Cookie cough causes Caan quitting
May 1, 2008 by Fred HosierPosted in: Employees do the strangest things, In this week's e-newsletter, Latest News & Views
“Do it my way, or I’ll quit!” It’s often an idle threat. But in the case of actor James Caan, he made good on it. Ah, the artiste! The most revered and feared employee on the face of the planet. They’re highly talented, but at the same time, very temperamental about having their work messed with.
That brings us to this story about actor James Caan. Recently, he was cast as the Speaker of the U.S. House (obviously not the current one), in the political comedy “Nailed.” The script calls for Caan’s character to choke to death on a cookie. Director David O. Russel asked Caan to cough as he choked. Caan argued the character couldn’t cough and choke to death at the same time. Russel tried to work a compromise by suggesting they shoot the scene both ways. But Caan was concerned that his version would be left on the cutting room floor. He left the film set, according to wire service reports. The part will be recast.
So, can we decide who was right and who was wrong in this situation? Extensive research by HR Blunders (OK, so we just Googled it) shows people who are choking so severely that it would eventually cause death can’t speak or cough. But here’s another point to consider: “Nailed” is the tale of a woman who gets a nail lodged in her head and travels to Washington to fight for better health care. Given that premise, is it really important whether the choking scene is realistic or not?
Tags: difficult people, health care, quitting job
May 9th, 2008 at 12:07 pm
I think it is. If people see it acted like that, they expect that in real life. I’m proud of Mr. Caan for realizing that what he does onscreen impacts what happens to people offscreen.
May 9th, 2008 at 12:12 pm
Yes, it is important. It’s important that we not give the public the wrong idea. I’ve seen too many TV shows where they do CPR for 30 seconds and then quit, saying “He’s dead.” WRONG! You don’t quit until a doctor says the person is dead, or you are so exausted you can’t continue.
We teach people that if a person who is choking can cough or speak, to watch them, but do not take action. If they cannot cough or speak, they are in danger – call 911 and do the Heimlich maneuver, and be prepared to do CPR.
If people see it on TV or in a movie, they will assume it’s correct. It’s important that it BE correct.
May 9th, 2008 at 1:42 pm
I have to agree with both Judy and Cyndi, and James Caan. People who are choking are generally not able to speak or cough because their airway is blocked…hence the whole choking thing. I’m impressed that James Caan stood up for this issue. By the way, people have survived having things lodged in their heads. It’s not the norm, but neither is someone hacking and coughing while choking.
May 9th, 2008 at 1:52 pm
We don’t really know what Mr. Caan’s motives were – maybe he didn’t want to look stupid to the public. But I agree that the movie industry, and all media, need to be responsible for their products. It makes me crazy when actors use poor grammar, for example, because the entire audience thinks that’s correct way to speak. I’ve seen movies where you can fly from the East Coast to Europe in 15 minutes, or the plot involves some technologic or scientific device that doesn’t exist, and again, the audience thinks it’s real.
May 9th, 2008 at 3:34 pm
Kudos to Mr. Caan. I have to agree with the other responses. Our minds have become impregnated with every image we see in the movies and television. Perception does become reality to the individual. If we preceive based on the images burned into our heads that choking equals coughing, that’s what we will expect. Even reality shows aren’t real anymore. I’ve had this discussion with people a few times recently.
May 12th, 2008 at 8:14 am
Hollywood takes a lot of liberties when they write their scripts. I recently learned that a film about my Alma Mater, which would have been great just as the story happened, was rewritten so much that only two people involved would permit their names to be used in the film. One of our alumnae (It was an all girls’ college at the time that the story took place.) was in the film and she stated that she tried unsuccessfully to get a sign for Alumni Parents changed to Alumnae Parents. The person responsible told her that no one would notice the difference. Anyone who knew Latin and who attended the school would know the difference but Hollywood didn’t care.
Good of Mr. Caan. He was correct. I’ll have to remember not to see that movie. We get enough disinformation from the news nightly to see any more in our entertainment.
May 12th, 2008 at 9:55 am
One of the ways the US movie industry engangers the public is by showing unsafe gun handling practices. Ever notice how they always wave firearms around, crossing the plane of other people’s bodies (or their own!) with the barrel when picking up or unholstering a gun? Ever notice how everyone carries their hand gun or rifle with their finger on the trigger? BAD moves! Never point at ANYTHING you aren’t willing to see destroyed. Finger OFF the trigger until ready to SHOOT.