Welcome Jack O'Halloran!

Re: Welcome Jack O'Halloran!

Hi John

Thank you for the kind remarks on my work as I enjoyed doing SuermanI&II. And Dragnet was a lot of fun Tom and Dan were great to work with.I never see the TV show one or twice maybe I thought it was well done but I am just not a TV person.

All the Best

Jack

Re: Welcome Jack O'Halloran!

Thanks for coming here and doing this, Mr. O'Halloran!

On acting:

How much research do you do for a character? How does your research differ for a fantasy character such as Non in Superman II?

On writing characters:

Can you describe your process on developing a new character when you are writing? Do you construct a significant backstory for the character before you begin or do you develop the backstory on the fly as you are writing the character?

Thanks!

Shaughan

Re: Welcome Jack O'Halloran!

Shaughan

When I read a script and accept a role I look to put myself in the role and do it as if I were the character.Sometimes I have life experience to draw from if not I look at the type of person and research it.

When writing I use a lot of life experience and I do very good research on places,people and things around the situation.

Hope this answers your questions.

All the Best

Jack

Re: Welcome Jack O'Halloran!

hello from Boston (one of your old training grounds from Boxing Days?) =).

it's a pleasure to have you here!!!

i'm just gonna' ditto my fellow HTF's comments about your superb work on your films.

have you ever seen On the Waterfront? if so, did you relate to Brando's, "i coulda' been a contender?" since you were undefeated for the first 16 professional boxing matches?

Re: Welcome Jack O'Halloran!

More than you know it is really a long story one day I will tell it all.

All the Best

Re: Welcome Jack O'Halloran!

Talk about a cliffhanger. I'd really like to hear this story too.

Re: Welcome Jack O'Halloran!

Hello Mr. O' Halloran. Thanks for dropping by at the HTF to talk to the fans. I, too, hope that other such opportunities follow suit.

I'm not 100% sure but I think that SUPERMAN II (1980) was the very first film I saw on the big screen. I remember that my brothers and I used to argue all the time which of the first two Superman films was better. Of course, we weren't aware of any of the production woes at the time but, while I conceded that SUPERMAN II may have been more enjoyable, it was always my firm belief that SUPERMAN (1978) was the better of the two! Obviously, to say that I'm looking forward to watching these two films again in their upcoming DVD incarnations is a massive understatement. I'm interested in knowing how the cast and crew reacted to having another director (albeit one as talented as Richard Lester) foisted unceremoniously on them. What was Lester like? I'm a fan of many of his movies, especially the two Beatles films, PETULIA (1968) and the two THREE MUSKETEERS films (1973-4).

I was so saddened by the tragic turn which Christopher Reeve's life took of late but I'm rather relieved that his suffering is now over. It's a pity, though, that he won't be here to partake in all the Superman stuff coming out in the second half of 2006.

You've already made my day with your confession that FAREWELL, MY LOVELY (1975) is the favorite film of yours as I'm so in awe of Robert Mitchum. He truly is Hollywood's most underrated actor and must have been loads of fun to hang around with. My second question to you is this: apart from FAREWELL, MY LOVELY, you've also worked for director Dick Richards on MARCH OR DIE (1977). I'm sure you have fond memories of Gene Hackman also from the SUPERMAN films but, what was it like to be around two such giants of World Cinema as Max von Sydow and (my favorite actress) Catherine Deneuve? Unfortunately, I've watched the movie only once more than 20 years ago so I don't recall if you've actually had any scenes with them at all but I'd be grateful to you if you could share with us your memories of them.

Re: Welcome Jack O'Halloran!

Hi Mario

Involving Lester a lot of people were unhappy about him replacing Donner.Dick Donner was a great director.

March or Die was a fun film with a great cast.Max is a fine actor and a very nice person.Catherine is a wonderful lady we are still very good friends.Catherine was and is still one of the most beautiful women in the industry and a fine actor.

All the Best

Jack

Re: Welcome Jack O'Halloran!

Hello, Mr. O'Halloran, and welcome to the Forum. It's a joy to have you here. Now that "Superman Returns" is flying high, I was just wondering what you thought of it as a Superman movie in general, and as a tribute to the original Donner film in particular.

Re: Welcome Jack O'Halloran!

Jack,
Thanks for participating in what is sure to be a big hit here at the HTF. I'm not sure if you're aware of it or not but one of your scenes in Superman II was parodied on the show "The Family Guy". I hope you enjoyed that as much as your fans did...

Click Here to View the Clip

Re: Welcome Jack O'Halloran!

Guys,
I'm sorry. I posted a direct link to the video but it goes to the main page now which may have some objectionable content for some. Please accept my apologies.

Re: Welcome Jack O'Halloran!

Hi Mike

I liked the film but not as much as our film I thought it was a bit short on story line. But the young man Brandon did a great job they just should have let him him act more.

All the Best

Jack

Re: Welcome Jack O'Halloran!

Hi Jason

I had heard about it but never saw it thank you for attaching the clip.

All the Best

Jack

Re: Welcome Jack O'Halloran!

Okay very stupid question but... When filming started up again on Superman II how long was the shoot? Most of us have heard that it was sometime in 1979 but nobody never has said when shooting was completed or have I missed it somewhere?

Re: Welcome Jack O'Halloran!

Hi Stanton

We started back in 79 and worked several months to finish. Longer than we thought thats for sure.

All the Best

Jack

Re: Welcome Jack O'Halloran!

Mr. O'Halloran

Welcome to the Home Theatre Forums

You must be getting rather feed up about asking the same questions over
And, over, guess it kind of reminds you “The Phantom Zone”.

So here’s my question how did the produces or scouting agents approach you, Sarah Douglas and Terence Stamp, to play Superman’s, ach enemies?

And did you ever expect the film to take off like it did with action figures etc, and spawn sequels in the Superman franchise?

Now Non, should have the strength of two of the other super villains LOL, and thou Usra is a man eater, with lavish looks to burn your eyes, and Zod, well it sounds like he what’s to rule over anything that walks crawls or lives, quite mad you might say so!

Now poor ole Non, was lead, I would say he was “misunderstand” and followed that raving mad man Zod to some rather grim days in the Phantom Zone, wouldn’t you say?


How did you and the rest of the actors feel when you heard the news that Richard Donner, was bumped off the project for Superman 2?

Re: Welcome Jack O'Halloran!

Jack, is there any way that you can talk to some of your colleagues about giving this "Celebrity Corner" a try? With the wonderful conversations we've had with you, I'd really hate to see this section die because of the lack of interest. It's nice to see the part of your world that we aren't there to witness.

Re: Welcome Jack O'Halloran!

George

Here, here, I wonder how many will participate?

Re: Welcome Jack O'Halloran!

AndySu

I had just finished a picture with Gene Hackman and Donner ask to speak to me and we discussed the character.

I was not very happy when they did not bring Richard Donner back to finish the film.

I played Non so as to relate to children not speaking having trouble working his eyes and his child like manner.

All the Best

Jack

Re: Welcome Jack O'Halloran!

just a heads up for anyone that attending san diego comic-con this weekend.

Jack will be attending san diego comic-con from july 20-23. there will also be a superman item on friday around 1pm. they will talk about superman 2 donners cut with michael thau. marc mcclure will also be attending with Jack.

Jacob

Re: Welcome Jack O'Halloran!

Mr. O'Halloran,

Once again, thank you so much for participating in this forum; your comments are very informative and much appreciated.

I'm a film student in Southern California who is trying to learn as much about acting as I can (I only have a little college and community theatre experience), and I had a few questions about the work.

1. How do you like to be directed? Do you like to be told exactly what to do, or do you like flexibility?

2. How much do you discuss the character with a director, and how much of that discussion takes place on set, and how much before?

3. What are specific things a director can do to make actors feel comfortable on set? What are things the director shouldn't do?

4. How much do you like to rehearse before shooting? And how long does it take for you to get into character once on set?

5. What is the best way for a director to earn an actor's trust?

I hope that's not too many questions. I realize that 10 different actors would probably have 10 different answers to each of those questions, but I was just curious what your thoughts were. Thank you again for reaching out to your fans. Also, good luck with The List; when is that coming out?

Thanks to Ron and Parker, as well; this is a great idea.

Re: Welcome Jack O'Halloran!

Mr O’Halloron

Mate I don’t blame you if you where unsatisfied without the next picture been shoot without Richard Donner, the look and the sound of the finished results speak for themselves!

Re: Welcome Jack O'Halloran!

Hello Bryan

First let me say I respect and enjoy working with a Director who does his homework and knows what he is doing.I enjoy being directed ! I won't work with a director that I don't respect I would just pass on the film and have done so.I have been very fortunate acting comes very naturally to me. I can get right into a character very easily. I read a script and put myself into the situation and just do it as if I were doing it in real life. The List is in the process of being sold to a distributor as I write this.It is a very nice little comedy.

All the Best

Jack

Re: Welcome Jack O'Halloran!

Andy
Waite until you see Donners cut it is really great.

All the Best

Jack

Re: Welcome Jack O'Halloran!

Mr O’Halloran

Where talking about Superman II are we not, I have the special edition of Superman the Movie, which is a total blast, an eventful epic!

Now until the UK receives the special edition of Superman II, when I just don’t know, the rumours have been flying around for years now.

I must say it’s a great pleasure speaking to you sir, glad you joined the Home Theatre Forums, we need more cast and special effects experts as well that brings all this magic alive in the movies!

Re: Welcome Jack O'Halloran!

Mr. O'Halloran, thanks for participating in this great forum!

I have a couple of questions, so bear with me. First, most people don't realize the amount of work and single-mindedness it takes to be a pro boxer. I recently went back and re-watched the Hearns/Hagler fight, and felt sad because boxing used to be a great sport. I feel pay-per-view ruined the sport for the masses, but that is just my opinion. Which is tougher? Acting or fighting? (Strictly looking for you opin). And do you think pro-boxing is beyond recovery to being a "main-stream" high-profile sport as it used to be?

Next, how do roles find their way to you? Do you get scripts in the mail? Or do they always come via an agent?

Is there a role you really wanted but didn't get that we may know? And in a related question, is there a role you wanted, didn't get, and later you were happy you didn't get?

I'm so amazed by actors because on the surface it looks so easy. But to make the audience really believe you are the character must be very difficult (and fulfilling when it works!).

Thanks for allowing me to ramble on so much!

Chris

Re: Welcome Jack O'Halloran!

Jack.

I hear that they are doing a special screening of superman 2: the donners cut for the cast and crew?

Jacob

Re: Welcome Jack O'Halloran!

Is Jack coming back?

Re: Welcome Jack O'Halloran!

I am around sorry for the absence as I have been traveling and working on finishing a book that will sent to publishers in January 07.

All the Best

Jack O'Halloran

Re: Welcome Jack O'Halloran!

Welcome back, Jack. What kind of book? Fiction? Autobiography?