Elia Kazan on Franchot Tone

In his autobiography, Elia Kazan says much about Franchot Tone in his chapter on the Group Theater. Because there are a lot of great quotations, there will be more Kazan posts in the future.

In the midst of Franchot's decision to leave the Group Theater for Hollywood, Elia Kazan captured in a letter the admiration he felt for the actor (later on in the letter, he will also voice his frustration with Tone.)

"You can't help admiring him. He's better educated, just plain smarter, than most of the others and has greater curiosity about life and boldness in dealing with his desires. I like him. Perhaps some of the self-righteous members think of Tone as a sinner because he wakes the sinner in them. I've been wondering if they are, finally, jealous of his talent, his looks, his Hollywood offers, and his money? As for his eccentric behavior, it may come out of what many here feel, uncertainty about the future. Me too."

Source: Kazan, Elia. Elia Kazan: A Life. New York: Knopf, 1988. 76. Print.