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Monday, July 23, 2007 12:37 AM EDT
Mob scene at St. John’s festival
By DANIEL LEBLANC
Olean Times Herald
OLEAN -- The mob was the focus of attention Saturday as three actors visited two locations in Olean to promote an upcoming mobster film.
Vincent Pastore, John Fiore and Joseph Vacchio attended Festa Italiana at St. John's Church and a reception with investors at the Old Library Restaurant.
The actors were greeted by a throng of people who crowded around them, requesting pictures and autographs.
The men will be in a film written by Olean native Carl Veno titled "Little Chicago" which portrays mobsters such as Al Capone and other local gangsters who operated in Olean and Bradford, Pa., during the Prohibition.
Each actor had their own take on the roles they will be playing.
Mr. Pastore, who is known for his "Sopranos" character Sal Bonpensiero said it was an honor to be cast as Al Capone in the movie.
"I would like to portray him the way he is supposed to be portrayed," he said.
With many actors of the past portraying Capone, Mr. Pastore said he wants to be true to the legendary mobster.
While he landed the role of Capone, he would never "walk away from" his Sopranos character.
Mr. Fiore said he thought his role was "a great opportunity. This is a great town and a perfect marriage" for the film.
Having played the fictional character Gigi Cestone on "The Sopranos," Mr. Fiore said he "always wanted to portray someone who lived a long time ago."
"I think Carl Veno wrote a great script. This is a unique spin on a winning formula," he said.
Mr. Vacchio said he would be playing a character as well as producing the film.
He described the Olean and Bradford areas as "as if time had stopped in these towns" due to many historic places surviving from the Prohibition era.
"The local gangsters during the Prohibition period helped build this town," Mr. Vacchio said of Olean. "They became local legends."
Mr. Veno said in an interview that things were moving along to start the filming of "Little Chicago" soon.
"The funding is really where we want it," he said. He is still negotiating with some other actors to star in the movie.
Some names he mentioned as possibilities included Marissa Tome and Armen Garo.
"We want to look for the right stars," Mr. Veno said. "We're working hard to get recognizable stars. It's easier to sell, especially in action-packed films.
Mr. Veno said the film will explore how Prohibition affected small towns across America.
"I found out there are a ton of little Chicagos across the United States," he said. "The film is about the nature of the Prohibition and its impact on small communities."
The film could start production in early October with sites in Olean, Bradford, Niagara Falls and Gowanda.
"We hope to hold the premier in Olean," he added.
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