15/12-12:
An exclusive interview with Barry E. Jackson (Escape From New York Poster Artist)
Ever wondered why the Statue of Liberty's decapitated head was featured in the poster and not in the movie? The artist himself have answered the question! Barry kindly agreed to do an exclusive interview and I am truly grateful for the opportunity to interview the artist behind this iconic poster.
Read it here.
23/11-12:
The Escape Agenda & Snake Plissken Meets Ernest Borgnine Fan Movies
Hector De La Rosa (Snake Plissken in Escape From New Jersey, Webmaster of Escape from New York's ultimate fan page, Writer of Escape From New York 1.5 etc) and Gayle Bykowicz (Webmaster of Snake Plissken vs Solid Snake etc) are back with two fan movies. The Escape Agenda takes place right after EFNY and raises an interesting question. What would Snake have to do to get away from the USPF and be a free man? This movie with a similar look and feel of the original movie answers this question. Snake Plissken Meets Ernest Borgnine was made in Mr. Borgnine's memory and features Snake on the actual Liberty Island and ends with him reuniting with Ernest at the Chiller Convention. Fan movies with Snake are a rare treat and I thank my fellow Snake fans Hector De La Rosa and Gayle Bykowicz for these must watch fan movies. Here they are:
The Escape Agenda (YouTube)
Description: After rescuing the president, Snake wakes up and learns that he has been charged with treason. The President is on his way back to Liberty Island to carry out his execution. Will Snake escape once more?
Directed By: Hector De La Rosa
Running Time: 9:05
From: plisskenrules
Snake Plissken Meets Ernest Borgnine (Chiller 2011) (YouTube)
Description: A fun little video Snake Plissken and I made in memory of Ernest Borgnine 1917-2012
Video By: Gayle Bykowicz
Running Time: 4:56
From: snakesgayle1
02/11-12:
Interview with John Wash
John Wash was one of the model builders for the buildings made for the computer graphics inside Snake's glider in Escape From New York. He also did the graphic displays including the opening prologue animation for the movie. Here's an interview with him which contains information about his work on EFNY along with a couple of previously unseen behind the scenes photos etc:
VFX veteran John Wash details his early computer animation work on Halloween III and beyond
22/10-12:
Another YouTube surprise, updates
(Part 1/2)
(French Broadcast)"Movie Magic" Action Effects: Ultimate Action (The Rock/The Long Kiss Goodnight/Escape From L.A.) (#4.11/1996) (YouTube)
Description: Visual Effects Supervisor Michael Lessa and his team at Buena Vista Visual Effects use a combination of miniatures and computer generated imagery to create an apocalyptic earthquake in John Carpenter's Escape from L.A.
Running Time: 30:00
From: moviemagicfr
And here's another scanned EFLA interview with John Carpenter from an out of print magazine called World of Fandom: Press - Articles/Interviews
World of Fandom (Vol 2/Issue 27/Summer/1996/US) (Article: Joseph B. Mauceri makes his Escape From L.A. with director John Carpenter) By Joseph B. Mauceri (Pages: 28-30)
Many pages have also been updated recently (especially those in the Items section) and all broken links have been fixed etc.
07/10-12:
The Escape From New York & L.A. Page - A Tribute to Snake Plissken turns 10 years old today!
Feel free to congratulate it or click on the like button for the page on Facebook here.
Proud servant for all your Escape or Snake related needs since 2002!
25/09-12:
YouTube surprise
Many thanks to drewnice1 who recently posted this treat:
"Moving Pictures" - Escape From L.A. On Set Interviews (BBC 2: 14/05/96) (YouTube)
Running Time: 11:43
From: drewnice1
27/08-12:
EFNY shooting locations most likely found, links added, magazines, Facebook page added
Finding the last remaining shooting locations for EFNY has become an obsession lately. I have been all over St. Louis on Google Map and I have finally managed to locate the most likely places for the remaining unknown locations in St. Louis used for EFNY. I kind of already knew where they were shot but I wanted to do as much research as I could before taking any risks.
1980 Cabbie driving Snake from the Crazies (South side of the MacArthur Bridge between S. 2nd St. and Risley St., St. Louis, MO) (Chouteau's Landing) (Street View) (Most likely)
Description (Chouteau's Landing): Located a few blocks from Busch Stadium, Chouteau’s Landing is one of St. Louis’ oldest districts. With 58 acres slated for mixed-use redevelopment, Chouteau’s Landing will soon be transformed into an energetic art district distinctively styled with SoHo-style lofts, historic commercial buildings and new construction.
Creative entrepreneurs are already moving their businesses to Historic Fourth Street with its rare collection of 19th-century commercial buildings that will seamlessly merge with new construction. The launch of Chouteau's Landing's Historic Fourth Street will be followed by seven progressive years that include a 122,000-square-foot interactive arts center, art-filled greenspace and pedestrian friendly streetscapes.
Located just south of Highway 40 and Busch Stadium between South Fourth Street and the Riverfront, Chouteau's Landing will feature an edgy artistic sensibility and an intricately layered landscape that attracts a diverse community of savvy urbanites.
Comment (Andreas): "Two of the To the 69th Street Bridge chase scenes (including the deleted four cars chase scene) were most likely shot on the other side of the MacArthur Bridge. The building seen in the background of the bridge has most likely been demolished and is also featuring in the other two mentioned scenes."
South side of the MacArthur Bridge between S. 2nd St. and Risley St. (Chouteau's Landing)
St. Louis, MO
http://www.chouteauslanding.com
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MacArthur_Bridge_(St._Louis)
http://www.builtstlouis.net/macarthur.html
1980To Broadway (N. 17th St. between Washington Ave. and St. Charles St., St. Louis, MO) (Street View) (Most likely)
Comment (Andreas) "This scene was most likely shot at the same place where the USPF chopper's landed among other scenes. If you look closely in the street view option above on Google Map you can see similar windows on the building on the left side and also a similar shape on the entrances and window which could pass as a former loading dock and two shop entrances. John Carpenter and crew also shut down the lights in this part of the same street which was also used for the Duke's Caravan to the Grand Central Station - Rear Entrance scene."
N. 17th St. between Washington Ave. and St. Charles St.
St. Louis, MO
1980
1980 (Deleted Scene)To the 69th Street Bridge Chase (Lombard St./Risley St., St. Louis, MO) (Chouteau's Landing) (Street View) (Most likely)
Description (Chouteau's Landing): See Cabbie driving Snake from the Crazies
Comment (Andreas): "These scenes were most likely shot on the other side of the MacArthur Bridge where the Cabbie Driving Snake from the Crazies scene was most likely shot. The buildings on the left side have been demolished as well as some on the right side."
Lombard St./Risley St. (Chouteau's Landing)
St. Louis, MO
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MacArthur_Bridge_(St._Louis)
http://www.builtstlouis.net/macarthur.html
http://www.chouteauslanding.com
>
1980 -NowTo the 69th Street Bridge Chase (N. 2nd St./North side of the Martin Luther King Bridge, St. Louis, MO) (Laclede's Landing) (Street View) (Most likely)
Description (Laclede's Landing): Located on the banks of the mighty Mississippi River and just north of the world-famous Gateway Arch, Laclede’s Landing is downtown St. Louis’ oldest district and ONLY riverfront entertainment and dining destination. This nine-block area – once the manufacturing, warehousing and shipping hub of St. Louis – is now home to over twenty great restaurants, clubs, shops and attractions.
Comment (Andreas): "This scene was most likely shot at the Martin Luther King Bridge. The bridge was renovated in the late 80s and the tunnel that The Duke drives through could easily have been removed. The buildings seen in the background in picture 1 as well as the building behind the bridge in picture 2 have also been demolished. Close up pictures of the old bridge is hard to find but I'm pretty sure that this is the place. There's also a slope here and it is located near the riverfront just like Chouteau's Landing where other To the 69th Street Bridge Chase scenes were most likely shot."
N. 2nd St./North side of the Martin Luther King Bridge (Laclede's Landing)
St. Louis, MO
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Luther_King_Bridge_(St._Louis)
http://lacledeslanding.com/
I have also added more links (from http://www.builtstlouis.net) in my Shooting Locations Page if you haven't noticed already. I have also added links for those who wants to know more about the fire in St. Louis in 1976 that contributed to the apocalyptic look and atmosphere in EFNY:
A look back • 1976 fire along Locust Street was one for the ages stltoday.com
April 2, 1976: Downtown St. Louis firestorm KSDK.com
1976 - St. Louis Missouri Firestorm 21st and Locust firebuffpatrol.createaforum.com
Shooting in St. Louis in 1980 was a hot and sticky experience for the film crew and actors. This article explains a lot:
A Look Back • Searing heat wave killed 153 in St. Louis in 1980 stltoday.com
Forget about New York! Snake escaped from St. Louis!
St. Louis Ranked 3rd on Dangerous Cities List cbslocal.com
Here's also some cool new EFNY articles. Check them out here: Press-Articles/Interviews
Rod Sterling's Twilight Zone (Vol 1/Issue 1/Apr/1981/US) (Article: Escape From New York Color Preview) (Pages: 53-56)
Rona Barrett's Hollywood (Vol 12/Íssue 11/Aug/1981/US) (Article: Interview: Kurt Russell By Arthur Stern) (Pages: 59-62)
Circus (Issue 259/Sep 30/1981/US) (Article: Kurt Russell rides a new wave in ‘ESCAPE’ film By Richard Hogan) (Page: 52)
Another EFNY behind the scene photo was found here on the unofficial John Carpenter - The Master of Horror Facebook page as well as other cool behind the scenes photos from other John Carpenter movies.
I have also added a Facebook page for this site. Go nuts folks:
31/07-12:
Behind the Curtain with John Carpenter, magazines, posters etc
Here's the latest news regarding the Behind the Curtain with John Carpenter book from the author Kim Gottlieb-Walker herself:
"Aiming for Fall 2013...my publisher made an offer I wasn't thrilled with, so we have to do some negotiation...and then it takes about 18 months to produce...If we can't resolve our issues, I may publish on my own..."
Here's a treat for all you French people out there. Three of these French magazines offers great coverage of EFLA. Check them out here: Press-Articles/Interviews
Actua Cine (Issue 164/Nov/1996/FR) (Article: Los Angeles 2013 By Guy Lemay) (Pages: 8-9)
L'Ecran Fantastique (Issue 155/Nov/1996/FR) (Articles: Los Angeles 2013/Kurt Russell By Jean-Luc Vandiste/John Carpenter By Luc Lagier & Jean-Baptiste Thoret/George Corraface By Jean-Luc Vandiste) (Pages: 6-16) (Review By Jean-Baptiste Thoret) (Page: 13)
S.F.X. (Issue 40/Nov/1996/FR) (Articles: Los Angeles 2013/Les Effets Spéciaux/Entretien avec John Stirber By Alain Bielik/New York 1997 By Dan Briggs) (Pages: 6-15)
M6 Fantastique (Issue 12/Oct/1998/FR) (Articles: Los Angeles 2013 By Jean-Michel Dupont/Kurt Russell By Cyrille Giraud/John Carpenter By Jean-Baptiste Thoret/L.A.: K.O. By Pascal Pinteau/New York 1997 Los Angeles 2013 By Jean-Baptiste Thoret/Comment un film en cache un autre By Jean-Baptiste Thoret (Pages: 4-8, 10-24)
A Swedish fella called Johannes Holsti also had the fine taste to send me pics of a Danish EFNY poster and a very rare Italian EFNY 6 sheet poster. Thanks Johannes. Here they are:
I also want to recommend everyone to check out the French documentary Big John on YouTube. It's a very up close and personal documentary about and with Mr. Carpenter shot in different parts of Los Angeles. Debra Hill, Adrienne Barbeau, Austin Stoker, Keith Gordon, Peter Jason and Larry Franco are some of the people that shows up. Alan Howarth too. He also did the great score for this documentary which I hope will get released someday. Enjoy folks:
Big John (documentaire sur John Carpenter) Caverne Des Introuvables (YouTube)
Description: Réalisé par Julien Dunand avec : John Carpenter, Jean-baptiste Thoret, Nicolas Saada, Austin Stocker, Adrienne Barbeau, Debra Hill , Alan Howarth, Mel Sloan (son prof à l'U.S.C) et Larry Franco.
Running Time: 75:32
From: Gerard Depardieu
09/07-12:
Ernest Borgnine (Cabbie in Escape From New York): 1917-2012
The Escape From New York & L.A. Page would like to personally thank Mr. Borgnine for his talent and body of work.
05/07-12:
Photo removal
I just found out that the current French EFNY DVD release also has the photos featured in the out of print collector's edition. I don't post exclusive and other content that is still available officially for sale and I'm a man of my word. Therefore I'm sad to inform you that I have taken them down. However, I had to save three that were very important to me. Do yourself a favor and order the French DVD here or anywhere else. By the way, I just discovered another seven photos in the documentary Carpenter vu par... It also has many other exclusive features not found anywhere else. For those who doesn't have a region free DVD player I recommend downloading VLC Media Player (which is region free) to your computer.
03/07-12:
Enhanced articles, behind the scenes photos, Ernest Borgnine Talks "Escape from New York" (YouTube)
I consider myself an online preserver of all things from these movies. Therefore I decided to make my articles (and some other stuff) bigger due to growing screen resolutions for future viewing pleasure. I hope I never have to do this again.
Here's also some nice new EFNY behind the scenes photos:
I normally don't post stuff still available officially for sale, but I just can't help myself when it comes to behind the scenes photos. The last three is taken from the following magazine. Not much is said about Escape From New York in this magazine, but I give you the chance to purchase a photocopy of it.
Cinefex (Issue 12/1983/US) (Article: A Dream in the Making By Marc A. Richardson) (Pages: 52-53)
Purchase it here (Photocopy)
Ernest Borgnine Talks "Escape from New York" (YouTube)
Description: During a Q & A at 2012's Texas Frightmare Weekend, Ernest Borgnine reflected on his experience working with John Carpenter on Escape from New York.
Running Time: 2:55
From: AintItCoolTV
25/04-12:
Death Waltz EFNY vinyl available for pre-order
New release date: June 08, 2012. More info here.
12/04-12:
Death Waltz Recording Company releases the soundtrack of EFNY on a limited special edition vinyl in May
From the record company:
Exclusively re-mastered for this vinyl release, including 6 tracks that never made it into the original film (most likely the previously unreleased ones on the expanded score). John Carpenter not only directed Escape From New York but also composed and recorded all of its music too. The score sounds as fresh today as it did when it was first released - laden with brooding electronic pulses, flashes of Krautrock and a healthy dose of Nu-disco, all ensuring that this soundtrack sounds as happy on the dance floor as it is in your headphones.
Exclusive cover art by Jay Shaw (aka Iron Jaiden) one of the most in-demand poster artists working today. Jay is heavily influenced by the abstract posters of the Polish film industry and is not afraid to experiment with his designs. His recent work has been selling out in minutes, creating a huge demand on the aftermarket.
Sleeve Notes from composer Alan Howarth.
Black and Orange swirled vinyl.
About Death Waltz Recording Company:
Founded by Spencer Hickman, manager of the Rough Trade Record Shop in London, Death Waltz Recording Company will be concentrating on delivering high-end collector's packages pressed on vinyl, including extensive liner notes from composers, brand new and exclusive artwork from a variety of renowned cult artists as well as bonus screen prints and posters.
Each release will have a limited edition of 300 copies pressed on coloured vinyl complete with extensive liner notes, a numbered print and a poster featuring exclusive artwork, to be sold exclusively through www.deathwaltzrecordingcompany.co.uk
In addition to the highly prized coloured vinyl edition, there will also be a black vinyl edition with an A2 poster sold through traditional record stores worldwide. Releases will be one-off pressings, thus ensuring the collectability of the packaging. Death Waltz Recording Company is therefore set to become the premier vinyl soundtrack label for cult film enthusiasts.
04/04-12:
Snakebit, magazines, EFLA fan game
The 158 pages long Snakebit fan fiction magazine has proudly been added to the site. It's the first Escape From New York fan fiction magazine to be made and two more issues of this series would follow. It was published in 1984 by Escape Press and was edited, created and contributed by J. A. Raish and Linda Ojard. Here it is: Press - Fan Fiction
If the publishers of this magazine have any problems with me adding it to the site, just let me know. Also, if someone want to sell, donate or loan me Snakebit 2 or 3, just let me know.
More added magazines
Film Review (Review) (Vol 31/Issue 10/Oct/1981/UK) (Pages: 22-23)
The Movie (Issue 99/Nov/1981/UK) (Review By Philip Strick) (Pages: 1976-1977)
Flicks (Vol 8/Issue 10/Oct/1996/UK) (Breaking Loose By James Cameron-Wilson) (Page: 11)
Mucchio (14-15 January/1997/IT) (Article: Intervista John Carpenter su "Fuga da Los Angeles") By Samuel Blumenfeld (Pages: 22-25)
Total Film (Issue 4/May/1997/UK) (Article: Point Blank: John Carpenter The Total Film Interview) By Stephen Applebaum (Pages: 74-78) (Review By Dave Golder) (Page: 101)
EFLA Fan Game (Fun!)
Snake Plissken: Surfin' U.S.A. - vandriver - 48 Hour Competition Entry
05/02-12:
Jake West's Escape From London
FrightFest commissioned five UK filmmakers to revisit John Carpenter movies to open the festival. Jake West (Dog House, Evil Aliens) chose to do a short film inspired by Escape From New York.
A well made and silly film indeed. Very faithful to EFNY but with Snake's sister this time. I'm not kidding.
14/01-12:
Escape From Escape From New York, EFNY behind the scenes pics & interviews
Here's another fun find. On November 18 during season 7, episode 6 Saturday Night Live showed a commercial parody preview comprised entirely of movie stills and stock footage for a movie where an audience attempt to flee a Maximum Security Prison Cinema where they are forced to see Escape From New York only to be trapped in another cinema showing a nine hour long version of the movie New York, New York instead.
Check it out if you can. Just don't be offended when the narrator calls EFNY to be sickening and mindless filth. It's for fun and I take it as a compliment.
Here's also some cool new behind the scenes pics from EFNY. Two with John Carpenter ready for two of his cameos in the movie and another one of James Cameron working on the Central Park matte painting. I found these great pics at the Forgotten Silver site here.
Here's more Escape From L.A. interviews with John Carpenter. I don't know how I missed to add these. Two are from the now archived The John Carpenter Web Page and it was thanks to the AOL chat one with John Carpenter I got to know about the existence of Escape From Escape From New York.
John Carpenter AOL Chat (scifidominion.ning.com/1996)
Point Blank (Total Film/Issue 5/May/1997/UK)
John Carpenter Interview (dougiethompson.com)
10/01-12:
Crazy Magazine EFNY Parody etc.
This sure was a fun find. I'm a big fan of Mad parodies so I really enjoyed reading this one as well. Flattering stuff indeed. Here it is: Press - Comics
The Great Escape (Melody Maker/Sep 28/1996/UK) By Allan Jones (Pages: 26-27)
Here's also another added magazine with great interviews with John Carpenter and Kurt Russell that I really can recommend reading: Press - Articles/Interviews
06/01-12:
YouTube Videos
Les Realisateur: John Carpenter
After Hours with TC RESTANI: SJB meets OX BAKER (Funny)
I had this John Carpenter documentary recorded on a VHS tape. It's fun to see it again. It features interviews with Kurt Russell, Adrienne Barbeau, Jamie Lee Curtis, Janet Leigh, Harry Dean Stanton and Michael McKean. It covers every John Carpenter movie prior to Vampires (except They Live for some reason) and it also offers us some nice behind the scenes footage from Escape From L.A. The narration is in French but it's a must see documentary for John Carpenter fans. Thanks for uploading it.
Earlier news not available