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Buckaroo Banzai DVD Commentary Questions (DVD Special Edition Files)


This content was originally collated and submitted to Warner Brothers by BBI Mojo, who created and produced the special features for the Buckaroo Banzai Special Edition DVD. All of the DVD material was written by W.D. Richter and Earl Mac Rauch. All of the DVD menus and bios were also written by Earl Mac Rauch. You can purchase the Buckaroo Banzai DVD or the Buckaroo Banzai Blu-ray on Amazon.

Buckaroo Banzai DVD Commentary questions to ask Rick & Mac

 These were the questions created to ask W. D. "Rick" Richter and Earl Mac Rauch when they recorded their commentary.

Buckaroo Banzai DVD Overview

  1. Why was the opening sequence with Jaime Lee Curtis cut? Explain that the 1984 Jet Car scene is the same location where Buckaroo's father died in his test

  2. Why was 1984 the right time to bring Buckaroo's adventures to screen? Did the Institute approach you or vice versa?

  3. Discuss casting & other actors considered for various roles. Why did you make the final choices? Is it true that the Banzai Institute did not want actors who resembled the real people?

  4. Explain how the Jet Car was a real jet car from Thrust Racing, not just a Hollywood special effects (designed by Stephen Dane, built by Jerry Segal)

  5. Mention that the Jet Car sequence was filmed on the dry lake bed at El Mirage. Was this because it resembled the San Antonio Proving Grounds?

  6. [Mac] Why is a Jet Car used for the test and not a jet plane? Discuss the evolution of the Jet Car storyline & the story "Find The Jet Car, Said the President."

  7. [Mac] What is the origin of the Overthruster concept? What sparked the idea?

  8. Address confused audience and explain in layman's terms how Overthruster works

  9. Talk about storyboarded, unfilmed scene of Jet Car on a training mission through Moscow

  10. Who else auditioned for Lizardo? What drew you to Lithgow? Was the accent his idea?

  11. The asylum set is very detailed. Talk about the work that went into it or cool bits of it that we can't see in the film

  12. The film spans and shows the 30s, 50s and 80s. Was there always the desire to give it such historical context?

  13. Were there any weird occurances or accidents on set that may have been the handiwork of the WCL?

  14. Who did the music for the Artie's scene? Was is composer Michael Boddicker? Talk about Billy Vera and his band, Billy & The Beaters.

  15. [Mac] "No matter where you go..." is the most famous line in the film. Tell us what it means. PLEASE!

  16. [Mac] In the novel Lizardo is talking to Hanoi Xan on the phone. Why was this changed? Discuss the studio's desire to remove Xan from the film|

  17. Why hasn't Lizardo tried to escape before now?

  18. How close is the World Watch One tour bus in the film to the real thing?

  19. [Mac] Duirng jail cell scene, tell us something about Peggy and Buckaroo's history

  20. Why were Penny's 'smart' lines about the Overthruster cut in the press conference? Did the studio want her to be a dumb blonde?

  21. Explain the difference between the good Black Lectroids (Adders) and the evil Red ones. Talk about the makeup by Tom Burman

  22. Discuss creating an alien race based on electricity and where the name 'Lectroid' came from

  23. Is the Duck Hunters scene where they watch aliens emerge from a strange object in a New Jersey swamp a deliberate homage to 'War of the Worlds?'

  24. In the novel (mention that Pocket Books has re-released it) the Lectroids brutally murder everyone but in the film just punch them. Explain how the 'real events' had to be toned down for the film.

  25. Was the concept of the Blue Blaze Irregulars inspired by anything? - Tell us more about who Ms. Johnson is

  26. Was the overall plot sparked from the idea 'what if the War of the Worlds broadcast was NOT a hoax?' If so, is this why the movie takes place in New Jersey?

  27. [Mac] Why did you decide to name all the Lectroids John? Were any of the funny last names inspired by anything? Did you pull them out of thin air?

  28. Where were the Banzai Institute exteriors filmed? Maybe talk about how there is a new Institute in Arizona

  29. Mention that fans of the film would bring pink cake boxes to Billy Vera & The Beaters concerts

  30. Why don't the Nova Police just fire their particle beam weapon at Yoyodyne and be done with it?

  31. Talk about major changes to the scene between Buckaroo & Penny and how references to Hanoi Xan were removed

  32. Tell the 'Real' watermelon story to see if the studio was paying attention to dailies

  33. Is Rawhide really dead? Speculation is that John Parker not only failed flight school, but also medical school and an antidote did exist.

  34. Why is the president in this traction machine for the whole movie?? Explain that all his lines were re-dubbed and why

  35. Maybe talk about how nice it is to finally have a home video version in widescreen. Note that when the president says 'get norad on the line' his aide goes through a phone book (this joke could not be seen on the pan & scan version)

  36. Where were the interior Yoyodyne scenes filmed? Were conditions as dark, wet and dismal as they look?

  37. [Mac] What has happened to these Lectroids since they have been on earth? Explain their lifestyle at Yoyodyne. Why is the place such a mess? What do they do with all those campfires?

  38. Explain the Lectroid sugar fix (twinkies, screaming yellow zonkers, etc). Sharp eyed viewers can spot these things

  39. Were any plot ideas abandoned? How did existing storylines change?

  40. If you were making the film now, what would you have done differently?

  41. What is that snot creature going to do to Peggy once it reaches her?

  42. Talk about the release of the film and the lack of studio support (it was shown at drive ins, etc). Discuss Beigleman if you like.

  43. How was the film received by the public? What was it up against in theaters?

  44. What was your first clue that the movie was turning into a cult phenomenon?

  45. Talk about the long legal battle for rights and how it prevented a sequel

  46. Discuss future of Bucakroo (new novels may come, so buy that reprint from Pocket Books! Thank editor Margaret Clark for having faith in it)

  47. What is the origin of whistling theme at the end? Did you want something catchy that people could whistle as they left the theater? 

  48. Tell us how the Sepulveda scenes came about


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