DUM-DUM AFTERNOON

DOG-DAY AFTERNOON (1975)
dir: Sidney Lumet

MAD #183, June 1976
w: Larry Siegel
a: Mort Drucker

Based on a Life article, about two men, Sonny (Al Pacino) and Sal (John Cazale) who rob a bank and aren't very well prepared. They claim to be Vietnam vets.

   -There was a series of Sure deodorant commercials comparing different brands under each arm.
   -One of the ways they bungle the robbery is that when Sonny demands bank manager Mulvaney (Sully Boyar) open the vault only to find it was emptied earlier that day and virtually nothing is inside.
   -A squad of police and snipers is waiting for them outside.

A crowd of onlookers has gathered and Sonny attempts to rile them up.

Police sergeant Charles Moretti (Charles Durning) comes attempting to negotiate with them. They bring the guard out and the police accidentally shoot him not realizing Sonny has waved a white flag.

Sonny has demanded to see his wife. It's his life partner Leon (Chris Sarandon) who has just checked out of Bellevue. In the movie, the crowd finds Sonny to be even more of a hero after finding out he's gay. Also in the movie, the news reports that Sal is gay too which he wants them to correct.

Sonny's mother (Judith Malina) visits as well. The father won't talk to him. Not included is that the police also talking to Sonny's beard wife. The FBI, led by agent Sheldon (James Broderick) has a van waiting to take them and the bank employees they've held hostage wherever they want to go.

After a caravan takes everyone to the airport, Sal is shot and Sonny is arrested.