Oral Histories
Interview of George Cukor (1969)
Film director.
- Subtitle:
- Recollections of George Cukor
- Series:
- Oral History of the Motion Picture in America
- Topic:
- Film and Television
- Biographical Note:
- Film director.
- Interviewee:
- Cukor, George
- Supporting Documents:
- Records relating to the interview are located in the office of the UCLA Library's Center for Oral History.
- Length:
- 1 hr.
- Language:
- English
- Copyright:
- Interviewee Retained Copyright
- Series Statement:
- These interviews with prominent individuals in the motion picture industry were completed under a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities and the American Film Institute to the UCLA Department of Theater Arts. The project was directed by Howard Suber, UCLA Department of Theater Arts. The UCLA Oral History Program provided technical advice but was not involved in respondent selection, research participation, research preparation, interviewing, editing, or transcript preparation.
- Abstract:
- Training in theater direction in New York; arrival in Hollywood during early stages of sound technology; work as dialogue director on Booth Tarkington film; danger of becoming too involved in technical aspects of filming; Spencer Tracy's lack of concern over placement of camera; need for top quality technical help; work with Del Andrews on All Quiet on the Western Front; the director's function; Alfred Hitchcock's use of camera; effect of theater work on film direction; importance of good text; identification as director of comedies; work with Ernst Lubitsch; difficulties with journalists and interviewers; Angela Lansbury; move from Paramount Pictures to RKO; work with David O. Selznick; view of career progression.