seems like i read somewhere that at least some of the verbal exchanges between grant/dunne were improvised. has anyone else heard this?
p.s. i did hear on a lux radio show that another of ms dunne's films, "unfinished business" was done without a pre-written script.
I understand that some of the dialogue was developed from improvisation. Specifically, the routine wherein Jerry arrives with the Court Order for visitation is cited somewhere as the result of some lines offered by Grant.
The stories of Grant's resistance to improvisation are so strongly stated that I don't believe he would ever go before the camera without his part being firmly established beforehand.
Thanks for the reply! that is interesting. It is funny how actors/directors can be very divided with strong preferences of whether to stick strictly to the strict or make things up as they go along. I once heard Thelma Schoonmaker (sp?), the favorite editor for Scorsese say that when she's doing a film she reads thru the script maybe once and then tosses it away and completely lets the footage in front of her tell her how to put the story together.
share The Age Of Innocence is a film she edited for Scorsese for which he adhered strictly to the words of Edith Wharton's novel. I'm glad he did but I think he proved, at least to me, that some lines can only be read, not voiced.
I suppose you're aware of The Powell & Pressburger Pages where you'll find more mention of Thelma. I'd link but I think that's frowned on here. There's also a Yahoo Group called the Powell & Pressburger Appreciation Society that's quite active.
Thanks for the info, I always like tips for good sites b/c googling can sometimes feel like a dice game when trying to sift for information. 'Preciate it.
"Don't you know all gamblers die broke?"
The stories of Grant's resistance to improvisation are so strongly stated that I don't believe he would ever go before the camera without his part being firmly established beforehand.
Ironic considering one of the most famous lines in THE PHILADELPHIA STORY is a line Grant improvised after Jimmy Stewart did a little improv himself.
Stewart: *Hiccup*
Grant: Excuse me
"Who's running this airline?!"
I have nothing to add, but suggest posting the question on the Classic Film Board, where I'm sure you'll get a learned response.
"Sometimes you have to take the bull by the tail, and face the truth" - G. Marx
[deleted]