David Byrne walks onto the stage and does a solo “Psycho Killer” with the tape deck he brings. Tina Weymouth, Chris Frantz and Jerry Harrison join him for three more songs. The crew is busy, still setting up. Then, three more musicians (Steve Scales, Alex Weir, Bernie Worrell) and two back-up singers (Lynn Mabry, Edna Holt) join the band, 9 in total. Everybody sings, plays, harmonizes, dances, and runs. They change instruments and clothes. Bryne appears in the Big Suit. The backdrop is often black, but sometimes it displays words, images, or children’s drawings. The band cooks for 18 songs, the lyrics are clear, the house rocks. In this concert film, the Talking Heads hardly talk, don’t stop, and always make sense.
Scenes
#2 “Heaven” [David Byrne, Tina Weymouth]
#3 “Thank You for Sending Me an Angel” [Chris Frantz]
#4 “Found a Job” [Chris Frantz, Jerry Harrison, Tina Weymouth, David Byrne]
#5 “Slippery People” [Steve Scales]
#5 “Slippery People” [Edna Holt, Lynn Mabry]
#6 “Burning Down the House” [Bernie Worrell]
#6 “Burning Down the House” [David Byrne, Tina Weymouth, Cameraman, Steve Scales, Alex Weir]
Cast
David Byrne (Vocals and Guitar)
Tina Weymouth (Bass, Keyboard bass and Vocals)
Chris Frantz (Drums and Vocals)
Jerry Harrison (Guitar, Keyboards and Vocals)
Steve Scales (Percussion)
Alex Weir (Guitar and Vocals)
Bernie Worrell (Keyboards)
Lynn Mabry (Backing Vocals)
Edna Holt (Backing Vocals)
Crew
Director: Jonathan Demme
Screenplay: Talking Heads, Jonathan Demme
Producer: Gary Goetzman
Cinematography: Jordan Cronenweth
Editor: Lisa Day
Music: Talking Heads
Basic Info
Production company: Arnold Stiefel Company
Distributor: Cinecom Pictures, Palm Pictures
Release date: 24 Apr 1984 (SFIFF), 19 Oct 1984 (USA), 3 Aug 1985 (Japan)
Running time: 88 minutes
Country: USA
Budget: $1.2 million
Box office: $5.1 million
