For me, the best book ever written about Hollywood is William Goldman’s Adventures in the Screen Trade (1983). Goldman was a highly successful screenplay writer in the 60’s and 70’s. His book is full of anecdotes that are not found in most other publications or via the world wide web. Witness Goldman’s exasperation when director Bryan Forbes says on the casting of the sex bomb of The Stepford Wives– “I think Nannette might be rather good for the part of Carol, don’t you?” Read the book to find out why Goldman can’t argue with this, though he disagrees entirely with Forbes’ choice.
In Marathon Man (1976 movie) Goldman got to work with one of the most talented actors of all-time, Laurence Olivier. Larry, as Olivier was called in the business, was at the end of his career but he still knew how to read a scene. He gave the director of the film, John Schlesinger, a lesson in stagecraft. Continue reading “Olivier, ’nuff said”
Boadicea's Chariot 