A Lesson in acting for Hume Cronyn

Charles Jehlinger was one of the most important - even if largely unknown - acting teachers in America. He taught at the American Academy for Dramatic Art for more than fifty years. The legend is that he taught Cecil B De Mille in his first class and Robert Redford in his last class. In his memoir The Ragman's Son Kirk Douglas dedicates three pages to reminiscences of Jehlinger. Likewise, Hume Cronyn in his memoir A Terrible Liar dedicates three pages Jehlinger. Cronyn tells of Jehlinger getting in his face on day and telling him,

"You're a fool, boy. Oil and water won't mix. You can't criticize and create at the same time. You're a fool."