ELIA KAZAN

The world was like a huge red carpet out ahead of me to be walked on. And it stretched on and on, no end.

The makers of entertainment must try, in our field, to be honest and grown-up.

I don't remember anything anybody said in any Jack Ford picture. Nothing happens except action.

I'm going to make a film where not one word is really important. I'm going to make it all action.

I didn't have that much confidence. Maybe it looks that way. I'm glad it does.

I like directors who come on the set and create something that's a little dangerous, difficult or unusual.

I was very intense. I think it's a privilege to be an actor.

There was no doubt that there was a vast organization which was making fools of all the liberals in Hollywood and taking their money, that there was a police state among the Left element in Hollywood and Broadway.

I hate the Communists and have for many years and don't feel right about giving up my career to defend them. I will give up my film career if it is in the interests of defending something I believe in, but not this.

I owe Bankhead a gift; she made a director out of me.

For years after I resigned, I was still faithful to their way of thinking. But not in the American Communists.

I may be getting old, but not foolish.

I was the hero of the young insurgent working class art movement.

I will say nothing to an actor that cannot be translated into action.

The thing about Brando was that I'd make these directions, and he'd walk away. He'd heard enough... to get the machine going.

A good director's not sure when he gets on the set what he's going to do.

I'm small, but I'm neither compliant nor agreeable.

The first thing you should do with an actor is not sign a contract with him. Take him to dinner. And take him for a walk afterwards.

Whatever hysteria exists is inflamed by mystery, suspicion and secrecy. Hard and exact facts will cool it.

Very often the Group actor is a critic when he's acting and an actor when he's criticizing.

You have to remind people of their own struggles. It's a responsibility.

There is only one thing I respect in so-called Broadway actors... and that is their competitive sense.

I question the value of stars. I think they're overrated. They get too much money, too much praise.

The more ambivalent you are and the more uncertain you are, then you can get something that you cannot anticipate.

The belief that the good in American society will finally win out... I don't believe any more.