Robert Evans

2003 Honoree / Visionary Award

Robert Evans is receiving the Visionary Award for his tremendous work on “Kid Stays in the Picture.” This film, an autobiography of his life, used a technique to make photographs seem to come to life. The first thing to grab the viewer is how the film looks. Directors Nanette Burstein and Brett Morgen (On the Ropes) use computer imaging to take portions of photographs and move them, in effect giving motion to a static image. Other standard documentary characteristics like excellent archival photographs and footage was also used in this film. The only thing missing is subtitles. The Kid Stays in the Picture is a fascinating look at Hollywood history. Robert Evans recognized the impact that photography could have on telling a story and used the images creatively. He did a breakthrough job on creating this film. “The Kid Stays in the Picture” was translated into eight languages and became an international best seller. The audio version of the book became a phenomenon and a cult classic. It is the best selling book on tape in the history of the genre.

It had broken box office records in its first few weeks of release. Because of its cult-like success, Evans is currently penning a sequel to “The Kid” entitled, The Fat Lady Sang, which Mr. Carter intends to serialize in Vanity Fair and produce as a theatrical film. The easiest way to understand the arc of Robert Evans’ career is that, in 1958 as an actor, he was voted the Most Popular Newcomer of the Year receiving his award on the nationally televised Steve Allen Show.

Forty-four years later, in May of 2002, he was honored with a star on the Hollywood WaIk of Fame outside of The Chinese Theatre. His star is adjacent to his closest friend, Jack Nicholson.

The Library of Congress of the United States of America in 1999 selected seventy-five films of the 2Oth Century to be vaulted for preservation in perpetuity. Robert Evans is the only living producer who has the distinction of having two of the selected seventy-five Films. Chinatown, as its producer and The Godfather, as its creator. The recipient of worldwide humanitarian and industry awards, the one that Robert A Evans cherishes most is The Key To The City of New York –an honor reserved strictly for heads of State. In a rare half-hour interview with a Hollywood personality, Nightline’s Ted Koppel simply stated, “More often than not, Evans far out shadows the stars in his films. Even if you’re not privy to anything connected with Hollywood, chances are you have heard of Robert Evans. ”