Welles to Heston - They are wrecking "Touch of Evil"

Dearest Chuck:

I want you to read this before we talk—there are some points that should be made as unemotionally as possible, and I'm afraid I don't quite trust myself to keep the exposition of them as cool and clear as I'd like.

Your telegram has arrived in which you speak of yourself as "legally bound" to the studio. But this is the advice—not of your own lawyer—but "the legal department of MCA."

Even if I were not available, don't you think it would be sweetly reasonable on your part to insist on a certain standard of professional capacity and reputation in the choice of an alternate director?

UNLESS THE STUDIO IS STOPPED THEY ARE GOING TO WRECK OUR PICTURE—AND I MEAN WRECK IT, BECAUSE IT IS NOT THE KIND OF ONE-TWO-THREE, ABC VARIETY OF COMMERCIAL PRODUCT THAT CAN BE SLIGHTLY WRECKED. WITHOUT MY HELP THE RESULT WILL BE VERY MUCH LESS SATISFACTORY THAN THE MOST ORDINARY PROGAM ITEM, THE RESULT WILL NOT SIMPLY BE SOMETHING LESS THAN YOU HOPED. THE RESULT WILL BE GENUINELY BAD.

You must realize that if you have a financial interest in the picture, I have a professional one. If I were now directing another picture—or about to direct one—and if I hadn't been away so long, I might be tempted to write off my own investment as a bad loss. But as things are with me in this industry I simply cannot afford to sustain such a blow.

I'm heartsick at the though of having to involve you. But you really cannot avoid some involvement—now or later.

If you are tempted to think of yourself as the helpless victim of sinister Hollywood forces, over which you have no control, I must tell you that you're wrong. You aren't helpless at all, and it's well within your own power to save much of a rather large investment of time, money and—yes—love.

You can do this by getting a little tough now.

Much love as always,
Orson

Wellsnet has a  fascinating post about Heston's relationship with Orson Welles. Its based on Heston's diaries.

Interesting fact, Heston turned down Paths of Glory to do Touch of Evil.

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