FILM 2036: DO THE RIGHT THING

TRIVIA: Spike Lee wrote the script in two weeks.

Spike Lee originally wanted Robert De Niro for the role of Sal (Salvatore Fragione). But De Niro turned down the part, saying that it was too similar to many of the parts he had played in the past. In the end, the part went to Danny Aiello. Robert De Niro's photo is one of the pictures that appear on Sal's "Wall of Fame."

Graffiti on the wall behind Mookie and Jade reads "Tawana told the truth" in reference to the Tawana Brawley alleged rape and abduction case of 1987.

According to Rosie Perez, her face is not shown in her nude scene, because she felt exploited and was crying. She later decided she didn't mind, and appeared nude again in other movies.

The key scene when Danny Aiello and John Turturro talk alone, approximately midway through the film, was partly improvised. The scripted scene ended as the character Smiley approached the window. Everything after that, until the end of the scene, was completely ad-libbed.

Feature film debut of Martin Lawrence (Cee).

Radio Raheem's explanation of the love and hate rings he wears, is an homage to the speech that The Preacher gave in The Night of the Hunter (1955). Robert Mitchum's preacher has tattoos on his hands that say "Love" and "Hate".

The opening dance sequence with Rosie Perez, was inspired by the opening credit sequence with Ann-Margret, in Bye Bye Birdie (1963).

In 2007, the American Film Institute ranked this as the #96 Greatest Movie of All Time. It was the first inclusion of this film on the list.

Rick Aiello and Miguel Sandoval, who played Officers Long and Ponte, reprised their roles in Jungle Fever (1991), which was also directed by Spike Lee.

The entire shoot took place on one commandeered block in Brooklyn. Extra care was taken, to ensure the experience was palatable to the residents of that block, and the production even hired a couple of residents on that block.

Ossie Davis (Da Mayor) and Ruby Dee (Mother Sister) were wife and husband in real life and frequently performed together until Davis' death in 2005.

Included among the "1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die", edited by Steven Schneider.

Follow me along in trying to complete the "1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die" here… (This is the latest edition my book is much older…)

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