MovieChat Forums > 29th Street (1991) Discussion > So what's the scoop behind this movie?

So what's the scoop behind this movie?


A coule of questions actually. Seeing as how Frank Pesce is in the movie as well, is this a true story or based on anything true?
Also, what's James Franciscus' connection? It lists him as being the co-writer but I remember him from "beneath the planet of the APes" and some other dodgy 70's movies - anyone know what prompted him to become a writer?

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I know it's based on the true story of the 1st ever NY Lottery winner, and I know it's one my favorite movies of all time, and I know that I will never forget when they freeze LaPaglia's face and play "At Last" in the beginning, and I know that I cry every time at the end when he's talking about his father looking out at his big yard before he died, but that's about all I know.

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All I know is that this is not an Italian American film.

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James Franciscus was unwell and turned to writing. Actually I liked him in Longstreet, I thought it was rather well done.

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i know frank pesce, he is a good friend of mine, he is doing well now, he just had sugery but is recovering nicely

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I knew Frank, too. I haven't seen him in about 5 years, but I knew him. He told me that made a movie, called "29th Street." He let me borrow a tape of the film. When I returned it, I asked him if it was true. He said "It's all true. Except the part about winning the lottery."

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That's right. He attended the drawing but lost. The producers felt that you couldn't end the film on such a low note so they changed the ending to having Frank win. In real life, Frank Pesce has done very well for himself, so you really don't have to feel bad for him.

GREAT MOVIE!!

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