Matinee Classics - Stanley Donen Biography & Filmography

Stanley Donen DIRECTOR

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STANLEY DONEN BIOGRAPHY & FILMOGRAPHY:

Stanley Donen was born on April 13th, 1924 in Columbia, South Carolina and became known throughout his career in the industry as 'The King of Musicals'. His parents were Mordecai Moses Donen and Helen Cohen. As a young boy he first developed an interest in the entertainment industry taking up dance lessons after high school he studied for one semester at the University of South Carolina but then chose to leave school early and pursue a career in entertainment.

By the age of seventeen he debuted on Broadway in a production of, "Pal Joey" followed by a role in, "Best Foot Forward". Soon he was gaining experience as a assistant stage manager and choreographer adding such behind the scene credits to his resume on, "Beat the Band" and "Call Me Mister".

Between 1944 and 1946, he worked as a photographer for the united States Naval Air Service and when he returned to his career his association with producer, Arthur Freed and actor Gene Kelly gave him the chance to direct his first musicals, "On the Town" (1949), "Singin' in the Rain" (1952) starring Gene Kelly, Donald O'Connor and Debbie Reynolds and "Love Is Better Than Ever" (1952).

Soon he was hired to work as a contract director for MGM and he began directing films with some of his more well known work on, "Royal Wedding" (1951) starring Fred Astaire, Jane Powell and Peter Lawford, "Love is Better than Ever" (1951) and "Fearless Fagan" (1952).

After leaving MGM, he began to do freelance work and soon turned his focus from musicals to comedies. Some of these more well known films were, "Deep in My Heart" (1954), "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers" (1954), "Funny Face" (1957) starring Audrey Hepburn and Fred Astaire, "Indiscreet" (1958) starring Cary Grant and Ingrid Bergman and "Damn Yankees!" (1958) starring Tab Hunter, Gwen Verdon and Ray Walston.

For a brief time he relocated to England to do some work there between the 60's and 70's and he worked with Columbia Pictures filming the feature, "Once More, With Feeling!" (1960) which was filmed in Paris. It was also during this time that he made one of his most well known films, "Charade" (1963) which starred Cary Grant, Audrey Hepburn and George Kennedy.

Other credits he has added to his resume over the course of his career are, "Arabesque" (1966), "Two for the Road" (1967), "Bedazzled" (1967), "Staircase" (1969), "The Little Prince" (1974), "Lucky Lady" (1975) and "Saturn 3" (1980) starring Kirk Douglas, Farrah Fawcett and Harvey Keitel.

Living back in Hollywood, he continued working as a producer and director with his last theatrical film, "Blame It on Rio" (1984) which was filmed in Rio de Janeiro. He also directed the television movie, "Love Letters" (1999).

In addition to working as a director and producer on stage and film, he also was given the chance to direct Lionel Richie's video, "Dancing on the Ceiling". His last known work was in 2003 for the video documentary, "The Lionel Richie Collection"

Stanley Donen has married five times throughout his lifetime. His first wife was Jeanne Coyne whom he wed in 1948 and divorced later in 1951. He then married Marion Marshall in 1952 and they had two children before the marriage came to an end in 1959. His third wife was Adelle O Connor Beatty whom he married in 1960 and they also had one child together before this marriage also ended unsuccessfully in 1971. He then chose to enter a marriage with actress Yvette Mimieux in 1972 however by 1985, another marriage ended. His fifth and final wife was Pamela Braden from 1990 through 1994. He has not remarried again but is currently in a relationship with comedian, Elaine May.