JFK


Oliver Stone's JFK

 

The Cast: In Their Own Words


Brian Doyle-Murray (Jack Ruby)

"I love the way [Oliver Stone] works. He works fast. One of the banes of being an actor is waiting, waiting. It's intrinsic in the process, so it's great when somebody works fast. I remember sitting there watching his crew and they were running! Lighting people were running. People carrying camera cases moving at a full trot. I've never seen that on a film before. Then, all of a sudden, Oliver pops up and goes, 'C'mon, hurry up, step on it!' And they started running faster! I don't know how he pulls it out of them, but he does. Involvement, I guess. He's a leader."

"[As I was preparing for the role, I kept remembering how the entire roomful of police jumped on Jack Ruby the moment after he pulled the trigger.] When I got on the set, I saw some of the people who were going to be in the scene. Some of the stunt guys and extras were thugs. I thought to myself, 'These guys are gonna hurt me. They're going to want to look good for Oliver and they're going to pounce on me with everything they've got.' So I started putting the word out, 'If anybody hurts me, I got a knife in my pocket and I'm going to get you.'

"So, we start the scene, and I shoot him and then I get jumped by all these guys. But they weren't too bad. Of course, they're all on top of me. Well, we did a couple of takes and then Oliver came over, shaking his head. And he goes up to the stunt guys and says, 'I don't know, I don't believe you guys. It don't look real to me.' And I thought, 'Great, now I'm in for it. I'm gonna get hurt.' I knew it was coming and it came. Wham! I got hurt. But you know, that's part of it. Oliver lets you know that the stakes are high. You might even get hurt. That's how big a deal it is for him, and he wants you to match his energy and commitment. Which I like. That's part of what makes him great." (1)

 

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You may wish to see:

Who's Who in the Jim Garrison Case

Jim Garrison's New Orleans Photo Gallery

Articles and resources on Jim Garrison's New Orleans conspiracy investigation,
including the Clay Shaw trial transcript

Articles and resources on the JFK assassination

 

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NOTES

1. James Riordan, Stone (New York: Hyperion, 1995), p. 389.

 

Who's Who in the Jim Garrison Case

Jim Garrison's New Orleans Photo Gallery

Articles and resources on Jim Garrison's New Orleans conspiracy investigation,
including the Clay Shaw trial transcript

Articles and resources on the JFK assassination

 

Search this site
 
    powered by FreeFind
 

Dave Reitzes home page