Budd Schulberg, RIP

August 6th, 2009 at 08:44am Will Pfeifer

Screenwriter (and novelist) Budd Schulberg died Wednesday at the age of 95. He’s best known for writing ON THE WATERFRONT, including Brando’s “I coulda been a contender” speech, which ranks with the most famous bits of screenwriting in movie history. Here, on the off chance you’ve never seen it (or on the good chance you’d like to see it again) is that scene…

 

But as great as ON THE WATERFRONT is — and don’t get me wrong, it’s plenty great — my favorite Schulberg movie is A FACE IN THE CROWD, also directed by Elia Kazan. Andy Griffith is mesmerizing delivering Schulberg’s fiery dialogue, including this bit…

Offscreen, Schulberg is best known for writing WHAT MAKES SAMMY RUN? the definitive Hollywood novel that, so far, has remained unfilmed. (Ben Stiller has been trying to bring it to the screen for years.) If you’re looking to pay tribute to a true Hollywood great — one who toiled behind the scenes — I’d highly recommend an ON THE WATERFRONT/FACE IN THE CROWD double feature. You’ll be entertained — and you’ll see just how talented Budd Schulberg was.

Entry Filed under: writers, Deaths