Everyone here at www.viney.uk.com was cheering loudly for Edward Norton following his 1999 Academy Award nomination as Best Actor.

Edward Norton features in Only in America in a variety of roles. As you can guess they were filmed only just before he shot to fame in “Primal Fear”. Ed was magic on camera, and his role as Eric, the nerdy boyfriend in “The Websters,” had the whole crew in hysterics. The little addition of a Band-Aid to the spectacles was Ed’s idea. He is a superb comedian, though he is now so much better known for his serious roles. ESL / ELT video is not Hollywood, but Ed gave his total commitment and expertise throughout. He has the attention to detail. I had stills of him in several different shirts as he tried to decide which shirt said “Eric.”

There was one moment of apprehension. Ed (as Eric) had to start his battered car and lurch along the street. Ed said he’d let it drop back so as to nearly hit the car behind, then make it jump forward. We were apprehensive as the car behind didn’t belong to us, and couldn’t be switched for one that did as it had already appeared on camera. Ed did it just as he had promised, missing the vehicle by about quarter of an inch. Fortunately the crew held the applause until after the director shouted, “cut.”

“Only in America” has happy memories for all involved. It was a superb cast.

See Edward Norton in Only in America as the following characters:

 

Video 1: Duane in “Duane & Donna in New York”

Video 4: James in “Big Deal”

Video 5: Bruno in “Office Blues”

Video 6: Eric in “The Websters”

Video 8: The museum guard in “The Artist”