Ed Woodis one of directorTim Burton’s best films (and in theopinion of Colliderand yours truly,thebest). The biographical film details the life of the “worst director of all time,”Edward D. Wood, Jr.(played byJohnny Depp), from 1952, just prior toGlen or Glenda?to the premiere of his masterpiece, 1957’sPlan 9 from Outer Space. While it flopped on its initial release – ironically, like the Wood films it documents – time has righted that wrong.
While it seems that much of the film could be Burton’s own unique touches, most of it is unequivocally true. Wood did meet and befriendBela Lugosi. He did get theentire cast baptizedto secure the funding forPlan 9 from Outer Space. He did cast a chiropractor in Lugosi’s role after Lugosi’s passing, despite the age and height discrepancy. And yes, Wood did enjoy wearing women’s clothing. There are also parts that are possibly exaggerated, like the late-night purloining of the dummy octopus forBride of the Monster(writer-producerAlex Gordonclaims it was rented, whileDolores Fullerstates that Wood definitely “borrowed” it). Then there are those scenes that are flat-out fictional, one of which results in what is arguably the film’s best:Ed Wood meeting directing legendOrson Wellesat a bar.
Tim Burton’s 1994 biographical movie Ed Wood recounts the real-life story of the infamous B-movie director behind disastrous films such as Plan 9 From Outer Space and Glen or Glenda. Johnny Depp stars as the titular filmmaker, with Martin Landau as famous horror actor Bela Lugosi, and Sarah Jessica Parker and Patricia Arquette as Ed’s girlfriends.
Two Hollywood Legends Meet Up in ‘Ed Wood’
The scene in question comes toward the end of the film. Wood is working onPlan 9 from Outer Space, but is constantly at odds with the Baptist church leaders financing the film, arguing about script content, directing style, and the title, originallyGrave Robbers from Outer Space.Frustrated, Wood storms off set, in drag, and goes to the nearest bar, where he chances upon filmmaker idol Orson Welles (Vincent D’Onofrio). Welles invites Wood to join him, and they talk about their struggles with Hollywood. Welles talks about his problems with the movie business, problems that echo Wood’s own: losing financial backing for his films, producers interfering with their vision by recutting the film, or insisting upon friends and family being given roles.
Wood cuts to the chase by asking Welles if the film business is worth the aggravation that comes with it. Welles reminds Wood that his famed masterpiece,Citizen Kane,was the one film over which he had total control, before adding that the business is worthwhile, and fighting for your artistic vision is worth every agonizing moment spent defending it. Welles' answer revives Wood’s passion for the project, so he marches back, demanding that his vision remain intact, and the only way the film will recoup costs is to let him finish it without interference. With one exception: he agrees that the change fromGrave RobberstoPlan 9is a great idea.
Orson Welles and Ed Wood are Kindred Spirits
It’s a pivotal moment inEd Wood, a moment that brings two Hollywood icons together, and one that drives Wood to finish his defining work, even if it didn’t happen in real life. Er, that we know of.There has never been a documented meeting between the two, but it doesn’t mean it couldn’t have happened. For all its glitz and glamor, Hollywood isn’t a huge place, so it is possible theycouldhave met, but highly unlikely under those circumstances. But for kicks and giggles, let’s say it did, and under those conditions, with Wood dragging himself - literally - to the nearest bar, where he runs into Welles. Would it have happened as it played out inEd Wood?Assuming Welles didn’t shy away from a cross-dressing Wood, it very easily could have.
Every Ed Wood Movie, Ranked
“Filmmaking is not about the tiny details. it’s about the big picture.”
As D’Onofrio’s Welles tells Wood, Welles did indeed have full control overCitizen Kane(HBO filmRKO 281details those events), as per his contract with RKO Pictures.Welles said, “Never has a man been given so much power in the Hollywood system. An absolute power. And artistic control.” It was a source of pride, as in the film, but also a source of regret for the auteur, who felt he had too much power too soon. He also felt that the failure ofCitizen Kaneat the box office sounded the death knell for ever having that much creative freedom again. Somewhat similarly, the failure ofPlan 9 from Outer Spaceended Wood’s creative freedoms, with the filmlacking a distributor for three yearsbefore its primary investor, Edward Reynolds, bought Wood’s rights to the film for what must have been a devastatingly humiliating $1.However, Welles would still go on to Hollywood glory, whilePlan 9spelled the end of Wood’s notable attempts at a meaningful Hollywood career.
Tim Burton and Ed Wood Bear Striking Similarities
Interestingly, Orson Welles is not the only director to share similarities with Ed Wood. Tim Burton himself has more than his fair share of likenesses with the king of bad films as well. Just as Wood had his relationship with Bela Lugosi, Burton, too,shared a kinshipand deep admiration for a Hollywood legend,Vincent Price. That in itself has a fascinating connection, as Wood was responsible for Lugosi’s final film,Plan 9, and Burton was the director behind Price’s final performance on in film,Edward Scissorhands.
Wood had to fight for creative independence forPlan 9, while Burton had to fight for his vision of, oddly enough,Ed Wood, declining a salary andleaving Columbia for Disneyafter Columbia balked at his insistence on filming in black and white. The two directors are also known for their frequent collaborators. Wood hadPaul Marco,Tor Johnson, and Lugosi in multiple films of his, while Burton has names likeHelena Bonham CarterandMichael Goughattached to many of his films. And one actor in particular who plays the lead role of Ed Wood inEd Wood: Johnny Depp.
Ed Woodis available to rent on Amazon in the U.S.
Rent on Amazon
