To watch Kazan’s staging is a pleasure.
He emanated vibrations you couldn’t help
catching. He knew how to use a location,
including an accident. When Eva Marie Saint
accidentally dropped her glove and Brando
picked it up, this was the take we used. When
a passing tugboat’s whistle drowned out the
dialogue (Brando’s expression of guilt), Kazan
let the expression of horror on Eva’s face speak
for itself. Few filmmakers have the ability to let
the accident replace the preconception. All
through Waterfront, Baby Doll, and Splendor
in the Grass, I never saw a conventional or
uninspired staging.

BORIS KAUFMAN

Opposite page:
Photo courtesy of the Wesleyan Cinema Archives.