Ernie Borgnine, 93. Hollywood Legend Adds Red to His Resume

A book called "Ernie" was written by Borgnine. The book was originally titled " I don't want to set the world on fire, I just want to keep my nuts warm". The publishers were squeamish about using that title, thus "Ernie" became the name of his biographical book. I loved the original title. He said when he was looking for work and not having much luck, he walked by a nut vendor on the street. There on the side of the vendor's cart was " I don't want to set the world on fire, I just want to keep my nuts warm." From then on, Ernie said that was his philosophy on life.

I’m surprised that no one has remembered him playing a big, burly Roman officer in “Jesus of Nazareth” on t.v. in 1977! It was a miniseries based on the life and ministry of Jesus. He played the Roman officer whose young servant was deathly ill, and Jesus cured the kid, and most people remember that story, I know.

He also played the Roman officer at the foot of the cross later on. Sheesh, he must of been in his early 60s when he played that! By the way, there was a strange but beautiful story regarding the filming of that particular scene! It’s been documented in a few places, one of them being in “Catholic Digest”, or the “Ligorian” (two Catholic magazines) several years ago, and in at least one other place I can’t remember.

Apparently he broke down in tears in the filming of it. The actor that played Christ himself (Robert Powell)was absent that day due to illness. To help Borgnine set the mood for his part, Director Franco Zeffirelli read a passage out of “The Bible” regarding the Crucifiction scene. After the rehearsal of the scene, he explained why he got emotional. He said that at the moment the director was reading the passage, Borgnine had been looking up on the cross.

Of course, the actor who played Christ was home sick, so it was empty during rehearsal. Borgnine claimed he saw a ghostly image of a struggling, TORTURED MAN on that PROP CROSS! The man looked at him with such a gentle, loving look, then faded! Zefferelli had asked him why he suddenly stopped, stared, then broke out in tears; so he told him and the others what he believed he saw.

I can’t remember if he actually said he saw Christ, or saw an image of a tortured, dying man. The weird thing was, the director and the other actors standing around DID NOT SEE IT! The image was not caught on the film either when it was examined later!

I imagine they told the actor who played Jesus when he got back what happened to Borgnine. I’m betting he wished he’d been there, too. Because if it was Christ, (and I’m thinking it was, myself!) he literally acted as Powell’s substitute, playing himself for the day, to say the least!

I didn’t see that, was it in the thread further down? I got tired after that big post and it was late, so I didn’t get back to it! Nothing was posted to the point I made my post, I didn’t look to the bottom of the thread. I do have that same movie though, with that picture of Christ. Beautiful movie, and there are some parts in there that were very hard for me to watch at the time. They still are!

By the way, have you ever seen “A.D.”? It came out some years later. That was good too. It took place in the period after the Crucifixion to the deaths of Peter and Paul. It was very hard to find on VHD or DVD for a long time. It might be be easier to find now, I don’t know.

I didn’t think it was, but thought I’d missed it. By the way, thanks so much for those pictures! :*)

As I said, I have the copy of the film w/that picture on front. I know it’s not the only one to come out over the years. I like that other one of the soldier played by Borgnine, too. I loved that scene, it’s one of my favorites!

Had you read about that incident I posted? If you can find it and read it, it’s a wonderful story! It’s possible it could be in his book. If the situation had that much of an impression on him, it might well be! Unless it was very personal, and he doesn’t want to share it in his book, or if he’s concerned someone will mock him for it. The story was definitely reported by someone he spoke to behind the scenes, or afterward!

As I said, in both accounts, nobody else around him saw it, not even the cameraman! He told them all himself. All they knew was the strange look on his face, and the tears in his eyes! The director definitely noticed, and remarked about his performance, and how ‘realistically’ he did the scene!

When Borgnine told him/others, they definitely understood why, although the others never saw it, and it was never seen on the film! Somehow, I think he’ll mention it in his book, though.

http://archive.southcoasttoday.com/daily/01-07/01-24-07/03living.htm

Yes, 90-year-old Borgnine says, he’s alive
By BOB THOMAS , Associated Press writer

At a recent reunion of the cast of the 1960s TV comedy “McHale’s Navy,” the actors were appalled at the arrival of their former commandant. A driver helped Ernest Borgnine from the car. The once-exuberant Lt. Cmdr. Quinton McHale was stooped over and walked haltingly, muttering gibberish.

His former ensign, comedian Tim Conway, rushed forward and exclaimed, “Ernie, what has happened to you?”

Suddenly Borgnine straightened up, threw out his massive chest and bellowed, “What’s going on here?” followed by his signature high-decible laugh.

Prankster Borgnine shows little evidence of aging ....

read the rest of the article at the link.

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