{"id":34094,"date":"2012-06-21T08:00:09","date_gmt":"2012-06-21T12:00:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.theparisreview.org\/blog\/?p=34094"},"modified":"2013-01-29T10:44:45","modified_gmt":"2013-01-29T15:44:45","slug":"the-making-of-plimpton","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.theparisreview.org\/blog\/2012\/06\/21\/the-making-of-plimpton\/","title":{"rendered":"The Making of <em>Plimpton!<\/em>"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><em>Luke Poling and Tom Bean have been hard at work at their documentary <\/em><a href=\"http:\/\/plimptonmovie.com\/\">Plimpton! Starring George Plimpton as Himself<\/a><em>. The film makes its <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theparisreview.org\/events\">world premiere<\/a> tonight, at the AFI-Discovery Channel Silverdocs Documentary Festival in Washington, D.C. We asked Tom and Luke to share their favorite photographs of our founding editor as well as their own memories of creating the documentary.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><strong>The Parties<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.theparisreview.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/06\/GBG-040_Aldr_9781400063987_art_r1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-34095\" title=\"A Paris Review party\" src=\"https:\/\/www.theparisreview.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/06\/GBG-040_Aldr_9781400063987_art_r1-1024x762.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"594\" height=\"442\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.theparisreview.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/06\/GBG-040_Aldr_9781400063987_art_r1-1024x762.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.theparisreview.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/06\/GBG-040_Aldr_9781400063987_art_r1-300x223.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 62.5em) 67vw, 100vw\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>This photo perfectly captures the vibe of the infamous parties at George\u2019s apartment. Hanging out in this one room are George\u2019s fellow <em>Paris Review<\/em> cofounders <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theparisreview.org\/interviews\/985\/the-art-of-fiction-no-157-peter-matthiessen\" target=\"_blank\">Peter Matthiessen<\/a> and Doc Humes, longtime friends <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theparisreview.org\/interviews\/5114\/the-art-of-fiction-no-5-william-styron\" target=\"_blank\">William Styron<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theparisreview.org\/interviews\/6126\/the-art-of-screenwriting-no-3-terry-southern\" target=\"_blank\">Terry Southern<\/a>, and an impressive list of writers and filmmakers, including <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theparisreview.org\/interviews\/5053\/the-art-of-fiction-no-8-ralph-ellison\" target=\"_blank\">Ralph Ellison<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theparisreview.org\/interviews\/3917\/the-art-of-fiction-no-50-gore-vidal\" target=\"_blank\">Gore Vidal<\/a>, Sydney Lumet, Mario Puzo, and, in the center of it all, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theparisreview.org\/interviews\/4867\/the-art-of-fiction-no-17-truman-capote\" target=\"_blank\">Truman Capote<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Every time we went by the apartment to update Sarah Plimpton on our progress, we couldn\u2019t help but look up from the sofa and chairs we were sitting on and think, The people this room has seen \u2026<\/p>\n<p><!--more--><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>James Lipton<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.theparisreview.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/06\/Lipton-2-BTS-copy.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-34098\" title=\"James Lipton interviewed\" src=\"https:\/\/www.theparisreview.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/06\/Lipton-2-BTS-copy.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"604\" height=\"453\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.theparisreview.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/06\/Lipton-2-BTS-copy.jpg 604w, https:\/\/www.theparisreview.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/06\/Lipton-2-BTS-copy-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 62.5em) 67vw, 100vw\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>One of the hardest parts of making the movie was figuring out what to leave out. We often joked that we could have made an eighteen-hour movie without even trying.<\/p>\n<p>We spoke with so many of George\u2019s friends and family who shared wonderful stories that, due to time constraints, just didn\u2019t make the final cut. James Lipton was one of those folks. While he\u2019s in the movie for a brief moment, it doesn\u2019t compare to the two hours of stories and memories he shared with us about his good friend. Hopefully, we\u2019ll be able to share some of these great outtakes soon.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Hugh Hefner<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.theparisreview.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/06\/HefnerPolingBean-Photo-copy.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-34100\" title=\"Hefner:Poling:Bean Photo copy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.theparisreview.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/06\/HefnerPolingBean-Photo-copy.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"612\" height=\"404\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.theparisreview.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/06\/HefnerPolingBean-Photo-copy.jpg 720w, https:\/\/www.theparisreview.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/06\/HefnerPolingBean-Photo-copy-300x198.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 62.5em) 67vw, 100vw\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Hugh Hefner walked into our interview holding a copy of a magazine. He set it aside, and we talked with him for a half hour. At the end of the interview, he picked it up, flipped through it and said, \u201cHave you guys seen this?\u201d The magazine was the fiftieth anniversary issue of <em>Playboy<\/em> (which debuted in 1953, alongside <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theparisreview.org\/back-issues\/1\"><em>The Paris Review<\/em><\/a>), and George had written a piece about the special connection he shared with his fellow magazine editor, Hefner.<\/p>\n<p>This is also photographic proof that we were in the mansion. (In retrospect, we feel a little like we failed as documentarians\u2014we didn\u2019t ask to see the grotto.)<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>The Working Man<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.theparisreview.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/06\/S-At-a-bar.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-34096\" title=\"George at a bar\" src=\"https:\/\/www.theparisreview.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/06\/S-At-a-bar-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"594\" height=\"396\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.theparisreview.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/06\/S-At-a-bar-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.theparisreview.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/06\/S-At-a-bar-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 62.5em) 67vw, 100vw\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>In his later years, George helped keep <em>The Paris Review<\/em> afloat as a professional after-dinner speaker. He traveled across the country regaling audiences with his tales of adventure. He also accepted TV work, appearing as the host of Mousterpiece Theatre and in TV commercials for Intellivision and other products, all in an effort to help keep his beloved magazine afloat.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Paper Lion<\/strong><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_34105\" style=\"width: 343px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.theparisreview.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/06\/SI-DIsc-001289747.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-34105\" class=\"size-full wp-image-34105\" title=\"Plimpton on bench during Detroit Lions game\" src=\"https:\/\/www.theparisreview.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/06\/SI-DIsc-001289747.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"333\" height=\"512\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.theparisreview.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/06\/SI-DIsc-001289747.jpg 333w, https:\/\/www.theparisreview.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/06\/SI-DIsc-001289747-195x300.jpg 195w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 62.5em) 67vw, 100vw\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-34105\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photograph: Walter Iooss Jr.\/Sports Illustrated<\/p><\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.indiebound.org\/book\/9781599218090\" target=\"_blank\"><em>Paper Lion<\/em><\/a> wasn\u2019t George\u2019s first book (that honor belongs to the children\u2019s novella <a href=\"http:\/\/www.amazon.com\/The-Rabbits-Umbrella-George-Plimpton\/dp\/0670587044\" target=\"_blank\"><em>The Rabbit\u2019s Umbrella<\/em><\/a>), but it was the one that really brought him to a national audience. It was an instant best seller, selling millions of copies and making summer reading lists for high schoolers for decades to come. When we talked with his teammates from his various participatory journalistic endeavors, the one thing that everyone commented on was the way George fit in so well, no matter where he was. Many considered George a good friend, including \u201cMr. Detroit Lion\u201d Joe Schmidt, Boston Bruins great Gerry Cheevers, and Boston Celtics legend Bill Russell.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p><strong>The Movies<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.theparisreview.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/06\/S-Lawrence-of-Arabia-18.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-34107\" title=\"Plimpton in Lawrence of Arabia \" src=\"https:\/\/www.theparisreview.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/06\/S-Lawrence-of-Arabia-18-1011x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"597\" height=\"604\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.theparisreview.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/06\/S-Lawrence-of-Arabia-18-1011x1024.jpg 1011w, https:\/\/www.theparisreview.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/06\/S-Lawrence-of-Arabia-18-296x300.jpg 296w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 62.5em) 67vw, 100vw\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>George was the self-described \u201cKing of Cameos\u201d and his part in David Lean\u2019s <em>Lawrence of Arabia<\/em> was his first big-screen appearance. (George claimed to be wearing loafers as he ran across the dessert in his robes.) By the end of his varied acting career, he had played a reporter questioning detective Frank Sinatra in <em>The Detective<\/em>, a dead-pan weatherman in Steve Martin\u2019s <em>L.A. Story<\/em>, a therapist who doesn\u2019t see eye-to-eye with Matt Damon in <em>Good Will Hunting<\/em>, and an editor trying to seduce Diane Keaton in <em>Reds<\/em>. He also auditioned to play himself in the film version of <em>Paper Lion<\/em>, but producers ended up casting Alan Alda\u2014a rare moment when Plimpton just wasn\u2019t Plimpton enough.<\/p>\n<p><em>Stay tuned for more news about Luke and Tom\u2019s movie by checking our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theparisreview.org\/events\">events listings<\/a> or their film\u2019s <a href=\"http:\/\/plimptonmovie.com\/\">Web site<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Luke Poling and Tom Bean have been hard at work at their documentary Plimpton! Starring George Plimpton as Himself. The film makes its world premiere tonight, at the AFI-Discovery Channel Silverdocs Documentary Festival in Washington, D.C. We asked Tom and Luke to share their favorite photographs of our founding editor as well as their own [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":367,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1188],"tags":[1596,79,7909,14,2861,7906,7907,7908,7905],"class_list":["post-34094","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-from-the-archive","tag-documentary","tag-film","tag-founding-editor","tag-george-plimpton","tag-history","tag-luke-poling","tag-plimpton-starring-george-plimpton-as-himself","tag-the-coolest-person-ever","tag-tom-bean"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v25.4 (Yoast SEO v25.4) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>The Making of Plimpton! by Tom Bean and Luke Poling<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"June 21, 2012 \u2013 Luke Poling and Tom Bean have been hard at work at their documentary Plimpton! 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