Elia Kazan Quotes

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Elia Kazan

Profession : Director

Birth : September 7, 1909

I gave my life to the Group Theatre, because in it I'm building something for myself. What I build, I am.

Elia Kazan

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

Elia Kazan

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

Elia Kazan

I may be getting old, but not foolish.

Elia Kazan

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

Elia Kazan

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

Elia Kazan

A film director has to get a shot, no matter what he does. We're desperate people.

Elia Kazan

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

Elia Kazan

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

Elia Kazan

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

Elia Kazan

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

Elia Kazan

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

Elia Kazan

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

Elia Kazan

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.

Elia Kazan

When you know what an actor has, you can reach in and arouse it. If you don't know what he has, you don't know what the hell is going on.

Elia Kazan

I said to Tennessee, this thing is becoming the Marlon Brando show.

Elia Kazan

The essence of the stage is concentration and penetration. Of the screen action, movement, sweep.

Elia Kazan

I think there should be collaboration, but under my thumb.

Elia Kazan

The physical life of the scene is determined by whether the set squeezes people together or whether the set has an escape place in it.

Elia Kazan

You have no idea how fragile an actor's self-worth is.

Elia Kazan