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Post by Pixie on Nov 16, 2004 19:21:11 GMT
YAY!! Go you, you figured it out! It sounds pretty cool. Gonna have to see that one!
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Post by nightnurse on Nov 16, 2004 21:32:08 GMT
Jenniwren at Moz posted this snippet of info about the book the movie is based on
Bobby comfort was a real person Amazon books
Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly The 1972 robbery of Manhattan's Hotel Pierre, the most lucrative heist of its kind, was exceptional only for the size of the loot (some $11 million) and the smooth expertise with which it was executed. New York Times columnist Berkow (Red, Carew uses the event as the hook on which to hang his biography of the man who masterminded it. Bobby Comfort of Rochester, N.Y., evidently never had an instinct that was not criminal, even as a child. Physically lazy and mechanically inept, he avoided regular employment and turned first to card sharping and then to robbery. He spent years in reform schools and prisons, but through his mastery of the law was able to shorten his sentences. He found robbing hotels (and Sophia Loren) a handy way to make money. But, despite Berkow's dramatic writing, this is not a major true-crime saga. Photos not seen by PW. Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Library Journal In the pre-dawn hours of January 2, 1972, a group of men wearing tuxedoes robbed the Pierre, an elegant New York hotel, of several million dollars worth of jewelry and cash. The leader of this daring heist was life-long thief Bobby Comfort and this book is largely his story as told to Berkow. It is a fascinating portrait of an intelligent and resourceful crook who saw robbing the rich as a perfectly honorable way to make a living. Berkow, a New York Times sportswriter and author of Red Smith, has obviously taken some liberties, since sections of the book consist of dialogue in quotes, but the result is a corking good cops-and-robbers tale that should find favor with public library patrons. Jack Ray, Loyola/Notre Dame Lib., Baltimore Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc
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Post by PokerKitten on Nov 16, 2004 21:46:59 GMT
Yeah, we know it was a real deal. That's what made me excited about it in the first place, as the actual events sounded fascinating. I've always liked a good caper. ;D JM's role, as described by Steve H, doesn't sound like Bobby, mind you. Bobby doesn't sound too lovable and unsuccessful, unless of course they have softened up, and aged, the character for this movie version. And we don't really know the movie is based on this biography, do we? Or do we, have I missed something? I've been wondering if they'll set it in the right era - early 70s. There could be some criminal fashions, never mind thefts! Bringing over part of my original post about this, when I was just specualting behind closed doors - there was meant to be a fairly large budget movie for cinema release made about this, to start filming in 2002 in Montreal apparently, but it never happened.... (another one involving John Cusack and Woody Allen seemed to bite the dust in the early stages too). movies don't tend to have these production problems so much. But as it a USA network film, will we poor hapless Brits ever get to see it?! *whimper*
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Post by PokerKitten on Nov 16, 2004 23:29:13 GMT
Okay, my parting gift ogf the night. Looks like they have tweaked Bobby's character somewhat ;D I can't link you direct to the page, but go to the production company's site, click on "Filmography" and then The Pierre Heist. Bobby is described as harmless and debonair. Polite and suave is how their victims describe him and his gang. Tuxedos, yay! ;D ETA - I was too tired last night, but here's the blurb from the site: The true story of BOBBY COMFORT, a con man who is soon lured into a hotel heist by SAMMY NALO, a flamboyant thief with questionable mob connections. With a third man, DOC DIPAOLO, they succeed in robbing a NY hotel but almost kill each other in the process. They have very different philosophies and the harmless, debonair Bobby refuses to ever work again with the violent, two-bit thug Sammy.
When Sammy shows up with their take on the hotel job, Bobby and Doc are lured by the potential windfall to re-team for another heist. From now on they’re doing it Bobby’s way, no violence, no costumes, all very polite. In fact, when these three guys show up as late arrivals in tuxedos — and then proceed to hold up the jewelry vault — all the victims can remember is how polite and suave they are. The next one goes off so well, they begin a spree of NYC hotel robberies.
THE BIG ONE is the Pierre Hotel, which boasts the most wealthy and renowned guests for a New Year’s Eve bash. Bobby knows the cops are onto them, but that just adds to the challenge. Together with Doc and Sammy, and two other recruits, they manage to pull off the biggest hotel heist in American history.
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Post by Cyrus on Nov 16, 2004 23:47:35 GMT
Whoa I didn't read all that but one word caught my eye... James in a tux?!
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Post by Pixie on Nov 17, 2004 7:56:22 GMT
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Post by PokerKitten on Nov 17, 2004 10:01:40 GMT
And James is def Bobby, btw. That Steve Himber is such a lanky tease! Dropping teeny nuggets of info hither and yon! Anyway, I'd rather he did than didn't! So we have a nicely sanitised Bobby, non-violent, lovable, polite and suave. James can do that standing on his head (although I'd rather he duidn't as I'd get a crick in the neck from watching). Which channel shall us Brits start pestering to buy this movie, huh?! ;D
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Post by Pixie on Nov 17, 2004 10:16:28 GMT
ALL OF THEM!!! One of them's bound to cave in under the pressure. Oohh.. James being suave in a tux... ;D
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Post by PokerKitten on Nov 17, 2004 10:26:27 GMT
Channel 5 regularly shows US movies (and it happens to be the best channel for reception in my crappy area!). Word is that it could be screened in the US pretty quickly, as that seems to be what happens with movies. People are saying early 2005. I know nothing about these things so will rely on our US Spikelasses to fill us in on the likelihood of that kind of turnaround.
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Snow
Billy Johnson
Posts: 173
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Post by Snow on Nov 17, 2004 11:26:19 GMT
I wonder how likely it is this movie might be sold on video or DVD? Because otherwise... no James in a tux for me I'm afraid. (At least not with James' actual voice.)
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Post by PokerKitten on Nov 17, 2004 11:32:30 GMT
Well, I was kinda taking heart from the production company's site which says other movies of theirs have been sold on VHS and DVD. Fingers crossed!
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Post by Pixie on Nov 17, 2004 11:52:44 GMT
Hope it'll be the same for this one!
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Post by PokerKitten on Nov 18, 2004 12:47:45 GMT
I have some basic production info for those of you interested in that kind of thing, although as it was posted at the beginning of November there is no cast news: PIERRE HEIST - ( Movie for USA) - November 3, 2004 - Toronto, Canada; Darius Films, Inc., 1173 Dundas St. East, Suite 235, Toronto, ONT, M4M 3P1, Canada. Tel: 416-922-0007; Fax: 416-406-0034; Email: info@dariusfilms.com. PROD, Aaron Barnett, Nicholas Tabarrok; DIR, Gary Burns; UPM, Paul Lees; PC, Alice FosterThis is from My Entertainment World, and you have to subscribe to get such info, although I expect it is available elsewhere for free Oh well, the pound is doing very well agains the dollar these days.
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Snow
Billy Johnson
Posts: 173
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Post by Snow on Nov 18, 2004 13:16:50 GMT
Your're a star, PK And BTW, belated congrats on being the first to figure out the correct movie, Sherlock. ;D I guess it would be the polite thing to at least wait until they actually finished and possibly broadcasted the movie until we start writing e-mails re videos or DVDs, uh? -Yeah, I thought so.
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Post by PokerKitten on Nov 18, 2004 13:24:06 GMT
Lol, this fandom veers from polite and respectful to outright scary and demanding, so who knows?!
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Post by DeeDee on Nov 19, 2004 10:42:41 GMT
Great deduction Pk The Pierre Heist sounds good ;D ;D mmm..Jamesey goodness Movie eh we get some Movies and true life type ones on channel 5 like you said ;D ;D so it will be mass letters to channel 5 to ask for it to be shown ;D ;D er maybe like Snow said when they have finnished it eh
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Post by PokerKitten on Nov 19, 2004 10:46:55 GMT
Some folks have seen the American documentary about the affair and it sounds like the story will make a real cracking movie romp. Can't wait ;D
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Post by Pixie on Nov 19, 2004 11:49:30 GMT
They'd better release it on DVD or I will be greatly peeved.
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Post by PokerKitten on Nov 22, 2004 10:04:47 GMT
Fabulous news! The production company responded to a fan email (Rissa @ CDS) to say that the movie will screen February 2005, with a video (and hopefully a DVD from my POV) available later in the year! ;D
Then we need to know it will be in VHS/Region 2 format! Supporting James is such a worry, lol!
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Post by Pixie on Nov 22, 2004 11:59:59 GMT
SQUEEEEE!!!!! ;D Am happy now! Well, so long as we get DVDs, but who makes vids and not DVDs? Apparently Dixons say DVD players sell 40 to 1 more than video recorders...
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