Acclaimed American actress Sally Field has shared a curious anecdote from early in her career, detailing her struggles to understand legendary actor Robert Mitchum during the production of their 1967 Western, The Way West. Field, who was relatively new to Hollywood at the time, confessed that her interactions with the seasoned star often left her baffled, prompting her to simply nod along.
Speaking on the Talking Pictures podcast, Field, now 79, recalled feeling overwhelmed during the filming of the movie, which also starred Kirk Douglas and Richard Widmark. She described how Mitchum, known for his roles in classics such as Out of the Past and The Night of the Hunter, would often join her during downtime. However, his conversation proved to be a linguistic challenge.
"Mitchum would sit with me, and I never could understand a single word he said," Field explained. "I didn't know what he was saying. I don't know if he was stoned or what, but I couldn't string two words together. And I would go, ‘yeah, yeah,’ and [I’d laugh] and pretend I understood what he said." Despite the communication barrier, Field sensed that Mitchum was being kind and accepting towards her.
The only phrase Field believes she comprehended was Mitchum telling her, "You know, you're one of us." She interpreted this not as flattery, but as a simple statement of fact, indicating a form of acceptance into the acting fraternity. Field's career subsequently soared, earning her two Academy Awards for Norma Rae and Places in the Heart, and starring roles in beloved films like Mrs. Doubtfire and Forrest Gump.
In contrast, Robert Mitchum, despite his iconic status and acclaimed performances, received only one Oscar nomination throughout his career for his role in the 1945 war film The Story of GI Joe. He passed away in 1997. For UK audiences interested in revisiting their work, The Way West is not currently readily available on major UK streaming platforms like BBC iPlayer, ITVX, Channel 4, Netflix, or Disney+. However, some of Sally Field's later work, such as Forrest Gump, can be found on services like Netflix and Disney+ in the UK, while Mrs. Doubtfire is often available on Disney+. Robert Mitchum's influential filmography can sometimes be found through rental services or on platforms like Amazon Prime Video.
The anecdote offers a rare glimpse into the early experiences of a major Hollywood star and the enigmatic personality of a screen legend, highlighting the human element behind the glamour of classic cinema.