Writing

Preview: Ancient Gonzo Wisdom: Interviews with Hunter S. Thompson

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Ancient Gonzo Wisdom

Ancient Gonzo Wisdom

Here is some nice reading material for the Gonzo Tribe this summer – Ancient Gonzo Wisdom: Interviews with Hunter S. Thompson – due to hit the shelves on July 6th. Anita Thompson has spent quite a while now gathering together this volume of interviews and first indications are that the wait has been worth it. Kicking things off is an introduction by none other than Christopher Hitchens and I have to say I am intrigued as to what he has to say regarding the Good Doctor and all things Gonzo. A quick scan of the table of contents offers up some nice surprises – not only are the interviews from print sources but there are also transcribed interviews from various radio and T.V. outlets to boot! This is a really nice touch as many of these interviews are long since forgotten and impossible to find (believe me I have tried!) It also sets this volume apart from the other collection of interviews by Kevin Simonson and Beef Torrey. Yes there are some interviews common to both collections but by and large the material in this book is to be found nowhere else (except maybe for one or two in our interview section here at Totally Gonzo – shhh tell nobody)

Ok so here is a list of some of the interviews that I have yet to find anywhere else:

ABC News – February 20, 1967

Sunday (CBC) – 1967

WBZ 1030AM (Boston) – August 8, 1972

Loose Licks (Australia) – Spring 1976

90 Minutes Live (CBC) – April 12, 1977

Commonwealth Times (Richmond, Virginia) – November 28, 1978

Washington Journalism Review – Nov/Dec 1979

This is just a small sample of what is on offer in this collection which covers Hunter’s  entire career right up until 2005. It even includes a transcript of his hilarious Conan O’Brien interview. Looking forward to picking this up now, it will keep me busy until The Mutineer comes out in October. Yes…you read that correctly… 🙂

 

Ok gotta run, next post coming sooner than you think (I promise)

 

Ron Mexico

PS: I have been glued to the protests in Iran lately, it is interesting to see young Iranian students clad in Calvin Klein asking Barack Obama and America to help them in the name of Democracy. That must sicken the clowns over at Fox News who would have you believe that all Iranians are Anti-American Evil-Doers.  As Hunter once said – “There is some shit we won’t eat!” – and that spans fear mongering morons in the media to vote rigging swine in Iran.    

Hell’s Angels – Penguin Magnum Edition

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Hell's Angels

Hell's Angels

New from Penguin this summer is the Magnum Collection – in addition to Hell’s Angels the collection also includes The Fight by Norman Mailer, In Cold Blood by Truman Capote and Hellfire by Nick Tosches.

Ron Mexico

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How To Motivate People: Hunter S. Thompson Style!

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Fax from Dr. Thompson

Fax from Dr. Thompson

 

He had a way with words,

Ron Mexico

PS: Thanks to Brian for reminding me about this!

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Ancient Gonzo Wisdom – Hunter S. Thompson

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ancient-gonzowisdom

 

Just came across this on Amazon – I believe Anita is the editor with Hunter listed as author. If I am wrong on that let me know!

Cheers,

Ron Mexico

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Hunter S. Thompson – The Gonzo Papers: Anthology

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The Gonzo Papers Anthology

The Gonzo Papers Anthology

 

Just came across this while browsing on Amazon. It is due to be released by Picador on October 2nd 2009 and it appears to be The Gonzo Papers Vol 1, 2 ,3 & 4 all within the one cover. It will be a paperback and a whopping 1248 pages.

What do you think? Not sure about the cover myself, kind of drab. (Maybe it is the tan colour that is putting me off – oh well minor complaint)

Ron Mexico

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New Hunter S. Thompson Forum!

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“I wasn’t trying to be an outlaw writer. I never heard of that term; somebody else made it up. But we were all outside the law: Kerouac, Miller, Burroughs, Ginsberg, Kesey; I didn’t have a gauge as to who was the worst outlaw. I just recognized allies: my people.”

Hunter S. Thompson – Kingdom of Fear

Some of you may already be familiar with the forum we have had here for the past few months. You will no doubt also be familiar with the multitude of problems we have had with bugs and server issues. Well finally I decided I had enough with the crappy service our host was providing so I terminated our relationship with extreme prejudice.  Thankfully I have moved to a better platform which is more reliable and has better features. Unfortunately this means that you will have to re-register in order to post again. We have had thousands upon thousands of visitors to this blog since we launched and I would love if you could join us in new Totally Gonzo Forum. So drop by and start posting or I’ll set the leeches on you!!

Ron Mexico

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Johnny Depp in Puerto Rico for The Rum Diary

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Old San Juan
Old San Juan

Johnny Depp has arrived in San Juan Puerto Rico to start filming Hunter S. Thompson’s The Rum Diary. He has been seen walking the streets of Old San Juan, an area which should feature predominantly in the film. Walking the streets of the old city, Depp was spotted entering various establishments in the area. 

Not much information is available regarding exact filming locations, but it is believed that at least one location will be the Caribe Hilton. The whole thing is due to kick off March 30th.

That is about it folks, glad to see this finally getting underway. I am really excited about this film, it should introduce Hunter S. Thompson to a whole new audience. By the way if you would like to share any information with us regarding The Rum Diary by all means throw us a bone at totallygonzo@gmail.com Any info. regarding filming would be greatly appreciated!

Cheers,

Ron Mexico

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Johnny Depp looking for 800 extras for The Rum Diary

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Dr. Thompson & Colonel Depp

Dr. Thompson & Colonel Depp

Johnny Depp is looking for more than 800 local extras for the film “The Rum Diary,” which begins filming in Puerto Rico on March 30. Casting directors are seeking people of all ages with different physical characteristics. Auditions will be held next Saturday at the Academy of Modeling Models Factory. Casting takes place between 10:00 am and 5:00 pm Interested individuals must attend the academy, located on the Paseo de la Atena, # 25 (high) in Manatee. For more information, interested parties can call (787) 904-8862 or (787) 452-1158.

The Rum Diary is loosely based on the experiences of writer Hunter S. Thompson as a journalist in Puerto Rico at the end of the 50s. Depp will play the character of Paul Kemp, a reporter working with a diverse team at a newspaper in San Juan. Bruce Robinson, director of the film, arrived on the island this week along with his assistant.

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Want to star alongside Johnny Depp in The Rum Diary? (UPDATED)

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 UPDATE: Johnny Depp begins filming March 31st in Puerto Rico!

Hunter in San Juan

Hunter in San Juan

 

So fancy rubbing shoulders with Johnny Depp in The Rum Diary? Well now is your opportunity! Casting is now underway, see below for details:

Location: (nationwide)
Category: Feature Film
Types Looking for: Actor
Gender: female,male

Status: Active
Union: No

Description:

Based on the novel by Hunter S. Thompson and Directed by Bruce Robinson, The Rum Diary is due to begin production. Johnny will produce and star in the movie. Denise Chamian Primetime Emmy Nominee is the casting director and has been involved in casting movies such as POTC and Hancock. Begun in 1959 by a then-twenty-two-year-old Hunter S. Thompson, The Rum Diary details the life and events of Paul Kemp: He’s a freelance journalist who finds himself at a critical turning point in his life while writing for a run-down newspaper in the Caribbean. Paul is challenged on many levels as he tries to carve out a more secure niche for himself amidst a group of lost souls all bent on self-destruction. Thompson delivers a potent story that pushes the sometimes brutal truth of human relations into your face in such a way that it would be absurd to not laugh.

Female or Male All Ethnicities 18 to 65

To apply click here

 

Good luck 😀

Ron Mexico

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Rumour – Jack Nicholson for The Rum Diary!

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Caribe Hilton San Juan

Caribe Hilton San Juan

 

It looks like Johnny Depp has finally decided the time is right to kick this project into gear. A number of details have emerged in the past month surrounding this project – some pretty interesting rumours too! So here is the lowdown on the developments:

  • As previously reported, casting has begun, with a casting call circulating regarding the role of Chenault. The casting call indicated that production would begin in full in early March. Several websites have speculated that Scarlett Johansson or Keira Knightley have been mentioned for the role. This is pure speculation! The role will most likely go to an unknown actress. Trust me on that one. (For budget reasons alone this is unlikely)
  • Benicio Del Toro has also recently stated that he is no longer attached to this project. He was supposed to direct the movie but that has since fallen to Bruce Robinson – writer and director of Withnail and I and the man behind the screenplay for The Killing Fields. Robinson will also handle the screenplay for The Rum Diary. He supposedly worked on it while staying on Johnny Depp’s Caribbean island, which Johnny affectionately calls “Fuck Off Island”.
  • One of the producers attached to this project is Graham King of The Departed fame. This has led to a very interesting RUMOUR that the character of Lotterman will be played by none other than Jack Nicholson!! Now I have to say I am highly sceptical of this but what a coup that would be if true. Jack was a friend of Hunter’s and really enjoyed the Good Doctor’s birthday presents 😀 Maybe just maybe he would do this but no doubt he would have to take a considerable drop regarding his fee.
  • The production team opened an office in San Juan yesterday and sources indicate that the old office of The San Juan Star will be used for filming. The newspaper closed last August. The team are also scouting for other filming locations in San Juan.

So that is it as of now. Thanks to the good folks over at JohnnyDeppReads for translating some spanish articles regarding the production.

Ok for now,

Ron Mexico

PS: We have some regular visitors from San Juan, why not drop us a note or some photos if you see anything regarding filming!

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