In drama, the characters should determine the story. In melodrama, the story determines the characters.

" According to Cunningham Lumet "has no equal in the distinguiSidney Lumetd direction of superior actors" many coming from the theater. " His debut film Twelve Angry Men was an acclaimed picture in its day: it was a model for liberal reason and fellowship in the Eisenhower era; or maybe it was an alarming example of how easily any jury could be swayed. " Because he started his career as an actor he became known as an "actor's director" and worked with the best of them over the years a roster probably unequaled by any other director.

Sidney Arthur Lumet (pron. He was nominated for the Academy Award as Best Director for 12 Angry Men (1957) Dog Day Afternoon (1975) Network (1976) and The Verdict (1982).