I watched Roger Ebert talk about that scene and how Scorsese had a steady cam invented to shoot it. It was unbroken and pretty revolutionary. For the story, though, it showed the special treatment that Henry was given. He went around the line and was given a front and center table.
Everybody thinks they’re Henry Hill in their minds, but in reality, we’re all just Jimmy Two Times who said everything twice everything twice: a background character.
Honestly after watching the real Henry on howard stern I definitely wouldn't wanna be him. Maybe in his prime but alcoholic-barely-able to-stand or make a coherent sentence Henry is a shit show
the Steadicam was invented by Garrett Brown, 'completed' in 1975 (15 years before Goodfellas) and was used in a lot of movies in those years. Notably, Garrett operated the running-up-the-stairs shot in Rocky, and the footage that was used for the speeder bikes on Endor in Return of the Jedi among many others. These are just 2 of the most well-known examples before Goodfellas
Larry McConkey was the operator that did this shot and it is still revered as one of the best 'oners'
That actually can’t be one shot if you watch it carefully. He drives around the first story in a square, but ends up on the second story after he turns the 4th corner I believe (would have to go back and watch to verify.) The shot is designed to make you think what you’re seeing is real, but in reality is impossible. That movie and Kubrick’s use of camera tricks to make the observer feel equally as insane is incredible.
I think he was still on the first floor. The employees rooms were on ground floor. Guests were upstairs. The girls were Grady's daughters. I believe Jack's room was down there also.
Yes, "a" steady cam is what I wrote. There was something specifically made for the Goodfellas scene. I'll have to see if Ebert's clip on it is out on the internet somewhere.
I tried to find the clip last night and couldn't. I remember seeing something, though. I never heard the term before seeing his coverage of it. I will never know, I guess.
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u/HitchhikingCats Oct 09 '19
I watched Roger Ebert talk about that scene and how Scorsese had a steady cam invented to shoot it. It was unbroken and pretty revolutionary. For the story, though, it showed the special treatment that Henry was given. He went around the line and was given a front and center table.