--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: There's a thing about Hollywood where…" description: "\"There's a thing about Hollywood where there are at least a couple of guys that behind closed doors and in small circles we think of as having a magical..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8f3/suzanne-todd-28562_behind-closed-doors_there-s-a-thing-about-hollywood-where-th_1855277.jpg" --- # There's a thing about Hollywood where there are at least a… ![“There's a thing about Hollywood where there are at least a couple of guys that behind closed doors and in small circles we think of as having a magical P.T. Barnum quality. Which is to say, they may not be the most talented, and they may not be the smartest, but their movies made money or won…” quote by Suzanne Todd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8f3/suzanne-todd-28562_behind-closed-doors_there-s-a-thing-about-hollywood-where-th_1855277.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8f3/suzanne-todd-28562_behind-closed-doors_there-s-a-thing-about-hollywood-where-th_1855277.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8f3/suzanne-todd-28562_behind-closed-doors_there-s-a-thing-about-hollywood-where-th_1855277.jpg) > “There's a thing about Hollywood where there are at least a couple of guys that behind closed doors and in small circles we think of as having a magical P.T. Barnum quality. Which is to say, they may not be the most talented, and they may not be the smartest, but their movies made money or won awards, so they move ahead.” [Suzanne Todd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-todd/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Success in film often hinges more on charisma and market appeal than pure talent or intellect. **In simple terms:** Charm can outweigh skill in Hollywood. Key Takeaway Leverage personality and networking. Themes entertainment success networking Mood critical analytical Type observational industry‑focused When to use this quote - pitch meetings - film festivals - studio negotiations - award campaigns Key Concepts charisma market dynamics award influence Questions to Reflect On - How can you balance charisma with skill? - What risks arise from relying on image alone? A Different Perspective Talent and intelligence still matter for long‑term credibility. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Behind closed doors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/behind-closed-doors/) [Couple](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/couple/) [Hollywood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hollywood/) [Moving ahead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moving-ahead/) [Quality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/quality/) [Small Circle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/small-circle/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) ## Related quotes > [I don't think actually that kind of ego check or "I could do better" mentality probably serves better in Hollywood, because it's definitely not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-todd/i-don-t-think-actually-that-kind-of-ego-check-or-i-could-do-better/) [Suzanne Todd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-todd/) > [It's a very odd thing with Hollywood, where you do stand-up, you're good at it, then they go, 'How would you like to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norm-macdonald/it-s-a-very-odd-thing-with-hollywood-where-you-do-stand-up-you-re/) [Norm MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norm-macdonald/) > [Satisfying as that 'Cabaret' role was, it is not the only thing I do. But Hollywood is somewhat limited in its perspective about what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-grey/satisfying-as-that-cabaret-role-was-it-is-not-the-only-thing-i-do-but/) [Joel Grey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-grey/) > [There is that great thing of D.C. being Hollywood for ugly people. There's very distinct crossover behaviors.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-simons/there-is-that-great-thing-of-d-c-being-hollywood-for-ugly-people/) [Timothy Simons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-simons/) > [That's the thing about being part of a Hollywood production. You always have to give your best performance, no matter the odds.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iko-uwais/that-s-the-thing-about-being-part-of-a-hollywood-production-you/) [Iko Uwais](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iko-uwais/) > [Plagiarism is always the biggest thing in Hollywood.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clint-eastwood/plagiarism-is-always-the-biggest-thing-in-hollywood/) [Clint Eastwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clint-eastwood/) > [The most remarkable thing about Hollywood is that it does not exist. ... Hollywood, in a word, has no center, never had one, no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vicki-baum/the-most-remarkable-thing-about-hollywood-is-that-it-does-not-exist/) [Vicki Baum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vicki-baum/) > [I think writing is the most underrated thing in Hollywood.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-pena/i-think-writing-is-the-most-underrated-thing-in-hollywood/) [Michael Pena](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-pena/) > [I think the most vulgar thing about Hollywood is the way it believes its own gossip.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ava-gardner/i-think-the-most-vulgar-thing-about-hollywood-is-the-way-it-believes/) [Ava Gardner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ava-gardner/) > [The one thing I have found about Hollywood is it's a town full of people who believe in themselves, often to a degree where…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diablo-cody/the-one-thing-i-have-found-about-hollywood-is-it-s-a-town-full-of/) [Diablo Cody](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diablo-cody/) > [And one thing Hollywood does well is sequels.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/spike-lee/and-one-thing-hollywood-does-well-is-sequels/) [Spike Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/spike-lee/) > [You know the hardest thing to do in Hollywood is burn bridges. There is usually some sucker who still likes me. There is usually…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-gilliam/you-know-the-hardest-thing-to-do-in-hollywood-is-burn-bridges-there/) [Terry Gilliam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-gilliam/) > [When you know who you are, you know who you are. That's the real dangerous thing in Hollywood, because they all want to create…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-mooney/when-you-know-who-you-are-you-know-who-you-are-that-s-the-real/) [Paul Mooney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-mooney/) > [Today, the only thing Hollywood swears by is space adventures because that's what goes over well. For my part, I trust my instinct and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clint-eastwood/today-the-only-thing-hollywood-swears-by-is-space-adventures-because/) [Clint Eastwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clint-eastwood/) > [“Panning his sunglasses across Quincy, Jamie, and LB, he spun his finger in small circles. He spoke into the mike curled at his lips.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-l-robbins/panning-his-sunglasses-across-quincy-jamie-and-lb-he-spun-his-finger/) [David L. Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-l-robbins/) ## More by Suzanne Todd > [That can be undersold, I think, the importance when you're trying to do something good is that everybody understands the director's vision, everybody believes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-todd/that-can-be-undersold-i-think-the-importance-when-you-re-trying-to-do/) [Suzanne Todd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-todd/) > [Somebody pointed out to me that there's no horror film on my resume, which is true, but I also don't really go see those…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-todd/somebody-pointed-out-to-me-that-there-s-no-horror-film-on-my-resume/) [Suzanne Todd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-todd/) > [The hard thing for me, and it took me many years to understand, the concept of Hollywood not being a meritocracy - I am…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-todd/the-hard-thing-for-me-and-it-took-me-many-years-to-understand-the/) [Suzanne Todd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-todd/) > [I remember somebody had said to me "What're you doing with a movie like Boiler Room? It's all men and you're a woman. You…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-todd/i-remember-somebody-had-said-to-me-what-re-you-doing-with-a-movie/) [Suzanne Todd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-todd/) > [The crazy thing is, I sent out 200 letters and I got one job interview, and I actually got that job, which was working…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-todd/the-crazy-thing-is-i-sent-out-200-letters-and-i-got-one-job-interview/) [Suzanne Todd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-todd/) > [I think producing is first about understanding and finding people who understand it in the same way throughout the crew and everybody who's going…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-todd/i-think-producing-is-first-about-understanding-and-finding-people-who/) [Suzanne Todd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-todd/) > [I only worked on that one movie, but then quickly realized that the path of being an assistant director was not gonna get me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-todd/i-only-worked-on-that-one-movie-but-then-quickly-realized-that-the/) [Suzanne Todd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-todd/) > [The first thing you do as a producer is you try to understand the director's vision in as deeply a way as you can.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-todd/the-first-thing-you-do-as-a-producer-is-you-try-to-understand-the/) [Suzanne Todd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-todd/) > [The industry has changed in big ways. When I started making movies, the studios were not all owned by huge conglomerates, so the decisions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-todd/the-industry-has-changed-in-big-ways-when-i-started-making-movies-the/) [Suzanne Todd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-todd/) > [It takes a number of different skill sets, I think, to try and be a good producer. You have to be very creative, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-todd/it-takes-a-number-of-different-skill-sets-i-think-to-try-and-be-a/) [Suzanne Todd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-todd/) > [I think Memento movie was hard because people didn't get it, they just didn't understand it. Not from the stage when we read the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-todd/i-think-memento-movie-was-hard-because-people-didn-t-get-it-they-just/) [Suzanne Todd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-todd/) > [You want to put people together who will work well, and each movie kind of has its own personality in terms of how people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-todd/you-want-to-put-people-together-who-will-work-well-and-each-movie/) [Suzanne Todd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-todd/) > [The problem for me is that I just don't often come across material that speaks to me and my TV education. Before we all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-todd/the-problem-for-me-is-that-i-just-don-t-often-come-across-material/) [Suzanne Todd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-todd/) > [For me and movies - and it is kind of similar to motherhood and raising your children - I always feel like there's more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-todd/for-me-and-movies-and-it-is-kind-of-similar-to-motherhood-and-raising/) [Suzanne Todd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-todd/) > [Just watching Chris Nolan direct was amazing. He is one of the most lovely people, which as you know doesn't always go hand-in-hand with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-todd/just-watching-chris-nolan-direct-was-amazing-he-is-one-of-the-most/) [Suzanne Todd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-todd/) [Explore all 19 Suzanne Todd quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-todd/) ## More Behind closed doors quotes > [“Eventually, Edgard said, “She doesn’t know anything about me. Not even that we were roping partners. Not that we were…” He looked at Trevor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lorelei-james/eventually-edgard-said-she-doesn-t-know-anything-about-me-not-even/) [Lorelei James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lorelei-james/) > [“The lawyers ceded their right to argue to case before the justices. A verdict would be rendered in secret, behind closed doors, with only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adrienne-berard/the-lawyers-ceded-their-right-to-argue-to-case-before-the-justices-a/) [Adrienne Berard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adrienne-berard/) > [“International leaders in business, government, and nonprofit organizations whisper behind closed doors about the way visiting Americans live in their own bubbles without having…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-livermore/international-leaders-in-business-government-and-nonprofit/) [David Livermore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-livermore/) > [“It’s amazing how people can change behind closed doors.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-forward/it-s-amazing-how-people-can-change-behind-closed-doors/) [Susan Forward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-forward/) > [Sometimes the ones who seem the most holy in public are the ones hiding the most dirty of secrets behind closed doors.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sashauni-aaeliyae/sometimes-the-ones-who-seem-the-most-holy-in-public-are-the-ones/) Sashauni Aaeliyae > [Others like City Hall the old way, when they could make deals behind closed doors with your tax money.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-miller/others-like-city-hall-the-old-way-when-they-could-make-deals-behind/) [Laura Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-miller/) > [To all those I've loved I can't take this any more, By the time you read this, I'll be waiting at Hell's door. I'll…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/to-all-those-i-ve-loved-i-can-t-take-this-any-more-by-the-time-you/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [One two, and you don't stop, yo, My eyes is sore, bein a senator, Behind closed doors hittin truth to the seafloor, The rich…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wu-tang/one-two-and-you-don-t-stop-yo-my-eyes-is-sore-bein-a-senator-behind/) [Wu Tang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wu-tang/) > [What you don't know is when she get home and get behind closed doors, man she hit the floor and what you can't see…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-mary/what-you-don-t-know-is-when-she-get-home-and-get-behind-closed-doors/) [Mary Mary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-mary/) > [Seen too many ratchet ass hoes gettin sitcom. Behind closed doors all they do is suck d\*ck.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/webbie/seen-too-many-ratchet-ass-hoes-gettin-sitcom-behind-closed-doors-all/) Webbie > [“If anything should take place behind closed doors, it was cruelty and betrayal.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-st-aubyn/if-anything-should-take-place-behind-closed-doors-it-was-cruelty-and/) [Edward St. Aubyn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-st-aubyn/) > [If Im not good enough to be taken out in public. Im too good for you behind closed doors.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-im-not-good-enough-to-be-taken-out-in-public-im-too-good-for-you/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Fighting behind closed doors is like going back to be an amateur, or your early days as a professional. Up and coming fighters can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dereck-chisora/fighting-behind-closed-doors-is-like-going-back-to-be-an-amateur-or/) [Dereck Chisora](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dereck-chisora/) > [“Consider standing in honor and transparency whether behind closed doors or if those doors are open to the world at large.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/loren-weisman/consider-standing-in-honor-and-transparency-whether-behind-closed/) [Loren Weisman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/loren-weisman/) > [“Poor innocent baby, about to get fleeced. "Tut-tut, gorgeous. You know when you play poker with a man behind closed doors, there is only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nalini-singh/poor-innocent-baby-about-to-get-fleeced-tut-tut-gorgeous-you-know/) [Nalini Singh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nalini-singh/) [Browse all 207 Behind closed doors quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/behind-closed-doors/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "There's a thing about Hollywood where there are at least a couple of guys that behind closed doors and in small circles we think of as having a magical P.T. Barnum quality. 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