Billy Crystal recalls his formative years in Martin Scorsese’s classroom.
On the December 15 episode of “Sunday Sitdown with Willie Geist,” Crystal spoke about his time being taught by Scorsese at New York University.
He was a graduate student at the time, and was just shooting his first movie, Who’s That Knocking at My Door. This was in the years 1968, 1969, and 1970.
Crystal went on to describe Scorsese’s appearance: “(He) had a big beard and granny glasses and shoulder-length hair. He looked like everyone else. He would stand behind you while you were editing your movie and he would be very intimidating, because he looked and he was very intense and he talked very fast – Even then – he spoke faster because he was, you know, 50 years younger.”
Scorsese might point out that Howard Hawks always used wide shots in his films as a reaction to what his students were filming. But even though decades have passed since Crystal first met Scorsese, he says Scorsese still retains the same energy and spirit.
As a student in the 1960s, Crystal also learned during the counterculture movement when it took power.
“(The West Village) was wild,” Crystal added. It was a difficult time for America, but it was a wonderful time at the same time. Because of all that adversity and all the protests against the Vietnam War. It brought us together… What resulted was a renaissance in music, in poetry, in art – which we still feel today.
