Tag Archives: Elia Kazan

“I’m not interested in money. I just want to be wonderful.” – Marilyn Monroe

Posted on June 1, 2025 by sheila

It’s her birthday. Marilyn Monroe: People had a habit of looking at me as if I were some kind of mirror instead of a person. They didn’t see me, they saw their own lewd thoughts, then they white-masked themselves by … Continue reading →

Posted in Actors, On This Day | Tagged , , , , , , | 26 Comments

“Only the bad directors tell you how to read a line, how to define your character. The good ones let you do your job.” — Carroll Baker

Posted on May 28, 2025 by sheila

It’s her birthday today. When you look back on your life – especially once you’re, how you say, OLD – it’s sometimes interesting to try to untangle some of the strands, the things that happened that made you who you … Continue reading →

Posted in Actors, Movies, On This Day | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

An Acting Lesson: John Wayne and the “Reality of the Doing”

Posted on May 26, 2025 by sheila

An old piece, re-posted for John Wayne’s birthday: In one lengthy scene in Hondo, filmed in one almost unbroken take, Wayne makes horseshoes in the little outdoor smith in the yard. Geraldine Page hovers nearby. He talks to her about … Continue reading →

Posted in Actors, Movies, On This Day | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 11 Comments

“The only thing an actor owes his public is not to bore them.” — Marlon Brando

Posted on April 3, 2025 by sheila

“Sending Marlon Brando to acting class was like sending a tiger to jungle school.” – Stella Adler It’s his birthday today. Let’s start off with this, a piece I had long wanted to write: Revelations about Marlon Brando in about … Continue reading →

Posted in Actors, Movies, On This Day | Tagged , , | 38 Comments

“Make voyages! — Attempt them! — there’s nothing else …” — Tennessee Williams

Posted on March 26, 2025 by sheila

Tennessee Williams (Thomas Lanier Williams) was born on this day in Columbus, Mississippi in 1911. Will you do a total stranger the kindness of reading his verse? Thank you! Thomas Lanier Williams — Tennessee Williams, letter to editor Harriet Monroe, … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, On This Day, Theatre, writers | Tagged , , , , , | 23 Comments

Cat on a Hot Tin Roof in the Berkshires

Posted on March 24, 2025 by sheila

Re-posting my lengthy piece on the production I saw of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof in 2016, in honor of the anniversary of the play premiering on Broadway. On the evening of July 4th, I took the Mass Pike … Continue reading →

Posted in Actors, On This Day, Theatre | Tagged , , | 64 Comments

The First Glimpse of The Guy Who Started It All

Posted on February 8, 2025 by sheila

For James Dean’s birthday Age 13. Babysitting. Up later than I normally would be. East of Eden was on late-night television. I had never seen it. I don’t even know that I was aware of who James Dean was. And … Continue reading →

Posted in Actors, Movies, Personal | Tagged , , , , | 8 Comments

January 2025 Viewing Diary

Posted on February 2, 2025 by sheila

Glengarry Glen Ross (1992; d. James Foley) I saw this one in the theatre back in the day. There’s a revival coming up on Broadway and Bill Burr is going to be in it. It’s kind of perfect! He’ll be … Continue reading →

Posted in Monthly Viewing Diary, Movies, Television | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 14 Comments

Meeting Elia Kazan

Posted on September 7, 2024 by sheila

For Elia Kazan’s birthday I met Elia Kazan once. He showed up at a production of Clifford Odets’ Awake and Sing, which was being put on at the Actors Studio. I was involved in the production as a general Girl … Continue reading →

Posted in Directors, On This Day, Personal | Tagged , , , | 11 Comments

June 2023 Viewing Diary

Posted on July 2, 2023 by sheila

Succession (2018-2023) I finally watched, having somehow resisted the DEAFENING buzz over the last couple of years. I like Jeremy Strong, liked his small moment in Zero Dark Thirty, he totally stood out in The Big Short (directed by one … Continue reading →

Posted in Monthly Viewing Diary, Movies, Television | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 23 Comments