Sally Field Says She Couldn’t Understand This Hollywood Actor on Set: ‘I Couldn’t String Two Words Together’

Sally Field has recently revealed that she faced considerable challenges in understanding her co-star Robert Mitchum while filming the 1967 film, *The Way West*. Speaking on the *Talking Pictures* podcast, the acclaimed actress shared her experiences of working alongside the Hollywood legend during a project that starred Kirk Douglas as a senator journeying west in search of a better life.

During the podcast episode aired on June 11, Field recounted her recollections of Mitchum, who passed away in 1997. She humourously admitted that despite their time spent together on set, she often struggled to comprehend what he was saying. “Mitchum would sit with me, and I never could understand a single word he said,” Field remarked, adding that their communication hurdles left her in a state of confusion.

Field noted with a laugh, “I didn’t know what he was saying! I don’t know if he was stoned or what, but I couldn’t string two words together,” illustrating the light-hearted nature of her memories despite the difficulties. She often found herself nodding along and laughing, hoping to appear as though she fully grasped their conversations.

Despite the communication barrier, Field expressed a fondness for Mitchum, asserting that he was kind and accepting of her as a person and as an actress. “He felt that he was accepting of me and he was good to me,” she remarked, spelling out the warmth that developed between them, even with their linguistic disconnect.

One particularly notable moment from their interactions was when Mitchum told Field, “You know, you’re one of us.” Although she was unsure of the meaning behind his words at the time, she now reflects on it as a vital affirmation of her place within the film industry. Field admitted that this comment felt factual rather than sentimental or flattering, leading her to ponder its implications long after their first encounter.

It was not until many years later that Field began to grasp the significance of those words. In the early 1980s, while attending the People’s Choice Awards, she found herself seated at a table where Mitchum was also present. To her surprise, he stood up upon their meeting, and with a sense of familiarity, declared, “I told you so.” This reunion brought a moment of clarity for Field regarding Mitchum’s earlier assertion.

Podcast host Ben Mankiewicz added to the discussion by highlighting the meaning behind Mitchum’s statement, suggesting that it encapsulated a powerful message about camaraderie in the film industry. He remarked that such a sentiment conveys a profound invitation to belong, going beyond the usual compliments actors often exchange.

Sally Field’s reflections on her experiences with Robert Mitchum provide a glimpse not only into the complexities of communication in acting but also into the deeper connections formed amidst the challenges of their profession. Her memories embody a sense of nostalgia, appreciation, and the growing understanding of her place in Hollywood.

As Field continues to engage with her past and share her journey, she reminds us that the challenges of understanding one another can sometimes lead to unexpected bonds that endure through time. The stories shared with such warmth and humour unveil the human side of film production, an aspect often overshadowed by the glitz of the Hollywood façade.