The Kid Stays In The Picture - Page 2

Author: Ed Driscoll — Published: Jul 01, 2003 at 4:38 pm 2 comments

"Capt. Spaulding", aka Daniel Frank, an LA comedy writer and blogger had this to say about the film:

The narration is taken from the audio version of his autobiography (a great gift for the upcoming birthday of a certain blogger). This audiobook became a cult classic due to Evans baritone delivery and use of dopey metaphors ("Look, my ass isn't just on the line; it's out the door") and rhetorical questions (It was the basis of the Mr Show's God's Book on Tape sketch).

His depiction of events should, of course, be taken with many grains of salt. I mean, he takes credit for women wearing pants. [Evans' was a partner in the Evan Picone fashion empire-Ed.]

It's tough to stop imitating him:

Will I keep asking rhetorical questions like Robert Evans? Very likely. Will it get annoying? Of course. Will somebody punch me to make me stop? You betcha. Will I stop? Not on your life.

I'm handed the comic strip Cathy. I say "Gentlemen, this is our next picture. Except we're going to replace the whiny broad with a muscle-bound sailor. We'll get that Mork guy to star. If he's not available, we'll get that Jap from that science-fiction show." And so Popeye was born.

That's pretty much Evans' style in a nutshell.

So did I enjoy The Kid Stays In The Picture? Absolutely. Would I watch it again? I've already watched about two and half times since I recorded it off the dish. Would I recommend that you see it? If you dig Hollywood history, you bet your ass I would, baby.

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  • 1 - Captain Spaulding

    Jul 01, 2003 at 7:59 pm

    My assistant tells me I got an email from an Ed Driscoll saying that he quoted me in his blogcritics review. I said "You tell Driscoll that if he wants trouble, well, pal, he's just grabbed the brass ring of trouble."

    For the record, I now own the audio version of the book. I wouldn't turn down the DVD though.

    And not to toot my horn but here's my version of the Evans-Kissinger story:

          In March 1972, we were having the premiere of the delayed Godfather. Paramount's Christmas gift to the world was now its Arbor Day gift to the world. We needed somebody big to attend the premiere.
          "Get Henry Kissinger on the phone." I'm told he's in conference with the President. "Tell him Bob Evans wants to talk to him." He returns my call faster than a junior reporter at E! "Hank, I need you to come to the premiere tonight." "I can't Bob, I'm going overseas tomorrow." "No, you're going to my premiere first." He was there.
          I later learned that Henry's overseas trip was to negotiate an end to the Vietnam War. How much longer did the war last because Henry wasn't at his best at the negotiations? Another two years. How many soldiers died as a result? About three hundred thousand. Do their ghosts haunt me? I haven't slept in twenty years. Would I do it again? You bet your sweet bippy.

  • 2 - cBq%3BLa_KVMj

    Jan 17, 2004 at 9:31 pm

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