Ever since I saw The Sound of Music as a child, it has been one of my favorite movies. Thus, it is with great sadness that I report the passing of its director, four-time Oscar winner Robert Wise.
Not only did he direct that top-grossing musical of all time (for many years the top-grossing film of all time), but he also directed other great films including West Side Story and The Day the Earth Stood Still. He garnered his first Oscar nod in 1942 for editing Citizen Kane. He worked with Orson Welles later that year on The Magnificent Ambersons. His body of work included almost every genre of film; he even directed the first Star Trek movie in 1979.
He has directed many of the silver screen’s brightest lights including Julie Andrews, Christopher Plummer, Natalie Wood, Rita Moreno, Paul Newman, Patricia Neal, William Holden, Barbara Stanwyck, Richard Burton and James Mason. He represents the very best of what Hollywood can be. And while he will be missed, he leaves behind a great legacy.
Thank you, Robert Wise, for your many cinematic achievements and for assuring us that somewhere there’s a place for each one of us and reminding us to Climb Ev’ry Mountain.
-Dan (AKA GayPatriotWest): GayPatriotWest@aol.com
I had the opportunity to meet Robert Wise in 2003, at the AMPAS screening of “The Sound of Music” in 70mm as part of its Best Picture series. A truly underrated director, he will definitely be missed.
Thanks Dan: good reminder of an incredible director. How can we not be changed just a little if we watch his films. “Rosebud.” I’ll never forget.
Who could ever forget the man that brought “Gort – Klatuu Baradda Nicto!” into the common lexion?
Thank you Mr. Wise.
Ok, this is my story: yesterday morning, I was on my way to meet with my client who lives at Century Towers. A fire engine pulled in before me. Well, this morning, I went over there, and found out from my client that that fire engine had arrived because of Robert Wise.
I’ve never seen The Sound of Music all the way through. Citizen Kane is one of my favorites though.