Chinatown (1974) ended a era of great film-making as the Old Hollywood morphed into the Corporate Hollywood of today. Sam Wasson explores the changes in Hollywood and the making of one of the great movies of all time in The Big Goodbye. All the elements aligned: Jack Nicholson was at the top of his game. Robert Towne wrote one of the greatest scripts of all time. Robert “The Kid” Evans produced the film. And enigmatic Roman Polanski, reeling from the incredible death of his wife, Sharon Tate, returns to Los Angeles to direct a classic. I watched the Blu-ray version of Chinatown before I read Sam Wasson’s The Big Goodbye. Wasson’s account of the making of the movie adds much information that I didn’t know about the film. If you’re a fan of Chinatown, don’t miss The Big Goodbye! GRADE: A
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
Introduction: First Goodbyes — 1
Part One: JUSTICE — 3
Part Two: EUCALYPTUS — 47
Part Three: THE MOUNTAIN — 143
Part Four: GITTES VS. GITTES — 291
Acknowledgements — 333
Notes — 335
Index — 383
Great minds think alike. Just started reading this this morning. ,I’m a big fan of Chinatown. Probably one of my top ten all time favorite movies.
A prequel series is currently in development by director David Fincher (Zodiac, Fight Club) and writer Robert Towne for Netflix.
I love reading these books that focus on one particular movie. Sunset Boulevard, Casablanca, and The Wild Bunch have all been given this treatment.
Steve, you’ll enjoy THE BIG GOODBYE. Like you, I enjoy books that concentrate on a single movie. David Fincher is a terrific director, one of my favorites!
Good movie, but I’ll never understand the final line and no one has been able to explain it to my satisfaction!
What beyond there’s little to be done in the face of hidden power and influence, and you aren’t allowed to win them all?
I love Chinatown. Roman Polanski—not so much. I think one of the things that makes it so atmospheric is the fabulous score by Jerry Goldsmith and all the great music of the era on the soundtrack, especially “I Can’t Get Started.”
Deb, you’re right about the atmospheric music in CHINATOWN. Jerry Goldsmith doesn’t get enough credit. Polanski has a checkered past.
And wasn’t it Polanski who wanted to push the incest angle? Towne most interested in the political shenanigans?
Todd, you’re right about Polansk’s interests. Wasson spends several thousand words sketching Polanski’s youth and the horrors he and his family endured. You can see why Polanski did some strange things…and why strange things happened to him.
I’ve never met anyone who loves movies who had a single negative word to say about “Chinatown” (except about Polanski), and it’s certainly one of the movies that made the Seventies Hollywood’s greatest decade. Even though I try to resist buying hardcovers, this looks like a must.
Michael, THE BIG GOODBYE will entertain and enlighten you.
This is what libraries are for, Michael.
I agree completely, Rick, and they’re the source of about 98% of the books I read. But this one has 40+ holds on it and would take months to get. So I’ll splurge.
Sounds great. I quote the movie frequently. Yes, Roman is bad, but he was chilling as “Man with Knife” who slashed Nicholson’s nose.
Jeff, I nearly jumped out of my seat when Roman wielded his knife! The blood jetting out was effective, too!
Of course, on your recommendation I read Wasson’s FIFTH AVENUE, 5 A.M. about Audrey Hepburn and BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY’S.
Jeff, Diane loves Audrey Hepburn and BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY’S is one of her favorite movies.
Can’t watch Breakfast at Tiffany ‘s. Mickey Rooney ruins it for me. Plus I hate Moon River.
Steve, fans of Romantic Comedies always fall for BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY’S. As a kid, I played the Henry Mancini soundtrack of BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY’S until the grooves wore out. I had to buy a replacement vinyl disc for my mother who loved the music and the movie.
Rooney is hard to take.
Sounds interesting, but my reading time is dedicated to books I need to review. If it were on audio, and my library had it, I’d give it a try.
I don’t remember much about Chinatown, it’s time to watch it again. Remember thinking Nicholson was great casting.
Maggie, I loved the Blu-ray version of CHINATOWN. Nicholson’s performance is legendary. Who else would wear a bandage on his face for much of a movie?
Bogart. DARK PASSAGE.
It’s a terrific movie, but I’ll pass on the book.
I agree with you on the Moon River score. I love Mancini, and Audrey Hepburn can do no wrong for me. Charade, Two for the Road, you name it.
Also agree with Steve on Rooney, an embarrassment.
Of course, Trump gat his interest rate cut by leveraging it with Corbin-19.
Damn, it changed it. That’s Corvid-19
Rick, the interest rate cut will not help with the coronavirus outbreak.
Bogart. DARK PASSAGE.