Dog Day Anniversary
Update 9/23/09: Google just made a large collection of old LIFE Magazine issues available for viewing on-line. You can now read the original article that inspired Dog Day Afternoon in its entirety on-line.
35 years ago today, a couple guys named John Wojtowicz and Sal Naturile held up a Chase Manhattan bank in Brooklyn at the corner of Avenue P and East 3rd Street. At the time, New York City was experiencing one or two bank robberies per day. But before it was over, this one became the hottest thing on TV. The police were alerted, hostages were taken, and 12 hours later the ordeal finally came to an end after several strange turns.
I don’t want to go too much further into what happened, because the story was turned into the excellent 1975 movie Dog Day Afternoon
The movie was based on a Life Magazine article about the holdup called “The Boys in the Bank.” I dug up the original article, by PF Kluge and Thomas Moore, and was amazed to discover that the photos of the event looked surprisingly similar to stills from the movie. I knew that Lumet had strived to achieve a realistic look to his film, but there were many details that were nearly identical to the real events.
Here are some side-by-side comparisons. On the left, we have photos from the actual crime scene. On the right, we have images from the movie.
John (called “Sonny” in the movie, played by Al Pacino) talks to cops outside the bank:
Ernest (called “Leon” in the movie, played by Chris Sarandan) arrives at the scene:
Sal (called “Sal” in the movie, played by John Cazale) was actually 18 when the events took place. I think Cazale looks quite a bit older. But I can forgive them. Because it’s John Cazale.
Cops (called “cops” in the movie, played in part by James Broderick) huddle behind a car across the street with reporters, watching events unfold:
I should have an original copy of the magazine coming my way soon, and when it does I’ll try to add a couple more side-by-side comparisons using more photos from the story. In the meantime, as further encouragement for you to watch this movie, here’s a famous scene (that’s relatively spoiler free) to tease you. Enjoy.
Comments
Less than five minutes ago, I was talking to someone about this movie. Nice to read this background information… Thanks!
Posted by: Lester | August 22, 2007 5:32 AM
Very interesting.
I never watched the whole movie, but I’ve seen it probably 20 times in parts on TCM.
Now I have to try and see all the 124 minutes.
Posted by: Dino | August 22, 2007 7:33 AM
Good movie! Pacino is awesome here. So young. Alas, the ravages of time.
Posted by: zack | August 22, 2007 1:29 PM
Nice. I am always amazed at the attention to detail some movies go to on this kind of thing.
Posted by: Mr. Wisdumb | August 22, 2007 4:01 PM
I’m noticing a trend in Lummet’s movies. He seems to like limited locations. This is once example. 12 Angry Men is another. That whole movie takes place in two rooms.
Posted by: Thomas | August 22, 2007 6:34 PM
As much as I liked Dog Day Afternoon, the telephone call between Sonny and Leon was painful. Pacino and Sarandon are, generally, good actors. But the chemistry here? Bleh.
Posted by: YLlama | August 23, 2007 12:44 AM
Photo of Chase Manhattan Bank branch located at 450 Avenue P., the actual location of the robbery -
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:LFChaseP1975.jpg
Posted by: g-a-b | August 23, 2007 11:03 AM
I
Posted by: May | August 23, 2007 12:15 PM
I had no idea it was based on a true story. All the more amazing.
Posted by: yellojkt | August 24, 2007 6:11 PM
in reply to ur message sayin there was no chemistry this was probaly done on purpose because the couple obviously had problems
Posted by: chris murphy | February 13, 2008 11:36 AM
When I was visiting New York a while back we went to the Guggenheim, and they had a great installation piece on display. It was scenes from “Dog Day Afternoon” being discussed by the real life “Sonny”, and he was a really funny and charming guy. It was easy to see why the hostages began to side with him. They also got him to do some re-enactments, which were great.
I wish I could tell you who the artist was, because it was brilliant.
Posted by: Jennifer Courtney-Bartel | February 16, 2008 5:34 PM
Jennifer I was wondering when you went. That sounded amazing. I heard that the real life Sonny died on 1/2/06.
Posted by: Mike | July 13, 2008 1:08 PM
Well written and well documented. Great read while watching the movie…
Posted by: Mako | August 13, 2008 10:45 PM
Cops (called “cops” in the movie…
Classic, just classic.
Appears that the location of the movie shoot was 285 Prospect Park West, Brooklyn. Go to street view and you get the 360 degree from the street.
Posted by: Weeds | November 30, 2008 7:27 AM
Loved the movie. Too bad Sal was killed. 18 years old, what a horrible start and end to such a young man. I read a letter that Sonny wrote in NYT, complaining about being ripped off from a verbal agreement of 1% gross profits. The robber got robbed….Can’t say I feel sorry for him. Al Pacino, what a looker, eh?
Posted by: windy after dark | April 20, 2009 6:47 PM
I want to see real news footage from local tv about the robbery.
Posted by: M | May 10, 2009 4:19 PM
Sad irony… John Cazale telling the head teller he, “Sal” never smoked cigarettes. “Why?” she asks.
“I don;t want the Cancer,” he whispers.
Posted by: Tommy C. | May 13, 2009 3:01 AM
I am a big fan of AlPacino. Love all his movies. Even met him once about 20 years ago.Dogs Day afternoon is one of his best . My wife and i just watched it on demand. She loved it too.
Posted by: Michael | November 28, 2009 1:37 PM
The real Sal looks very much like ‘Tenoch’ (Diego Luna) in Y Tu Mama Tambien
Posted by: Topov | December 2, 2009 6:58 PM