I met jake lamotta last night

what does everyone think about the idea of 'Raging Bull 2'? I for one have always wanted to see the early life of jake from his book put onto screen but i really dont think it would be done well, except maybe with Scorcese behind the camera but i dont see that happening, leave it as the classic it is

 

"We may soon get the chance to see La Motta's life laid bare again on the big screen. Raging Bull 2 is in the early stages of production and is tentatively scheduled for release in September 2012."

WTF!!@! Why? Can't be true.

 

the original raging bull was so well done because you still rooted for LaMotta even though he was basically a *******...even at that..they had to not have a few things in the movie that actually happened....but he was an even bigger ******* as a kid and up and coming fighter...i mean, do you have the coming of age seen...where young Jake loses his virginity by raping a 30 something year old women in closet? might not go over well with test audiences.:think

 

Since RSN put up this thread about meeting Jake, 'n there's so much interest in him, if you like, I can re-post some incidents you might get a kick outta.

Just gimme the word.

 

The word. There you have it.

 

John/Joe likes to make us beg for his stories.....

 

Doubt if I've seen 'em all, J. The ones I've read, I'd read again. Jake's a character alright, and you tell 'em well.

 

That's like Gene Wilder in YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN when Terri Garr says to him at dinner: "You didn't touch your food"

He slapped the mashed potatoes 'n gravy furiously. "There, I TOUCHED IT!"

Will put' em up, B

 

I heard Jake LaMotta had bit of a temper, Joe. Is that true? Please verify this. Thank you.

 

Only you, J

 

Total fabrication, B -- a Teddy Bear. Would keep turnin' the other cheek.

 

That's what I thought. I sat in on some classes at the Jake LaMotta School For Sensitivity Training (JLSST). Learned many lessons.

Course 1:

How To Cook A ****ing Steak! It's Dry! What Are You DOINGGGGG - 101

 

Ya break-me-up, B.

 

jg...you know much about joey, his brother...still alive too i hear, must be a big age as well

 

Here are the incidents, 'n you have Johnston ta thank for begging:

RAGING BULL didn't begin to hint at how volcanic Jake's rages were. Anything would set him off. Any time. Any place.

The worst bad guys wanted no part of him.

But when Jake hung'em-up, he went into show business -- had to keep a tight rein on his temper. He was tested daily.

These two incidents should illustrate:

He got work in films as a character heavy -- took it seriously, wanted to be as good an actor as he was a fighter. He enrolled in John Cassevettes' Theatre Workshop in New York, and did scenes to perfect his craft.

One day, I went to watch him. He was on stage doing some Tennessee Williams' monologue. It was curious listening to those poetic lines coming out of Jake's mouth-- half cement truck -- all Bronx.

While he was walking the stage reciting his lines, a young, fey actor who had no idea who Jake was, bounded on stage and confronted him: "Your rehearsal time is over! It's my time now! Get off the stage!"

Jake said softly, “I’ll just be a minute"

The kid, wanting to be an intense dramatic actor, stepped closer to Jake: "No. Now! Get off!"

Jake said, "But... And the kid SLAPPED Jake in the face," NOW!"

Jake just looked at him, like a Great White Shark poised over chum... and said gently, "Don't do that," and walked off the stage.

That actor had no idea how abruptly his career almost ended.

*********

On another occasion, I was in PJ Clarke's, a pub on the Eastside of N.Y for the sports crowd. Jake could be found at the bar daily in the afternoon with his long-time bud Pete Savage, who co-wrote RAGING BULL.

Jake was relaxing with his back against the bar -- trademark stogie in his mouth. A sweaty little guy in an ill-fitting suit came through the front door, spotted Jake and headed right for him.

The little guy planted himself right in front of Jake, regaling him, and all in the bar, with how he saw Jake KO some guy, demonstrating by wind-milling punches furiously in the air...only a hair from Jake's face.

Jake didn’t move a muscle or change expression.

Sure enough, one landed flush on the cigar -- flattening it against his face, like a character in a cartoon.

After a long pause, Jake looked heavenward: "Why me?"