightclub singer and a group of psychopathic criminals who have kidnapped her child.
Director:
Writer:
Awards:
- Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 18 wins & 17 nominations.
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Reviews:
Photos and Videos
Cast verified as complete
| Isabella Rossellini | ... |
Dorothy Vallens
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| Kyle MacLachlan | ... |
Jeffrey Beaumont
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| Dennis Hopper | ... |
Frank Booth
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| Laura Dern | ... |
Sandy Williams
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| Hope Lange | ... |
Mrs. Williams
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| Dean Stockwell | ... |
Ben
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George Dickerson | ... |
Detective Williams
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| Priscilla Pointer | ... |
Mrs. Beaumont
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| Frances Bay | ... |
Aunt Barbara
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Jack Harvey | ... |
Mr. Beaumont
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Ken Stovitz | ... |
Mike
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| Brad Dourif | ... |
Raymond
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| Jack Nance | ... |
Paul
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J. Michael Hunter | ... |
Hunter
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Dick Green | ... |
Don Vallens
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Fred Pickler | ... |
Yellow Man
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Philip Markert | ... |
Dr. Gynde
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Leonard Watkins | ... |
Double Ed
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Moses Gibson | ... |
Double Ed
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| Selden Smith | ... |
Nurse Cindy
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Peter Carew | ... |
Coroner
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Jon Jon Snipes | ... |
Little Donny
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Angelo Badalamenti | ... |
Piano Player
(as Andy Badale)
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Jean Pierre Viale | ... |
Master of Ceremonies
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Donald Moore | ... |
Desk Sergeant
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A. Michelle Depland | ... |
Party Girl
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Michelle Sasser | ... |
Party Girl
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Katie Reid | ... |
Party Girl
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Sparky | ... |
The Dog
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| Rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
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Fred C. Caruso | ... |
The Ear (uncredited)
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Robert J. Maxwell | ... |
Slow Club Customer (uncredited)
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Directed by
| David Lynch | ||
Written by
| David Lynch | ... | (screenplay) |
Produced by
| Fred C. Caruso | ... | producer (as Fred Caruso) |
| Dino De Laurentiis | ... | executive producer (uncredited) |
| Richard N. Roth | ... | executive producer (as Richard Roth) |
Music by
| Angelo Badalamenti | ||
Cinematography by
| Frederick Elmes | ... | director of photography |
Editing by
| Duwayne Dunham | ||
Editorial Department
| Donah Bassett | ... | negative cutter (as Donnah Bassett) |
| Brian Berdan | ... | apprentice editor |
| Tim Craig | ... | apprentice editor |
| Jonathan P. Shaw | ... | assistant editor (as Jonathan Shaw) |
| Mary Sweeney | ... | assistant editor |
| Daniel Frisch | ... | post-production assistant (uncredited) |
Casting By
| Pat Golden | ||
| Pamela Guest | ||
| Johanna Ray | ||
Production Design by
| Patricia Norris | ||
Set Decoration by
| Edward 'Tantar' LeViseur | ||
Makeup Department
| Jeff Goodwin | ... | makeup supervisor |
| Dean Jones | ... | special effects makeup |
| Barbara Page | ... | assistant makeup artist / hair stylist |
| Dean Gates | ... | special makeup effects artist (uncredited) |
Production Management
| Fred C. Caruso | ... | production manager (as Fred Caruso) |
| Gail Kearns | ... | production supervisor (as Gail M. Kearns) |
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
| Ellen Rauch | ... | first assistant director |
| Ian Woolf | ... | second assistant director |
Art Department
| Michel Anderson | ... | props-set dresser |
| Shaw Burney | ... | set prop man |
| Catherine Davis | ... | art department assistant |
| Vernon Harrell | ... | props-set dresser |
| Edward 'Tantar' LeViseur | ... | property master (as Tantar Leviseur) |
| Tanya Lowe | ... | scenic artist |
| Loren McNamara | ... | props-set dresser (as Loren Mcnamara) |
| Les Pendleton | ... | construction coordinator (as Les Pendelton) |
| Paul Sebastian | ... | props-set dresser |
| Dawn Serody | ... | draftsperson |
| Robert Testerman | ... | chief scenic artist |
| Tim Viereck | ... | lead carpenter |
| Arron Waitz | ... | props set dresser |
| Doug White | ... | props-set dresser |
| Keith Darwin | ... | scenic artist (uncredited) |
| Frank Silva | ... | set dresser (uncredited) |
| Mark S. Turner | ... | stand-by painter (uncredited) |
| Harley Whitehurst | ... | painter (uncredited) |
Sound Department
| Alan Abrams | ... | assistant sound editor |
| Mark Berger | ... | re-recording mixer |
| Todd Boekelheide | ... | music re-recording mixer |
| Karen Brocco | ... | assistant sound editor |
| Frank E. Eulner | ... | sound assistant (as Frank Eulner) |
| Rob Fruchtman | ... | sound editor |
| Sarah Goldsmith | ... | assistant sound editor (as Sarah Rothenberg) |
| Vivien Hillgrove | ... | dialogue editor (as Vivien Gilliam) |
| Richard Hymns | ... | sound effects editor |
| Pat Jackson | ... | sound editor |
| Ann Kroeber | ... | sound mixer |
| Patrick Moriarty | ... | boom operator |
| John Morris | ... | assistant sound editor |
| John Nutt | ... | dialogue editor |
| David Parker | ... | re-recording mixer |
| Paige Sartorius | ... | assistant sound editor (as Page Sartorius) |
| Michael Silvers | ... | dialogue editor |
| Alan Splet | ... | sound designer |
| Dennie Thorpe | ... | foley artist |
| John Verbeck | ... | assistant sound editor |
| Jim Bridges | ... | sound (uncredited) |
| Frank E. Eulner | ... | assistant sound editor (uncredited) / assistant sound supervisor (uncredited) / sound recordist (uncredited) |
| Philip Rogers | ... | sound recordist (uncredited) |
Special Effects by
| George R. Hill | ... | special effects (as George Hill) |
| Greg Hull | ... | special effects |
Stunts
| Reginald Barnes Jr. | ... | stunt performer |
| David Boushey | ... | stunt performer |
| Robert Burton | ... | stunt performer |
| Mark Fincannon | ... | stunt performer (as W. Mark Fincannon) |
| Richard Langdon | ... | stunt coordinator |
| Sherrie Ann Langdon | ... | stunt performer |
| John W. McEuen | ... | stunt performer (as John W. Mceuen) |
| Dean Mumford | ... | stunt performer |
| Debra Shuckman | ... | stunt performer (as Debra Schuckman) |
| Ken Sprunt Jr. | ... | stunt performer |
Camera and Electrical Department
| Jock Brandis | ... | rigging |
| Donne Daniels | ... | key grip |
| Mark Shane Davis | ... | dolly grip (as Mark Davis) |
| Monte Dhooge | ... | electrical department |
| Lex duPont | ... | first assistant camera (as Lex Dupont) |
| Tim Farrow | ... | electrical department |
| Austin Goss | ... | rigging |
| Mike Hall | ... | rigger |
| Douglas Evan Hersh | ... | rigging (as Doug Hersh) |
| Robert Hoelen | ... | rigging |
| Neil Holcomb | ... | electrical department |
| Michael Katz | ... | gaffer |
| Ross Kolman | ... | rigging |
| Joe C. Maxwell | ... | best boy (as Joe Maxwell) |
| Umberto Montiroli | ... | still photographer |
| David Rudd | ... | camera assistant |
| Roger Russ | ... | electrical department |
| David Salamone | ... | electrical department (as Dave Salamone) |
| Dennis E. Shelton | ... | electrical department (as Dennis Shelton) |
| Anthony Stephens | ... | grip department (as Tony Stephens) |
| David W. Strong | ... | rigging (as David Strong) |
| James Tomaro | ... | rigging |
| Steve Venetis | ... | rigging chief |
| Franklin Williams Jr. | ... | generator operator (as Frank Williams) |
| Jeff Williams | ... | grip department |
| Jay W. Yowler | ... | rigging (as Jay Yawler) |
| Joe D'Alessandro | ... | grip (uncredited) |
| Dan Kneece | ... | steadicam operator (uncredited) |
Casting Department
| Sharon Bialy | ... | casting assistant |
| Nina Axelrod | ... | casting assistant (uncredited) |
Costume and Wardrobe Department
| Gloria Glynn | ... | costume shop supervisor (as Gloria Laughridge) |
| Ronald Leamon | ... | costumer |
| Henry Earl Lewis | ... | set wardrobe |
Location Management
| Morris Atkins | ... | location coordinator |
| Edward Bowen | ... | location assistant (as Edward Bown) |
Music Department
| Mark Adler | ... | music editor |
| Angelo Badalamenti | ... | conductor |
| Sandina Bailo-Lape | ... | assistant music editor |
| Todd Boekelheide | ... | music re-recording mixer |
| David Lynch | ... | composer: additional music |
| Allen Sides | ... | recording engineer: songs |
Script and Continuity Department
| Rena Sternfeld-Allon | ... | script supervisor (as Rina Sternfeld) |
Transportation Department
| John Bankson | ... | driver |
| Doug DuRose | ... | driver (as Doug Du Rose) |
| Pat Hill | ... | transportation coordinator (as Patricia Hill) |
| Cynthia Jarose | ... | driver |
| A. Welch Lambeth | ... | driver (as Welch Lambeth) |
Additional Crew
| Celia Claire Barnes | ... | production assistant |
| Frank Behnke | ... | intern associate |
| Peter Braatz | ... | intern associate |
| Mary Bridges | ... | craft service |
| Patty Clark | ... | production assistant |
| Kathryn Colbert | ... | production office coordinator |
| Chrissie Davis | ... | production secretary (as Sarah Christine Davis) |
| Steve Day | ... | production assistant |
| Roe Fonvielle | ... | production assistant |
| Cindy J. Gray | ... | assistant accountant (as Cindy Jo Gray) |
| Bobby Kearns | ... | production assistant (as Robert Kearns) |
| Kathi Levine | ... | assistant accountant |
| Lyn Lucibello | ... | auditor (as Rita M. Lucibello) |
| Jennifer Lynch | ... | production assistant |
| John Wentworth | ... | assistant: David Lynch |
| John Wildermuth | ... | key production assistant |
| Greg Ferris | ... | marketing: Canada (uncredited) |
Production Companies
- De Laurentiis Entertainment Group (DEG) (presents)
Distributors
- De Laurentiis Entertainment Group (DEG) (1986) (United States) (theatrical)
- Paramount Pictures (1986) (Canada) (theatrical)
- Twentieth Century Fox (1986) (United Kingdom) (theatrical)
- Filmauro (1986) (Italy) (theatrical)
- Transmundo Films (1986) (Argentina) (theatrical)
- AMLF (1987) (France) (theatrical)
- Columbus Film (Switzerland) (theatrical)
- Concorde Film (1987) (Netherlands) (theatrical)
- Concorde Filmverleih (1987) (West Germany) (theatrical)
- Finnkino (1987) (Finland) (theatrical)
- Hoyts Distribution (1987) (Australia) (theatrical)
- Shochiku-Fuji Company (1987) (Japan) (theatrical)
- Svensk Filmindustri (SF) (1987) (Sweden) (theatrical)
- Syncron Film (1987) (Norway) (theatrical)
- CBS / Fox Video (1987) (United Kingdom) (VHS)
- CBS/Fox Home Video (Australia) (VHS)
- Karl-Lorimar Home Video (KLV-TV) (1987) (United States) (VHS) (for DEG Producions)
- Transmundo Home Video (THV) (1987) (Argentina) (VHS)
- Videomax (Mexico) (VHS)
- Metro Goldwyn Mayer (1988) (Mexico) (theatrical)
- RTL Entertainment (1990) (Netherlands) (tv) (RTL4)
- Warner Home Video (1990) (United States) (VHS)
- Fox Video (1992) (United Kingdom) (VHS)
- TV3 (1992) (Finland) (tv)
- Chapel Distribution (1997) (Australia) (theatrical)
- MGM Home Entertainment (1998) (United States) (VHS)
- Warner Home Video (1998) (United States) (VHS)
- Castle Home Video (1999) (United Kingdom) (VHS)
- Scanbox Entertainment (1999) (Finland) (VHS)
- Scanbox Norge (Norway) (VHS)
- MGM Home Entertainment (2000) (Canada) (DVD)
- MGM Home Entertainment (2000) (United States) (DVD)
- Asociace Ceských Filmových Klubu (ACFK) (2001) (Czechia) (theatrical) (re-release)
- Filmmuseum Distributie (2001) (Netherlands) (theatrical) (re-release)
- MGM Home Entertainment (2001) (Germany) (DVD)
- Scanbox Entertainment (2001) (Finland) (DVD)
- Alamode Film (2003) (Germany) (theatrical) (re-release)
- Mainostelevisio (MTV3) (2005) (Finland) (tv)
- Metro Goldwyn Mayer Home Entertainment (2005) (Mexico) (DVD)
- Scanbox Entertainment (2006) (Finland) (DVD)
- Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (2006) (United States) (DVD)
- Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment (2006) (Netherlands) (DVD)
- Arthaus (2007) (Norway) (theatrical) (re-release)
- SubTV (2007) (Finland) (tv)
- 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment (2008) (Argentina) (theatrical) (re-release)
- Gativideo (2008) (Argentina) (DVD)
- Metro Goldwyn Mayer Home Entertainment (2010) (Mexico) (DVD) (double feature Rain Man & Blue Velvet)
- 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment (2011) (Germany) (Blu-ray)
- 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment (2011) (United States) (Blu-ray)
- Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment (2011) (Netherlands) (Blu-ray)
- SundanceTV (2012) (United States) (tv)
- Canale 5 (2016) (Italy) (tv)
- Canvas (2016) (Belgium) (tv)
- Iris (2016) (Italy) (tv)
- The Criterion Collection (2019) (United States) (DVD)
- Arthaus (2019) (Germany) (Blu-ray)
- Arthaus (2019) (Germany) (DVD)
- The Criterion Collection (2019) (United States) (Blu-ray)
- Avalon (2021) (Spain) (theatrical) (re-release) (4K) (David Lynch Universe)
- Summer Classics (2021) (Greece) (theatrical) (re-release)
- The Criterion Channel (2022) (United States) (tv) (streaming)
- 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment (Brazil) (DVD)
- Jovem Pan Home Vídeo (Brazil) (VHS)
Special Effects
Other Companies
- Cherokee Studios (music recorded and mixed at)
- City of Wilmington, North Carolina (special thanks to)
- DEG Film Studios Inc. (catering by)
- Dolby Laboratories (IN SELECTED THEATRES)
- Film Symphony of Prague (music score recorded by)
- Fincannon & Associates (additional casting)
- Fincannon & Associates (extras casting)
- Great Northern Brokerage Services (insurance by)
- Joe Dunton Cameras America (cameras and lenses by)
- Motion Picture Association (MPA) (approval certificate) (no. 28301)
- New Hanover Memorial Hospital (special thanks to)
- North Carolina Film Office (filmed in)
- Saul Zaentz Film Center (post-production sound services)
- The State of North Carolina (special thanks to)
- Toronto International Film Festival (festival)
- Van der Veer Photo Effects (titles and opticals)
- Varèse Sarabande (soundtrack)
Storyline
| Plot Summary |
College student Jeffrey Beaumont returns to his idyllic hometown of Lumberton to manage his father's hardware store while his father is hospitalized. Walking though a grassy meadow near the family home, Jeffrey finds a severed human ear. After an initial investigation, lead police Detective John Williams advises Jeffrey not to speak to anyone about the case as they investigate further. Detective Williams also tells Jeffrey that he cannot divulge any information about what the police know. Detective Williams' high school aged daughter, Sandy Williams, tells Jeffrey what she knows about the case from overhearing her father's private conversations on the matter: that it has to do with a nightclub singer named Dorothy Vallens, who lives in an older apartment building near the Beaumont home. His curiosity getting the better of him, Jeffrey, with Sandy's help, decides to find out more about the woman at the center of the case by breaking into Dorothy's apartment while he knows she's at work. What Jeffrey finds is a world unfamiliar to him, one that he doesn't truly understand but one that he is unable to deny the lure of despite the inherent dangers of being associated with a possible murder. Still, he is torn between this world and the prospect of a relationship with Sandy, the two who are falling for each other, despite Sandy already being in a relationship with Mike, the school's star football player. Written by Huggo |
| Plot Keywords | |
| Taglines | Now It's Dark. See more » |
| Genres | |
| Parents Guide | View content advisory » |
| Certification |
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Additional Details
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Box Office
| Budget | $6,000,000 (estimated) |
| Opening Weekend United States | $789,409, 21 Sep 1986 |
Did You Know?
| Trivia | In an interview, Dennis Hopper claimed that writer/director David Lynch would never say the word "fuck" during filming, he would simply point to the line in the script and say "that word". Hopper laughed, saying "He can write it, but he won't say it. He's a peculiar man." Lynch has said this isn't exactly true, but he didn't want to charge the atmosphere anymore than it already was. See more » |
| Goofs | Dorothy lives on the seventh floor of Deep River Apartments, a building which only has six floors. This is done purposely and occurs similarly in many movies to deter sightseers, fans and psychos from disrupting people who live in the real location. For similar reasons, "555-" is nearly always used on film and TV as the first three digits of phone numbers, to prevent people from trying the number and annoying people. See more » |
| Movie Connections | Edited into Blue Peanuts (1987). See more » |
| Soundtracks | Blue Velvet See more » |
| Quotes |
Frank Booth:
Hey you wanna go for a ride? Jeffrey Beaumont: No thanks. Frank Booth: No thanks? What does that mean? Jeffrey Beaumont: I don't wanna go. Frank Booth: Go where? Jeffrey Beaumont: For a ride. Frank Booth: A ride! Now that's a good idea! See more » |