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The truth behind Dog Day Afternoon
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Aug 7, 2014
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The truth behind Dog Day Afternoon
In a new documentary, “The Dog,” filmmakers Allison Berg and Frank Keraudren tell the story of John Wojtowicz, the inspiration for Al Pacino’s character in “Dog Day Afternoon.”
Al Pacino stared in "Dog Day Afternoon," playing John Wojtowicz in the film adaptation.
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In a new documentary, “The Dog,” filmmakers Allison Berg and Frank Keraudren tell the story of John Wojtowicz, the inspiration for Al Pacino’s character in “Dog Day Afternoon.”

In a new documentary, “The Dog,” filmmakers Allison Berg and Frank Keraudren tell the story of John Wojtowicz, the inspiration for Al Pacino’s character in “Dog Day Afternoon.”

Wojtowicz robbed a bank to raise money for his lover’s sex change operation. Ernest Aron, who became Elizabeth Eden, was driven to transition from male to female -- Wojtowicz orchestrated the robbery of a Brooklyn branch of Chase Manhattan as a labor of love.

The incident resulted in the death of one of his accomplices and a 20-year sentence for Wojtowicz (he would only serve five). In the 10-year making of “The Dog,” Berg and Keraudren spoke with Wojtowicz’s family, his former allies in the gay rights movement, and one of his former hostages.

What impact did this self-described “Dog” have on the gay right’s movement? What’s the truth behind “Dog Day Afternoon”?

Guests:

Allison Berg, filmmaker, Director of "The Dog"

Frank Keraudren, filmmaker, Director of "The Dog"

Credits
Host, AirTalk
Host, Morning Edition, AirTalk Friday, The L.A. Report A.M. Edition
Senior Producer, AirTalk with Larry Mantle
Producer, AirTalk with Larry Mantle
Producer, AirTalk with Larry Mantle
Associate Producer, AirTalk & FilmWeek
Associate Producer, AirTalk
Apprentice News Clerk, AirTalk
Apprentice News Clerk, FilmWeek