ON A ROLE: The Part That GOT Away

Back in 1982, I was starting out and struggling to get a legit agent when I came across a casting call in Backstage looking for a woman who sounded like something I could play the hell out of. It was called The King of Comedy and gave Alan King's office as the contact point, so I sent off a picture and resume and hoped for the best.

Image via WikipediaA week or so later, I actually got a call from Alan King's receptionist telling me that she was sorry but that the casting call was erroneously attributed to them. I thought that was VERY sweet of her to take the time to call me given the way the business can be - and thanked her.

I did some more research - and this was BEFORE the Google - and discovered that it was Martin Scorcese's office who had put out the call. And that it was to star Robert DeNiro and Jerry Lewis - TWO idols of mine. (Yes, I idolized Jerry Lewis - and I wasn't even French!)

Oh my GOD. I had to be seen for this. I sent off another pic & resume. I called an agent I knew and begged him to submit me. And waited.  Nothing.

Then I got an odd idea. I knew DeNiro had offices at The Mayflower Hotel so I decided to send him some unusual snail mail. One was a silly outtake of me in a bikini making a stupid muscle man pose. With it I sent a card that listed the character's qualities and how I matched them.

Then, for some odd reason, I also sent him a greeting card and wrote on it in a very chatty, familiar style as if I knew him very well. (I did not.) It was something like this:

"Hi Bobby,
 How're ya doin? How are thing's going? How's the family. How are you doing with the weight, huh? (It was just after Raging Bull) I'll bet that's a pain in the ass to take off. Everything's fine here. My nephew needed some surgery on his penis, but he's fine now. Mom says "hi."

That sort of thing. The weird part is - i hadn't read the script and only found out later that those were the same kind of letters the character was sending to the Jerry Lewis character. Oddly, it worked. A week later I got a call from Cis Corman's office asking me to come in "at Bob's request." I was a nervous wreck. I chose to wear these crazy overalls I had and a long fur coat. I met with Cis and read a script she handed me. It was the scene where the obsessed Masha character ties up Jerry Lewis (Langford in the movie) and tries to seduce him. I have no idea what the HELL I did but she seemed to like it.

"Look, Fran, it's a long shot. We have it narrowed down to three women who've been auditioning for a long time ... but, I like you. I'm gonna take a chance and bring you in on this. Here are the sides, come back in two weeks."

I came back. Read for Cis again.

And again.

And again. But THIS time it was to be for "Marty" - with me acting with "Bobby."

Cover of Robert De NiroBobby.

Me and Bobby.

Me and Bobby acting together.

I was a mess. I shared this with my mother in New Jersey. And my mother responded by giving me a cardboard box that contained three "Raging Bulls" she had cut out of fake fur.


"There's magnets on the back so they can put them on their fridge. I made three, one for Marty, Bobby and Cis so no one feels left out. Promise me you'll give it to them."

Okay, not the support I was hoping for but it did help with my nerves. I now had a new mission. Mom seemed way more chummy with these folks than I so I figured if all else fails, I'll give them the bulls so it's not a total loss. Plus, I'd never hear the end of it if I didn't.

Image via WikipediaThe big day arrived and when Cis let me into their suite at the Mayflower, she had some bad news. Marty was sick. BUT, the good news was ... Bobby wanted to fill in for him.

AArgh. Instead of acting WITH Robert DeNiro, which we all know only makes you that much better - I will be acting FOR Robert DeNiro. Instead of me seducing Bobby DeNiro, I will be seducing Cis Corman with Bobby DeNiro watching me closely through the lens of a camera.

I have to say, it threw me. I did my best but felt awkward seducing a middle-aged woman (I know, I know - I'm an ACTRESS. It shouldn't matter ...but it did) When it was over, I was actually relieved.

Both Bobby and Cis were very cordial and so, as I was packing up to leave, I debated. Should I? Ah, why the hell not?

"UM, look, before I go I promised my mother I would give these to you." I took the three fur bulls out of the box and handed them to Bob and Cis. They smiled graciously and carefully unwrapped the tissue paper.  "They're Raging Bulls. They're for your fridge. My mother made me do this."

They actually seemed touched and genuinely thanked me. I left feeling as though I had accomplished something after all.

AFTERMATH:
Image via WikipediaObviously, Sandra Bernhard got the role which launched her career. In an interview Scorcese said she had "sexual menace."  I knew I did not have "sexual menace" that's for sure.

Luckily, Cis Corman did remember me though and called me in often after that.






Almost a year after the audition, I came across a roped off intersection in Manhattan and a bunch of trailers. I saw a crew member I knew and asked who was shooting. "Scorcese and DeNiro's new film."
Ah, how apropos.  I laughed and told him of my audition fiasco.

He turned to me and said, "That bull is yours? He has it on his file cabinet in the trailer. I swear to God!"


Nice guy, that Bobby.