| |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Note |
TOUCH OF EVIL
Marlene Dietrich:
The budget Universal had granted him was pitiful. A hand-out
to a beggar. So Welles had to drum up his friends, among others
Mercedes McCambridge and me.
Today TOUCH OF EVIL is an international classic.
But in 1958 Universal was quite indifferent to this film.
They treated Welles in a shabby, shocking way.
[…]
Following von Sternberg's methods. Welles asked me to prepare
my own costumes and to appear on the set on the scheduled
date. We were to meet at eight o'clock in the evening in Santa
Monica where he had found and restored a run-down bungalow.
He had even installed a pianola. 'In the film you're running
a Mexican whorehouse', he explained to me, 'so dress accordingly
and be punctual.' On the fixed date I appeared for the shooting
in my costume. I had ransacked the dressing rooms of all the
costume designers I knew and decked myself out in dresses,
jackets, earrings, wigs, etc., so that Welles would have some
choice. As usual I arrived in Santa Monica earlier than expected
and – hoping for a sign of approval – I went up to him. He
just wandered off, but then he suddenly turned around and
gave a shout since he had not recognized me at first sight.
His reaction surpassed my boldest expectations. He took me
in his arms and shouted for joy.
I worked with him for only one long evening. I don't think
I've ever performed so well as on that day. To hell with modesty!
Excerpt from Marlene Dietrich: My Life.© 1987 by
Marlene Dietrich. Reprinted by permission of M. Dietrich,
Inc.
Filmography »
Archive »
Poster »
Notes only « | »
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
