Smash His Camera (2010)

A film centering on the life and work of Ron Galella that examines the nature and effect of paparazzi.

Director:

Leon Gast

Stars:

Floyd Abrams, Gilbert M. 'Broncho Billy' Anderson, Joseph Basile

1 win & 3 nominations.

Cast

Credited cast:
Floyd Abrams	...	Himself
Gilbert M. 'Broncho Billy' Anderson	...	Himself (archive footage)
Joseph Basile	...	Himself
Harry Benson	...	Himself - Photojournalist
Ingrid Bergman	...	Herself (archive footage)
Humphrey Bogart	...	Himself (archive footage)
Marlon Brando	...	Himself (archive footage)
Dick Cavett	...	Himself
Charles Chaplin	...	Himself (archive footage)
Chuck Close	...	Himself
Brad Elterman	...	Himself - Photographer
David Frost	...	Himself (archive footage)
Bonnie Fuller	...	Herself
Clark Gable	...	Himself (archive footage)
Betty Galella	...	Herself - Wife of Ron Galella

Storyline

Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis sued him, and Marlon Brando broke his jaw. The story of notorious, reviled paparazzo Ron Galella opens a Pandora's Box of issues from right to privacy, freedom of the press and the ever-growing vortex of celebrity worship.

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Plot Keywords:

celebrity | privacy | press | freedom of the press | paparazzi | 

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Genres:

Documentary

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for brief language and nudity

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

January 2010 (USA)

Also Known As:

Untitled Ron Galella Documentary

Filming Locations:

Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$2,367, 1 August 2010, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$2,367, 1 August 2010

Company Credits

Production Co:

Got The Shot Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

87 min

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Connections

References Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1966)

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Soundtracks

Best of My Love
Performed by The Emotions
Written by Maurice White and Al McKay
Courtesy of Columbia Records
By arrangement with Sony Music Licensing
Used by Permission of EMI April Music Inc.
All Rights Reserved

User Reviews

Smile and look I've got you on camera and taken your picture!

Long before the days of 24 hour 7 days a week 365 days a year paparazzi a man by the name of Ron Galella happened to be around and this man during the 60's, 70's and 80's went on a tear of photographing stars and celebrities it was his personal passion it was what he lived for. Really Ron was always putting himself in danger and at risk to get snapshots and photographs of the famous and well known.

And this informative and educational HBO documentary "Smash his Camera" showed his passion and skill for taking photos and it showed the downsides of his job. Well documented was his alleged stalking of the former first lady Jacqueline Kennedy who took out restraining orders against Galella, but still that didn't stop Ron from getting his snap shots of the elegant former first lady as clearly this was a determined man who always got his picture. In fact many started labeling Ron as a stalker of the former first lady. Also compelling was his dealing with legendary actor Marlon Brandon who was so angry about getting his photographs and movements taken that he punched and apparently broke Galella's nose. Now that's what happens when you follow a person's every movement.

Really this doc is worth a watch because it informed and educated many like me about a man love him or hate him Ron Galella had a passion of taking pictures of the well known and famous even if it got him in trouble it proved that sometimes you have to be a risk taker. Because if you love your passion enough you will be brave and therefore you have to respect the man for it.