Elia Kazan

I hate the Communists and have for many years and don't feel right about giving up my career to defend them. I will give up my film career if it is in the interests of defending something I believe in, but not this.

The Communists automatically violated the daily practices of democracy to which I was accustomed.

I was not what you'd call a first-class actor, but I did all right.

I question the value of stars. I think they're overrated. They get too much money, too much praise.

There is only one thing I respect in so-called Broadway actors... and that is their competitive sense.

Very often the Group actor is a critic when he's acting and an actor when he's criticizing.

I was even superior to the Communists and when they didn't go along with me, I quit them.

I was very intense. I think it's a privilege to be an actor.

I was always a self-conscious person.

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

I was an outsider... but I was also sympathetic with people that were struggling to get up, because I struggled to get up.

Whatever hysteria exists is inflamed by mystery, suspicion and secrecy. Hard and exact facts will cool it.