Theaters are shut, production postponed, dealmaking stalled and writers are twisting in the wind. Given these conditions, it’s perversely appropriate that the hottest new book about the movie business is focused on an angst-ridden writer. The Big Goodbye doesn’t try to make the writing trade seem like fun, but the creation of Chinatown is steeped in so much drama and pathos that Sam Wasson’s book has propelled itself onto bestseller lists.
In writing his Chinatown script, Bob Towne’s agony was such that he became the only writer I can recall who actually hired his own ghost writer. And paid him. (Towne himself wrote almost all the script.)
More from DeadlinePeter Bart: 'Social Distancing' Will Also Expand Our Digital DependencyCésar Awards: Roman Polanski Wins Spark Strong Reaction; Adèle Haenel Exits CeremonyCésar Awards: Roman Polanski Wins Best Director, Spurring Walkouts; Ladj Ly's 'Les Misérables' Best Film -...
In writing his Chinatown script, Bob Towne’s agony was such that he became the only writer I can recall who actually hired his own ghost writer. And paid him. (Towne himself wrote almost all the script.)
More from DeadlinePeter Bart: 'Social Distancing' Will Also Expand Our Digital DependencyCésar Awards: Roman Polanski Wins Spark Strong Reaction; Adèle Haenel Exits CeremonyCésar Awards: Roman Polanski Wins Best Director, Spurring Walkouts; Ladj Ly's 'Les Misérables' Best Film -...
- 3/20/2020
- by Peter Bart
- Deadline Film + TV
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