30 years later, Edward Burns brings together ‘The Family McMullen’

Here Edward Burns is, skipping lightly over a 30 year gap, writing, directing and co-starring in “The Family McMullen,” Friday’s sequel to what still stands as one of the most astonishing debuts in Hollywood history.

Burns, now 57, was a lowly production assistant on “Entertainment Tonight” when Robert Redford came to promote his movie “Quiz Show.”

Burns broke protocol to ask this legendary supporter of independent American cinema if he would read this script he’d written.

He did. Burns then was able to finance, produce, direct and co-star in “The Brothers McMullen.” Made with financial help from his dad, a cop, and a cast who worked for free, “The Brothers McMullen” filmed in his Valley Stream, Long Island, home and revolved around his own Irish Catholic upbringing.

Redford invited “B