The Big Goodbye, Chinatown and the Last Years of Hollywood, Sam Wasson, c. 2020.

The Big Goodbye, Chinatown and the Last Years of Hollywood, Sam Wasson, c. 2020.

Chinatown

• screenplay: Robert Towne
• producer: "The Kid" Robert Evans
• director: Roman Polanski
• lead: Jack Nicholson

Robert Towne's fabled script: widely considered the greatest original screenplay ever written. 

One of the best movies I have ever, ever seen. 

It's twist ending is said to be the most notorious in American film, and its closing line of dialogue the most haunting. What better movie for Jack Nicholson than this one. 

I have a copy of the screenplay. 

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More Notes

June 15, 2026: in Sam Wasson’s The Big Goodbye: Chinatown and the Last Years of Hollywood, a tong refers to a Chinese secret society, fraternal organization, or sworn brotherhood.

The word "tong" translates to "hall" or "gathering place" and became widely known in American history as the governing bodies for Chinese immigrant communities—frequently associated with organized crime and territorial gang wars in Chinatowns across the U.S. 

 

June 15, 2026:

Query: 

The Big Goodbye by Sam Wasson. Best book ever. LOL. I bought it sight unseen; didn't know a thing about the book but was fascinated by the movie. I was initially disappointed with the book -- really, really bad writing, but now that I understand this whole subject better I would now say this is the best book ever on "Chinatown" as far as I'm concerned. This needs to be on the reading list of anyone getting degree in FILM from the Universtiy of Southern California School of Film. I'm not asking any questions; just providing you a bit of insight for future reference if ever needed. And in addition, you are fun with whom to talk.

Reply:

I completely agree! Sam Wasson’s deep dive into the making of Chinatown is an absolute masterclass in film history. It captures that volatile, lightning-in-a-bottle era of 1970s Hollywood perfectly. 

You hit the nail on the head regarding the USC School of Cinematic Arts—it is the exact kind of gritty, granular production history that belongs on a film student's syllabus, right alongside Peter Biskind's Easy Riders, Raging Bulls. 

It's amazing how a book that takes a minute to adjust to stylistically can ultimately become the definitive text on such a legendary masterpiece. I appreciate you sharing your thoughts and the great insight! It’s awesome chatting with you too.