After 40-plus years on both sides of Da Bizness Dat’s Show, we still haven’t mastered that trick, Meester H.
We suspect the most that can be accomplished – as Sir William triumphantly has – is royally recognize > Talent > has absolutely zip to do with < CHARACTER >.
And the accumulated wisdom to let it go, as much as one can, at that.
While royally retaining the august qualities – as man and artist – their noblest characters so immortally leave as their illuminated legacy.
Good timing, neo. Finished the book this afternoon. Talent...character...
...one thing's been sticking. He mentioned that the only way he knew to perform on stage was to go out there with the attitude that tonight I will give the best performance possible. John Adams eight performances a week for two years; that's a lot of best performances. He would not cheat the audience nor himself.
Just got back from seeing it this evening. A whole new ballgame on what seemed the biggest of screens. Ben M states Ava Gardner was paired with Gene Hackman. WD in the book just mentioned Hackman whom it was determined was wrong for the part of Mr. Robinson. He also said it was awkward at first playing Mr. Braddock since he is only ten years older than Hoffman. Turns out Anne B is only nine years older than Katherine Ross!
Took a couple sittings and I managed to reread A Thousand Clowns. Mr. D's performance remained fresh in mind and it was hard not to laugh at his earnestness and their jocularity. Oh to have seen this live on the stage. Same for 1776 I suppose. No supposing,....
The alchemical combustion between actor and character is a profound mystery that rivals anything about the Pyramids. Its unpredictable and equally unfathomable artistic arrival and creative syngery cannot be definitively denied when the evidence is indisputal.
Such is William Daniels as John Adams.
For dynamic passion,
brilliantly unbridled royal idealistic rage,
and equally defiant capitulation to achieve his overall end for his country’s benefit and birth:
It’s one of the most powerful perfs of all time - and for the illustrious immortal AGES.
"As for William Daniels in A THOUSAND CLOWNS.... not a very likable character, so, the least interesting for me."
Rpry, if you're still visiting this thread, I'm curious. Do you mean "least interesting" of all the characters in A THOUSAND CLOWNS, or the least interesting of William Daniels' many acting roles?
It is impossible not to think of WD this time every year and I had a premonition this thread was going to be resurrected. Oh and time for the other one...
“I cornered the market on playing members of the Adams Family. "
… John Quincy in “The Adams Chronicles”. ]
"All except Abigail.” 