In the cinematic world, moments of intense emotion regularly blur the line between fact and fiction. Otto Preminger, a seasoned stalwart in the film industry, found himself engulfed in such an experience while overseeing a pivotal scene featuring Paul Newman. The sheer authenticity of this particular scene left 80 years old profoundly shaken, casting him into a domain of astonishment and disturbing.
The Director Was Left Daunted By Paul Newman’s Prank
In the land of filmmaking, unexpected twists are par for the course, but occasionally, a moment of sheer astonishment exceeds the ordinary, carving a lasting memory for those who bear witness.
Such a remarkable incident unfolded on the set, where the esteemed director Otto Preminger found himself unwittingly entrapped in a prank led by none other than the charismatic maestro of mischief, Paul Newman.
Known as a trickster extraordinaire, Newman’s proneness for practical jokes was legendary. During the production of the 1960 film Exodus, he hatched a scheme to prank the humorless and stern Preminger.
Having faced rejection of his script suggestions and enduring Preminger’s lectures on the futility of an actor’s input, Newman seized an opportunity. In a pivotal scene, as the actor engaged in a brutal balcony altercation, a remarkably lifelike dummy replaced him seamlessly.
The script demanded his character to defeat the villain, but the 83-year-old creative role reversal led Preminger, directing from below, to witness the villain hurl the dummy off the ridge, culminating in a spine-chilling thud upon impact.
The shockwave was so intense that the screenwriter collapsed, necessitating immediate medical attention. According to A.E. Hotchner’s book Paul and Me: 53 Years of Adventures and Misadventures with My Pal Paul Newman,
“The script called for Newman to knock out the villain. But now Preminger, directing from a unit on the ground, saw the villain knock Paul’s dummy off the balcony, causing it to spin downward, landing with an ominous splat. Preminger was so shaken he collapsed and required first aid.”
Newman’s audacious prank left the seasoned director daunted and momentarily muddled, underscoring his remarkable talent for blurring the lines between reality and fiction.
However, it’s worth noting that not all of Newman’s jokes yielded such dramatic results, as some of his playful antics took an unexpected turn.
Paul Newman’s Pranks Sometimes Had Unintentional Consequences
The Slap Shot star, renowned for his on-screen charm, was equally famed for his off-screen adventures. While his playful demeanor and witty humor were celebrated, some of Newman’s practical jokes yielded unintended consequences, highlighting the ruthless nature of such antics.
During the filming of the 1976 movie Buffalo Bill and the Indians, Newman attempted a prank on director Robert Altman that took an unexpected turn.
In a bid for hilarity, he filled Altman’s trailer with a staggering 300 chickens. However, Altman happened to be away at the time, leaving the chickens to perish in the scorching heat.
Despite Newman’s later philanthropic efforts, including donating proceeds from his line of food products to animal organizations, this practical joke ended tragically with the demise of hundreds of chickens.
Newman, acknowledging his error, promptly replaced Altman’s trailer at his own expense.
Nevertheless, the spirit of jest persisted, with Altman redressing it by serving inexpensive wine during a cast dinner.
These instances served to humanize the iconic actor, underscoring that even legendary figures are exposed to occasional mishaps, and the unpredictable nature of humor remains a constant in the world of entertainment.
Source: Paul and Me: 53 Years of Adventures and Misadventures with My Pal Paul Newman
