Interesting to hear from people who actually had first hand experience with such talent.
Perhaps Kazan (and Mankiewicz) went overboard in their dealings with young talent. But, then again, perhaps they didn't. Perhaps some of their students responded to such Aristotelean methods. I know, for example, that in my own working career, I probably learned the most from one of my bosses that I learned to hate.
Of course, some guys are just a**holes -- and Kazan and Mankiewicz could well fit in that category, as well.
I confess to never being much of a Shelly Winters fan. But my attitude toward her was so colored by her role as Alice Tripp, in A Place In The Sun. Like most everybody in the theater, I was tempted to cheer when Montgomery Clift drowned her.
In retrospect, though, I have to admit that -- because of this reaction -- it was an incredible performance.
Appreciate your recollections...
I know what you are saying but the critiques from Kazan were usually along the lines of: "You have utterly no talent" followed by Mankiewicz piping up with, "And I agree with Gage that you have absolutely no talent!" This was once after a scene with Shirley Knight! (Shirley's last laugh - she's still working in the theatre and they're both pushing up the daisies.)
Shelly Winters showed much more humanity to the students and would always try to soften the blow. She was told by the big guys: "Shut up, Shelly." Oh, it was dreadful!
Stella Adler was much, much better.