Elia Kazan | Christie's

Elia Kazan

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Elia Kazan
A collection of correspondence from Elia Kazan to Marlon Brando, majority 1960s, majority signed Gadg, including:
- a typescript letter, signed, dated 20 January, 1961, on ELIA KAZAN headed stationery, enclosing an invitation to attend the Actors' Studio Benefit on 13 March, 1961, and telling Brando You know how we are at the Studio...we go along until we are broke and then we throw a benefit and try to get enough money to pay the bills again for a while...Won't you help? Of course, it's deductible..., 1p., with original mailing envelope;
- a typescript letter, signed, dated 15 August, 1967, apologising for missing Brando on a recent trip to California and telling him I am sure delighted to know that you keep getting thinner..., 1p.;
- a typescript letter, signed, on Lincoln Repertory Company headed stationery, dated 1 April, 1963, asking Brando to perform in a series of plays, I recall the intense boredom you felt at the long run of STREETCAR. We hope the repertory plan will correct that..., 2pp.;
- three typescript letters, signed, one dated 26 March, 1968, each regarding Elia Kazan's book and forthcoming film The Arrangement, all proposing that Brando take the part of Eddie in the film, one a frank and heartfelt letter outlining Kazan's concerns about him doing so, Kazan recalling that whilst shooting On The Waterfront, Brando told him he was only making the picture "because your psychoanalyst was in New York" and that you wanted to make enough to pay his bills while still remaining in that city..., giving Brando his opinion on his performances in Reflections In A Golden Eye and Countess From Hong Kong ...I saw the Chaplin film and all I could say was they were right, that you were terribly overweight, in fact to the point that you did not seem to be "the same fellow". And they were right about your indifference - that's the word I'd choose to describe your performance in that film...And then I saw Reflections In A Golden Eye. And I admired you. Without any help from Huston...you were bold and daring, and made a most difficult part moving and human..., the frank letter imploring Brando ...I only want to do this film with you if you really like the book, if it really means something to you, if you are genuinely enthusiastic about it, if it is in effect your story, if you'll hazard ALL on it, and finally if you will be available some ten months from now back at the weight you used to be in during 'On The Waterfront'. Don't kid me - be a true friend and don't kid me in either respect..., 6pp.; and related material (a lot)

Lot Essay

Brando did agree to take the part of Eddie in Kazan's film of The Arrangement but later backed out of the project to devote more time to the Civil Rights movement following the assassination of Martin Luther King on 4 April, 1968. The part was instead played by Kirk Douglas.

I've never seen a Director who became as deeply and emotionally involved in a scene as Gadg. The amazing thing about him was that after a scene was over, he'd realise the flaws in the scene and have them do it over....On Streetcar - first the play, then the movie - I discovered he was the rarest of directors, one with the wisdom to know when to leave actors alone. He understood intuitively what they could bring to a performance and he left them alone... Kazan was the best actors' director by far of any I've worked for. Gadg...was the only one who ever really stimulated me, got into a part with me and virtually acted it with me ... he was extraordinarily talented; perhaps we will never see his like again...

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