There have been many responses flying around regarding this article. Let me clarify some things for those people out there who are misquoting the article.
FOR THE RECORD:
George Feltenstein:
The article never states that George Feltenstein was involved in the debacle surrounding “A Streetcar Named Desire”. The only mention of his name is when Joe told me that Arick would not work with Warner Bros. “as long as [George] Feltenstein is in power”. It’s interesting that people like Max Preeo so easily misquote my article, considering what a stickler he is for details about his own writings.
Twelve Musicals in December of 1968:
I doubt 12 film musicals opened in all of 1968, let alone one month. But, that’s what Joe said to me. I was merely quoting his comment, regardless of his exaggeration.
Vault Fires:
Notice how Joe doesn’t deny naming Arick as the Mystery Fan. He only denies his story about the vault fires. I included the story because it’s interesting, and it’s what he gave me as his “proof” that these various outtakes still exist and that he has seen them. There’s no logical reason for me to make something like that up.
Finally:
I also have no reason to lie or make things up. I’m not being paid by any publication for this big scoop or any such nonsense. I reported the story, as told to me, because of its plausibility and the fact that for once, real names and events were given. I felt it was my obligation to get the story out there. Why do I think it’s plausible? If you re-read the article, you’ll see that while Joe’s comments are the focus, I clearly state that he was the second person in the span of a few months who, independent of the other, gave me Arick’s name as the infamous “mystery fan” who supposedly has this footage. I think that’s more important than any talk about vault fires, or outtakes, or how many movie musicals were released in 1968.