Clash Of The Titans: The Hidden Collaboration Of William Wyler And David O. Selznick On Carrie (1952)

Unlike his many post-war successes, Wyler’s Carrie (1952) failed to satisfy the audiences and critics, despite the same strong story, technical brilliance and a star-studded cast that adorned Wyler’s most celebrated films of this period. This chapter suggests that one of the reasons for Carrie ’s failure was the interference of producer David O. Selznick. Archival materials show that Selznick commented on the casting, made numerous notes on the several versions of the screenplay, offered suggestions on the rough cut, and took active part in publicizing the finished film. This chapter looks at the uneasy collaboration between Wyler and Selznick, the give-and-take process it entailed, and argues that through his accommodations to Selznick, Wyler compromised his artistic vision. Author: Milan Hain