August 18, 1969 –
The mockumentary comedy, Take the Money and Run, directed by Woody Allen, and starring Woody Allen, Janet Margolin, and Louise Lasser, opened on this date.
Woody Allen later said he was not nervous about his first day but was so excited about shooting on location in San Quentin prison that he cut his nose shaving that morning. The mishap can be seen in the prison scene in the movie. He and his team found the inmates there to be very friendly and cooperative. The prison authorities also eagerly welcomed the production but issued a warning: cast and crew were always to be accompanied by guards and if taken hostage, the gates would not be opened to secure their release.
