There are many strange emotions that accompany events in this business but none is quite as complex as the moment when a film leaves a theater.

A little over a week ago When You're Strange disappeared from movie screens in NYC. It left with the same lack of fanfare with which it opened. I glanced in the paper one day and it was simply gone. I kept looking at the tiny title of the film that had replaced it thinking--hoping I'd misread it. It felt like part of me had disappeared.

So now the film will play fitfully around the country for a few more weeks I guess; a night here, a day there. I've heard from quite a few people who saw the film on PBS, including my mother who declared,

I never knew all those things about Jim Hendrix.

Most of the responses were extremely engaged and emotional so apparently some of what I'd strived for came through on the small screen. I was puzzled why the promotion for the PBS screenings included the original release poster title layout but had my name removed. Most likely another marketing decision.

But, if I really look at how this thing could have gone down there are many things to be thankful for. The film did get a theatrical release. Some of you saw it on the big screen. It played in NYC for a month which is no small feat considering the current financial climate and the fact the film is a music documentary. I think it could have played longer. I think this amazing band deserved the honor of a larger ad or two but those decisions were made by industry professionals who were not obligated to listen to me.

Still, I'm happy the film didn't end up as a straight-to-dvd sale to Walmart, which for a while was being considered as a viable option.

You'll see I've changed the banner of the blog. I'm still going to be discussing When You're Strange but I feel it is time to slip away my own self. I don't have information on things like DVD releases or which other countries will be releasing the film and when. Alas, I only wrote and directed the film. But, if you want to keep fresh on all things happening with the film, and The Doors I would highly recommend checking out Ida's detailed and refreshingly candid site (idafan.com) which she updates regularly.

There is still a lot of stuff coming up about the film that I'll be relating. I'm going back to Paris at the beginning of June for the French premiere. John Densmore will be going with me again. Ray and Robby have performance dates that unfortunately conflict. Hopefully the volcano goddess will be in a better mood.

I'm excited about the French release. They've put a lot of time and thought into their promotional campaign. They have a real release planned along with the premiere, with a very cool poster and full-run openings in around 20 cities. The same type of official release will happen in the UK on July 5 and I will be going over to London to help promote it.

Meanwhile I'll be attempting to move my new film forward, a contemporary crime thriller I wrote called Lighthouse Road.

So, there you have it. One door closes and another one opens. Or, as Moe from the 3 Stooges once said,

One door closes and another one hits you in the face.