Elaine: A Story of Lost Love

Adapted from an obscure Guy de Maupassant novella, lifted from a paperback bought by Meaney as an undergrad for 99 cents. What’s evident is Horn’s fascination for squared-off blocking and choreography, including a glimpse at a performance of Orpheus and Eurydice in minature. Star Adam Macadam brought on other members of Charles Ludlam’s Ridiculous Theater Company, many of whom would return to work on DOOMED LOVE. Featuring ancient costumes on loan from the Metropolitan Opera (repurposed from early twentieth century productions of Tosca and La Traviata), ELAINE aspires to high gothic on a shoestring budget. Horn and Meaney shot at locations including the Morris-Jumel Mansion in Washington Heights, the Frick, and the Carnegie Hall Cinema, then operated by Sid Geffen and Jackie Raynal – the programmers responsible for hosting the first-ever New York City screenings of films by Marguerite Duras, an influence on the filmmakers (alongside Daniel Schmid, Douglas Sirk and Alain Resnais.)

Cast

Adam Macadam Maupassant

Black-Eyed Susan Elaine

Brien Coleman Dore Monserrat

Lisa Jane Persky Felicie

Lola Pashalinski Baroness Peterat

Rene Machado Orpheus

Duncan Hannah Julien

Ethyl Eichelberger Ghost

Bill Gehr Voice of Ghost

Jack Mallory Secretary

Georg Osterman Young Man

Richard Gibbs Doctor

Metadata from the source database.