MovieChat Forums > Stay Hungry (1976) Discussion > Joe Santo?

Joe Santo?

posted 16 years ago by The_Lord_Of_Movies
12 replies | jump to latest

Hi guys.

How are you ?

I watched the movie recently, I thought it was a good one.

I thought Arnold really gave a good performance. Maybe because his character was not far from what he was at the time, so he didn't have to compose a different character.. He was natural in his acting, credible, good job!

Anyway.. I was just surprised by the name Joe Santo.. Is it supposed to be from Austria ?

Come on, this name sounds Italian but not Austrian at all.. Is it that hard to find a Germanic name ?? You know, Hauser, Schumacher, Franz, Schwarzenegger..

It sounds ridiculous in the movie, not credible at all..

Maybe there is an explaination in the book I don't know.

Nice to see Jeff Bridges (6'1) and Arnold at the same height.

It's great to see how free and natural Arnold is when starting the posing with the music in the contest at the end of the movie. It really looks like he was into his job :) Great moments!

I wish you all a nice day.

*Lord of Movies*

[–] choatelodge 16 years ago

That unbelievably silly decision, to name an Austrian character by the Mediterranean sounding 'Santo', is just one of those head scratching and attention diverting things screenwriters, for some inexplicable reason, do.
I wonder if the writer even knows anything about matters European?

Did anyone on the set ever say, "Hey, if this big bodybuilder character is supposed to be Germanic, shouldn't he not have a Spanish/Italian/American sounding name like Joe Santo?"
Did the screenwriter say, "Shut up. I'm the screenwriter and you are an extra." "I decide the names, and this Austrian guy is going to be named Joe Santo."?

Bodybuilder Franco Columbu from Sardinia is after all given the even more Sardinian sounding surname, "Orsini"...

[–] The_Lord_Of_Movies 16 years ago

Hi Choatelodge!

How are you ?

Thanks for the comment.

I agree with you. Sometimes I'm surprised that most of the time the average american citizen does not know a lot about family names origins, which is so interesting.
Yes, Santo sounds Italian or Spanish but not Austrian at all!

You're right about Franco Columbu, his name "Orsini" in the movie fits well. He's fun with his moustache :-D

I know I already said that but the ending with the posing at the Olympia Contest with the music and Arnold starting with the other pro is soo great! Gosh he was such an amazing bodybuilder, what a genetic! A real showman.

Take care!

*Lord of Movies*

[–] oiwnos-1 12 years ago

dude you know nothing.. so who can you write plain *beep* with such
a confidence....

stay hungry was a VERY successful book.. so they wanted to make that successful book into a movie.. Santo is a Native american bodybuilder.. and the director wanted a professional native american actor to do the part... but because you can't find a pro actor with native american looks and the body of mr olympia eventually arnold did the part...

it was strange enough for the book fans that santo is played by a austrian looking dude imagine if they would change his name too... they never say he is native american.. but changing his name would be another story..

tom cruise plays jack reaper... a 7 foot guy in the movie... it's stupid enought for the book fans that they use cruise for jack reaper ... imagine if they change his name also... then it's another book altogether..

no screen writers or any of the stupid things you said ... just a book with set characters into a movie..
Mmmmm.I am between a Lambo and a Hyundai.

[–] The_Lord_Of_Movies 14 years ago

Hi Yahlliw,

I see your point but I don't think it's the case in the movie, it doesn't work to me.

He's not a real pro yet in the movie, we understand that he's going to be one but he's not very famous at the begining of the movie.

Well, it's my opinion.

Have a nice day.

*Lord of Movies*

I miss the 90's !!!

[–] vonmazur 14 years ago

I think they should have named the character Arnold Blackacre...

Dale

"If those sweethearts won't face German bullets--They'll face French ones!"

[–] machohervey 13 years ago

Stay Hungry is based on a book, though I haven't read it. I'm wondering if anyone else who's read the book can confirm.

I want to go out on a limb and speculate that originally Santo was an immigrant not from Austria, but Mexico and that his sport wasn't body building but professional wrestling as evidenced by Santo wearing a luchador's mask while working out.

The roll was probably changed to fit Schwarzenegger, who was a popular public figure because of Mr. Universe and Pumping Iron.

[–] scottythefield 13 years ago

Maybe the character had a Portuguese/Spanish/Italian father and Austrian mother. Or maybe he had an Austrian name that he changed to soemthing more easily pronounceable for Americans. Or maybe he just liked the idea of having a stage name. Who knows? Or cares, really? It's not as though all Americans have Anglo sounding names like "John Adams" or whatever.

[–] Frosted-Flame 13 years ago

It's possible his grandfather, or great grandfather or perhaps further back emigrated to Austria from some place where Santo is more common and the name continued down the line.

This Show Was A Lot Funnier Before Kirstie Alley Ate Shelly Long

[–] ThereWillBeBeer 13 years ago

When he came over to the States from Austria, he had no family here so he was adopted by Cubs third baseman Ron Santo (RIP).

Right, then, old chap. Large brandies all around, what?

[–] Movie_KING 12 years ago

The character in the novel Stay Hungry was named Joe Santo. Charles Gaines-author of the novel-was friends with Arnold and pushed Bob Rafelson to cast him in the part.

[–] 12 years ago

[deleted]

[–] mad_roke 10 years ago

It's simple. Stay Hungry was a very famous book. The character Santo was a Native American in it. However, Schwarzenegger really wanted this role. According to his biography he convinced the director by promising to lose weight, get acting lessons and work on his overall performance. Since he was so eager and since he was able to keep his promises he got to keep the role. But the character had to be changed from Native American to something else so Arnold as an Austrian wouldn't have been out of place. The name Joe Santo remained probably so it wouldn't alienate book lovers any further.