Matinee Classics - Vincente Minnelli Biography & Filmography

Vincente Minnelli DIRECTOR

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VINCENTE MINNELLI BIOGRAPHY & FILMOGRAPHY:

Vincente Minnelli was born as Lester Anthony Minnelli on February 28, 1903 in Chicago, Illinois. He was raised by his traveling performer parents, and consequently was on the road quite often. As a teenager, Minnelli moved to Chicago, working in a department store, photographing actors for Paul Stone, and finally, designing sets and costumes for the Chicago Theatre. Eventually, he worked his way up to becoming a lavish set designer in New York. This was where he adopted the name “Vincente.” Soon after, he started directing stage shows and musicals. His first work for the screen was as stage director for “Artists and Models” (1937).

Minnelli first met Judy Garland while helping design a musical sequence for “Strike Up the Band” (1940). After, he was offered a job at Metro-Goldwyn-Meyer by producer Arthur Freed. His directorial debut came with the musical fantasy “Cabin in the Sky” (1943). Shortly following, the director did “Meet Me in St. Louis” (1944), during which he became good friends with its star, Judy Garland. They began dating and got married one year later, in 1945. Their child, Liza Minnelli, went on to become a famous Academy Award winning actress and singer.

Minnelli directed nearly forty pictures in his over thirty year career. Most of them were musicals, like “An American in Paris” (1951), which earned him a Best Director Oscar nomination, “The Band Wagon” (1953), “Brigadoon” (1954), “Kismet” (1955), and “Gigi” (1958), which gave him a Best Director Academy Award. However, the director also helmed a great number of successful dramas, such as “The Clock” (1945), “Madame Bovary” (1949), “The Bad and the Beautiful” (1952), and “Lust for Life” (1956). As well, Minnelli put out some great comedies, not limited to “Father of the Bride” (1950), “Designing Woman” (1957), and “The Reluctant Debutante” (1958).

In 1962, Minnelli left MGM and founded his own production company, Venice Productions. His later films include the dramedy “The Courtship of Eddie’s Father” (1963), romantic comedy “Goodbye Charlie” (1964), drama “The Sandpiper” (1965), Barbra Streisand vehicle “On a Clear Day You Can See Forever” (1970), and his final, the romantic fantasy “A Matter of Time” (1976). On July 25, 1986, the director passed in Beverly Hills, California due to emphysema and pneumonia, which were connected to his struggle with Alzheimer’s disease. His critical reputation, however, stayed intact. His films, many of which are remembered for their profound dream sequences, will always be cherished in the hearts of the 1940's and 1950's moviegoers. Additionally, he will forever be regarded in America as a “pure stylist”, as well as a Technicolor genius. Still today, his work is celebrated through the etching of his name on a golden star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Filmography

1976 A Matter of Time

1970 On a Clear Day You Can See Forever

1965 The Sandpiper

1964 Goodbye Charlie

1963 The Courtship of Eddie's Father

1962 Two Weeks in Another Town

1962 The 4 Horsemen of the Apocalypse

1960 Bells Are Ringing

1960 Home from the Hill

1958 Some Came Running

1958 The Reluctant Debutante

1958 Gigi