INTERVIEW WITH J.P. SHANLEY BY MARK B, MARCH 2005
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Q: The lamp. Where is it and where'd you get it?

A: WE MADE IT. IT COST A FORTUNE AND MADE A LOT OF
NOISE. WE HAD TO LOOP OF THE WHOLE SCENE BECAUSE
THE LAMP KILLED THE SOUND.


Q: The Cast. The cast was VERY diverse and well known. Ossie Davis
just passed. Many have gone on to terrific careers. As a director, can
you make any comparisons between what it was like directing this
movie, your first, and directing you have done since then.

A: I HAVE DIRECTED MANY PLAYS, BUT NEVER ANOTHER FILM.
I'M THINKING OF DIRECTING ANOTHER FILM NOW IF THE
FINANCING COMES TOGETHER.


Q: It's been 15 years now since the movie was made. Many of us get
snikered at for being so attached to it. Tom Hanks has noteably not
wanted to talk about this particular movie. Does the movie say what
you wanted it to say, and how do you think the movie has held up over
the years.

A: I'M VERY PLEASED WITH THE FILM. IT'S A PERSONAL
EXPRESSION, VERY ECCENTRIC, FROM THE HEART. IT IS NOT
CONVENTIONAL COMMERCIAL FILM MAKING.


Q: Did you have anything to do with the current DVD release, and is
there any possibility of an updated DVD with commentary from the
cast/crew. Also, are there any extraneous materials/scences laying
around?

A: I HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THE DVD RELEASE.


Q: How did you hook up with George Delerue and what do you think of
his score? Was there a specific reason why a regular soundtrack was
never released as well?

A: I PICKED GEORGE. WE HAD A WONDERFUL
COLLABORATION. I WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER HIM
CONDUCTING THAT HUGE ORCHESTRA. DRINKING
CHAMPAGNE WHEN HE WAS DONE.


Q: Additionally... Marooned Without You and The Cowboy Song...

A: I WROTE MAROONED WITHOUT YOU ON THE LUNCH BREAK
WHEN GEORGE WAS CONDUCTING.


Q: This movie was obviously a labour of love you. What is the origin of
the story?

A: OH THAT'S A LONG STORY.


Q: Orange Soda Drinking, Celtic & Jewish Polynesians.... Does
WAPONI mean anything?

A: VARIOUS POLYNESIAN CULTURES WERE AFFECTED
MIGHTILY BY SUCH THINGS AS SOFT DRINKS. WAPONIS ARE
CALLED WAPONIS BECAUSE I LIKED THE SOUND OF IT.


Q: How frustrated were you about how the movie was received, and
knowing that it nevertheless developed a cult following, if you had the
chance again, would you make the same movie?

A: I HAD A VERY HARD TIME WITH THE STUDIO, BUT THEY DID
LET ME MAKE THE MOVIE I WANTED TO MAKE. I COULDN'T
MAKE THE SAME MOVIE NOW. I'M IN A DIFFERENT PLACE. BUT I
WOULD MAKE A DIFFERENT FANTASTICAL STORY STRAIGHT
FROM MY HEART. AND PERHAPS I WILL. (OH, I'VE GOT TO GO.
THAT'S ALL FOR NOW! BEST, JPS