Even when the movie was shown at Slamdance, the filmmakers had not obtained permission to use archival concert footage and music from the Ramones and other bands. They had also never gotten the Ramones to sign releases for their interviews, which took more than three years to conduct. Now Dave Frey, the manager who represents Joey's half of Ramones Productions Inc., and Mickey Leigh, Joey's brother, say they will withhold their approval until the movie contains more Joey. "He's totally absent," Mr. Frey said. "Why not take out the three minutes of Joey and call it `End of the Century, the Story of Three Ramones'?"

The film's release has been further complicated by the filmmakers' financial situation. By the time the film was presented at Slamdance, Mr. Gramaglia and his brother, John, a producer, had amassed a debt of about $65,000 in production expenses. They owed Chinagraph, an editing house, another $150,000 and they estimated they would have to spend several hundred thousand dollars more to secure the rights to music and concert footage.

...."The first night I watched it," Johnny Ramone said, "I thought, `Whoa, this is dark.' It actually disturbed my sleep. If someone asked, `Did you guys get along?' I'd say no. But seeing a whole movie dedicated to our not getting along? It's like we were a bunch of nuts!"

Later he showed the film to one of his friends, Mr. Cage. (Johnny was the best man at Mr. Cage's wedding to Lisa Marie Presley). He in turn set up a screening at the offices of the Creative Artists Agency in Beverly Hills last May. The screening was attended by film and music industry luminaries including Sofia Coppola, Adrien Brody, Flea and Anthony Kiedis of the Red Hot Chili Peppers. "The Ramones were a relentlessly honest band," Mr. Cage said in an e-mail message from Chicago, where he's working on a new film. "I think this documentary shows just how honest."

Today, Mr. Gramaglia and Mr. Fields are working to find more footage of Joey Ramone to add to the movie and to secure distribution deals to cover their expenses. The filmmakers say they are negotiating with the Warner Music Group for the DVD rights and with Magnolia Pictures for a theatrical release of the movie. The filmmakers are optimistic that the film will come out this summer. [NY Times] It's remarkable and tragic that Johnny and Joey could play together for 16 years - and that Joey could flipping die - without them ever reconciling. How stubborn and bitter can you be?

The annual Joey Ramone Birthday Bash is coming up - Johnny won't be there.