Frank Perry

Half-uncle of pop singer Katy Perry.
His first film, David et Lisa (1962), was shot on a modest budget of $200,000 and received numerous critical accolades, as well as being a commercial hit. As a result, Perry acquired a reputation as an economical filmmaker, who preferred to wrap up a scene in one take, if possible. His motto was, "Cut, print, edit, distribute".
Attended the University of Miami. Studied directing under Lee Strasberg. First worked as a stage manager and associate producer for the Theatre Guild.
Until their separation in 1970, he enjoyed a fruitful collaboration with his wife, the playwright and screenwriter Eleanor Perry.
Wife and collaborator Eleanor Perry said of him, "Frank is always in torment because he refuses to compromise".

[on Tuesday Weld] She's a complicated lady and a gifted one; she finally does emerge in Play It As It Lays (1972). She's really so good in this, so super, and as far as her behavior is concerned, her comportment, she was just flawless--I mean, just a perfect child. She was there every day, on time, and worked like a tremendous professional. All that talk about her being a terror--not a trace.
[on Faye Dunaway] I've been very lucky. I've worked with all the actors I wanted to work with. I adore Faye Dunaway, I love her and feel she's one of the most underrated actresses; I think she's brilliant.
[on Hollywood] I think it's a fabulous place to work. There was a time when working on location was better because all Hollywood studios found it very difficult to achieve verisimilitude. They wanted a kind of theatrical studio look that was wrong for certain subjects. Now they don't feel that way. Now they're the best in the world.
[reacting to his late wife Eleanor Perry's claim that he refuses to compromise] That's bullshit! My life is one long compromise. I don't quarrel with the tormented part; it's the compromise part I quarrel with. I could never say that I won't compromise-making a movie is one long compromise; it's one horrendous compromise because there's no such thing as perfection. I never would have said that about myself. Torment, yes. Compromise, no.

Suggest an edit or add missing content

Biography