John Cassavetes essentially invented independent film making. He made the films he wanted to make, hired the people he wanted to hire, worked with the people he wanted to work with, wrote the scripts he wanted to write, etc.....privately financing everything himself. When he ran out of money, he would shut down production, go back to work, make more money...only to resume shooting / production down the road.
Not quite financing everything. Cannon Films produced his "Love Streams." Independent films existed before Cassavetes, both in the U.S. and internationally, but he is widely credited with popularizing a certain style of independent cinema in the U.S. Regards.
Thank you so much for uploading the whole interview! Here is some context on it, from 'Cassavetes on Cassavetes' by Ray Carney: ❝ Prior to the theatrical opening, Cassavetes took out large-scale newspaper ads (some of which were illustrated with a drawing of Myrtle done by Peter Falk). Opening Night opened at the Fox Wilshire on Christmas Day. In the end, the press-packs, the ads and the television appearances were all for nothing. Opening Night fared as poorly as, or even worse than, The Killing of a Chinese Bookie had, playing to almost completely empty houses. In a last-minute effort to get some people into the theater, Cassavetes called up a local Los Angeles television station and told them that he could produce Gena Rowlands, Ben Gazzara, Paul Stewart, Seymour Cassel and himself for a group interview if they would agree to do it. The station sent an interviewer and a camera crew, and the five of them sat in a restaurant and talked about Opening Night for almost an hour. Near the end of the session, in anger and frustration, Cassavetes launched into a tirade about the pusillanimity of the city, its viewers and its critics. He was not smiling by this point; his voice was laced with contempt, disgust and weariness. (...) In confirmation of what Cassavetes had said, the interview was never broadcast. Opening Night never got beyond the Fox Wilshire. It closed in mid-February, after seven weeks of playing to almost empty houses in a single theater. Cassavetes simply could not afford to keep advertising and playing it. In bitterness, he vowed that he would never work in Los Angeles again. ❞
If Cassavetes had lived just another decade and witnessed the resurgence of independent US cinema in the nineties, he would have been feted , honoured , given great roles and cameos , been enabled to make the films he wanted to make . We all lost out when he died.
Loved watching this interview, but I was surprised that there was no mention of Zohra Lampert's character -- the wife of Ben Gazzara's director character -- one of the key roles in the film.
Cassavetes was always so funny in interviews. He would have been a great stand up comedian. His film Rosemary's Baby played up his sense of humour albeit in a dark way.
Mr. Cassavetes is a great actor director who is universal. He touches every element of film entertainment. He is a brilliant screen performer. He is a Silver Screen Idol. He is very real, a blatant realist, a magnificent brilliant medical doctrine of psychiatrist of film making and screen production. His films are of true emotion. His brilliant Film 📽️🎥 making is emotional moving! He is a film icon to be remembered and respected! You are the greatest!
Thank you so much for liberating this whole interview. I know the legend of this U-Matic being rescued from the TV station’s dumpster. The owner of this sole copy was charging extortionate rates for copies - fair enough for certain uses - thus the burn in titles. Got to see the hollywood sucks excerpt at one of Ray Carney’s presentations, always wanted to see the whole thing. Thx again
Wow. I’m just hallway through and this just makes me appreciate and enjoy their work even more. We need people like this today, they are rare. Also, is the interviewer the same interviewer from Film Courage? It sure sounds like her.
Yesterday there were artists today there are celebrities, and almost no-one does movies that matter anymore. These people could have been my grandparents and still I believe they are more modern than my own generation and the younger ones as well.
I'm surprised Gazzara had time for any engagements between 'The Killing of a Chinese Bookie' -- which he'd done with Cassavetes in 1976 -- and 'Opening Night.'
I met John in year '68. On his Set. First in the interview, he mentions the Bullfrog Restaurant. Yeah ! The Frog is the Lion of its' world, because it obliterates mosquitos. The importance of the subliminal character. Johns' humanness would never go to the sadist parasite. So. He could be dedicated to the Product. That is the undertone. Everything. I would like to talk long, about a few minutes with John, and also with Gina. It was, though, the silent sight; his, and mine, face to face; and then looking far out there together. The silent sight is the long perspective, awareness. Then, you are adept to get fired from any job before taking on the job that you never really needed. Sorta, check in check out. And goodbye. The thing is, the Greeks and Philosophia = Love of Truth. I will think-imagine John as, by the Docks, and also on the land in the space of the air. The Greeks, Aristotle, did not have a lot of paper, or to manage much paper being the Books of Accretion. They needed that hard metal; and they needed to cut that hard stone with it. That was their real life. You cannot graffitti and tattoo the present over them of their time and conditions. Imitation emotion; or real emotion, and the action. Walk the earth.
An accident… A way of saying something that might be different than the normal, conventional, boring way of saying something…because they are dull in their own lives. Nobody’s gonna go to the picture.🎥 Male love ❤️ Love of one’s self. The rotten parts and the good parts. Paul should’ve answered Gena. Needed more respect. He was in “poor taste”. John showed more honesty. Well, that’s not up to us. It’s up to the young ladies. ♥️Say something about a person that was more than, to me than just a face or a figure or a mother or a homemaker or an actress… Like most of us, couldn’t comprehend exactly the meaning of someone that loves you.💔 John is not at all like any man… Take all of your experiences from life…(with John’s writing & filming) I take my experiences from acting to Life♥️ I love speaking for someone else.😁 He knew what the Matrix was……. …was doing something to me that hadn’t been done since the time I worked with Welles. Orson works that way. Even if it’s bad, he says it’s beautiful❤️ John whispered, “Don’t speak, let her start.”
THE FREUDIAN COUCH IN BAR-POSITION ...the unholy trinity of slurred supremacy ...not incoherent, just oblique & opaque. A part of their mystique of unintended obfuscation ...not sure if that s a merit or an oratorial lia/e(?)bility
John Cassavetes essentially invented independent film making. He made the films he wanted to make, hired the people he wanted to hire, worked with the people he wanted to work with, wrote the scripts he wanted to write, etc.....privately financing everything himself. When he ran out of money, he would shut down production, go back to work, make more money...only to resume shooting / production down the road.
Orson Welles also did that very thing. They are two of my favorite filmmakers.
Not quite financing everything. Cannon Films produced his "Love Streams."
Independent films existed before Cassavetes, both in the U.S. and internationally, but he is widely credited with popularizing a certain style of independent cinema in the U.S.
Regards.
Imagine, just imagine, what John Cassavetes would say today. His films with his beyond splendid actors are timeless.
What would he say about his son Nick’s films?
I adore the shadow of Gena’s face in the mirror
My favorite Hollywood couple....and their love lasted.❤❤💯👍
Thank you so much for uploading the whole interview!
Here is some context on it, from 'Cassavetes on Cassavetes' by Ray Carney:
❝ Prior to the theatrical opening, Cassavetes took out large-scale newspaper ads (some of which were illustrated with a drawing of Myrtle done by Peter Falk). Opening Night opened at the Fox Wilshire on Christmas Day.
In the end, the press-packs, the ads and the television appearances were all for nothing. Opening Night fared as poorly as, or even worse than, The Killing of a Chinese Bookie had, playing to almost completely empty houses. In a last-minute effort to get some people into the theater, Cassavetes called up a local Los Angeles television station and told them that he could produce Gena Rowlands, Ben Gazzara, Paul Stewart, Seymour Cassel and himself for a group interview if they would agree to do it. The station sent an interviewer and a camera crew, and the five of them sat in a restaurant and talked about Opening Night for almost an hour. Near the end of the session, in anger and frustration, Cassavetes launched into a tirade about the pusillanimity of the city, its viewers and its critics. He was not smiling by this point; his voice was laced with contempt, disgust and weariness.
(...)
In confirmation of what Cassavetes had said, the interview was never broadcast. Opening Night never got beyond the Fox Wilshire. It closed in mid-February, after seven weeks of playing to almost empty houses in a single theater. Cassavetes simply could not afford to keep advertising and playing it. In bitterness, he vowed that he would never work in Los Angeles again. ❞
this dude was so smooth.
John would probably politely disagree with 'Smooth'! 😂🌹
You can see clearly that John loves Gena, and she loved John, very much.
Agreed
If Cassavetes had lived just another decade and witnessed the resurgence of independent US cinema in the nineties, he would have been feted , honoured , given great roles and cameos , been enabled to make the films he wanted to make . We all lost out when he died.
Thank you so much for sharing this rare and inspirational interview.
Love Gena and of course John…so so intelligent
Opening Night is my favorite Cassavetes film.
Loved watching this interview, but I was surprised that there was no mention of Zohra Lampert's character -- the wife of Ben Gazzara's director character -- one of the key roles in the film.
Gazzara has a great voice and cassavetes was so cool.
No words needed...well except one...GENIUS! John was/is/was one of a kind!
Incredible! For years have only been able to find the “television sucks” clip! Thank you!
Cassavetes was always so funny in interviews. He would have been a great stand up comedian. His film Rosemary's Baby played up his sense of humour albeit in a dark way.
Mr. Cassavetes is a great actor director who is universal. He touches every element of film entertainment. He is a brilliant screen performer. He is a Silver Screen Idol. He is very real, a blatant realist, a magnificent brilliant medical doctrine of psychiatrist of film making and screen production. His films are of true emotion. His brilliant Film 📽️🎥 making is emotional moving! He is a film icon to be remembered and respected! You are the greatest!
Paul Stewart! 🤩😍
What an amazing interview of these brilliant people...
Rest in powerful peace 🙏
John Cassavetes
9 December 1929 ~
3 February 1989⚘
Equal parts instinct and intellect
💖🌟💖🌟💖🌟💖🌟
What a treasure !!! Thank you for posting
love Ben Gazarra's voice.
..... what an Honest speaking man! - I'd never heard Him interviewed before; Thank You for downloading This.
have sub., Phil Liverpool UK 🇬🇧
This video really gets around! Classic, important stuff
Rest in powerful peace 🙏
Ben Gazzara
28 August 1930 ~
3 February 2012⚘
Fabulous Interview. Thank you. So sad the logo hid the faces of the speakers.
Oh my god this is so profound
Thank you so much for liberating this whole interview. I know the legend of this U-Matic being rescued from the TV station’s dumpster. The owner of this sole copy was charging extortionate rates for copies - fair enough for certain uses - thus the burn in titles.
Got to see the hollywood sucks excerpt at one of Ray Carney’s presentations, always wanted to see the whole thing. Thx again
wow, I had no idea about all that!
All LEGENDS in the arts 🎭!
So refreshing to see this. She’s quiet while he speaks and waits her turn respectfully and lovingly then she speaks her mind without emasculating him.
Wow. I’m just hallway through and this just makes me appreciate and enjoy their work even more. We need people like this today, they are rare.
Also, is the interviewer the same interviewer from Film Courage? It sure sounds like her.
The water mark is annoying
Thank you :)
Gena Rowland's Role As Wife Helped Her Husband's Acting Bringing His Acting To A Higher Level Of Intelligence Filmmaker.
Yesterday there were artists today there are celebrities, and almost no-one does movies that matter anymore. These people could have been my grandparents and still I believe they are more modern than my own generation and the younger ones as well.
22:35 SO REAL
Thank you!
Oh how I miss John and Gena
Opening Night is his Magnus Opus IMO
I'm surprised Gazzara had time for any engagements between 'The Killing of a Chinese Bookie' -- which he'd done with Cassavetes in 1976 -- and 'Opening Night.'
Fantastic!! Thank you so much : )
he would be so horrified to see the state of things in hollywood oh my god
❤️
“TELEVISION SUCKS!”
So great.😂💗🙏🏾
What did John Cassavetes order? Well, THE SCENERY, of course.
Not an easy person to deal with.
I met John in year '68. On his Set. First in the interview, he mentions the Bullfrog Restaurant. Yeah ! The Frog is the Lion of its' world, because it obliterates mosquitos. The importance of the subliminal character. Johns' humanness would never go to the sadist parasite. So. He could be dedicated to the Product. That is the undertone. Everything. I would like to talk long, about a few minutes with John, and also with Gina. It was, though, the silent sight; his, and mine, face to face; and then looking far out there together. The silent sight is the long perspective, awareness. Then, you are adept to get fired from any job before taking on the job that you never really needed. Sorta, check in check out. And goodbye. The thing is, the Greeks and Philosophia = Love of Truth. I will think-imagine John as, by the Docks, and also on the land in the space of the air. The Greeks, Aristotle, did not have a lot of paper, or to manage much paper being the Books of Accretion. They needed that hard metal; and they needed to cut that hard stone with it. That was their real life. You cannot graffitti and tattoo the present over them of their time and conditions. Imitation emotion; or real emotion, and the action. Walk the earth.
An accident…
A way of saying something that might be different than the normal, conventional, boring way of saying something…because they are dull in their own lives.
Nobody’s gonna go to the picture.🎥
Male love ❤️ Love of one’s self.
The rotten parts and the good parts.
Paul should’ve answered Gena. Needed more respect. He was in “poor taste”.
John showed more honesty.
Well, that’s not up to us. It’s up to the young ladies.
♥️Say something about a person that was more than, to me than just a face or a figure or a mother or a homemaker or an actress…
Like most of us, couldn’t comprehend exactly the meaning of someone that loves you.💔
John is not at all like any man…
Take all of your experiences from life…(with John’s writing & filming) I take my experiences from acting to Life♥️
I love speaking for someone else.😁
He knew what the Matrix was…….
…was doing something to me that hadn’t been done since the time I worked with Welles. Orson works that way.
Even if it’s bad, he says it’s beautiful❤️
John whispered, “Don’t speak, let her start.”
what a great comment
Words on the screen annoying as hell
Intense dude, that John.
27:52
does the watermark have to be dead center????
The “MacDonald CASSAVETES” chryon is a tad intrusive.
6:40
"Not homosexual love,"
Uh-huh...
You realize two men or women can have a deep friendship with no sex involved, right? Not everything involves sex.
@@mrwritestuff1 I affirmed the statement...
As much as I love them all, they look drunk and exhausted.
24:33
Why do they leave that Macdonald cassavetes on there over their faces
It’s Nita good decision. The title should be off to the side.
23:30 até 32:00
THE FREUDIAN COUCH IN BAR-POSITION ...the unholy trinity of slurred supremacy ...not incoherent, just oblique & opaque. A part of their mystique of unintended obfuscation ...not sure if that s a merit or an oratorial lia/e(?)bility
seymour silent the whole time tho!
Method acting something new
Gets away from the conventional way!
Why does it say "Macdonald" on the screen all the time. It is really disrespectful to the participants.
presumably the person who recorded this on their vcr was named macdonald
@@morgiana1972 it says "unspecified TV station", so it was probably MacDonald TV station... too bad it cannot be removed.
@@lenablochmusic it was recorded by someone in their vcr, that's how it's been preserved!
@@morgiana1972 oh, I see, so it is a private recording.
THANK YOU MacDonald!
Hey whats up with yellow printed macdonald cassavetes on the video on cassavete face b....s
If you are doing this craps why bother
❤