One of the most original, rebellious, and idiosyncratic directors in the American cinema, Nicholas Ray lived and worked with an intensity equal to that of his films. Best known for his direction of James Dean in Rebel Without a Cause (1955), he is also well regarded for his cult western Johnny Guitar (1954), and such prestigious noir classics as On Dangerous Ground (1951). I Was Interrupted offers a provocative selection of the filmmaker's writings, lectures, interviews, and more.
I Was Interrupted Nicholas Ray on Making Movies
About the Book
Reviews
"Now, at last, we have a book by and about Nicholas Ray (along with a moving and very beautiful introduction by Susan Ray). If you have any interest in this man, his life and work, filmmaking, or movies and art in general, read I Was Interrupted."—Jim JarmuschTable of Contents
Acknowledgments
The Autobiography of Nicholas Ray, by Susan Ray
Nicholas Ray: A Biographical Outline, by Bernard Eisenschitz
IN CLASS I
INTRODUCTION AND GROUND RULES
Learning and Teaching
I am concerned with the state ...
IN CLASS II
MONOLOGUE; CONCENTRATION; ACTION; EYES;
CONTROL OF EMOTIONAL MEMORY
I hate to bore people ...
In a Peapod
IN CLASS III
BACKSTORY; PREPARATION; FALSE START;
DIRECTOR'S RELAXATION
Cutting
The second concern tonight ...
IN CLASS IV
SENSE MEMORY; SHOWING AND FORCING;
WHAT TIME IS IT?
I was thinking about a man ...
Color
The Black Method
IN CLASS V
TIME WAITS; ACTION; ANTICIPATING; "SIT ON IT"
"Don't Fuck With a Natural"
IN CLASS VI
THE CAMERA; INVOLUNTARY PERFORMANCE
IN CLASS VII
SCRIPT BREAKDOWN
Naturals
James Dean: The Actor as a Young Man
IN CLASS VIII
ARTIFICE; USE OF OBJECTS;
PLAYING SHAKESPEARE; "HIT-THE-MARK" ACTING
IN CLASS IX
ACTION INTO THOUGHT; THE HERO
H. H.
IN CLASS X
CHARACTERIZATIONS
A New Theatre
On Richard III
IN CLASS XI
THE PARTY
Homage to the Film Buff
The attitude toward today ...
IN CLASS XII
THE FORGER
Backgammon. Alarm rings ....
IN CLASS XIII
THE FORGER (cont'd.)
Death and Children
IN CLASS XIV
THE FORGER (cont'd.)
I Hate a Script
IN CLASS XV
WRAP-UP
Written but not sent to Wim Wenders
Written but not sent to a forger
We Can't Go Home Again
Lightning Over Water
And when the time comes ...
"He realized he was witnessing .. . "
Mr. Inside Out
Filmography, by Bernard Eisenschitz
Index