The title
Sydney Lumet’s “Dog Day Afternoon” was originally titled “The Boys in the Bank”, taken from the Life Magazine article on the robbery. Lumet disliked the title and changed it to reflect the summer heat on the day of the robbery.
Influences and inspirations
The main characters of the movie watched the movie “The Godfather” a day before the robbery. They were so inspired by the movie that their ransom note read, “here is an offer you can’t refuse.” Godfather co-stars, Pacino and Cazale, played the main characters.
Ad libbing Al
The iconic scene of Al Pacino yelling “Attica! Attica!” to the crowd outside the bank was an improvisation. Charles Durning’s confused reaction is authentic, as he was not sure what his character was supposed to do next.
The locals approved
Director Sydney Lumet hired around 300 extras to play the crowd that gathers outside the bank, for a scene that was largely an elaborate improv exercise. Residents of the neighborhood were offered hotel rooms because of the noise, but most chose to stay.
Stiff competition
“Dog Day Afternoon” won the academy award for “best original screenplay” at the 1975 Oscars. “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” won all the other major awards that year, making Lumet’s film the only other one to win any major award that year.
Pacino’s streak
Al Pacino was nominated for ‘Best Actor’ at the 1975 Oscars. It marked the fourth year in a row that he was nominated; he was previously nominated for his role in “Godfather I,” and for best actor for his roles in “Serpico” and “Godfather II.”