File today’s strip under Pisses Me Off: a whole stupid week of Les fretting over what “that Hollywood producer” might do to his masterpiece. When at last Les grudgingly concedes to allow his book to be optioned, Ann tells him what many of you have been pointing out all week…that just because your book’s been optioned, doesn’t mean the movie will ever see the light of day.
Tag: Lisa’s Story
There, There, My Dear
Erich
May 19, 2011 at 11:31 am…I’m trying to remember the name of another author with a pragmatic attitude towards adaptations…when somebody asked him about Hollywood “ruining” his books, he replied “They’re not ruined. They’re still right there on the shelf.” Who said that?
redbird
May 19, 2011 at 5:17 pmErich: Finally found it at Slate:
“…Except, of course, it was supposed to be exactly that. Comics writer Alan Moore, whose dislike for adaptations of his books has been widely documented, is fond of telling a story about Raymond Chandler. When asked if he worried about Hollywood ruining his books, Chandler replied, “They’re not ruined. They’re right there on the shelf….”
My own research led me to this very old posting on a discussion board, where the expression is used by author James Ellroy (who I guess was quoting Chandler). Anyway, in today’s strip, Lisa’s Ghost says pretty much the same thing.
Today’s post title was inspired by Lisa’s cold, spooky hand on Les’ in panel 3, which in turn reminded me of this 80’s classic:
“There, There, My Dear” –Dexy’s Midnight Runners
Borders, Books
In likening himself to Hemingway , Les leaves out a key element of Papa’s quote: “You throw them your book, they throw you the money. Then you jump into your car and drive like hell back the way you came.” Although in this case, instead of money, Hollywood would throw the book back. After using it for asswipe.
Les But Not Leese
Vampires? Vampires are so 2008! Zombies, man! We want zombies!
Hollyweird
Poof! Lisa’s ghost has materialized after all, and Les proceeds to bring her up to speed on the book being optioned. But in panel two the setting abruptly shifts from the park bench to…a room…somewhere…I can’t figure out where they’re supposed to be…Les is still wearing the same clothes, but Lisa is wearing glasses and a blue jacket and has reverted to her cancer-baldness. Les’ old ladyfriend Ronnie sits between them, looking like she did in college. And and then boom, back to the park bench. Very weird!
Son of Stuck Funky 
