MovieChat Forums > The Kid Stays in the Picture (2002) Discussion > Bob Evans was Johnny Fontane?

Bob Evans was Johnny Fontane?

posted 15 years ago by thatguy_78757
4 replies | jump to latest

In "The Kid Stays in the Picture" Bob Evans gave a filmed speech about how Paramount financed Puzos original book. The book version of Johnny Fontane made me think Puzo based him on Evans himself. Its popularly assumed that Fontaine the Italian singer whose career was helped by Mafia connections was inspired by Frank Sinatra. But in the book hes somebody whos time in front of teh camera is over and some big money people push him into being a producer- that sounds like Evans! I heard that the real Sinatra was so pissed at the Fontaine character he ordered that the actor Al Martini be banned for life from Vegas. In truth, he didnt play Vegas until after Frank died.

[–] 13tongimp 15 years ago

I used to work in the casino industry and I met Al Martino and even he will tell you as he told me that Johnny Fontane was based on Sinatra. The man was cut out from the Vegas scene for decades simply for being in the film. Seems absurd these days, but the mob really did resent anyone from being in that film at the time. Poor Al lost a ton of work because he was in that movie.

http://www.13tongimp.com/

[–] vincent-27 11 years ago

Johnny Fontaine was based on Sinatra, Evans wasn't a singer. I believe the movie that Sinatra was "perfect" for was From Here to Eternity which he got only through his mob connections. I believe the woman he stole from the director was Lana Turner, but I could be wrong.

--
"Surrender Dorothy!"

[–] 11 years ago

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[–] 11 years ago

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