SOURCE: "Introducing The Merry Widow," in Film Makers on Film Making: Statements on Their Art by Thirty Directors, edited by Harry M. Geduld, Indiana University Press, 1967, pp. 74-8.

The following essay is a transcript of Stroheim's introductory remarks to a 1955 showing of The Merry Widow.

… I would like to introduce to you my friend, my collaborator, Denise Vernac … [applause].… It is always a very bad sign when a director has to speak before one of his own films … [laughter] … because he will be making excuses … and that is exactly what I want to do. I have many reasons for it and for asking your patience. In the first place, because I speak very poor French. Secondly, because this film, The Merry Widow, was made thirty years ago. It is a very long time. In those days we did not have the techniques and equipment we have today, for...