FILM 2042: AUTUMN LEAVES
FILM 2042: AUTUMN LEAVES
TRIVIA: The original screenwriters, the husband and wife team of Jean Rouverol and Hugo Butler, did not receive screen credit, as they were blacklisted at the time of production. Jack Jevne received credit instead.
Joan Crawford wanted Marlon Brando to be her co-star. He declined, saying, "I'm not interested in doing any mother-son films at the present time."
In an interview for a much later documentary on Joan Crawford, Cliff Robertson recounts his first meeting with her, at her house. Already somewhat intimidated by working with the legendary Crawford, he is let in, then hears her call from poolside, where she's sunning, "Come on out, dear boy. We've been waiting for you." Robertson has nothing but admiration for Crawford's talent and incredible technical disciple. At one point, Director Robert Aldrich wanted Crawford to cry, but only slightly. A tear or two. "Which eye?" Robertson recalls Crawford asking. Then repeats the anecdote, amazed, "'Which EYE?'"
The film's original title was "The Way We Are", but this was changed to capitalize on the success of the Nat "King" Cole song "Autumn Leaves", which was enjoying considerable popularity at the time.
