Jeff's Post on COMPULSION

[Glenn Anders]

Just a note on Jeff's notice that a new DVD of COMPULSION is coming out:

About 30 years ago, I happened, ironically, to become related to Film Editor John C. Howard, who is almost immortal for BUTCH CASSIDY AND THE SUNDANCE KID, but later in his tragically short career, did honors on the best of Mel Brooks' comedy masterpieces. As his cousin by marriage, we were invited down for a couple of occasions in LA, and we quite hit it off.

Howard, though he was never officially credited with working on Richard Fleischer's films, so far as I know, was his a friend, considered him and his father (Max) mentors, did some work for him.

He told me that Fleischer was humiliated by Welles, who more or less, took COMPULSION away from him, re-wrote his dialogue, set the camera, and insisted on doing his scenes his way. Once he had looked at the rushes, Welles left and refused to return for re-takes. [I see on the IMDb a report that Welles' salary was garnisheed by the LA Sheriff, which may have been a motivation.]

The result was that Fleischer was nominated multi-times as Best Director, and Welles and other principals won acting awards at Cannes.

John C. Howard, a bear of a man, who wanted to be a pro-football player but strained his heart, took his friend's side, as I was pleased to see he did.

But I don't think we were ever so close again after I defended Welles' accomplishment.

Glenn

[Tony]

Glenn: do you know the Compulsion story about Welles going down the hall and wanting to turn to the left (or right) and complaining there was no room there, and Fleisher said that was why he was directing and Welles wasn't? Fleisher told this story many times; perhaps this was another reason Welles wasn't too happy; anyway, I consider his courtroom speech the finest acting of his career, and I have it on 45!

You have so many storys, Glenn, I hope you have set them down so they aren't lost; my favourite is your watching the alternate original Arkadin: you must be very excited at the release in May from Criterion!

[Glenn Anders]

Tony: No, I don't specifically remember that anecdote about Fleischer and Welles, but it sounds in keeping with the conflict that John C. Howard described to me.

[The occasion would have been after a test screening in San Jose of a forgotten film, AMERICATHON, which Howard edited for a neophyte director. We were invited down, and I sat up late into the night with him in his hotel suite, which probably wasn't too good for his health -- as I thought, four years later.]

I'm always working on things, but for now, I'm just scattering bits across the Internet, sometimes not too accurately, because I sold off my library when I moved. I have to depend on my obviously occasionally incomplete memory. For my first meeting with Howard, a splendid man, you might want to look up my review of BUTCH CASSIDY AND THE SUNDANCE KID on Epinions.com.

Yes, I am looking forward to MR. ARKADIN from Criterion.

Is it May, now?

It sounds wonderful.

Glenn

[Store Hadji]

Arkadin is out in May? Um, okay. May of which year?

[Glenn Anders]

Hadji: You might want to check at the Criterion site. "THE COMPLETE MR. ARKADIN" is still listed as "Coming Soon: April." That's why I asked Tony, who often knows these things, if the date were really in May.

Glenn

[tonyw]

Somebody should know the excat date for ARKADIN. I have it scheduled for my April 25 class following the initial annoluncement of a Mach release date. I'd hate to postpone it yet again

[Tony]

Sorry, guys: April 18th is the date on both Amazon.com and Amazon.ca; I don't know why I made that mental error: perhaps in anticipation of yet another delay? So Tony W; you might be alright for your class!

And Glenn: I wish your remembering of the Arkadin you saw was on the set as bonus material: you may be the only person alive who has a clear memory of it. Do you have it archived? If you do, I sure would appreciate your sending it to me!

thanks,
Tony

[R Kadin]

Tony - I, too, found great delight in reading Glenn's reminiscence, for which he was so kind to have previously provided us the url, as follows:

http://www.epinions.com/mvie-review-7A18-458AFFD2-3A4C153E-prod3

You're absolutely right: it would make for a fine addition to the liner notes.

[Glenn Anders]

Thank you, R Kadin, and thank you, Tony.

You are most kind.

BTW, while I was away, some of you were debating the pronunciation of Mr. Arkadin's name. Looking over that review of mine you cite, I am reminded of a little noted factor in the film, which I happened to notice, that careful attention to the soundtrack of MR. ARKADIN/CONFIDENTIAL REPORT will show that the very proper pronunciation of his name is in question within the film. A number of characters pronounce his name according to their nationalities, as one of you pointed out. Was that you, R Kadin?

A theme of MR. ARKADIN might be: What's in a name?

Anyway, thank you again.

Glenn