Henry Miller and Marcel Marceau Paris, July 23, 1969.
The text for The Smile at the Foot of the Ladder was written by Miller it the request of Fernand Leger who was planning a book of circus illustrations and needed some accompanying text. "... I was intrigued," wrote Miller in the May 1970 issue of Mademoiselle, "I sat down and wrote from the top of my head. I didn't think. I don't know where it came from. But Leger was disappointed. He said he expected something like Tropic of Cancer."This project never occurred, but Italian composer Antonio Bibalo wrote a successful opera based on Miller's text, and during the late 1960s and early 1970s, plans were made for a film version to be produced that would star Marcel Marceau. Marceau, a French actor considered the top mime in the world at that time, had gained notoriety in playing Bip the Clown, a character he created. Because Auguste, the main character of The Smile at the Foot of the Ladder, is himself a clown, it seemed a natural fit for Marceau to play the part.
On January 21, 1969, Miller signed a contract for the film. Marcel wrote to Patricia Hardesty that he was "overjoyed at the expectation of coming to life on the screen" (undated note but likely 1969), and even signed his name as "Auguste the Clown." The project stalled, years went by, and in early 1973 Marceau wrote Miller saying that he would produce the film himself, "in an adaption that will follow your Spirit and your heart." Marceau added that he was ready to purchase rights--if available and if Miller was in agreement.
In spite of the promising beginning, the discussions, and deliberations, Marceau was unable to make a firm commitment, the project stalled, and years would pass before it was finally abandoned.
Things were quite different, however, in the summer of 1969 when Miller was in Paris, in conjunction with the filming of Tropic of Cancer. The Smile at the Foot of the Ladder project was very much alive, and it was not surprising that Miller and Marceau would meet. A small dinner party was planned at Marceau's home located outside of Paris. In attendance that night were Gerald Robitaille, Miller's secretary, and his wife Diane; Marceau and his wife Ella Jaroszewicz; Mary Ellen Mark, who was doing still photography for the film; Miller's son Tony, and another man, name not determined. Topics of conversation were films, actors, books, plays, food, and wine. The planned Smile at the Foot of the Ladder would have been a key topic, too, and one that would have animated both Miller and Marceau--in fact, one photo that follows has Marceau showing Miller a photo that is tilted in such a way as to reveal it as being a photo of Marceau in theatrical makeup.
Photographs by Tony Miller
Caption: Henry Miller at the home of Marcel Marceau, 1969
Caption: Marcel Marceau and Henry Miller
Caption: Robitaille (back to camera), Miller, and Marceau
Caption: Ella Marceau, Marcel Marceau, Miller, and Robitalle
Caption: Marceau and Miller
Caption: Mary Ellen Mark, Marceau, Ella Jaroszewicz, and Miller
Caption: Henry Miller
Caption: Mark (with camera), Marceau, Miller, and Robitaille
Caption: Marceau, Miller, and Robitaille
Caption: Diane Robitaille on left
Caption: Mary Ellen Mark
Caption: Ella Jaroszewicz
Caption: The name of the man on the bed talking with Miller is not known.
Caption: Marcel Marceau
Caption: Robitaille (behind mask) and Mary Ellen Mark
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| Author: | Jackson, Roger |
|---|---|
| Publication: | Nexus: The International Henry Miller Journal |
| Geographic Code: | 4EUFR |
| Date: | Jan 1, 2020 |
| Words: | 568 |
| Previous Article: | "So don'tcha know". |
| Next Article: | "A clown is happy only when he is somebody else": Singularity and Autobiography in Henry Miller's The Smile at the Foot of the Ladder. |
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