I drove the Jaguar down Benedict Canyon for an eight a.m. breakfast meeting with Marty Ransohoff, one of Hollywood’s most successful producers, whose credits ranged from The Beverly Hillbillies to Catch-22. Marty knew the industry class system and offered attendees a sliding menu: bagels and cream cheese for sitcom writers; screenwriters were given smoked salmon with their bagels; studio executives, major stars, and directors were served eggs Benedict.
Marty had a reputation as a tough guy. He supposedly once said, “If I can find a way not to screw you on this I won’t, but if I can’t, God bless.” But when we met he was polite, and I got a bagel with cream cheese.