Alan’s TTIM Stories #33

“Brainless yet action-packed meaningless trifle despite loads and loads of acting talent (all pretty much wasted).”

“This movie is filled with so many idiotic moments, that you wonder how it ever got made.”

Quite harsh and well-deserved reviews of a supposed-to-be action thriller. Why is this dud of any interest to me?  I was personally involved in one of those “idiotic moments.”

The movie, 1997’s Shadow Conspiracy, came with outstanding anticipation. The director, George Cosmatos, was fresh off a well-received cinematic classic – Tombstone. The cast of Shadow Conspiracy included Hollywood celebrities Charlie Sheen, Linda Hamilton, Donald Sutherland, Stephen Lang, Ben Gazzara, Theodore Bikel, Sam Waterston, Gore Vidal, and Terry O’Quinn.

At the time of filming, due to a self-inflicted period between regular work, I had some extra time to be a paid extra. I found being on a movie or television set interesting with a touch of exhilaration – like the time Jody Foster bumped into me at the Thurgood Marshall Baltimore-Washington International Airport while filming a scene from Home for the Holidays.

I rode down an escalator for my part in Shadow Conspiracy. The scene in question took place in the entrance of a new subway station in Baltimore, not known for its elaborate public transportation system. Because of the newness, filming took place without the major disruption in the Washington D.C. system as depicted in the film.

During the scene Charlie Sheen, running from the bad guys, made a mad dash down the moving stairs. I was positioned on the right side with a young woman on the left. Charlie ran between us, pushing and shoving everyone along the way. The scene took numerous takes, remembering the most important direction for an extra – back to one.

During a break at the bottom of the stairs, Charlie turned to the young woman and asked, “Did I push too hard?”

We answered in unison, “No, push harder.”

Charlie, “I don’t anyone to get hurt.”

I replied, “I’m willing to sacrifice my body for the good of the movie.”

Charlie’s answer will be forever burned in my memory. “Not for this movie, you don’t.”

This was not the pinnacle of Charlie’s acting career. He would go on to perform in successful movies and hit television shows. With all the rumors and reports of his irrational behavior, I’ll always remember Charlie Sheen as a kind gentleman and excellent judge of cinematic quality.

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