Woody Allen

Woody Allen (born Allen Stewart Konigsberg on December 1, 1935) is an Academy Award-winning American film director, writer, actor, and comedian.

His large body of work and cerebral style have made him one of the most widely respected and prolific filmmakers in the modern era. He writes and directs his own movies and has acted in many of them as well.

For inspiration, Allen draws heavily on literature, philosophy, psychology, European cinema and, most importantly, New York City, where he was born and in which he has lived all his life.

Early years

Allen was born in New York City to a Jewish family of Austrian and Russian ancestry. His parents, Martin Königsberg (born on December 25, 1900 in New York; died on January 13, 2001) and Netty Cherrie (born in 1908 in New York; died in January 2002), and his sister, Letty (born 1943), lived in Flatbush, Brooklyn. He attended Hebrew school for eight years, and then went to Public School 99 and then to Midwood High. Nicknamed "Red" because of his red hair, he impressed students with his extraordinary talent at card and magic tricks.

To raise money he began writing gags for the agent David O. Alber, who sold them to newspaper columnists. Reportedly, Allen's first published joke was "I am at two with Nature." At sixteen, he started writing for stars like Sid Caesar and began calling himself Woody Allen. He was a gifted comedian from an early age. He would later joke that when he was young he was often sent to inter-faith summer camps, where he "was savagely beaten by children of all races and creeds."

College

After high school, he went to New York University where he studied communication and film, but, never much of a student, he soon dropped out due to poor grades. He later briefly attended City College of New York.

Comedy writer

At nineteen, he started writing scripts for The Ed Sullivan Show, The Tonight Show, Your Show of Shows and others. In 1957, he won his first Emmy Award.

He started writing prose and plays, and in 1960, started a new career as a stand-up comedian and also began writing for the popular Candid Camera television show, even appearing in some episodes. Together with his managers he turned his weaknesses into his strengths and developed the neurotic, nervous, and shy figure famous from his later movies. He soon became an immensely popular comedian and appeared frequently in nightclubs and on television.

Examples of Allen's standup act can be heard on the album Standup Comic, including the famous routine wherein Allen describes bringing a live moose to a costume party. The moose comes in second in the costume contest to the Berkowitzes, a couple in a moose costume. Occasionally, in his standup act, he referred to himself as "Heywood Allen," but it is not clear that ever used this form officially in either his professional or personal life.

Film career

Early films

His first movie production was What's New, Pussycat? in 1965, for which he wrote the screenplay. It was a largely unpleasant experience for Allen as he was trapped in Paris for six months during the production. Furthermore, the studio never showed much respect for his script, altering the film to the point where it bore little resemblance to Allen's original vision.

Allen's first directorial effort was What's Up, Tiger Lily? (1966), in which an existing Japanese spy movie was redubbed in English by Allen and his friends with completely new, comic dialogue. In 1967, he also appeared in the offbeat James Bond spoof, Casino Royale.

1960s and 1970s

His first conventional effort was Take The Money and Run (1969), which was followed by Bananas, Everything You Always Wanted To Know About Sex (But Were Afraid to Ask), Sleeper, and Love and Death. In 1972, he also starred in the film version of his own play called Play It Again, Sam, which was directed by Herbert Ross. All of Allen's early films were pure comedies that relied heavily on slapstick, inventive sight gags, and non-stop one-liners. Among the many notable influences on these films are Bob Hope and Groucho Marx.

In 1976, he starred in, but did not direct, The Front, a humorous and poignant account of Hollywood blacklisting during the 1950s.

Allen's most successful movies were produced in a 10-year period starting with Annie Hall; other critical and financial successes were Manhattan, The Purple Rose of Cairo (named by Time Magazine as one of the 100 best films of all time, and one of Allen's self-proclaimed three best films, along with Stardust Memories and Match Point) and Hannah and Her Sisters (winner of three Academy Awards). He also directed the serious drama Interiors, in the manner of the Swedish director, Ingmar Bergman, one of Allen's major influences.

Annie Hall, now a modern classic, marked a major turn to more sophisticated humor and thoughtful drama. Allen's 1977 film won four Academy Awards. Annie Hall set the standard for modern romantic comedy and also started a fashion trend with the unique clothes worn by Diane Keaton in the film (the off-beat, masculine clothing, such as ties with cardigans, was actually Keaton's own).

1980s

Most of his 1980's films, even the comedies, have somber and philosophical undertones. Many, like September and Stardust Memories, are often said to be heavily influenced by the works of European directors, most notably Ingmar Bergman and Federico Fellini.

Stardust Memories was considered by many to be a biting piece of work in which the main character (played by Allen) expresses resentment and scorn for his fans. In the film, overcome by the recent death of a friend from illness, he states, "I don't want to make funny movies any more." However, by the mid-1980s, Allen had begun to combine his love of both tragic and comic elements with the release of such films as Hannah and Her Sisters, Husbands and Wives and Crimes and Misdemeanors.

1990s

His 1992 film Shadows and Fog is an homage to Fritz Lang, G.W. Pabst and F.W. Murnau, and the German expressionists. His 1993 film Manhattan Murder Mystery combined suspense with dark comedy, and starred Diane Keaton, Alan Alda, and Anjelica Huston.

In the late 1990s he returned to lighter movies, such as Everyone Says I Love You, a musical, and Mighty Aphrodite, for which Mira Sorvino won an Academy Award.

Allen made his only sitcom 'appearance' via telephone in the 1997 episode, "My Dinner With Woody" of the show Just Shoot Me!, an episode paying tribute to several of his films.

2000s

Allen's movies after 1999 have included Melinda and Melinda and The Curse of the Jade Scorpion.

Small Time Crooks (2000), his first film with DreamWorks SKG studio, was a modest success, grossing over ten million dollars.

After a number of films that floundered with critics and at the box office, Match Point (2005) was one of Allen's most successful films in the past 10 years. The film, set in London, starred Jonathan Rhys-Meyers and Scarlett Johansson. It earned more than $23 million domestically (more than any of his films in nearly 20 years ^*) and was nominated for an Academy Award. In an interview with Premiere Magazine, Allen stated this was the best film he has ever made.

Allen, well-known for his love of New York, is in post-production on another film set in London, Scoop, starring Hugh Jackman, Ian McShane, Kevin McNally and Johansson. He recently announced that he was in pre-production for a third film there as well^*.

Critical of the American film industry, Allen said, “I'm happy to work in London, because I'm right back in the same kind of liberal creative attitude that I'm used to."^* European audiences have tended to be more receptive to Allen's films, particularly France, a country where he has a large fan base. He himself has said that he "survives" on the European market.

Actors in his movies

Allen has attracted diverse and talented actors for his films, including Diane Keaton, Julia Roberts, Sean Penn, Michael Caine, Steve Carell, Anjelica Huston, Alan Alda, Dan Aykroyd, Drew Barrymore, Judy Davis, Stockard Channing, Tim Roth, Carrie Fisher, Hugh Grant, Helen Hunt, Téa Leoni, Jon Lovitz, Jonny Lee Miller, Amanda Peet, Natalie Portman, Christina Ricci, Chloë Sevigny, Wallace Shawn, Leonardo DiCaprio, David Ogden Stiers and Charlize Theron.

He continues to write roles for the neurotic persona he created in the 1960s and 1970s; however, as Allen gets older, the roles have been assumed by other actors such as John Cusack (Bullets Over Broadway), Kenneth Branagh (Celebrity), Jason Biggs (Anything Else), and Will Ferrell (Melinda and Melinda).

Relationships

Harlene Rosen

In 1956, at age 20, Allen married Harlene Rosen, a philosophy student. The two acrimoniously divorced in 1962.

Rosen, whom Allen referred to in his standup act as "the Dread Mrs. Allen," later sued Allen for defamation due to comments at a TV appearance shortly after their divorce. Allen tells a different story on his mid-1960s standup album Standup Comic. In his act, Allen said that Rosen sued him because of a joke he made in an interview. Rosen had been sexually assaulted outside her apartment, and according to Allen, the newspapers reported that she "had been violated." In the interview, Allen said, "Knowing my ex-wife, it probably wasn't a moving violation."

Louise Lasser

Allen later married Bananas co-star Louise Lasser in 1966 in what began a pattern of romantic involvement with his leading ladies. Allen and Lasser were divorced in 1969 and Allen would not marry again until 1997.

Diane Keaton

In 1970, Allen cast Diane Keaton in his Broadway play Play It Again, Sam, which had a successful run. It was during this time that she became romantically involved with Allen and appeared in a number of his films, including 1977 Best Picture Annie Hall. They never married.

Mia Farrow

Starting around 1980, Allen began a 12-year relationship with actress Mia Farrow, who had leading roles in several of his movies.

Farrow and Allen never married, but they adopted two children together: Dylan Farrow and Moses Farrow; and had one biological child, Seamus Farrow. Allen did not adopt any of Farrow's other biological and adopted children, including Soon-Yi Farrow Previn (now known as Soon-Yi Previn).

Allen and Farrow separated in 1992 after Farrow discovered nude photographs Allen had taken of Previn, and Allen admitted to a relationship with Previn.

During a subsequent protracted legal battle, Farrow accused Allen of sexually abusing their seven-year-old adopted daughter Dylan. The case never went to trial and Allen was never indicted.

Soon-Yi Previn

Shortly after separating from Farrow in 1992, Allen openly continued his relationship with Soon-Yi Previn, Farrow's adopted daughter. Even though Allen and Previn denied he was ever her stepfather, the relationship drew much scrutiny for its perceived impropriety. At the time, Allen was 57 and Previn was 22.

Allen and Previn married in 1997. The couple later adopted two daughters, naming them Bechet and Manzie after jazz musicians Sidney Bechet and Manzie Johnson.

Custody battle and sex abuse allegations

Farrow won the custody battle over their children and Allen was only granted sharply limited visitation rights. The judge said the sex abuse charges were inconclusive.Brozan, Nadine. "Chronicle," The New York Times, May 13, 1994. but called Allen's conduct with his daughter "inappropriate."Henneberger, Melinda. "Connecticut Prosecutor Won't File Charges Against Woody Allen," The New York Times, September 25, 1993

Allen was ultimately denied visitation rights with Dylan (now known as Eliza) and could only see Satchel (now known as Ronan) under supervision. Moses (now called Misha), who was then 14, chose not to see his father.

In a 2005 Vanity Fair interviewBiskind, Peter. "Reconstructing Woody," Vanity Fair, December 2005 Allen estimated that, despite the scandal's damage to his reputation, Farrow's discovery of the photographs was "just one of the fortuitous events, one of the great pieces of luck in my life. [... It was a turning point for the better."

Of his relationship with Farrow, he said "I'm sure there are things that I might have done differently. ^* Probably in retrospect I should have bowed out of that relationship much earlier than I did." Just one year after the legal battle, Allen briefly considered Farrow for the role of his wife in his film Mighty Aphrodite, a suggestion quickly rejected by the casting director.

Trivia

Allen spent at least 30 years undergoing psychoanalysis, sometimes as often as three days a week. Most of his films contain a psychoanalysis scene. Even the film Antz, a cartoon where he only voices Z, the lead character, begins with a classic piece of Allen analysis schtick.

Moment Magazine says "It drove his self-absorbed work". ^* John Baxter, author of Woody Allen - A Biography, wrote "Like Catholic confession, Allen's form of analysis let the penitent go free to sin again," and that "Allen obviously found analysis stimulating, even exciting."

Allen says he ended his psychotherapy visits around the time he began his relationship with Previn. He says he still is claustrophobic and agoraphobic.

In 2002, Allen made a surprise appearance at the Academy Awards telecast, even though he was not nominated for any awards. It was part of a tribute to New York after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. He and many of his films are closely associated with New York City and he has spent many years encouraging filmmakers to film in his favorite city. He had long avoided the Oscars, skipping the show even when he was winning awards.^*

Awards

Allen's film Annie Hall won four Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Actress and Best Director (Allen).
Hannah and Her Sisters won three – Best Actor in a supporting role, Best Actress in a supporting role, with Best Screenplay going to Allen.
Allen twice won the César Award for Best Foreign Film, the first in 1980 for Manhattan and the second in 1986 for The Purple Rose of Cairo.
Allen is the most frequently nominated person in the Academy Award category of Best Original Screenplay, with a total of 14 nominations. He has also been nominated many times in the category of Best Director, and his actors are also among the most frequently nominated people in their respective categories. Allen himself was nominated for Best Actor for his role in Annie Hall.
In a 2005 poll The Comedian's Comedian, Allen was voted the third greatest comedy act ever by fellow comedians and comedy insiders.
Allen won the 1978 O. Henry Award for his short story "The Kugelmass Episode" published in The New Yorker on May 2, 1977.
In 2002 Allen won the Prince of Asturias Award.

Clarinet

Allen has played the clarinet since adolescence. When he changed his name for show business, he took his first name from an idol, famed clarinetist Woody Herman. He has performed publicly at least since the late 1960s, notably with the Preservation Hall Jazz Band on the soundtrack of Sleeper.
"Woody Allen and his New Orleans Jazz Band" plays every Monday evening at Manhattan's Carlyle Hotel, specializing in classic New Orleans jazz from the early twentieth century.
The documentary film Wild Man Blues (directed by Barbara Kopple) documents a 1996 European tour by Allen and his band, as well as his relationship with Previn.

Academy Awards and Nominations

Woody Allen has more Academy Award nominations (14) for best screenplay (original or adapted) than any other writer and is tied for fifth all-time in the directing category.

1977 — Won — Academy Award for Best Director — Annie Hall
1977 — Won — Academy Award for Writing Original Screenplay — Annie Hall (with Marshall Brickman)
1977 — Nominated — Best Actor in a Leading Role — Annie Hall
1978 — Nominated — Academy Award for Best Director — Interiors
1978 — Nominated — Academy Award for Writing Original Screenplay — Interiors
1979 — Nominated — Academy Award for Writing Original Screenplay — Manhattan (with Marshall Brickman)
1984 — Nominated — Academy Award for Best Director — Broadway Danny Rose
1984 — Nominated — Academy Award for Writing Original Screenplay — Broadway Danny Rose
1985 — Nominated — Academy Award for Writing Original Screenplay — The Purple Rose of Cairo
1986 — Nominated — Academy Award for Best Director — Hannah and Her Sisters
1986 — Won — Academy Award for Writing Original Screenplay — Hannah and Her Sisters
1987 — Nominated — Academy Award for Writing Original Screenplay — Radio Days
1989 — Nominated — Academy Award for Best Director — Crimes and Misdemeanors
1989 — Nominated — Academy Award for Writing Original Screenplay — Crimes and Misdemeanors
1990 — Nominated — Academy Award for Writing Original Screenplay — Alice
1992 — Nominated — Academy Award for Writing Original Screenplay — Husbands and Wives
1994 — Nominated — Academy Award for Best Director — Bullets Over Broadway
1994 — Nominated — Academy Award for Writing Original Screenplay — Bullets Over Broadway (with Douglas McGrath)
1995 — Nominated — Academy Award for Writing Original Screenplay — Mighty Aphrodite
1997 — Nominated — Academy Award for Writing Original Screenplay — Deconstructing Harry
2005 — Nominated — Academy Award for Writing Original Screenplay — Match Point

Filmography

What's Up, Tiger Lily? (1966)
Take the Money and Run (1969)
The Harvey Wallinger Story (1971)
Bananas (1971)
Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sex (But Were Afraid to Ask) (1972)
Sleeper (1973)
Love and Death (1975)
Annie Hall (1977)
Interiors (1978)
Manhattan (1979)
Stardust Memories (1980)
A Midsummer Night's Sex Comedy (1982)
Zelig (1983)
Broadway Danny Rose (1984)
The Purple Rose of Cairo (1985)
Hannah and Her Sisters (1986)
Radio Days (1987)
September (1987)
Another Woman (1988)
New York Stories (1989)
Crimes and Misdemeanors (1989)
Alice (1990)
Shadows and Fog (1992)
Husbands and Wives (1992)
Manhattan Murder Mystery (1993)
Bullets Over Broadway (1994)
Don't Drink the Water (1994)
Mighty Aphrodite (1995)
Everyone Says I Love You (1996)
Deconstructing Harry (1997)
Celebrity (1998)
Sweet and Lowdown (1999)
Small Time Crooks (2000)
The Curse of the Jade Scorpion (2001)
Hollywood Ending (2002)
Anything Else (2003)
Melinda and Melinda (2004)
Match Point (2005)
Scoop (2006)

References

Getting Even (1971), ISBN 0394473485
The Importance of Being Famous: Behind the Scenes of the Celebrity Industrial Complex by Maureen Orth p233 ISBN 0805075453
Side Effects (1980), ISBN 0394511042
Without Feathers (1975), ISBN 0394497430
Woody Allen on Woody Allen: In Conversation With Stig Bjorkman (1995), ISBN 080211556X
Woody Allen: Eine Biographie; Stephan Reimertz, Reinbek, (2000) ISBN 3499611457 (in German)
Woody Allen; Stephan Reimertz, (rororo-Monographie), Reinbek, (2005) ISBN 3499504103 (in German)
The Essential Woody Allen; Lauren Hill
''Fun With Woody, The Complete Woody Allen Quiz Book (Henry Holt),Graham Flashner
"Woody plots film return to London" by A Correspondent, Times Online, November 30 2005
"Why I Love London" by Simon Garfield, Guardian Unlimited, August 8 2004

External links

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