The Sopranos "On Location"

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Scenes from Bada Bing -2001

October 11 - 12, 2001 Satin Dolls - a.k.a. The BadaBing Club

Mob Scene blamed on The Sopranos

"Production crews took over a once-notorious Lodi, New Jersey go-go bar for the filming of an episode of the hit HBO drama - and the best seats in the house belonged to motorists driving on heavily trafficked Rt. 17."

"The Sopranos set crews worked their magic to transform the Satin Dolls bar into the Bada Bing , the strip bar featured in the TV series."

"There was lead actor James Gandolfini, playing a disheveled Tony Soprano, suddenly staggering out a side door. Cameras continued to roll as Tony, leaning to and fro, stepped into the unpaved parking lot. Seconds later, a longed legged cutie followed him out."

"The shows highly secretive production crew refused to discuss the scene, but it hardly mattered to the commuter busses and drivers who snarled traffic as they slowed down and strained for a glimpse."

"For yesterday's filming, nearby businesses willingly opened up their parking lots to the production staff's cars and vans. At the Party Box next door. A sign proclaimed a scene was filmed there on Feb 6, 2000."

"Numerous "Sopranos" scenes are filmed at Satin Dolls which was declared a mob joint in 1992 by the State's Commission of Investigation, which cited involvement in the club's management by a reputed associate of the Genovese crime family."

These days the mob is out of the picture at Satin Dolls, and its new owners have receive a clean bill of health from the state.

Quoted text taken from an article by Own Moritz, NY Daily News 10/12/2000

	If you live and Bergen County and had to travel Rt. 17 South in Lodi than you had to know that the Sopranos were busy filming inside Satin Dolls, known to fans as the Bada Bing Club. Here's just one of the temporary signs used for the series.
The parking lot was filled with camera equipment and dozens of trailers used for props and lighting equipment.
	Shortly after I arrived, Movie Time Cars was picking the SUV used in the series by James Gandolfini. In tow was the Cadilac used by Furio. Movie Time Cars is a Lyndhurst, NJ based company that supplies vehicles to the movie industry. Check out their web page via this link!
I have to say that every member of the cast that I have had the pleasure to meet went out of their way to be friendly and accommodating. While chatting with Frederico Castelluccio who plays"Furio", I saw "Tony" walk out the side door. I excused myself, walked up to him and asked him if he had time for one quick picture. This picture was taken at about 9:00 p.m., after a long day of filming. Though visibly tired, he asked the person with him to take this picture. It happened so quick that I was actually talking to someone when he got this shot. Given this rare opportunity, my mind suddenly went blank so I took the opportunity to tell him how much I enjoy the show. He shook my hand and asked if I was enjoying the evening, than returned to work.
	"Frank", a frequent visitor to the Sopranos On Location E mailed me that he might stop by Satin Dolls. Frank and Frederico Castelluccio who plays "Furio" have a common friend so he used the friendship to lure him over. We had the rare opportunity to spend about 20 minutes with him since there were only about 4-5 spectators! We discussed the series and various other topics. He was cordial and very down to earth; a real professional! Having lived most of his life in Paterson, NJ, he was always asking where everyone was from.

	Here's some candid photos from the night of October 12th. While wandering around the cast trailers Tony Sirico (Paulie Walnuts) arrived after being delayed in traffic. He was in an obvious hurry and promised to sign some autographs later that evening!
Michael Imperioli seemed to be in a hurry all night, but I managed to catch this shot of him with Danielle, the sister in law of Fred a frequent visitor to the site.
	If I had to vote any one of the cast members as being the most sociable it has to be Frederico Castelluccio. This guy wanders the lot when he's not working seeking out fans. He's really one hell of a guy!
OK, so Tony Sirico (Paulie Walnuts) kept his promise and I got that picture he promised.
	The night would not have been complete without a visit from the famous Bada Bing girls. They were posing for some sort of ad promotion when I got these shots.
The girls obviously liked all the attention they got. They were waving at the cars on Rt 17, often faking a hitch-hiking pose. After a tractor trailer slammed on his brakes (no joke) and nearly caused an accident, the Lodi Police Department asked the girls to cool it!

	Ah.. Just can't get enough of those Bada Bing babes!
Later in the evening Tony Sirico made himself more "available" to these lucky fans. This shot was taken in front of James Gandolfini's trailer.

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