The Big Knife

I am a fan of Clifford Odets, whose work, though so much belonging to the 1930s and 1940s-especially to the "Dirty Thirties", contributed powerful voices for actors in the years and decades since then. His play, written in 1948 or 1949, was probably his last great work, as it was made into a movie with Jack Palance as the doomed Hollywood star, Charlie Castle, and Rod Steiger as his antagonist, the studio boss Marcus Hoff. It plays remarkably well, showing how the harsh realities of "the Industry" in Hollywood, at the time of the big studios, could warp and pervert actors' humanity. A superlative read-it screams to be put back on the stage. Some of the dialogue by-play seems today dated, and maybe a tad precious, but again, Odets' play concerns the display of a man at the top of his form, but also teetering above a chasm he cannot avoid perishing in. Well-worth a read through by anyone in love with the stage.

This play is wonderful and should be read by everyone. Be prepared to critically think when looking at this work.