Skip to main content Skip to footer site map
S38E4: Blake Edwards: A Love Story in 24 Frames | Clip

When Blake Edwards gave filmmaker Rob Marshall his iconic viewfinder

SHARE

In this outtake from “Blake Edwards: A Love Story in 24 Frames,” Rob Marshall recounts the touching moment when Blake Edwards gifted him his trusted viewfinder to celebrate the release of Marshall’s first film “Chicago” (2002).

TRANSCRIPT

- Can I show you something?

So there's something I have here.

After "Chicago" came out, I think he was so thrilled by the film, and he couldn't believe that it was my first feature film, he was just so knocked out by it.

And he was so incredibly generous and kind about it.

He invited myself, John DeLuca, my partner, and Julie, of course, to the Polo Lounge at the Beverly Hills Hotel in LA.

It was so Hollywood, I couldn't believe it.

We went there for lunch.

We sat down.

Literally, it was like literally out of a movie, Charlton Heston comes over and he says, "Hey, this is Chuck Heston, I'd like you to meet Chuck Heston."

I thought, "This cannot be happening to me."

I mean, you know, I was so new to that whole film world and Hollywood and all of that.

Anyway, he couldn't contain himself.

Before we even ordered or anything, he pulls out this, and it's his viewfinder that he used.

And he gave it to me, and it was so emotional, he had tears in his eyes because he wanted to pass this to me.

And I felt like he was passing the torch.

That's what it felt like to me.

It was the most, it was the most beautiful moment that I'll treasure forever.

And so I still have it, it has all the names, literally every one of his films is here.

From "Shot in the Dark."

"S.O.B."

is here.

You know, everything is here.

"Days of Wine and Roses" and all the "Pink Panthers."

Of course, "Breakfast at Tiffany's."

All the titles are literally listed right on the viewfinder.

So he would have this around his neck the whole time.

Pick it up and... decide what lens to use using this viewfinder.