Here’s an uncomfortable trainwreck of an experience that must have been painful and amusing to attend.
At a recent Q&A session for their classic Woody Guthrie biopic “Bound For Glory,” directed by the late and estimable Hal Ashby, actor David Carradine and lauded cinematography Haskell Wexler (who won an Academy Award for his work on the film and is one of the most treasured cinematographers of the ’60s and ’70s) began participating in an unexpected verbal sparring match to the surprise of all in the audience.
The disagreement was catalyzed when Wexler continued to discuss technical aspects of the film’s production despite Carradine efforts to change the topic. Wexler was then met with a barrage of insults and the hypothetical bell rang for round one.
Carradine reportedly proceeded to describe the Oscar-winning cinematographer’s work on the film like it had been “shot through a glass of milk” and repeatedly stated that Wexler “got an Academy Award for ruining [his] movie.” Carradine then told the audience of how the director of the film, the dearly departed Hal Ashby, had wanted to fire Wexler but was advised against it by Carradine who suggested “if you fire somebody, they just go out in the parking lot and steal your hubcaps.”
Wexler, who had been patiently waiting, responded to Carradine by claiming that Ashby’s intentions of firing him were influenced by the rampant cocaine use that was popular on set. He then describes that “the next day, I went to work, and I was the UNFIRED director of photography. Now, that’s the goddamned truth!”
Carradine, not wanting to give Wexler the last word, then fired back stating “I don’t think that changes my story. Except that Haskell is a little down on people who snort cocaine.” This was followed by the retelling of his experiences with cocaine-abusing Ashby but concluded that his drug use should not overshadow his talent that was on exhibition that night. He then waved a white flag stating that despite his opinions, Wexler’s work was genius.
Things had finally calmed down. But it didn’t last long. Like a stick of dynamite just waiting for the slightest of sparks to ignite, the calm conversation took a turn for the worst. The exact blow for blow script of the second round of arguing is courtesy of this Huffington Post column and began with a simple question from Carradine directed at Wexler regarding the name of a crew member;
DC: “Do you remember the name of the guy that was the handheld camera guy, that used the suitcase camera?”
HW: “Do I remember it? How do you think it got in this film, David? Who do you think planned it? Who did the shots? Look, David, you fucking…”
DC: “I’m not talking about credit, I’m just asking for the guy’s name.”
HW: “Wait a second, David…”
DC: “What did I do? I just asked for the guy’s name.”
HW: “Do they [the audience] know what a director of photography does? – Hearing David with all his explanations about all these cameras and the suitcase camera…Where the hell did you get all this expertise?”
DC: “Uh, I was there. My only question was, what’s the name of that guy who operated the suitcase camera?”
HW: “YOU WERE IN THE TRAILER TILL YOU GOT CALLED OUT!”
DC: “Do you know it?”
HW: “I didn’t come here for combat…but I also didn’t come here to be demeaned for what my contribution to that film is.”
DC: “Okay, anyway, since he doesn’t know the name of the guy, he had a suitcase that had a camera in it and he could push it and make it go…”
HW: “I’m gonna give up now. First of all, half the shots in [those scenes] were not for the suitcase…”
DC: “Half of em!”
HW: “David, I don’t know if I can take any more of this bull.”
Silence then awkwardly ensued and was followed a long rendition of the film’s title song by Carradine in front of an obviously shocked crowd. The night concluded as Carradine admitted that, despite personal differences, he had an immense respect for Wexler and wishes he had been able to work him again. Wexler responded moments later saying he “knew [Carradine] would not disappoint.” They briefly hugged and ended what would surely was a weird, uncomfortable experience for all involved.
The irony icing on the cake, the Beverly Hills Film Festival will honor Haskell Wexler next month with its second annual Legends Award on April 5. He also won an Academy Award for his excellent work on the classic melodrama, “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf,” and while the venerable Nestor Alemendros was the photographer awarded the Academy Award for his “Days Of Heaven” work on Terrence Malick’s 1979 film, Wexler actually finished the film the photography as Spanish cinematographer was reportedly going during the filmmaking and or had to leave the production, depending on which legendary story you believe.
Either way, Carradine will undoubtedly not find an invite in the mail.