The Remarkable Tale of an Actor's Elaborate Hoax on the Set of a Stanley Kubrick Film

The Big Picture

Stanley Kubrick demanded perfection, even in his early films. He went to great lengths to get the perfect take, causing frustration among his actors.

Timothy Carey, an exceptional character actor, stirred up turmoil during the filming of Paths of Glory. He ingeniously altered his scenes and went as far as orchestrating a kidnapping for the sake of publicity, resulting in his dismissal.

Notwithstanding his disruptive conduct, Timothy Carey achieved triumph working alongside John Cassavetes and garnered a reputation as one of the most enthralling character actors of his era.

In a scenario reminiscent of film noir, the production of a prominent war movie is marred by the sudden disappearance of one of its actors. However, as the plot unfolds, it becomes evident that the kidnapping is merely a fabrication, concocted by the actor himself for personal gain. The actor in question is none other than Timothy Carey, who mysteriously vanished during the making of Stanley Kubrick's renowned anti-war masterpiece, Paths of Glory.

Despite being Kubrick's most compassionate and thought-provoking work, highlighting the senseless nature of war, Carey's unpredictable behavior greatly disrupted the production. Known for his eccentricity and exceptional talent as a character actor, Carey delivers a captivating performance in Paths of Glory. Nevertheless, his ill-conceived bid for heightened publicity achieved little success, and in fact, had some adverse consequences on his involvement in this iconic Kubrick film. This bewildering tale, bearing resemblance to a work of fiction, remains a fascinating account.

Stanley Kubrick Demanded a Lot From His Actors

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Kubrick, a renowned perfectionist known for his unmatched techniques and preferences (as evidenced by the iconic scene in The Shining), displayed his meticulous tendencies even at this early stage. This often caused frustration for actor Adolphe Menjou, as Kubrick insisted on numerous takes for certain scenes, going as far as surpassing 17 takes for a particular scene. Menjou's frustration led to an outburst about the director's alleged incompetence. Despite this, Menjou eventually moved past his anger, Kubrick got the take he desired, and the film production continued. Although Kubrick's perfectionism was not yet as obsessive as it would later become in his career, it undeniably paid off, particularly in Paths of Glory, which is considered his first masterpiece. While The Killing is a superbly crafted noir thriller, Paths of Glory truly showcases Kubrick's artistic prowess as a director. Take, for example, his month-long preparation for the assault scene early in the film. This level of attention to detail is what makes it one of the greatest war action sequences ever filmed.

By the time production began on Paths of Glory, Kubrick had already established himself as a proficient director, but he still had much to prove and had not yet achieved the revered status he would later attain. It is understandable then, that experienced actors like Menjou, who had been in numerous films prior to Paths of Glory, occasionally found it challenging to adhere to the strict guidance of a 30-year-old director working on only his fourth and most significant movie. However, Timothy Carey posed a unique challenge for Kubrick, the cast, and the entire production of the film.

Timothy Carey Was a Headache for Stanley Kubrick's 'Paths of Glory' Production

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During an interview for the Criterion Collection, James B. Harris, the producer of Paths, addressed the challenges posed by actor Tim Carey. Describing Carey as a captivating presence on screen, Harris acknowledges his knack for improvisation during filming. However, this tendency did not sit well with director Stanley Kubrick and lead actor Kirk Douglas. Recounting a peculiar incident, Harris shares his experience of being awakened by the police at his hotel, who informed him that Carey had allegedly been kidnapped. Suspecting a self-orchestrated publicity stunt on Carey's part, Harris believed that the plan had backfired. In another interview with Film Comment, Harris details how the Munich police initially held the production accountable for the incident, assuming it to be a publicity stunt. When Carey refused to sign a required statement, Harris made the difficult decision to terminate his contract. The ongoing investigation by the Munich police caused filming to come to a halt until Carey was willing to comply. Ultimately, the stubborn actions of the actor proved too costly for the production team, resulting in his dismissal. It was an unfortunate and challenging way to lose a job, and one that was not easily replaced.

Timothy Carey Found Success With John Cassavetes

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Although it never provided him with the desired personal publicity, Carey's career did not come to an end after he faked a kidnapping and was subsequently fired from Paths of Glory. He secured a substantial role in One Eyed Jacks, originally intended to be directed by Kubrick until disagreements with star and replacement director Marlon Brando arose. Carey also made a perplexing yet unforgettable appearance in the Monkees film Head. Timothy Carey can be seen as a precursor to the boundless peculiarity of Nicolas Cage. Both actors deliver exaggerated and enthusiastic performances that hover on the line between bizarre and brilliant. They both possess an imposing presence and a history of eccentric behavior. Reflecting upon Carey's directorial work in The World's Greatest Sinner, where a crude devout atheist falsely embraces evangelism and runs for president, one cannot help but wonder about the potential that could have been achieved had someone been able to harness the actor's volatile energy.

Only John Cassavetes, with whom Carey collaborated on Minnie & Moskowitz and The Killing of a Chinese Bookie, came close to achieving this. Perhaps it was because Cassavetes' own work embraced unapologetic chaos in the most favorable manner, but there was something about the independent auteur that brought out the best in Carey. In Minnie & Moskowitz, Carey takes minor scenes and transforms them into brilliance. He grabs hold of the dialogue and allows it to consume him, delivering a psychotically unhinged performance as a broken, vulgar man. This is a feat that few actors can accomplish, but Carey effortlessly delivers extensive, meandering monologues with the passion of a Shakespearean actor and the raw realism of a documentary subject.

Carey's career may have been affected by his departure from Paths of Glory, as he was never able to secure a role as significant in a big picture again. He even turned down the opportunity to play Luca Brasi in The Godfather, opting instead for a television pilot that ultimately never took off, a decision he deeply regretted. However, Carey managed to establish himself as a highly talented character actor of his time, although his talent was not fully recognized. Despite not achieving the desired publicity with his staged kidnapping incident, he certainly created an unforgettable and intriguing tale.