DIRECTOR NORMAN JEWISON ON MCQUEEN!

Director Norman Jewison

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Most of you know Norman Jewison's many movies perhaps without realizing it! So, I'll name some memorable ones: With Steve McQueen there was "The Cincinnati Kid" and "The Thomas Crown Affair". Others included "In the Heat of the Night" with Rod Steiger and Sydney Poitier, "Fiddler on the Roof" with Topol, "And Justice for All" with Al Pacino, "Moonstruck" with Cher and Nicolas Cage, and "Agnes of God" with Anne Bancroft. A brilliant Director, I chose to feature Norman's comments for this BLOG because, Norman worked very closely with and became friends with Steve McQueen.

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NORMAN JEWISON: "I think Steve was perfectly cast in "The Cincinnati Kid" (which we'll feature). I mean he was playing the part of a loner; he was playing the part of a guy who was exceptionally gifted with gambling. I remember meeting Steve. He was kind of cool, kind of testing me. I said "Tell me a little about yourself". So, Steve started telling me about his childhood. He was looking for a father. But he was a loner, and he was troubled and he was looking for a father. So, I said, "I can't be your father. But I can be your older brother, and I'll look out for ya. I'll always look out for ya". I think he bought that!

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"There was a wonderful chemistry between Tuesday Weld and Steve. They were both kind of loners and both kind of lost, and both very vulnerable. I loved his vulnerability on camera. He's what we call a shit-kicking actor. He's looking down at his foot all the time and Edward G. Robinson (in one of his final film appearances) didn't like that. He says (Norman impersonating Robinson): "I know something about acting, kid. He never looks me in the eye". It was interesting--that relationship because Eddie Robinson--in my opinion--was a 'star', a cultured man who spoke four languages. And here was Steve McQueen, the young rebel, the motorcycle rider. So that dramatic confrontation between Edward G. Robinson and Steve McQueen is wonderful!

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(On "The Thomas Crown Affair", which we'll feature): I was actually casting someone else and I said, "Steve. this guy is elegant, he plays Polo". And I said, "This is going to be very hard for you". And he said this is exactly why he wanted to do it. So, I gave in" (laughter).

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Tomorrow: Steve's Frequent Co-Star & Friend:

Actor Don Gordon!