The Kid Stays in the Picture (2002)

Directors: Nanette Burstein & Brett Morgen

Starring: Robert Evans and a shitload of celebrities by way of photographs

More info: IMDb

Tagline: Success. Scandal. Sex. Tragedy. Infamy. And that's just the first reel...

Plot: This documentary captures the life story of legendary Hollywood producer and studio chief Robert Evans. The first actor to ever to run a film studio, Robert Evans' film career started in 1956, poolside at the Beverly Hills Hotel. His good looks, charm and overwhelming confidence captured the eye of screen legend Norma Shearer, who offered him a film role. After a glamorous--but short-lived--career as a movie star, Evans tried out producing. At the age of 34, with no producing credits to his name, he landed a job as chief of production at Paramount Pictures. Evans ran the studio from 1966-1974. During his tenure, he was responsible for such revolutionary films as The Godfather, Rosemary's Baby, Love Story, The Odd Couple, Harold and Maude and Chinatown. By the early '80s, the Golden Boy of Hollywood was losing his luster. After a failed marriage to Ali MacGraw, a cocaine bust and rumored involvement with the Cotton Club murder, he disappeared into near-obscurity. Only through tremendous will and uncanny luck did he once again rise as the kid who stays in the picture.

My rating: 9/10

Will I watch it again? Ch'yeah!

EXCELLENT documentary. I loved how they took Evans' recording of his audio book and brought countless photographs to life. It's marvelous. Evans led a fascinating life and it would be interesting to see what he would have accomplished if he hadn't fucked up his career with drugs and shit. He had great line delivery, though. His heyday was the late 60s through the mid 70s and for a while, he was king of the world. I'm a sucker for movies about movies or anything really with the industry.


I've always wanted to be involved in the picture business (who hasn't?) and I'd like to think that it could happen. I should just shut up about it and make my own damn movies. Alright, that's it. I'm officially putting out a casting call for girls who'll get topless for art. It doesn't pay but there'll be sandwiches.