Top 67 Quotes by Elia Kazan

Stylized acting and direction is to realistic acting and direction as poetry is to prose.

I truly believe that all power corrupts. Such is probably the thinking behind every political film ever made in Hollywood.

I like directors who come on the set and create something that's a little dangerous, difficult or unusual.

I want to thank the Academy for its courage and generosity.

Acting... was the biggest charge I ever had. What other artist has it so good? Approval so quick?

I was the hero of the young insurgent working class art movement.

I spoke without fear of contradiction. I simply did not suffer self-doubt.

I don't remember anything anybody said in any Jack Ford picture. Nothing happens except action.

When you know what an actor has, you can reach in and arouse it. If you don't know what he has, you don't know what the hell is going on.

The essence of the stage is concentration and penetration. Of the screen action, movement, sweep.