The American economist became a Hollywood fixture in the 1950s as a director of gangster films. Robert Aldrich became world famous in 1954 with the classic “Vera Cruz” starring Gerry Cooper and Burt Lancaster. Critics saw his work as overly realistic depictions of violence. In 1971, he earned credit for adapting the tragic underworld love story entitled The Grisom Gang. Before that, Aldrich was assistant director to Charlie Chaplin and Jean Renoir from 1945 to 1952. His greatest successes include: “Autumn Storms” (1955), “The Flight of the Phoenix” (1965), “The Dirty Dozen” (1967), “No Mercy for Ulzana” and “The Choir Boys” from 1978…
Robert Aldrich was born on August 9, 1918 in Cranston, Rhode Island.
Aldrich studied law and business administration at the University of Virginia after graduating from high school. In 1943 he moved to Hollywood, where he worked for the production company RKO Pictures as a clerk and secretary. He then worked as an assistant director for Edward Dmytryk, Jean Renoir, William Wellman, Joseph Losey, Charlie Chaplin, Lewis Milestone and Richard Fleischer, among others. His first directorial work was the baseball drama The Big Leaguer (1953), which he directed for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. Aldrich’s breakthrough came with the western Apache (1954), starring Burt Lancaster.
In 1954 “Vera Cruz” followed with Gary Cooper and Burt Lancaster. Aldrich now emerged primarily with films that dealt critically with current social and political issues. In the mid-1950s he founded his own production company. Aldrich achieved the commercial high point of his career with “Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?” (1962; What Really Happened to Baby Jane?), the star-studded classic adventure film The Flight of the Phoenix (1965) and The Dirty Dozen (1967).
Aldrich, who made no secret of his criticism of the Hollywood system, was convincing with his critical and direct treatment of explosive social problems, which is unusual for Hollywood standards. The melodrama “The Legend of Lylah Clare” (1968; Big Lie Lylah Clare), starring Kim Novak, provides such a reckoning with the power cynicism of the film industry. Critics often saw his work as overly realistic depictions of violence. Other highlights were the tragic comedy “The Killing of Sister George” (1968; The Double Life of Sister George) and the late western “Ulzana’s Raid” (1972; No mercy for Ulzana).
In 1971, he earned credit for adapting the tragic underworld love story titled The Grisom Gang. His last film was All the Marbles (1981; Perky Bees on the Mat), a revealing comedy about a duo of catchers.
Robert Aldrich died on December 5, 1983 in Los Angeles.
Where is Robert Aldrich?
Aldrich died of kidney failure on December 5, 1983, in a Los Angeles hospital. He is buried in Lot 5153 of the Whispering Trees Section of Forest Lawn Cemetery in Hollywood Hills.
Did Robert Aldrich ever win an Oscar?
Although twice nominated by the Directors Guild of America for their Best Director award for What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? and The Dirty Dozen, Aldrich was never nominated for either a Golden Globe or an Oscar.
Did Whatever Happened to Baby Jane win any Oscars?
Academy Award for Best Costume Design, Black-and-White
1963 · Norma Koch
How much money did Whatever Happened to Baby Jane make?
This film was a smash hit upon initial release, recouping its original budget in only 11 days, and eventually grossing $9 million.
Who played the girl next door in Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?
Davis’ daughter did play the neighbor girl, though she was credited as Barbara Merrill instead of her commonly used initials; Barbara was her given name and Merrill was the surname of her stepfather, Gary Merrill, who adopted her in real life just like Bette said in Feud.
Who was Baby Jane Doe?
In a frightening cold case, a Massachusetts mother was convicted after 36 years for allegedly leaving her newborn infant to freeze to death in the Maine woods, as per the officials. Maine State Police arrested Lee Ann Daigle, 58, outside her Lowell, Massachusetts, home on Monday, ending a lengthy investigation.
Is baby Jane Doe still alive?
Alisha Ann Heinrich, previously known as “Baby Jane” and “Delta Dawn”, was a formerly unidentified American child murder victim whose body was found in Moss Point, Mississippi, in December 1982.
Who is Lee Ann Daigle?
Mother Charged With Murder 36 Years After Newborn Was Left In Gravel Pit To Die. Lee Ann Daigle was charged with the murder of her newborn baby nearly 40 years ago. Her adult daughter says Daigle thought at the time that the baby was stillborn, and now believes the pregnancy may have been the result of a sexual assault …
