The legendary producer talks about his greatest work. Himself.

“It’s a bumpy road. It’s a journey through life. It’s stranger than fantasy, but it’s total fact.” That’s how Hollywood legend Robert Evans describes the film version of his autobiography, co-directed by Nanette Burstein and Brett Morgan. Narrated by the man himself (who else?), it charts the ecstatic highs and desperate lows of the 72-year-old super ego. From bigwig producer to producer with a big wig.

Four years ago, Evans was struck down by three strokes. He was paralysed. “I heard the fat lady sing and saw the white light,” he told Collective. “And 15 hours later I awakened. I thought I’d made heaven! Well, I didn’t make heaven because I wasn’t dead. But I wasn’t Robert Evans either. I was Quasimodo.”

What followed was months of therapy and medical treatment. “The guy upstairs wanted me to live.” He says, pointing to the ceiling. “He wanted me to do something down here, and I’m going to do it. I want to tour the world and spread the simple feeling that you can make it if you try. I’m going to spread the gospel of inspiration.”

For starters, he’s written volume two of his autobiography. It’s called The Fat Lady Sang, because she did, and it’s already being turned into a film. “The first scene is I die,” he says, as if he’s pitching. “Wes Craven comes over to my house, and as I’m toasting him my glass drops out of my hand and I fall to the floor like wood sticks. I know I’m dying because I hear Ella Fitzgerald singing It’s A Wonderful World.”

“My career is in better shape today than it’s ever been,” claims Evans. Not bad for the man who bankrolled The Godfather and Love Story, among others. “Liam Neeson once said to me – we were a little drunk, lying on a bed drinking wine and reading poetry - and he said, ‘Bob, do me a favour, don’t try to be a tycoon running a studio any more. Never forget that Mozart will be remembered far longer than Napoleon.’ And that’s the business we’re in.” The business they call show. Jonathan Carter 30 January 03

The Kid Stays in the Picture, on selected release 07 February 03.

useful link: www.kidstaysinthepicture.com