Over the course of his career, James Caan starred in some of the most influential films of all time, including the iconic The Godfather, in which he took on the role of Sonny Corleone and earned an Academy Award for his performance. The actor was also known for being highly discerning about his on-screen projects, prompting several rejections throughout his career.
Renowned for his outspoken and opinionated nature, the actor also did not hesitate to voice his reservations when it came to a line in the 1973 drama, Cinderella Liberty, leading to a disagreement with his friend and director of the film, Mark Rydell.
James Caan Was Disappointed With One Line in Cinderella Liberty
The 1973 film Cinderella Liberty follows James Caan as a sailor, John, who falls for a prostitute Maggie (Marsha Mason). However, things get complicated after she goes back to her previous lifestyle. By the end of the film, it is revealed that Maggie has left for New Orleans with another man.
Upon learning about the same, John heads to New Orleans to look for Maggie with her son Doug. It was during the final moments when the filmmaker wanted Caan to say a line, “I hear they got some big shrimp in New Orleans,” suggesting that John Baggs was headed to New Orleans in search of Maggie.
However, the actor found it unnecessary as he believed that the line undermined the character he had carefully developed throughout the movie. “I have just spent two hours creating a character who has no quit in him, who only sees the good,” he told Rolling Stone, while further explaining,
And if the audience doesn’t know he’s going down to New Orleans, then I have done a terrible job.’ He said, ‘Just say it, we won’t use it.’… It’s the loudest goddamned line in the movie. It really pissed me off, plus it’s bad drama.
He also emphasized the importance of authenticity of character consistency, saying, “If a guy’s been in the navy for twelve years, he walks a certain way [gets up and demonstrates].” He believed that the line was offensive not only to his work with the character but also to the viewers’ ability to grasp the character’s story and development.
James Caan Found His Character in Cinderella Liberty Pure and Good
Based on the book of the same name, Cinderella Liberty features James Caan as John Baggs, a sailor with a rough exterior but a tender heart. When asked about his character in the 1973 drama film during an interview, the Oscar-winning actor expressed a deep appreciation for the purity and goodness his role embodied.
“I rather liked him,” he said while comparing his character to the virtuous Billy Budd, the titular character and sailor in Herman Melville’s novella, Billy Budd, known for his innocence and moral integrity.
“To me, he was like Billy Budd, all pure and good,” he said. The Queen Bees star also shared that they found his co-star Marsha Mason, who earned an Oscar nomination for her performance in the 1973 film. Caan and Mason also co-starred in the 1979 romantic comedy Chapter Two.
Cinderella Liberty is available to stream on Prime Video.
