American screenwriter Thomas Francis Mankiewicz made a great contribution to the art of cinema. He took part in the creation of films from the Bond series, wrote the script for the films Superman 1 and 2. He is a very interesting and versatile person.
Thomas Mankiewicz's contribution to the film industry is very large. He tried himself and quite successfully in different directions as a screenwriter, actor, filmmaker. He is a worthy successor to the Hollywood cinematic dynasty. Not only his parents are known, but also his uncle Herman Mankevich, who is the co-author of the script for the film "Citizen Kane". Membership of the Mankiewicz clan contributed to the recognition of Tom's talent, although he himself did a lot for this.
Biography
Thomas Francis Mankiewicz was born on June 1, 1942 in Los Angeles into a wealthy family closely associated with cinema.
A family:
His parents were actress Rosa Stradner and famous director and screenwriter Joseph Leo Mankiewicz. His father was married three times, and Thomas had two brothers and a sister: brother Christopher Mankiewicz, half-brother Eric Reinal and half-sister Alexander. In 1950, Tom and his family moved to New York, where he began his studies at one of the best boarding schools.
Study:
After graduating from school, the younger Mankiewicz went to Yale University (drama school), which he graduated with great success in 1963.
In 1961, the future filmmaker first tried his hand at cinema, where he was invited to the filming of the western "Comancheros" as an assistant director. It became good practice for him. In 1964, Thomas managed to take part in the making of the film "The Best Man", it was a screen version of the popular Broadway musical at the time. While working in Hollywood, Tom Mankiewicz worked on various projects, including filming various television programs, in which such famous people as Frank Sinatra, Lee Hezlewood and others appeared.
Recognition of the talent of the screenwriter came to Mankevich after creating the script for the film "Please". The script was considered at several film studios, everyone liked it very much, but no one made a film based on it. Considering belonging to the Mankiewicz clan, this was enough for Tom to gain recognition and be considered a very promising screenwriter. Job offers started pouring in.
So the film company '20th Century Fox' invited Mankiewicz to the post of the chief writer of the drama "Nice Trip" about surfers in California, where the beautiful Jacqueline Bisset starred in one of the main roles. Unfortunately, nothing is known about Thomas' personal life, but in his book Mankiewicz talks about romantic relationships with some of Hollywood's biggest stars.
After the film, Mankiewicz tried his hand at Broadway for a while. There he met the producer of popular James Bond films. Albert Broccoli at that time was looking for a talented, outstanding screenwriter to continue filming the James Bond film. The script for the film "Diamonds Are Forever" was being prepared. The producer wanted to involve actor Sean Connery in the new film. Mankevich coped with the task set before him perfectly, and after that his long work on the "Bondiana" began. Mankiewicz wrote scripts for the films Live and Let Die, The Man with the Golden Gun, The Spy Who Loved Me and The Moon Rider.
In 1977, director Richard Donner invited Mankiewicz to write the screenplay for Superman, and later the second part. The script at that moment was still loose, or rather, there was a sea of various ideas that occupied several hundred pages, of which five films could have turned out. The director handed the materials over to Thomas Mankiewicz, and from a heap of scattered sketches, the latter made the script for a super popular blockbuster. According to Richard Donner, who was very pleased with the result, "Superman was only possible because Tom joined the project. He brought his sense of humor and brought the characters to life."
Thomas was a very versatile person. He was very fond of nature, oversaw the Los Angeles Zoo, served on the board of directors of the William Holden Wildlife Fund in Kenya. There he had a villa, where he regularly traveled. He also loved horses, kept his own stable, and served on the board of directors of the Thoroughbred Owners of California.
In 2006, Mankiewicz began teaching at the Chapman University Film College, where he was invited. He taught courses for graduate students. He really liked this occupation, he had a lot of ideas, he tried to share his knowledge with talented youth. Mankevich also participated in the affairs of the Screenwriters Guild, the Directors Guild of the United States and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
On July 31, 2010, Tom Mankiewicz died. A few months earlier, he was suddenly diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and was operated on. As you know, after such a diagnosis is made, people rarely live long. He died at the age of 68. His death was quite unexpected for his relatives. Until recently, he wanted to return to teaching and he had a lot of creative ideas.
Filmography:
The creativity of Mankevich the Younger is quite diverse. He has appeared in 35 films as an actor, screenwriter, director or producer. At the same time, he is not ambitious, since in many films he acted as a consultant, working on an equal footing with the others, but his name is not even mentioned in the subtitles.
Best Movies:
Delirious (1991)
Hawk Lady (1987)
Diamonds Are Forever (1971)
Kassandra Pass (1976);
The Man with the Golden Gun (1974);
Superman 1 and 2 (1980)
Endless Pursuit (1987)
Best TV Shows:
Tales from the crypt.
Book:
My Life as a Mankiewicz: An Insider's Journey through Hollywood 2012 Tom Mankiewicz and Robert Crane
