Vivien was great in this film. I thought that Warren Beatty was just awful. He only got the part because his sister was Shirley M. There were so many young guys who would have been much better choices. Even Tony Dow or Frankie Avalon would have been more macho as the young street trick..... Watch the film again , Beatty was just terrible. I think they should have replaced him early on...just no talent at all.........
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On the DVD you can hear how Warren got the part. He didn't need to do much to change Tennessee Williams' mind to cast him instead of the other actor (who, by the way, had not signed anything yet, he'd just been considered and informed about that). Both Williams and Vivien Leigh (who had leading man approval in her contract) were ecstatic with Beatty. Viewing his performance, considering it was just his second movie and that he was exactly half Vivien's age, I think he did a surprisingly good job. Certainly after reading many horrible reviews, I was pleasantly surprised by his take on the part. Contrary to what many, apparent, Beatty haters like to think, Warren played a complete opposite to his own character. Anybody who knows Beatty, knows that the sweet, shy Bud Stamper of "Splendor In The Grass" was much closer to his personality. William Inge had completely written that character and his family largely based on his acquaintance with Beatty and the things he knew about his family.
Beatty felt a bit uncomfortable in such a revealing role, thinking it hit a bit too close to home. That is why for his second movie he wanted to play a character as far removed from himself as possible. When he heard about the plans to film "Roman Spring...." he borrowed money to persue Williams to get the part. Like I said in the beginning: it took him one clever trick and one reading to get it. Williams was no fool. And once he had shared his preference for Beatty, Vivien Leigh immediately joined him in his choice. When doubts arose on whether to really let Beatty sign, Leigh played her "leading man approval card" and THAT's the way Warren got the part. Vivien Leigh adored him, and Beatty had admired her since seeing her in Gone With the Wind as a kid. They became friends, but ultimately that didn't help the movie at the box office, much to Beatty's disappointment sending him back into insecurity about his career choice. Much later, though, the movie did become a cult hit, and the reviews - certainly regarding his performance - became much milder and positive. Personally I don't think his foreign (Italian) accent is the worst fake accent in movie history. Nick Nolte (Lorenzo's Oil) must be the winner in that department.
Warren played a complete opposite to his own character.
He dated many women, yes, but in nothing did he treat them the way this GIGOLO treated his business i.e. women. It's a shame that so many people have such a wrong idea about Warren, largely based on tabloid myth. If he'd really treated the people, that includes his many ex-es, so badly, then why is 99% of them still friends with him?
shareI'm actually a big fan of Warren's films, especially this one.
I've heard that in at least one school of acting, it's advised to maintain your own identity while assuming the character you wish to represent so as to help to provide a foundation on which to build the character; an idea which Elizabeth Taylor was said to agree with as she said she had "experienced" at least to some degree, many of her roles before she played them.
I've heard Warren say in interviews that he was hesitant to take a vow that said "till death do us part." That's cool, far be it from me to rain on his parade.
That being said, it would seem logical that a man who has "dated many women" would surely then be a primary choice to play Paolo regardless of the sentiments of those who had passed through the revolving door.
p.s. Surely someone somewhere must have shed a tear as he left.
FYI, Andros. When "Mrs. Stone" was filmed, Warren was 23. He lost his virginity at 20. At that point he still was a far cry from the experienced ladies man he would become as his life progressed..... This was just his second movie, and at the time of filming he was engaged to Joan Collins, his first real love.
shareOh yes, it seems I remember reading about Warren and Joan. They would have made a fine looking couple. My favorite date of Warren's was Julie Christie. I thought they were smashing together.
Perhaps it's simply a case of art imitating life or possibly life imitating art. Some people believe nothing happens by chance. Personally I enjoyed Warren very much in the role. His entire "sensual" presentation upon first meeting Mrs. Stone was sensational and also the way he gazed deeply into her eyes during their lunch on the patio when he said "Everyone is drifting..," giving her his full attention as though she was the only person alive.
Perhaps the entire performance was merely the result of good directing.
Dominique2^
"He dated many women, yes, but in nothing did he treat them the way this GIGOLO treated his business i.e. women. It's a shame that so many people have such a wrong idea about Warren, largely based on tabloid myth. If he'd really treated the people, that includes his many ex-es, so badly, then why is 99% of them still friends with him?"
Years ago, I saw Glenn Close on some late-night show (maybe Letterman?).
Anyway, she had just become hot box office stuff at the time, and she was telling stories about various celebs she had been meeting and their being nice to her at different events, except for Warren B. She told a story about them both being at some gala dinner -- they had been sat next to each other, and Ms. Close, trying to make polite conversation, said something to Warren B. about how good the food was, and she said he turned toward her, looked at her rudely and said something like "Why should I care?" and proceeded to snub her the remainder of the night. She said that she felt quite embarrassed, as if she had done something wrong, and was quite taken aback at his rude manner.
Now, I am taking this from memory, so I might not have all the exact wording of what happened quite right. But, that was the main gist of it and Warren B. did NOT sound like a nice man, at least according to her telling of this story.
"I can't stand a naked light bulb, any more than..a rude remark or a vulgar action" Blanche DuBois
Dominique2...I don't know where you got your info from. On the set in London Vivian and Warren never did get along. Maybe years later after Vivien died somebody is trying to re-write history. The only person Vivian was close to on the set was Lottie Lenya who she knew from stage plays in New York and London.....Read a few books on Vivian's life and you will feel the low opinion she had about Warren B.......
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by - liberalcajun Dominique2...I don't know where you got your info from. On the set in London Vivian and Warren never did get along. Maybe years later after Vivien died somebody is trying to re-write history. The only person Vivian was close to on the set was Lottie Lenya who she knew from stage plays in New York and London.....Read a few books on Vivian's life and you will feel the low opinion she had about Warren B.......
It was Alan Bates who was first considered for the role.
shareDominique2, I also completely disagree with you. I'm a great Vivien's fan and have almost every bio of her. And there is nothing more embarassing than saying she had a crush on him. She played cards with him and Joan on the set, I saw the pictures too. But she was cold towards him. She was a lady and was not rude, but she did not consider his acting really good. Vivien was very ill then, it's a fact, but she was in a beautiful relationship with John Merivale since the late 50's and had not any other love/sex-relationship with other men during her last years of life.
shareby carrie_pl-1 (Sun Jul 1 2007 02:11:46) Ignore this User | Report Abuse
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Dominique2, I also completely disagree with you. I'm a great Vivien's fan and have almost every bio of her. And there is nothing more embarassing than saying she had a crush on him. She played cards with him and Joan on the set, I saw the pictures too. But she was cold towards him. She was a lady and was not rude, but she did not consider his acting really good. Vivien was very ill then, it's a fact, but she was in a beautiful relationship with John Merivale since the late 50's and had not any other love/sex-relationship with other men during her last years of life.
Dominique2, where do you get all your misinformation?
shareby phowell1 1 day ago (Sat Jul 28 2007 04:15:55) Ignore this User | Report Abuse
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Dominique2, where do you get all your misinformation?
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by - phowell1 on Sun Jul 29 2007 09:18:44
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Dominique2, the mere fact that you didn't answer my question is evidence enough that you just make this crap up.
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by phowell1 2 hours ago (Tue Aug 7 2007 11:23:37) Ignore this User | Report Abuse
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Dominique2 claims to get her information from some yahoo who had his first job on the movie. Who knew some retard who swept the floors could be so knowledgable? He told you that Beatty lost his virginity at the age of 20? Is he psychic, or did Warren happen to mention this while they were in bed together?
You are hilarious. What comedy club will you be appearing in next?
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The accent was a little dodgy but there is nothing wrong with Warren's interpretation of the part. He and Vivien Leigh spark off each other nicely and he is heart-meltingly good-looking. An excellent cast - Coral Browne was also very good as was Lotte Lenya as the loathsome procuress.
shareIt took a while for me to adjust to Beatty's accent but I thought his performance was otherwise fine. He oozed arrogance and I completely bought him as someone who would ruthlessly use someone else's feelings for financial gain.
We'll see whose the filthiest person alive! We'll just see!
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I realize this is an old thread. But Warren and Vivien DID NOT GET ALONG.
That has been written about in a few books.
They're both two of my favorites, but sadly they did not like each other.
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I'm reading a gossipy bio on Tennessee Williams, and the story of Beatty pursuing Williams for the role is told in great detail by author Dotson Rader (a personal friend of Williams). Apparently Beatty tracked him down in Cuba and all but offered himself on a silver platter to Williams after doing a read-through for him. Williams declined and told Beatty he had the role as far as he was concerned. Whether or not this anecdote is completely true, it's obvious that Beatty desperately wanted the role, and Williams thought he was right for the part. As in many cases, things don't always translate to the screen perfectly. Take Taylor & Newman in 'Cat on a Hot Tin Roof': Better casting could not have been hoped for, especially in a lush, colour production. But their lack of chemistry shown through, whether it was due to Liz grieving over her recently dead husband or Newman not being totally convincing as washed-up Brick.
Was Beatty the right choice for this role? Who can say for sure, though timing, luck, and who you know trump everything else in Hollywood.
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I kept thinking he was George Hamilton. He has a similar look to GH in this movie. I'm guessing today, that Warren Beatty cringes when he is reminded of his awful accent. I don't understand how the director or producers let it slide. Maybe they figured the audience wouldn't know any better.
Always the officiant, never the bride. http://www.withthiskissitheewed.com
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I don't know if it was a box office success at the time.
But just to see Ms. Leigh's performance, it is worth watching.
Always the officiant, never the bride. http://www.withthiskissitheewed.com
But Warren was soooooooooooooo BEAUTIFUL! His looks made me understand why Mrs. Stone fell for him- pride be damned.
Even Oliver Martinez, who is French I think, did a horrible accent for the remake. It must be quite hard to do an Italian accent.
Warren is so pretty to look at in this film. And he is so young. His acting ability did improve a great deal (Bonnie and Clyde and "REDS"). But his main draw was always his stunning looks. And he stayed good looking a LONG time.
I fell in love with him as a child watching "Bonnie and Clyde" on t.v. and he really influenced my taste in men. I married a tall brunette man with a very pleasing face. And I LOVE Brad Pitt, Johnny Depp, and Leonardo DiCaprio. The movies have always been full of gorgeous women who couldn't act (Marilyn Monroe in her early films) and so it's only fair that they cast such a gorgeous actor in this film- where his young, good looks are the main part of the film. Frankie Avalon or Tony Dow wouldn't have cut it.
And his fake tan is quite funny. But it came back into fashion a few years ago with all of the "It Girls" walking around orange- a.k.a. Paris Hilton.