Co-Workers Of Old Hollywood Stars Share The Eye-Opening Impressions They Left
When we think of the Golden Age of Hollywood, we picture glamorous stars, glitzy movies, and stunning style. But were the biggest names of the era as enchanting as their on-screen personas would have us believe? Let’s just say that some of Tinseltown’s greatest stars often left surprising impressions on their co-workers. And these incredible quotes about Hollywood’s good, bad, and ugly are insanely revealing.
1. Katharine Hepburn
“Hepburn was extraordinary… She gave me this one piece of good advice: ‘Don’t act, you don’t have to act, you’ve got good shoulders, a good voice… Watch Spencer Tracy and Humphrey Bogart.’ I had a wonderful time working with her; she was very generous, very tough as well. No lateness on the set, no unprofessionalism.” — Anthony Hopkins talking at BAFTA’s Life in Pictures in 2012. He co-starred with Hepburn in 1968’s The Lion in Winter.
2. Humphrey Bogart
“Sometimes you’ll have a rough time, and the film will turn out all right. On Sabrina, I had a very rough time with Humphrey Bogart. It was the first time he’d worked with Paramount. Every evening after shooting, people would have a drink in my office, and a couple of times I forgot to invite him. He was very angry and never forgave me.” — Billy Wilder, who directed Bogart in 1954’s Sabrina, speaking in a 1996 issue of The Paris Review.
3. Bette Davis
“I resent her. I don’t see how she built a career out of a set of mannerisms instead of real acting ability. Take away the pop-eyes, the cigarette, and those funny clipped words, and what have you got? She’s phony, but I guess the public likes that.” — Joan Crawford, who co-starred with Davis in 1962’s What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?, in 1980’s Conversations with Joan Crawford by Roy Newquist.
4. James Stewart
“He was the quintessential American face. He taught me a lot when I was starting out. Jimmy had the best attitude and work habits… I also learned a great deal from just watching how he conducted himself in public. He loved the work and respected the people who made him a star. He was a role model and inspiration.” — Charlton Heston, who co-starred with Stewart in 1952’s The Greatest Show on Earth, speaking to Variety in 1997.
