The following article was published in the Feb. 27, 2015 issue ofEntertainment Weekly.
(One tip: Drag your hotshot director to therapy.)
Then I decided the hell with it!
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Im going to put his name on it.
Thats the thing Im most proud of.
It caused me a lot of trouble, but it was worth it.
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Douglas admits there was a limit to the freedom even he could exhibit on set, though.
There wasnt much to my outfit, he laughs, referring to his wardrobe-malfunction-prone tunic.
I had to be careful.
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But Im always careful.
Usually its difficult to make a movie about making movies, and to make it believable, he says.
I think the film is a very realistic story about Hollywood, he jokes.
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Douglas credits the films then-28-year-old director, whom he handpicked, for that: The picture made Stanley Kubrick.
He was such a talent, but very difficult and troubled.
The psychiatrist was very impressed with Kubricks mind and ended up pitching a film idea to him.
More than 40 years later, that idea becameEyes Wide Shut, the directors final project.
But I think it was because it was about an unscrupulous newspaperman and that hit too close to home.
In preparation, Douglas hung out in a New York City police station.
It was a rainy, cold day and someone was lying down in the courtyard.
I asked, Whats that?
They told me, Oh, thats a dead guy.
Were trying to figure out who he is.
I dont know if they ever found out.
Maybe hes still there.
