Farewell for Seniors

The incredible true story of the making of Chinatown, the Holy Grail of 1970s cinema, is presented for the first time in Sam Wasson's The Big Goodbye. In this captivating narrative, the story of Chinatown becomes the defining story of the most colorful characters in the most colorful period of Hollywood history.

At the heart of this tale is the commanding presence of Jack Nicholson, whose performance as the lead actor in the film cemented his status as one of the most compelling movie stars of all time. Nicholson's great, doomed love affair with the stunning Anjelica Huston is a central thread that runs through the story.

Alongside Nicholson, the book shines a spotlight on the enigmatic figure of director Roman Polanski, whose own personal history as both predator and prey lends a haunting and complex dimension to the making of the film. Polanski's return to Los Angeles, the scene of the savage death of his wife, sets the stage for the seeds of his own self-destruction to be sown.

The fevered dealmaking of "The Kid" Robert Evans, the consummate producer, is another key aspect of the story. Evans' relentless drive and vision were instrumental in bringing Chinatown to the screen, and Wasson's account provides a fascinating glimpse into the inner workings of the Hollywood machine.

Underpinning it all is the fabled script by Robert Towne, widely considered the greatest original screenplay ever written. Wasson peels back the layers of myth to provide the unvarnished account of its creation, offering readers a deeper understanding of the creative process that gave birth to this cinematic masterpiece.

Through meticulous research and vivid storytelling, Wasson has crafted a captivating portrait of the making of Chinatown, a film that has endured as a landmark of American cinema. The book's exploration of the complex personalities and power dynamics at play in the world of Hollywood provides a compelling window into the tumultuous and colorful era that gave rise to this iconic work.

Ultimately, The Big Goodbye is a must-read for fans of Chinatown, devotees of classic Hollywood, and anyone with an interest in the intricacies of the filmmaking process. Wasson's masterful weaving of historical detail and human drama creates a richly textured and thoroughly engrossing account that will leave readers with a newfound appreciation for the creative forces that converged to produce one of the greatest films of the 20th century.

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