The Way They Were - How Epic Battles and Bruised Egos Brought a Classic Hollywood Love

The first ever account of the making of the cinematic classic It’s one of the greatest movie romances of all time. Fifty years on, the chemistry between Barbra Streisand as Jewish working-class firebrand Katie Morosky and Robert Redford as all-American golden boy Hubbell Gardiner remains potent. Yet ­the friction and controversy surrounding Impeccably researched and eye-opening, here is the full story behind the challenges, rivalries, and real-life romance surrounding the movie. Even the iconic casting was fraught. Screenwriter Arthur Laurents wrote the role of Katie with Streisand in mind, but finding Hubbell was another matter. Redford was reluctant to play what he perceived as the “Ken doll” to Streisand’s lead, resulting in ten writers--among them Francis Ford Coppola--being called in to rework the script. The first preview was disastrous. Several scenes were cut, angering Streisand and Laurents, yet the new version was a resounding success, and its appeal endures, earning it a regular spot in the AFI’s annual Top 10 movie romances.

About the author

Robert Hofler

Product details

• Authors: Robert Hofler, Hofler Robert
• Publisher: Kensington Publishing
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 21.01.2025
• EAN: 9780806542331
• ISBN: 978-0-8065-4233-1
• No. of pages: 304
• Dimensions: 139 mm x 210 mm x 20 mm
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > Art > Theatre, ballet; BIOGRAPHY & AUTOBIOGRAPHY / Entertainment & Performing Arts, Films, cinema, PERFORMING ARTS / Film / History & Criticism, PERFORMING ARTS / Film / Direction & Production