RP website text for book 10.30.25
My Hollywood Circus is about my years as a filmmaker from 1978 to present day making both Hollywood and independent films. I take you behind the scenes on all these films. It’s about the blood, sweat and laughs in making a film. From Moonstruck to Tony N’ Tina’s Wedding, I made a lot of films as an Assistant Director and many as a Producer and Director.
“In this captivating memoir, Roger Paradiso shares his extraordinary journey through the vibrant world of cinema, where he has collaborated with Hollywood greats and embraced the chaotic beauty of motion picture creation as an Independent filmmaker later in his career… – Daria Trifu, Film Producer and a member of the European Film Academy, and the president and CEO of Global Film Studio
I wrote this book to document the behind the scenes adventures that most people don’t see or hear about. Every film from Stardust Memories by Woody Allen to City by the Sea starring Robert Di Niro had its share of comedy and tragedy. Some people survived the circus and some didn’t.
I will take you through the process from the boardroom of AIG, the biggest insurer in the world, when I was trying to get Pulp Fiction bonded. Behind the camera with John Huston on Annie, as he told me his method of filming Annie. The heart breaking moment in the offices of MGM as we couldn’t come together on a budget for John Singleton’s remake of Shaft. The moment in the dark hours of the night, as Norman Jewison was asking me to do Moonstruck, then an unknown little script, with an impossible low budget and an equally impossible schedule of 7 weeks shoot and 7 weeks prep. We shook hands and agreed to do it together. And we did it!
I think when we finished shooting that the cast of Tony N’ Tina’s Wedding was the best comedy troupe in New York and LA. Just look at the successful actors we had. Sebastian Stan wasjust starting out. And Mila Kunis was the leader of the pack in our film.- Paradiso
Right now, I am writing to preserve my history and the history of the films I worked on. Since turning full time to Independent artist I have seen the life of many Indie artists. It is a very difficult life. What theaters still exist probably don’t play indie films. Streaming hasn’t work out well for us. And now we have AI.
Your adventures in the circus had me reflect on my early days in show business. How perseverance, risk-taking, luck, and a can-do attitude were rewarded with excitement, fun, and money. I would like to think that it still exists for the young who are venturing into the circus. – Michael Jacobsohn Filmmaker
We can’t rely on corporate history books or commercial AI driven information to be our only source of history. So, we write independent books and do documentary films.
It’s the classic hero’s journey that combines aspiration, luck, resourcefulness, integrity, camaraderie, resilience, and artistic perseverance. At its core, Paradiso offers a clear message about success– whether the pursuit is artistic or commercial, and best efforts– the reward ultimately lies in having stayed true to your values, vision, and the relationships you made along the way.”
– Caren Martineau, Social Entrepreneur, Serial Creator, Bevival Founder
Read about the time when one of my films, a real story, was changed and a murder was added. The film was called City By The Sea.
I said, “Hey what are you guys doing.” They told me they weren’t making an expensive art film. I asked “What is wrong with Art Films?” There was silence. That was the last Hollywood film that I made. Save us from people who don’t like art films, please. Thank you for your consideration and support.
“A troupe of performers, especially a traveling troupe, that presents such entertainments, together with officials, other employees, and the company’s performing animals, traveling wagons, tents, cages, and equipment”.
The entire cast and crew of ANNIE at Woodrow Wilson Hall, West Long Branch NJ. Missing were Dale and Roger who were scouting. Picture courtesy of Columbia Pictures.
My independent films are in the book. I Want My Name Back is about the destruction of the original Sugarhill Gang (Rapper’s Delight) and how they get their names back. The Lost Village is about the gentrification of Greenwich Village and the displacement of many artists due to high rent. And how we can fight back. Check out Mamdani the new Mayor of NYC who will try to bring affordability to the Village, but is it too late?
Searching for Camelot are three films about how the brightest and bravest came to the White House and how they changed lives even today. And how John, Robert and Jackie survived their tragedies to live on in our history as supporters of civil rights, voting rights and woman’s rights. We also put a man on the moon. These are highly aspirational films that should inspire current generations to persevere in the fight for their rights and our democracy.
I also talk about the World Trade Center on 9/11 and how if affected our lives. And I also write about AI, streaming and the copyright fights that are going on now.
These are some of the studio films I did below. Yes, I called it a circus in an affectionate way. Most of these films below were a pleasure to make.
Biography
Stardust Memories
1979
Directed by Woody Allen
Starring Charlotte Rampling, Marie-Christine Barrault, Jessica Harper, Woody Allen and Tony Roberts
Writers Guild of America, USA 1981 Nomination for Best Screenplay
I had read that Woody Allen was doing a film in Ocean Grove, New Jersey. I knew all about Ocean Grove as I used to hang out in West Long Branch and Asbury Park down the Jersey Shore. And I lived down the “Shore” for many years.
They say luck is being in the right place at the right time. I was lucky. And I thank my mother and father for their encouragement. My father was a home movie filmmaker and he always let me use his super 8 camera and his small editing machine. From home movies to the Circus in one generation. It was a giant step up for a kid like me.
The Dogs of War
1979
Directed by John Irvin, Produced by Norman Jewsion starring Christopher Walken, Tom Berenger, JoBeth Williams
So now that I joined the circus, I faced the greatest fear courtesy of the greatest show on earth. I was unemployed. And I never thought I would work again. You see a “freelancer” is only guaranteed a day or a week of work in the circus. Depending on your performance and skills the days can lead to weeks and the weeks to months but most jobs in the circus are “seasonal work”. They rarely go on for more than four to six months and sometimes far less. Fortunately, Lois Kramer who I just worked with on Stardust Memories called me and wanted me to work right away as her location manager on THE DOGS OF WAR. Lois saved me, and I am forever grateful. I was out of work for three or four weeks.
Only When I Laugh
1980
Writer Neil Simon, Director Glen Jordan,
Producer Roger Rothstein and Neil Simon
Starring Marsha Mason, Kristy McNichol, James Coco, Joan Hackett, Kevin Bacon
Academy Awards, USA 1982
| Nominee Oscar |
Best Actress in a Leading Role Marsha Mason |
| Best Actor in a Supporting Role James Coco |
|
| Best Actress in a Supporting Role Joan Hackett |
Golden Globes, USA 1982
| Winner Golden Globe |
Best Actress in a Supporting Role – Motion Picture Joan Hackett |
| Nominee Golden Globe |
Best Actress in a Supporting Role – Motion Picture Kristy McNichol |
| Best Actor in a Supporting Role – Motion Picture James Coco |
Young Artist Awards 1982
| Winner Young Artist Award |
Best Young Motion Picture Actress Kristy McNichol |
| Nominee Young Artist Award |
Best Motion Picture – Family Enjoyment |
After the cold winter, my other mentor in my early days, Roger Rothstein, called me to do the film version of Neil Simon’s play THE GINGERBREAD LADY. The film was called ONLY WHEN I LAUGH and starred his wife Marsha Mason and Kristy McNichol. It was a classic New York location shoot with all the essential New York locations being shot here. The rest of the work was done on a soundstage in LA.
Annie
1980-81
Produced by Ray Stark, Directed by John Huston
Starring Albert Finney, Bernadette Peters, Carol Burnett, Anne Reinking, Tim Curry, and Aileen Quinn as Annie
Two Academy Award Nominations Best Art Direction-Set Decoration Dale Hennesey, Marvin March,
Best Music Score Ralph Burns
Three Golden Glove nominations for Best Actress Carol Burnett, Best Actress Ailen Quinn, New Star of the Year Aileen Quinn
Bafta Nomination for Best Original Song “Tomorrow” Charles Strouse and Martin Charnin
The best thing I did in my professional life was join the Director’s Guild of America during the production of Annie. My fellow AD’s Jerry Zeismer and Chris Soldo and legendary UPM Bill O’Sullivan were a big help in speaking up for me and getting me in the Guild. The Guild is a beacon of hope for all who join the circus. My salary increased over 100% and I got benefits like health insurance and residuals.
I Ought To Be in Pictures
1981
Directed by Herbert Ross, Produced by Roger Rothstein and starring Walter Matthau, Anne-Margaret and Dinah Manoff
Another Neil Simon play turned into a movie. Roger Rothstein was the Producer and he called me in again. He had a short New York shoot of about two weeks. We had fun. But the fun days were coming to an end. More and more action movies. Less and less real stories.
The film did okay. Walter Matthau was brilliant. And so was Dinah Manoff. I even asked her to read a script of mine which she liked. But it never went anywhere. Welcome to Hollywood kid.
Lovesick
1982
Directed by Marshall Brickman starring Dudley Moore and Elizabeth McGovern featuring Alec Guinness, John Huston, Christine Baranski, Gene Saks, Renee Taylor, Alan King, Ron Silver, Wallace Shawn, David Strathairn, Larry Rivers
Lovesick was my first film with two legends of New York. One legend was Marshall Brickman who was a musician, a writer and a director.
Marshall is best known as the Academy Award winning screenwriter (with Woody Allen) of Annie Hall and Academy Award Nominated for Manhattan along with Woody Allen for best screenplay.
Rhinestone
1982
1982Starring Sylvester Stallone and Dolly Parton with Richard Farsworth
Directed by Bob Clark and others, Produced by Marvin Worth
Razzie Awards 2005
| Nominee Razzie Award |
Worst ‘Musical’ of Our First 25 Years |
A movie with Sylvestor Stallone and Dolly Parton can’t miss, right?
Dolly was great, she signed a picture for a friend of mine who was paralyzed in a car accident.
Sly, he was interesting.
Two of a Kind
1983
Produced by Roger Rothstein, Directed by John Herzfeld
Starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John with Charles Durning, Oliver Reed, Beatrice Straight, Scatman Crothers, Kathy Bates
A romantic comedy in New York with the stars of Grease, John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John.
I loved New York and never supported the run away from New York mentality. They used to say it was too expensive. Now that they get a tax break, they can’t shoot enough in New York.
In the circus you rarely meet up again but there were a few of us who kept in touch.
9 ½ Weeks
1984
Directed by Adrian Lyne starring Kim Basinger and Mickey Rourke with Margaret Whitton, David Margulies, Christine Baranski, Karen Young
I liked Adrian and I think he liked me, but how do you deal with a guy that tells his DGA colleagues that he probably will never work with them again. That’s like an opening line of his. Well he was true to his word. And it didn’t really bother me to tell you the truth.
Wise Guys
1985
Directed by Brian De Palma starring Danny DeVito and Joe Piscopo and Harvey Keitel, Julie Bovasso, Patti LuPone, Frank Vincent, Lou Albano
Danny and Joe and the entire cast and crew were pro’s. MGM said they would get me on their next picture in New York. I believed them.
The Manhattan Project
1985
Directed by Marshall Brickman starring John Lithgow and Christopher Collet, Cynthia Nixon, Jill Eichenberry, Robert Sean Leonard, John Mahoney
Nominations Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror, USA winner of the President’s Award Marshall Brickman
Nomination for Young Artist Award, Exceptional Performance by a young actress in supporting role Cynthia Nixon
This was the last time I ever worked with Marshall as he became more of a screenwriter and a writer of Broadway plays. One, Jersey Boys, did quite well. Good things happen to nice people in the circus once in a while.
Moonstruck
1986
Directed by Norman Jewison starring Cher and a great New York cast featuring Olympia Dukakis, Vincent Gardenia, Danny Aiello, Julie Bovasso, Anita Gillette, along with Nicolas Cage, John Mahoney, and Feodor Chaliapin Jr.
Academy Award Best Actress Cher,
Academy Award Best Supporting Actress Olympia Dukakis,
Academy Award Best Writing Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen John Patrick Shanley;
Three other Academy Award nominations Best Picture, Best Supporting Actor Vincent Gardenia, Best Director Norman Jewison:,
Golden Globes Winner Best Performance by an actress in a motion picture Cher, Best Actress in a Supporting role in a motion picture Olympia Dukakis.
Three other Golden Globe nominations Best Picture, Best Screenplay John Patrick Shanley, Best Actor Nicolas Cage:
Nominations BAFTA Best Actress Cher, Best Supporting Actress Olympia Dukakis, BAFTA Best Screenplay John Patrick Shanley, BAFTA Best Score Dick Hyman.
Some execs at MGM did not understand the script. The movie became a huge hit.
Black Widow
1987
Directed by Bob Rafelson and Produced by Harold Schneider starring Debra Winger, Theresa Russell, Dennis Hopper, Terry O’Quinn, Diane Ladd, Lois Smith
The next night, we got to create snow along 5th Avenue and on the awning of an apartment building. That was easier with no broiling summer sun. The next day they leave New York to go back to LA. Harold gives me a hug and asks if I could finish up the wrap in two days. No problem I say, as the crew nods in unison.
Bob Rafelson and Harold were nice guys and in the circus that’s a hard thing to find.
Scrooged
1987
Directed by Richard Donner and starring Bill Murray and Karen Allen, John Forsythe, John Glover, Bob Goldthwait, David Johansen, Carol Kane, Robert Mitchum, Alfre Woodard
Nomination Academy Awards Best Makeup Thomas R. Burman, Barry Dreiband-Burman,
Nomination Academy of Science Fiction, Comic Fantasy and Horror Films Best Fantasy film, Best Actor Bill Murray and Best Special FX
Scrooged became a cult classic. And despite the death of Roger Rothstein, we all moved on to the next ring in the circus.
Beaches
1988
Directed by Gary Marshall starring Bette Midler and Barbara Hershey with John Heard, Spalding Gray, Lainie Kazan, Mayim Bialik, Marcie Leeds
Winner Young Artist Award Best Young Actress in Motion Picture Comedy Mayim Bialik
Nomination Academy Awards Best Art Direction-Set Decoration Albert Brenner, Garritt Lewis;
Nomination American Comedy Awards Funniest Actress in a Motion Picture Bette Midler
Nomination for Brit Awards Best Soundtrack
Nomination Kid’s Choice Awards Favorite Movie Actress Bette Midler
Nomination Young Artist Award Best Family Motion Picture
Nomination Young Artist Award Best Young Actress in a Motion Picture Drama Marcie Leeds
A special film with a great song by Bette called ‘Wind Beneath My Wings” which wins Best Song of the Year at the Grammy Awards. We shot three weeks in New York during the worst heat wave I can remember. A film directed by good guy Gary Marshall and starring Bette Midler and Barbara Hersey. It was a pretty good film.
Funny About Love
1989
Directed by Leonard Nimoy and starring Gene Wilder and Christine Lahti. With Mary Stuart Masterson, Robert Prosky, Anne Jackson, David Margulies
It was an old-fashioned New York romantic comedy. Romcom they now call it. About a couple who couldn’t have a baby but went through in vitro fertilization. Bob Relyea now at Paramount told me to take care of Leonard aka Mr. Spock. He was important to Paramount because of the Star Wars movies and TV shows. Leonard was a nice guy.
Crazy People
1989
Directed by Tony Bill. Dudley Moore, Daryl Hannah, Paul Reiser, J.T. Walsh
Dudley Moore again with Tony Bill directing. Dudley had slowed down a bit. He was still a total pro. But after years in the circus, his boyish humor had left.
Tom Barrad was one of the nicest people I ever met, and he was one of the Producers. Never heard much from him again in the Circus. I wonder what happened to him?
Soapdish
1990
Directed by Michael Hoffman
Starring Sally Field, Kevin Kline, Elisabeth Shue, Cathy Moriarty, Teri Hatcher, Robert Downey Jr., Whoopi Goldberg
What a cast and a great idea.
Another New York and LaLa land split. I was in the Paramount building again after losing the Empire Hotel space due to gentrification. The whole Upper West Side was being gentrified.
I met my wife Antoinette during this Paramount period with my mentor Bob Relyea. At the end of the Soapdish shoot, we got married at Blessed Sacrament Church on West 71st Street. The reception was on a boat going around Manhattan island on a perfect, early October night.
A Bronx Tale
1992
Directed by Robert De Niro starring himself, Chazz Palminteri, Joe Pesce, Taral Hicks and Lillo Brancato
Ed told me they were looking for an executive to help them with indie films especially those they wanted to shoot in New York. I was considered someone who would be an “expert” on both subjects. Well I needed a job, so I said yes. The first project they gave me was called A Bronx Tale already shooting in New York. Seems the first bond rep wanted to leave the show which was going over budget. I took the gig.
I got on a plane to New York.
Pulp Fiction
1993
Directed by Quentin Tarantino starring John Travolta, Harvey Keitel, Uma Thurmond and many others.
I met Quentin Tarantino and Lawrence Bender (the creative team) and Richard Gladstein from Miramax who were interested in distributing the movie. They desperately wanted to get this film made. I said I would help them secure the completion bond. I met with Ed and his team and pitched the film. I said I like it. They said let’s close the deal with AIG.
Pulp Fiction went on to make millions at the box office. Quentin became a popular Hollywood director.
bullet
1994
Directed by Julien Temple starring Mickey Rourke, Ted Levine, Tupac Shakur, Adrien Brody, Donnie Wahlberg, Suzanne Shepherd and Jerry Grayson.
I liked Mickey and I think he felt comfortable with me around the set. It was ten years since 9 ½ Weeks. He was a young star then ready to join the world of acting greats. I wanted him to make it. He wrote a great script with Bruce Rubenstein.
Bullet never made it to the theaters and was sold to DVD and cable. It was a tax deal made by Australian investors. They took the money which barely covered their investment and ran. This was the money part of the business I didn’t like. If it was a feature release, Tupac would have written some songs which could have saved the movie. Sadly, shortly after the release Tupac was shot and killed.
Shaft
1997
In development Director John Singleton, Producer Paul Hall, Executive Producer Roger Paradiso
Bob Relyea called me and said he would like me to meet John Singleton and his Producer, Paul. I was in my Greenwich Street Office in Tribeca. We met and got along. John was determined to make Shaft with a young unknown star and keep the spirit of the first one in place but with a 1990’s feeling. Sounded good to me. John, Paul and I had a great time in New York. I told Bob this looked like a great movie for MGM.
“I Ought To Be In Pictures” from left to right Jimmy Hovey camera assistant, Davey Walsh DP, me, Roger Rothstein, Dinah Manoff and Director Herb Ross. Courtesy of 20th Century Fox.