Jack Wild, who was nominated for an Oscar at the age of 16 for his role as the Artful Dodger in the 1968 version of Oliver! has died from oral cancer at the age of 53.
Oscar Directors: Cukor, George–Comedy Acting–Style
March 2, 2006 by
Eternally concerned with speed, Cukor was ruthless with his performers on the issue of pace. From his first film, he had his actors talk much faster than they may normally do. And on his very last film, Rich and Famous, he was still screaming at Candice Bergen and Jackie Bisset, “faster, faster.”
Death in Hollywood: McGavin, Darren, Actor of TV’s Mike Hammer Dies at 83
February 27, 2006 by
McGavin, 83, died Saturday of natural causes at a Los Angeles-area hospital with his family at his side. The husky, tough-talking performer was one of the busiest actors in television and film, starring in five TV series, including “Mike Hammer,” and endearing holiday audiences with his role as the grouchy dad in the 1983 comedy classic, “A Christmas Story.”
Rudolph, Alan: Director Profile
February 26, 2006 by
Alan Rudolph began his career as an assistant to Altman on The Long Goodbye, California Split, and Nashville. He later carved a path of his own with Welcome to L.A. (1977), which Altman produced, and Remember my Name (1979). Like his mentor, Rudolph operates well with tight budgets and a repertory troupe of actors, some of whom– Keith Carradine, Genevieve Bujold, Geraldine Chaplin–have also worked for Altman.
Altman, Robert: Maverick, Independent Filmmaker
February 26, 2006 by
The epitome of nonconformist filmmaking, Altman has refused to play by the rules. As Leo Braudy observed, Altman built his work on attempts to reconcile basic contradictions in Hollywood: genre versus art film, popular versus serious director. Drawing on the energy of classic genres, Altman has brought an astutely ironic, irreverent gaze to bear on traditional American values. From the beginning, his approach was freewheeling, non-linear, and genre-deconstructive.
