Excerpt from Peter Bogdanovich’s Who the Hell’s in It: Conversations with Hollywood’s Legendary Actors
Bogdonavich asks Lewis: “What was it like those first four years, before the movies? From 46 to 49?”
Lewis responds:
It was wonderful. It was the Katzenjammer Kids. We had so much fun, it’s ridiculous. We played football in a suite in Philadelphia, broke windows, lamps. Like two monkeys on a fucking high. We just played. And he played golf and I’d write. Then I said to him: “I’ve written some wonderful shit here, we’ve got to work on it.” “Later.” Uh-oh. “No, no later – because I’ll quit and then you won’t have any good shit to do.” “Later.” And I knew not to push him. He wanted to play golf during the tournament in Philadelphia, I didn’t push him. We left there, we went to Chicago, I said, “Now you’re going to practice.” And he did. But the thing of it was this – impossible to understand was – I would write him a bit that would run four minutes, spotting the positioning on the stage and the geography within that bit. I would do it that night and he was right on the fucking money. And he had a favorite line, he said, “You only have to tell me once.”
See? There’s a genius there. His ability to assimilate the intricacies of a bit after only one time through. I mean, it’s like an understated genius he had, isnt’ it? Like he just GOT the rhythms of things, naturally. Didn’t have to fight for it. I love what this says about his mind, his process.
Tracey – absolutely.
And it’s such a truth in Hollywood that those who make it look SO EASY do not get the props.
Dean doesn’t get the props. Cary Grant doesnt’ get the props. Everyone around Cary Grant got nominated for Oscars – he made it easy for OTHER PEOPLE to look great.
God, I just so appreciate that unselfish brand of talent.
I don’t know why Dino makes me want to cry, but he does. The stupid WOP! Martin let other people shine thru his own brand of making it look easy. He disappeared into that act – Jerry Lewis was always the ‘star’ because he was so out there – but none of that would have been possible without Dean Martin.
A contemporary dude who makes it look so easy that he DOES NOT GET THE PROPS HE DESERVES is jeff Bridges. There is not a better actor working today … but there is so little EGO in his work that nobody notices.
They will. But too late. Jeff Bridges will get an honorary Oscar when he’s 80 and the Academy will congratulate themselves on their generosity.
Bah!
Jeff Bridges! I know! WHEN will he get his due?? I love him. So much.