San Francisco Film Society Oral History Project Interview with ...

CLAUDE JARMAN: Oh, you know what? I think that is true. I think she did say that— I remember
that. She said, “This is Shirley,” and he says, “You gotta be kidding.” I think she called him; he was in
South America somewhere. That is absolutely true. Like, “What kind of a joke is this?” (LAUGHS)
MARGARITA LANDAZURI: I’m surprised they didn’t ask her to sing.
CLAUDE JARMAN: The nice thing about Shirley was she was able to laugh about it. She thought it
was very funny.
MARGARITA LANDAZURI: OK. Anything else on 1966?
CLAUDE JARMAN: Now what happened after ’66 was that the Festival did not do well financially, as
far as I can tell; I wasn’t that privy to it. But anyway, they decided to make a change with Bill Boyd.
That’s when they asked me if I would come in and run it for the third year of their commitment. I said,
“I will, but I’m not going to quit my other job.” I said, “I’ll come over at five in the afternoon, and I’ll
start the job then,” which I did. So I kept my other job, and then at five I would go over and take on this
responsibility.
MARGARITA LANDAZURI: Were you paid?
CLAUDE JARMAN: Yes, I was paid. And the week that the Festival was going to open, the executive
director of the Chamber, Bill Dauer, who I got to know pretty well, came in and shut the door. And he
said, “OK.” I said, “I wanna know how much money we’re going to lose this year?” I said, “Well, as I
look at it right now, we have a budget of $120,000. I don’t see us losing a dime.” And he said, “You’re
kidding.” I said, “No.” I said, “In fact, I will make a deal for any amount of money that we make over
$120,000. I want you to give me half.” And he said “OK.” I ended up making about $10,000. This was
my first year. It was also the first year I met George Gund. George Gund came into the office one day
and said, “I’m interested in the Film Festival. I’d like to make a $1,000 contribution.” And I said,
“That’s great. What can we do for you?” “Nothing. I just believe in the Festival.”
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