On the Waterfront

by Joanna E. Rapf (Editor )

In order to comprehensively examine one of the most important films of the Hollywood canon, these essays analyze the screenplay, Elia Kazan as director, Budd Schulberg as screenplay writer, Leonard Bernstein's score, and the reception of the film in classrooms. Collectively, they demonstrate how and why this film has been an enduring favorite among cineastes and movie buffs alike. A preface by Budd Schulberg, contemporary reviews, and reproductions of stills complete the volume.

212 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

Reviews

[Joseph · Rating 4 out of 5]

Screenwriter Budd Schulberg was initially a novelist before Elia Kazan, famous director of Streetcar Named Desire asked him to conceive a picture (not Hollywood movie) in the east with him. At the time, screenwriting was not always seen as a respectable line of work. They actually went down to the docks for an entire year as primary research and were fascinated with the mythic concept of the "waterfront priest." Their valiant efforts were initially shut down hard by producer Darryl Zanuck before anchoring to critical final form.

Unique words and phrases in chronological order:

"blazing light" (3)
"effective whistle" (3)
"youthful, rather sensitive" (4)
"raises the pigeon into the air and, inexplicably, releases it" (5)
"singing in a hoarse voice" (5)
"anxious glance" (5)
"providing no further avenue of escape for Joey" (6)

"Joey gestures" (7)
"rather handsome if a little too smooth, in his late thirties" (8)
"quick-witted and affable" (7)

"small potbelly" (9)
"careworn woman" (9)
"fresh-faced, sensitive" (11)
"not tough in a conventional way" (13)
"swaggers for their benefit" (26)
"stands crestfallen" (28)
"She smiles in spite of herself" (29)
"Waiting silently, hopefully" (29)

"makes a beeline" (32)
"smoldering anger" (33)
"horn loudly" (34)

"figures of saints, but all is utter simplicity" (39)
"lingers behind them, frightened" (43)
"She looks at him wonderingly" (45)
"a flock of pigeons sweep by" (50)
"unfamiliar emotion he is feeling for her" (51)
"trembles with emotion" (54)

"nicely silhouetted" (55)
"stopping to admire her" (55)
"fancy lettering" (56)

"Several pigeons swoop down" (56)
"both strangely upset" (58)

"well-oiled" (59)
"with amusement" (60)
"Hope he has better luck" (61)

"spark of romance" (63)
"Fixing Joey" (63)
"She looks at him with disturbing simplicity" (66)
"unexpected enjoyment of a stolen moment" (67)
"tortured confusion" (70)
"crying softly without sobs" (71)
"does a little jig and kisses" (74)
"reveals surreptitiously" (75)
"general laughter continues" (78)

"listens intently" (81)
"a deeply felt gratitude in her eyes" (82)
"imperceptibly trembling against desire" (83)
"soft sound of pigeons cooing" (85)
"exercising the pigeons" (91)
"now he becomes sullen" (94)

"informal kangaroo court" (96)

"wild-eyed" (106)
"they cling to each other" (108)
"very casual attitude" (112)

"follows him" (113)
"everyone is laughing" (115)
"beaming with self-confidence" (119)

"She follows desperately" (126)
"the determination in him seems to be constantly mounting" (127)

"instinctively move" (128)
"feeling guilty for their passivity" (129)
"apologetic gesture" (130)

"ready to finish the job" (134)

Obvi good for people who like pigeons. :-)