Human venality is something I always expect and forgive.

– Playwright Tennessee Williams on famed Hollywood director Elia Kazan’s decision to testify and disclose names of Communist party members in the movie/theater community before the House Un-American Activities Committee.
Source – The New Yorker, December 13, 2010 P.90

Since most our readers are unschooled philistines who can’t think beyond Rajinikanth’s 60th birthday or Akshay Kumar’s forthcoming film Teese Maar Khan, some education is in order.

The Legend
Even among the great Hollywood directors, Elia Kazan stands tall.

Besides masterpieces like On the Waterfront, A Streetcar Named Desire, et al to his credit, Kazan was also the first director to introduce such names as Marlon Brando, James Dean, Warren Beatty and Lee Remick to the screen.

As an obiter dictum, may we add that On the Waterfront featuring Marlon Brando is our all-time favorite film.