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About this quote

What does it mean?
Spillane wished a specific actor could play a character but acknowledges the actor's poor acting ability.
In plain terms
He wanted Mike Mazurki to play Hammer but admits he could not act well.
What can you take from it?
Personal preferences may clash with objective skills.

Where it applies

  • casting choices
  • discussing roles
  • evaluating actors

Putting it to work

  • assess skills
  • prioritize talent
  • manage expectations

Questions to consider

  • Do you cast for looks or skill?
  • Can you like an actor who acts poorly?

Another view

Affection for an actor does not guarantee they fit the role.

More from Mickey Spillane

  1. I've gotta keep writing. But where's the next step, where do you go? But at my age, you start to get tired. You're not full of piss and vinegar. The vinegar's …

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  2. I'm a country boy. I hate New York. But that's where things happen, so I use it as a base for stories, I know enough about it. But I have to keep going back th…

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  3. See, heroes never die. John Wayne isn't dead, Elvis isn't dead. Otherwise you don't have a hero. You can't kill a hero. That's why I never let him get older.

    Permalink to quote #51

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