You think you know a person. And then you watch a documentary.
So it was when I sat down on the couch to watch the latest edition of PBS’ American Masters series, this on a guy who’s one of the greatest filmmakers of our time—Mike Nichols.
Now, I knew he was good. I just didn’t realize how good. It’s hard to say that he flew under the radar. He was famous. Rich. And married to Dianne Sawyer. But the body of his work is just incredible.
It’s also worth noting that his is still another story of immigrant-makes-good in the United States. He and his family immigrated to New York City from Nazi-era Berlin, thankfully, while, they still could.
He ended up studying at the University of Chicago, where he met the likes of Susan Sontag. And Elaine May (who directed this documentary), of course, with whom he developed an enormously successful comedy partnership—the two were also part of what became Second City.
That’s pretty good right there, in my book. But, he eventually was asked to direct a play, and the rest, as they say, was history. The first play? “Barefoot in the Park.”
His first movie? “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” Think about that. Hello, Elizabeth and Richard, thank you for joining me on my debut. (And if somehow you’ve never watched it, shame on you and add it to your queue).
His second movie: “The Graduate.” Think about that.
Plus, in his interviews for the documentary, he’s just charming, insightful, doesn’t take himself too seriously, and is just one of those people I’d give anything to have been around. (I especially liked his take on how the French view American film; I believe the word “frogified” was used.)
It’s really worth the watch. The PBS site indicates the hour-long film will be online through February (though as of this writing, the sites seems to be down). But I believe it’ll continue to be aired on local stations during that time, also.
In the meantime, I’ll leave you with the list of films that he directed:
2007 Charlie Wilson’s War
2004 Closer
2003 Angels in America (TV Mini-Series) (2 episodes)
2001 Wit (TV Movie)
2000 What Planet Are You From?
1998 Primary Colors
1996 The Birdcage
1994 Wolf
1991 Regarding Henry
1988 Working Girl
1988 Biloxi Blues
1986 Heartburn
1983 Silkwood
1980 Gilda Live (Documentary)
1975 The Fortune
1971 Carnal Knowledge
1970 Catch-22
1968 Teach Me! (Short)
1967 The Graduate
1966 Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
P.S. Oh yeah, there are also the theater credits:
| Betrayal | Oct 27, 2013 – Jan 05, 2014 |
| Death of a Salesman | Mar 15, 2012 – Jun 02, 2012 |
| The Country Girl | Apr 27, 2008 – Jul 20, 2008 |
| The Apple Tree | Dec 14, 2006 – Mar 11, 2007 |
| Spamalot | Mar 17, 2005 – Jan 11, 2009 |
| Whoopi | Nov 17, 2004 – Jan 30, 2005 |
| The Play What I Wrote | Mar 30, 2003 – Jun 15, 2003 |
| Sunday in the Park with George | May 15, 1994 – May 15, 1994 |
| Death and the Maiden | Mar 17, 1992 – Aug 02, 1992 |
| Social Security | Apr 17, 1986 – Mar 22, 1987 |
| Whoopi Goldberg | Oct 24, 1984 – Mar 10, 1985 |
| Hurlyburly | Aug 07, 1984 – Jun 02, 1985 |
| The Real Thing | Jan 05, 1984 – May 12, 1985 |
| Grown Ups | Dec 10, 1981 – Feb 20, 1982 |
| Fools | Apr 06, 1981 – May 09, 1981 |
| Lunch Hour | Nov 12, 1980 – Jun 28, 1981 |
| Billy Bishop Goes to War | May 29, 1980 – Jun 07, 1980 |
| The Gin Game | Oct 06, 1977 – Dec 31, 1978 |
| Annie | Apr 21, 1977 – Jan 02, 1983 |
| Comedians | Nov 28, 1976 – Apr 03, 1977 |
| Streamers | Apr 21, 1976 – Jun 05, 1977 |
| Uncle Vanya | Jun 04, 1973 – Jul 28, 1973 |
| The Prisoner of Second Avenue | Nov 11, 1971 – Sep 29, 1973 |
| Plaza Suite | Feb 14, 1968 – Oct 03, 1970 |
| The Little Foxes | Oct 26, 1967 – Jan 20, 1968 |
| The Apple Tree | Oct 18, 1966 – Nov 25, 1967 |
| The Odd Couple | Mar 10, 1965 – Jul 02, 1967 |
| Luv | Nov 11, 1964 – Jan 07, 1967 |
| Barefoot in the Park | Oct 23, 1963 – Jun 25, 1967 |
There was an article on Nichols in the October (I think) Vanity Fair that included many testimonies to him – it was the best. Read it you must.
Thanks, will do, Bonita!
Hi Mike,
My daughter was in the West Coast production of “Annie”. Word was that Mike Nichols didn’t write “Annie”. But he took a failing show and turned it around and made a hit of it.
-Bob
Ha! She was? That’s great.
Mike, like you said, it is as if Mike Nichols just sort of sneaked up on all of us. His list of credits is incredible. Add to your list the brilliant stand up routines that he did with Elaine May. Those treasures alone are worthy of more attention. If I may add a little more local color to your blog. My old friend Connie Zonka was the sister of Patricia Zipprodt who was the costume designer for The Graduate. Connie lived in the South Loop for years, was the wife of Sun-Times editor Bob Zonka and was part owner of the Quiet Knight. If you want to have some fun, look up PZ on Wikipedia, another over looked person in our midst. Thanks for threading this needle.
What a great story. Yeah, I listened to a Terry Gross interview that was replayed after Nichols’ death and the included an old bit. It was fantastic! The premise was a Jewish mother berating her son for not calling–but he couldn’t call because he was launching Vanguard (which was a communications satellite of the day).
That’s terrific about Connie, will look her up.
Mike, Connie won’t likely be listed, it is Patricia Zipprodt who has the Wikipedia page. They were both amazing. I met Connie on Aeroflot when she was taking Patricia’s chest of costumes to the Kirov Ballet in St. Petersburg Russia. So many more great stories after that.
Thanks Mel, a little scrambled brain there.
I count myself a fan from the Nichols-May sketch days. His immigrant-success story is almost identical to Andre Previn’s: same background, same US arrival, same brilliance. One fears to contemplate what we (the world) lose when we restrict refugees from entering our country.
In regard to Patricia Zipprodt, I was a great admirer of her Broadway and Met Opera work, but was unaware of her fabulously romantic personal story. Here it is in her NYT obit:
http://www.nytimes.com/1999/07/19/arts/patricia-zipprodt-74-costume-designer.html
Ha! How’d I know that you’d know Patricia Zipprodt? Thanks for the link BDB.
You know her work without necessarily knowing her name. Artisans such as costume, set and lighting designers do work that, if great, doesn’t scream at us. We absorb it but rarely do we bother to know their names. Lucky to have a friend like Mel to single out PZ to you!
Benita, thank you for your endearing words about Patricia and for adding the link. Connie always talked about how Patricia married Col. Bob and I never tired of hearing the story. Had Mike not mentioned Mike Nichols and The Graduate, I may never have written on his blog. So, I’m grateful to both of you for inspiring me and keeping tabs on those who have enriched our lives.
I, too, am grateful for this opportunity to laud PZ and to “meet” you, Mel.
We watched it too…great story. Steven’s Mom just loved Nichols and May, she introduced them to me. Want to watch all those movies now. Snow day soon?
Leave a Response