A good friend of mine spent some time on the set of The Rum Diary movie. He sent me this brief account of his time there. Many thanks to him for letting me post this here.
I worked on the set of “The Rum Diary” as an extra. On the first day of shooting, which took place in an old bowling alley, I noticed there was a chair with Johnny Depp’s name on it; the type of folding chair that you typically see on a set. What was not typical however, was the fact that next to Col.Depp’s chair was another one just like it with the name Dr. Hunter S. Thompson printed on it. I’m
sure you can imagine the excitement that I felt being a follower of all things Gonzo, and also the frustration that plagued me when I heard some brainless individual enquire “But, isn’t he dead?”… Of course he’s dead, but that is besides the point.
It was then that I saw Depp walk into the set in full character dressed as Paul Kemp. Hunter’s chair was moved to one of the bowling lanes. Depp served Hunter a glass of Chivas Regal whiskey and placed it on the chair along with a cigarette holder and of course, a cigarette. He stood there beside the seat for a moment while some pictures were taken and he seemed visibly emotional as well as proud. It was a very touching moment that made me choke up a little. I was angry that no one else present really knew how important such a gesture was, with the exception of a handful of people.
Later, I stepped outside to smoke a cigarette and I heard the director, Bruce Robinson, talking to someone about Hunter’s chair: “We’re going to have him every day on the set!” he declared. God bless that man. As I was walking towards the parking lot, I ran into Col. Depp himself. I shook his hand and we spoke about Hunter for a brief moment. I told him how I thought that he’s doing great things for Hunter and how I’ve read all of Hunter’s books. Col. Depp smiled and looked me in the eye and said, “Yeah…he’s the fu***g greatest.”
That was one of only a few days that I would work on that film. Films are not my line of work and the only reason I was chosen to work as an extra is because of my blue eyes which make me look more American than Puerto Rican. Despite all this, I’m very proud to have been present in that room where homage was paid to Dr. Hunter S. Thompson before a single frame was shot. Before anyone cried out ‘Action!’, the Doctor’s presence was acknowledged. Selah.
Depp’s yacht is called Vajoliroja which is an anagram of his wife’s, kids and his own name. And naturally sports the Jolly Roger.
Here is the complete list of Rolling Stone issues (with cover pictures) that include Hunter S. Thompson’s articles. The list and cover pictures are in chronological order. Also with article titles.
Gadfly magazine, if you want my two cents worth, it’s a little gem, and a rare gem at that. The June 1998 issue, Vol. 2 No 6 is packed with HST, and HST related stuff. Included inside is “The Seven-Ton Typewriter: Chronicles of Rage” by Peter Whitmer. “Fear and Loathing at the America’s Cup” an interview with Ralph Steadman by Gadfly staff. “New Journalism: Fact or Fiction” by Amy Nickell and Tanya Stanciu. An interview with Tony Grisoni, co-screen-writer of the movie “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas” by Jason Whitehead. And a conversation with George Plimpton about Truman Capote. Also there is a great center-fold picture of Johnny Depp on set in the Las Vegas movie.
