Al Pacino's Friends, Collaborators Share Insights

07/14/07 — On Sunday, June 24, MOVIE GEEKS UNITED!, one of the most popular motion picture-themed radio programs on the internet, broadcasted a special 2- hour tribute to the legendary actor of stage and screen AL PACINO. The broadcast, which is now available for free replay through the archived section of their website (www.blogtalkradio.com/moviegeeksunited), featured interviews with some of Pacino’s most exciting and insightful friends and collaborators.

Steven Bauer, who co-starred with Pacino as Manny in the pop culture phenomenon “Scarface”, reminisced about his long-winded audition process, Pacino’s commitment to the rehearsal process and the lasting impact the film has had nearly 24 years after its initial release. “I think it’s endured because it captured a flavor that was a little strange and kinky,” Bauer conveyed. “Nothing you see in the film was played safe.”

Director Jerry Schatzberg, one of the most extraordinary and influential film directors of the 1970’s, spoke of his two collaborations with Pacino, “The Panic in Needle Park” and “Scarecrow”. “Pacino gave Francis [Ford Coppola] a 20 minute reel I had prepared from ‘Panic in Needle Park’,” Shatzberg said during the broadcast. “Francis then took that reel to the studio heads and it helped convince them that Pacino was the right guy for ‘The Godfather’.” Mr. Schatzberg also took an opportunity to discuss his working relationships with Gene Hackman, Meryl Streep and Morgan Freeman.

Thomas G. Waites (The Warriors, And Justice for All, The Thing), famed New York City acting coach and frequent collaborator with Pacino on stage and screen, spoke to Pacino’s never ending generosity. “We were doing a scene in ‘And Justice for All’ and I just wasn’t doing very well,” he said. “Al took me aside and counseled me until my nerves about the scene all went away.”

Actor Richard Cox, Pacino’s co-star in “Cruising” and “Looking for Richard”, furthered that sentiment. “Al is an incredibly generous actor,” Cox said. “He was there acting off camera during my scenes when his work was done for the day.” Mr. Cox, a theatre and film veteran with many dozens of credits on some of the biggest television series’ of all time, also offered insights into Pacino’s process in films such as “Frankie and Johnny” and “Heat”. “I had heard that during the shooting of the infamous diner scene with De Niro in ‘Heat’, that Pacino would play with each line differently from take to take, even singing some of them, while De Niro’s approach was much more precise and set in stone.”

Four actors from Pacino’s upcoming directorial project “Salomaybe?”, Steve Roman, Joe Roseto, Geoffrey Owens and Poncho Hodges provided invaluable insights into Pacino as director. “He’s completely relaxed and, in turn, he makes you relaxed as an actor,” said Roseto. “He allows you room to try out new things.”

Author William Schoell (‘The Films of Al Pacino’) discussed some of Pacino’s most memorable performances that do not receive mention often enough, including “People I Know”, “Insomnia”, the ill-fated “Revolution” and “Donnie Brasco”.

An internet radio show hosted by three knowledgeable, passionate and hysterically funny cinematic fanatics, Movie Geeks United! features weekly movie talk on subjects as diverse as “The Big Lebowski” and “Can Movies Inspire Real-Life Violence?” The show airs live every week at 6pm eastern/5 pm central at www.blogtalkradio.com/moviegeeksunited. Previously, the Movie Geeks paid tribute to the cinematic genius of David Lynch; a broadcast which is now available on archive. On July 22, director Brian De Palma will receive his own celebratory broadcast. Listeners may tune in during the live broadcast or download or replay any episode for free once archived. People may also subscribe to the podcast through ITunes and a variety of other venues.

For more information, please send email correspondence to moviegeeksunited@yahoo.com.