Excerpt from Bradford Dillman’s book Are you Somebody? An Actor’s Life:
In The Greatest Story Ever Told [John] Wayne was cast as a Roman captain who visits the scene of the Crucifixion and says, standing at the feet of Christ, “Truly this was the son of God.”
Director George Stevens was riding a crane when the actor stepped in for a take.
Wayne said, “TrulythiswasthesonaGod.”
“Cut. Duke, let’s remember you’re talking about Jesus here. You might want to take the speech a bit slower.”
“You got it, George.”
Take Two. The Centurion says, “Truly. ThiswasthesonaGod.”
“Cut. Duke, not reverent enough. Let’s try it again, and this time give us a little awe.”
“You got it, George.”
Take Three. The superstar says, “Aw, truly. ThiswasthesonaGod.”
Raucous laughter echoing through my kitchen. Truly.
Isn’t that the best? A cautionary tale for directors: Be really really clear.
Also: look how obedient Wayne was. “You got it, George.” You get the sense he would have done ANYthing, however wrong it was.
“Aw truly.”
hahahahaha