Robert Towne

Approached to write/direct a remake of The 39 Steps (1935). [January 2004]

Writer, director, producer, actor. Born in Los Angeles, California, USA, and raised in the seaport town of San Pedro. Got his start acting and writing for legendary exploitation director/producer Roger Corman. Came into his own during the 1970s when he was regarded as one of the finest screenwriters in Hollywood.

According to George Stevens, Jr.'s book "Conversations at the American Film Institute," Towne did an uncredited rewrite for The Godfather (1972) which ended up being the "Have you taken care of everything?" scene between Al Pacino and Marlon Brando's characters Michael and Vito Corleone.

Originally planned to write three films about detective Jake Gittes, each of which would deal with government corruption in setting up certain utilities to develop the city of Los Angeles. The first, Chinatown (1974), dealt with stealing water from nearby areas. The second The Two Jakes (1990), dealt with the oil industry. The third, Cloverleaf, was to be about the gutting of public transportation in favor of freeways. Though this was never filmed as a Jake Gittes vehicle, this same premise became the basis for Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988), complete with Cloverleaf being the name of the holding company. Like Chinatown and The Two Jakes, it also begins with an adultery case.

Began directing with mixed success in 1982.

Had his name replaced in the final credits of Greystoke (1984) after he saw the film. The name he substituted, "P.H. Vazak", was that of his sheepdog. Wrote the garden scene between Marlon Brando and Al Pacino for The Godfather (1972). A long-time friend of Jack Nicholson whom he met while attending Jeff Corey's acting classes in the late 1950s.