ALTERED MASTERPIECES.

Just finished watching The Magnificent Ambersons, Orson Welles' second brilliant film.Sadly the studio in charge, RKO, spoiled his masterpiece by cutting out 40 minutes and tacking on a less than artful happy ending. The film is still well worth watching for the brilliance that remains, though it is very discouraging to think of all the destruction caused by studio executives who had zero taste. This is true not only of the films but the casting. Marilyn Monroe was requested for, and would have been would have been a sensation in, Oklahoma, The Brothers Karamazov, Damn Yankee, Breakfast at Tiffany's, and Cat On a Hot Tin Roof. However, her boorish and greedy studio heads insisted that she only do mindless comedies. Elvis Presley a multi-talented performer could have had a legacy acting  in quality films if control-freak Colonel Parker didn't keep him mired in profitable and forgettable third-rate musicals. There are many great movies that we revere and rewatch. Think of how many more there would be if pen pushers and bean counters didn't mistakingly believe they also had taste.

P.S. Yes, I know that Audrey Hepburn was iconic as Holly Golightly and Liz Taylor was a gorgeous Maggie the Cat, but Monroe would have given both roles something unique. Also who can argue that she would have been a far sexier Lola in Damn Yankees than the too-old Gwen Verdon? And shouldn't Elvis Presley have been Conrad Birdie in Bye Bye Birdie. Also if he had been starred in Bus Stop with Marilyn Monroe, it would have been nothing short of movie magic. We wuz robbed.