Film: Under The Cherry Moon

1984: Purple Rain ◄

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Under The Cherry Moon

Movie details Premiere: 1 July 1986: Centennial Theatre, Sheridan, WY Released: 2 July 1986 (USA) 22 August 1986 (Denmark) 27 August 1986 (France) 28 August 1986 (West Germany) 29 August 1986 (Finland) 4 September 1986 (The Netherlands) 4 October 1986 (Japan) 19 October 1986 (UK, Ireland) February 1987 (Australia) Director: Prince Writers: Becky Johnston (screenplay) Producers: Robert Cavallo Steven Fargnoli Joseph Ruffalo & Graham Cottle Productions Companies: Warner Bros. Music by: Prince Genre(s): Music Drama MPAA Rating: PG-13 Runtime: 96 minutes Technical Specification(s): Country: USA Language: English Sound Mix: Dolby Color: black & white/Technicolor Aspect Ratio:1.85 : 1 Distributor(s): Warner Bros. (1986) Box Office, Nominations & Awards Box office Opening Weekend (2 Jul. 1986) USA: $3,150,924 (976 Screens) Gross: USA: $10,090,429 Awards Golden Raspberry Awards, USA 1987 Worst Actor, Prince Worst Director, Prince Worst Original Song, ♥ Or $ Worst Picture, Under The Cherry Moon (tie with Howard The Duck) Worst Supporting Actor, Jerome Benton Minnesota Music Awards, USA 1986 Best Film, Score See also Parade (album) Under The Cherry Moon (home video) Under The Cherry Moon score & cues

Under The Cherry Moon is a 1986 American musical drama film starring and directed by Prince and written by Becky Johnston (screenplay). Filmed primarily in Studios de la Victorine in Nice, France and on location in the French Riviera, the film tells a story of a gigolo and his friend swindling women. But when Prince’s character Christopher Tracy falls in love with the 21 year old heiress Mary, things get complicated. The film had less than stellar reviews and reception and bombed in cinemas. Production Following the huge success of Purple Rain and Prince becoming one of the biggest stars in the world he had pretty much carte-blanche when developing ideas for a new film and the studio green-lit the project without even having seen a script, expecting another success like Purple Rain. With no experience as scriptwriter, Becky Johnston (from New York) was assigned to develop a screenplay. Despite her lack of experience, Prince and the studio were willing to take a leap of faith based upon a test screenplay she wrote. Prince wanted the film to be a romantic comedy with a 1930’s vibe set in an exotic location like Palm Beach, Miami or Capri. The idea was then born to shoot the film in France and in mid-June 1985, Prince, together with his manager Steve Fargnoli and tour manager Alan Leeds, flew to France to scout locations and meet with potential cast. After visiting the French Riviera, Prince decided he wanted to shoot the film there. He wanted Jean-Baptiste Mondino to direct, but when he was unavailable video director Mary Lambert was recruited. German cinematographer Michael Ballhaus was hired as director of photography. Originally, Prince wanted Madonna to star as the female lead, but after she declined Susannah Melvoin, who by now was Prince’s fiancée was considered. She did a test-reading, but it was decided that the role of Mary needed a more experienced actress. Ultimately, young British actress Kristin Scott-Thomas was cast as female lead after auditioning for Prince in Paris. Terence Stamp and Francesca Annis were cast as Mary’s parents. Prince wanted to shoot the film in black and white, but Warner was afraid it would not go down well with the audience if the film was in black and white, but since Prince was at the top of his fame, he got his way. Once filming commenced in September 1985, the production was marred by problems. A few weeks into shooting, Terence Stamp retracted himself from the film saying: it was not the role he was led to believe. Steven Berkoff was quickly hired as his replacement. Prince and the crew were also unsatisfied by Mary Lambert’s performance. She was fired and Prince, who was already co-directing many scenes, helmed the directing of the film by himself. Cast & Crew Cast Prince - Christopher Tracy Jerome Benton - Tricky Kristin Scott-Thomas – Mary Sharon Steven Berkoff - Mr. Sharon Emmanuelle Sallet - Katy Alexandra Stewart - Mrs. Sharon Francesca Annis - Mrs. Wellington Pamela Ludwig - Girlfriend Barbara Stall - Girlfriend Karen Geerlings - Girlfriend Victor Spinetti - The Jaded Three #1 Myriam Tadesse - The Jaded Three #2 Moune De Vivier - The Jaded Three #3 Amoury Desjardins - Young Boy at Party Garance Tosello - Young Girl at Party Sylvain Levignac - Eddy Guy Cuevas - Lou Patrice Melennec - Larry Azouz Saieb - Mary’s Minder Jean Allaz - Sharon Butler Rosette Jaubert - Sharon Maid John Rico - Mary’s Chauffeur Véronique Denoyel - Party People Lydie Diakhate - Party People Patricia Poulain - Party People Catherine Allard - Party People Nicky South - Party People Christine Christen-Giguet - Party People Béatrice Berthet - Party People Maurice Lenorman - Maître d'hôtel Sam Karmann - Police Inspector John Cooper - Mrs. Wellington’s Butler Jobby Valente - Champagne Lady Alexa Fioroni - The Dancer Lionel Turchi - Musician Roger Capello - Musician Scott Allen - Musician Juan Villalobos - Musician Patrick Carocci - Musician Richard Gow - Musician Daniel Bensadoun - Musician Maurice Simon - Pianist Jean-Marie Julien - Violinist Nicolas Monard - Photographer Michael Kotzritzki - Doorman Claude Coppola - Uniform Policeman Monica Quigley - Bombshell Blonde Giselle Finazzo - Voluptuous Blonde Patricia Davidson - Party Guest (uncredited) Sharmagne Leland-St. John - Party People (uncredited) Main Crew Production Robert Cavallo - producer Graham Cottle - associate producer Steven Fargnoli - producer Joseph Ruffalo - producer Cinematography Michael Ballhaus Film Editing Éva Gárdos Rebecca Ross Casting Jose Villaverde Production Design Richard Sylbert Art Direction Damien Lanfranchi Set Decoration Ian Whittaker Costume Design Marie France Make-up Department Michelle Bühler - assistant make-up artist Annie Coppini - assistant make-up artist Earl Jones - hair stylist: Prince Robyn Lynch - make-up artist Aida Rossignol - hair stylist Thierry Zemmour - hair stylist Other Crew Click the show button on the right to expand this section. Production Management Barbara Allen - unit manager Graham Cottle - production supervisor Bernard Mazauric - production manager Second Unit Director or Assistant Director Mishka Cheyko - first assistant director (as Michel Cheyko) Michel Ferry - second assistant director Marc Jenny - second assistant director (as Marc Jeny) Art Department Fernand Bernardi - production buyer Remi Bernardi - propman Roberto Bernardi - assistant set dresser Maurice Borghese - chief draper Alain Choux - assistant art director Andrea Dietrich - storyboard artist Noelle Fortuna - drapes assistant Peter Jacovich - set dresser Bernard Harvey Langton - property supervisor Louis Lenoir - chief painter Phillipe Mazauric - assistant buyer (as Philipe Mazaurice) Jean Menna - chief carpenter Joseph Oliver - chief stagehand Hervé Schrub - stand-by props (uncredited) Sound Department Gary Alexander - re-recording mixer Daniel Brisseau - sound mixer Olivier Burgaud - boom operator Michael Hilkene - supervising sound editor Chris Jenkins - re-recording mixer (as Christopher Jenkins) Michel Kharat - boom operator Val Kuklowsky - supervising sound editor Troy Porter - adr mixer Solange S. Schwalbe - foley editor (as Solange) Dale Strumpell - re-recording mixer Becky Sullivan - adr editor Stephane Van den Bergh - boom operator Arnold Finkelstein - assistant sound editor (uncredited) Scott D. Jackson - foley editor (uncredited) Steve Mann - sound effects editor (uncredited) Special Effects Maurice Zisswiller Stunts Michel Berreur - stunts Eric Vasberg - stunts Camera and Electrical Department Peter Allwork - aerial photographer Florian Ballhaus - assistant camera Jan Sebastian Ballhaus - assistant camera (as Sebastian Ballhaus) Tony Bratulic - dolly grip (as Anton Bratulic) David M. Dunlap - first assistant camera Morris Flam - gaffer Jeff Katz - still photographer Jean-Marie Lopez - best boy Heinz Pusl - dolly grip Heinz Sottung - key grip Tom Countryman - crane operator (uncredited) Adam Dale - camera assistant: aerial unit (uncredited) Casting Department Caroline Mazauric - casting supervisor: France Roberto Robin - casting assistant: France Costume and Wardrobe Department Claudia Fellous - wardrobe assistant Edith Poussou - wardrobe supervisor Suzy Sand - wardrobe assistant Beth Sidla - costume coordinator Editorial Department Donah Bassett - negative cutter Raymond M. Bush - editor: video tape (as Raymond Bush) Michele Cantavenera - assistant editor: France Bette Jane Cohen - first assistant editor (as Bette Cohen) Doug Cole - post-production coordinator Florence Guy - assistant editor: France Location Management Jean-Yves Asselin - location manager Frédéric Bovis - location manager (as Frederick Bovis) Antoine Sabarros - location manager Music Department Clare Fischer - orchestra composer and arranger Curt Sobel - music editor Barry Sage - music recordist (uncredited) James Thatcher - musician: french horn (uncredited) Transportation Department Tony Bird - action vehicle coordinator Peter Brown - transportation manager Mark Allday - production office runner Ron Allday - supervising accountant Joanna Campling - publicity: France Chantal Cohen - assistant accountant Gilbert Davison - assistant: Prince Dennis Gassner - title designer Michèle Girot - accountant: France Rachel Griffiths - script supervisor Susan Hale - producers assistant: Los Angeles Rande Laiderman - assistant: Prince Mary Lambert - creative consultant Alan Leeds - assistant: Prince Chantal Montegu - production office secretary Rebecca K. Mostow - liaison: Los Angeles (as Rebecca Mostow) Fred Moultrie - accountant: PRN productions (as Fred S. Moultrie) Nelly Niay - assistant accountant Gary Nixon - production accountant Yettie Paelman - accounting secretary Donald Peake - accountant: PRN productions (as Donald L. Peake) Patricia Reid-Douglas - production secretary (as Patricia Reid) 'Wongo' Smircic - producers assistant: France Francine Taylor - producers assistant: France Nathalie Varallo - publicity secretary Thierry Verrier - producers assistant: France Patricia Wright - producers assistant: Los Angeles Thanks Clare Fischer - '’special thanks: 2 Clare Fischer 4 Making Brighter the Colors Black and White Credits Company Credits

Synopsis
Christopher Tracy (Prince) is a piano player at the Venus de Milo nightclub in Nice, France. With his friend Tricky (Jerome Benton), he spends his days identifying rich women to target, in order to gain large amounts of money via marriage. When learning that socialite Mary Sharon (Kristin Scott-Thomas) is due to inherit a $50 million trust fund on her 21st birthday, they decide she is the perfect candidate. But before long, Christopher starts to genuinely have feelings for Mary. And he and Tricky realize that if they continue to pursue her, her father (Steven Berkoff) will deal with them severely. Yet when Mary reciprocates Christopher love, a tragic chain of events is set in motion.
Making of
Shooting
Principal shooting started on 16 September 1985 and lasted until 20 November 1985. Scenes where Christopher accidentally climbs in Mary’s mother’s bedroom, thinking it is Mary’s and a scene where Christopher and Tricky escape a tavern after a scare of bats were not in the shooting script and added while filming. The end of the film is also different from the original script.
Shooting Schedule & Locations Click the show button on the right to expand this section. Date Day Location Shooting Scenes 16 September 1985 – 20 November 1985 #? Nice, France Studios de la Victorine 16 avenue Édouard Grinda INT. Various scenes in Christopher & Tricky’s apartment 16 September 1985 – 20 November 1985 #? Nice, France Passage between 69 and 71 Quai des États-Unis EXT. Arches Christopher parks car to go to flower market ? 16 September 1985 – 20 November 1985 #? Nice, France 16 Cité du Parc (currently 16 Cours Jacques-Chirac) EXT. Tunnel Christopher gives local kids money ? 16 September 1985 – 20 November 1985 #? Nice, France Marché Aux Fleurs Cours Saleya The shot with the rose window located at 11 Cours Saleya EXT. Flower market Christopher Tracy steals an apple and buys an unknown woman flowers ? 16 September 1985 – 20 November 1985 #? Nice, France Palais Hongran 2 rue Saint-François-de-Paule EXT. Facade and hall/elevator of Christopher and Tricky’s apartment ? 16 September 1985 – 20 November 1985 #? Cap d’Antibes, France Villa Eilenroc 460 avenue Mrs LD Beaumont INT. + EXT. Sharon family residence ? 16 September 1985 – 20 November 1985 #? Cap d’Antibes, France Villa Dorane 365 Chemin de la Croë INT. + EXT. Mrs. Wellington’s residence ? 16 September 1985 – 20 November 1985 #? Cap d’Antibes, France Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc (Restaurant) 167-165 boulevard John F. Kennedy INT. 'Venus de Milo' piano bar ? 16 September 1985 – 20 November 1985 #? Nice, France Fontaine du Soleil 3 Place Masséna EXT. Cutaway shot ? 18 September 1985 #? Cannes, France Galerie du Gray d'Albion Diva; Bonnuci; Ferret Joaillier EXT. + INT. Shopping spree Tricky and Mary shopping ? 18 September 1985 #? Cannes, France Alaska 13 Rue des États-Unis EXT. + INT. Shopping spree Tricky and Mary shopping ? 18 September 1985 #? Cannes, France opposite Palais des Festivals et des Congrès de Cannes 7 Bd de la Croisette EXT. Shopping spree Christopher Tracy buys a Porsche ? 16 September 1985 – 20 November 1985 #? Nice, France Place Rossetti EXT. Town square Christopher and Tricky talking ? 16 September 1985 – 20 November 1985 #? Nice, France Le Romarin 2 Place de la Halle aux Herbes INT. + EXT. Tavern 'Are you afraid of bats? scene 16 September 1985 – 20 November 1985 #? Nice, France Parc de la Colline du Château EXT. Homer’s Odyssey mosaics Cutaway shot 16 September 1985 – 20 November 1985 #? Cagnes-sur-Mer, France Hippodrome de la Côte d'Azur 2 boulevard John F. Kennedy EXT. Racecourse Christopher and Mary racing ? 16 September 1985 – 20 November 1985 #? Villefranche-sur-Mer, France Chantier Naval Pasquit 18 Quai de la Coderie EXT. Car Christopher and Mary kissing ? 16 September 1985 – 20 November 1985 #? Cap D'Antibes Argent Faux Beach: Anse de l'Argent Faux (next to Villa Eilenroc) INT. Grotto + EXT. Cliffs + Concrete jetty Mary waiting for Christopher, Piano on the cliff (in opening montage) and Christopher Tracy death scene ? 16 September 1985 – 20 November 1985 #? Villefranche-sur-Mer, France Port de Villefranche-sur-Mer Promenade des Professeurs EXT. Harbor Tricky fights Mr. Sharon’s henchmen, Christopher escapes by boat ? 16 September 1985 – 20 November 1985 #? Cannes, France Aéroport Cannes-Mandelieu 245 Avenue Francis Toner EXT. Airport Christopher Tracy prevents Mary from leaving and takes her with him ? 16 September 1985 – 20 November 1985 #? Villeneuve-Loubet, France Bureau du Port Rue de la Jetée INT. + EXT. Tricky’s Miami apartment complex Tricky gets a letter from Mary ? 20 November 1985 #? Beaulieu-sur-Mer, France Les Salons De La Rotonde / Circé Restaurant 2 Av. Fernand Dunan INT. + EXT. Le Pavillon restaurant 'Wrecka Stow' scene (some footage also used in the Girls & Boys music video) ? unknown date, December 1985 - January 1986 #? Santa Monica, CA. USA 900 block Ocean Avenue EXT. Miami street Tricky Driving Rolls Rolls in 'Miami' ? 9 April 1986 #? Nice, France Studios de la Victorine 16 avenue Édouard Grinda INT. End credits Prince (as Christopher Tracy) and The Revolution performing Mountains and b-roll footage of Kristin Scott-Thomas as Mary Sharon and Jerome Benton with Emmanuelle Sallet as Tricky and Katy ?

Additional Information Promotion (at time of release) Trivia In 1796, Napoleon Bonaparte stayed on the top floor of the Palais Hongran at 2 rue Saint-François-de-Paule, Nice (Christopher Tracy’s apartment building in the movie). References Purple Music Magazine issue 4 by Revista Purple Music (June 2023)

1984 Purple Rain

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1987 Sign O’ The Times