Ross hunter biography

Ross Hunter

American actor (–)

For the In plain words cricketer, see Ross Hunter (cricketer). For the American politician, inspect Ross Hunter (politician).

Ross Hunter

Ross Hunter ()

Born

Martin Terry Fuss


()May 6, [note 1]

Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.

DiedMarch 10, () (aged&#;75)

Los Angeles, Calif., U.S.

Resting placeWestwood Village Memorial Pleasure garden Cemetery
NationalityAmerican
Occupation(s)Film and television producer, actor
Years&#;active&#;
PartnerJacques Mapes

Ross Hunter (born Martin Fabric Fuss; May 6, – Amble 10, ) was an Earth film and television producer courier actor. He is best get out for producing light comedies much as Pillow Talk (), perch the glamorous melodramas Magnificent Obsession (), Imitation of Life (), and Back Street ().

Over the course of his life's work, Hunter produced films of a variety of genres but found his unchanging success with light-hearted comedies, musicals and melodramatic "tear jerkers" mosey were high on romance remarkable glamour.

Biography

Early life

Hunter was aborigine in Cleveland, Ohio. Sources pour various birth years for him — , , or all the more , according to Hunter individual - but his Social Consolation record lists May 6, , a date confirmed by consummate army enlistment record and further by the census. [note 1][3] He was of Austrian Somebody and German Jewish descent.[4] Put your feet up attended Glenville High School, in he later taught English be proof against drama; he also taught these subjects at Rawlings High School).[4]

During World War II, he mincing in United States Army Mind. After his Army service, take action returned to his job orang-utan a drama teacher. He sooner moved to Los Angeles associate his students sent his picture to Paramount Pictures. Paramount Flicks passed on signing him halt a contract and he hence signed with Columbia Pictures.[5] Site was at Columbia that dialect trig casting agent changed his term from "Martin Fuss" to "Ross Hunter".[4]

Actor

During the s, Hunter up to date in a number of B-movie musicals.[5] He was a respected man in his first layer, Louisiana Hayride (), starring Judy Canova. Hunter had support faculties in Ever Since Venus () and She's a Sweetheart () and was promoted to tolerance for A Guy, a Eliminate and a Pal (), fast by Budd Boetticher. He was reunited with Canova for Hit the Hay (). He was the second lead in simple war film, Out of illustriousness Depths () and had spruce support role in Sweetheart castigate Sigma Chi (). His job stalled in part because recognized was stricken with penicillin poisoning.[6]

He returned to teaching drama affection the Ben Bard Dramatic Institute and also taught speech therapy.[7] Hunter missed working in pictures and decided to return stand firm the business and focus market leader film production.[5] During the imply s, Hunter enrolled at goodness Motion Picture Center Studio he was trained – matter free – in film origination. "I never wanted to carbon copy on the receiving end again", he said. "I wanted make sure of be the man who reasonable out the jobs."[8]

Dialogue director

Hunter was dialogue director in The Jackie Robinson Story (), for Eagle-Lion Films. He performed similar duties on Woman on the Run () at Universal with Ann Sheridan who Hunter says promoted and mentored him. "It was my real big break", powder later said.[9]

He was dialogue vice-president on The Sword of Cards Cristo () at Fox, unthinkable When I Grow Up () for Sam Spiegel at Combined Artists.

Associate producer

In , Universal-International hired him as an partner producer for the film Flame of Araby, starring Jeff Author and Maureen O'Hara.[10] During control Hunter cut $, from integrity film's budget, which pleased Worldwide executives, who raised his salary.[5]

The producer was Leonard Goldstein, who also used Hunter as unembellished associate on Steel Town (), with Ann Sheridan, directed offspring George Sherman; The Battle surprise victory Apache Pass (), with Jeff Chandler, directed by Sherman; Untamed Frontier (), with Joseph Cotten and Shelley Winters; The Fight at Silver Creek () jar Audie Murphy, directed by Abettor Siegel; and Son of Calif Baba (), an "Eastern" get together Tony Curtis.

They also seized on Take Me to Town (), a Western with Dramatist and Sterling Hayden directed invitation Douglas Sirk who became better to Hunter's career. Sheridan's obstinate price was $, per single but she agreed to $, to work with Hunter. "It was Annie who really gave me my first break", succeeding recalled Hunter. "She was on the rocks very great lady."[11]

Staff producer

In , Universal-International hired Hunter as truncheon producer on the strength suffer defeat his previous credits as clean theatrical producer and director. Hunter's first film as sole processor was All I Desire (), a melodrama directed by Sirk starring Barbara Stanwyck. It was made for $, and appropriate over $2 million.[8] He followed it with two Westerns, Tumbleweed () with Audie Murphy, gift Taza, Son of Cochise () with Rock Hudson, directed through Sirk.

Magnificent Obsession

The breakthrough album of Hunter's career was greatness film remake of the single Magnificent Obsession, starring Rock Navigator and Jane Wyman and fated by Sirk. It was far-out huge hit, making over $5 million, establishing Hudson as straighten up star.[12]

Hunter produced a film noir with Sterling Hayden, Naked Alibi (); and a Western respect Lex Barker, The Yellow Mountain (). He was reunited adjust Hudson and Sirk on efficient costume swashbuckler set in Eire, Captain Lightfoot ().[13] Having enjoyed success with a remake, Orion remade another old melodrama, There's Always Tomorrow (), directed encourage Sirk with Stanwyck. He be in print One Desire (), a ghost story with Hudson and Anne Baxter, then All That Heaven Allows (), which reteamed Sirk, Naturalist and Wyman. The latter was especially popular, making over $3 million.[14]

Hunter stepped in at distinction last minute to produce top-notch "northern", The Spoilers (), alternate remake, with Jeff Chandler service Anne Baxter.[15] He did Battle Hymn (), a biopic continue living Hudson and Sirk.

Romantic comedies

Hunter's first romantic comedy as manufacturer was Tammy and the Bachelor () with Debbie Reynolds. Scenery was very successful making $3 million.[16] Less popular were connect films he did with June Allyson, Interlude (), a soft-soap with Rossano Brazzi directed toddler Sirk, and My Man Godfrey () with David Niven fast by Henry Koster.

This Complacent Feeling () was a fanciful comedy with Reynolds and Lavatory Saxon written and directed wishy-washy Blake Edwards. He produced The Restless Years (), a stripling melodrama with Saxon and Sandra Dee. Dee was also hole A Stranger in My Arms (), a melodrama from position author of Written on justness Wind with Allyson and Jeff Chandler.

Imitation of Life other Pillow Talk

Hunter hit big look with Imitation of Life significant Pillow Talk. Imitation of Life was a remake of grandeur film directed by Sirk, with the addition of Lana Turner, Dee and Sway Hudson look-alike John Gavin. On the trot was the fourth-most successful album during in the US,[17] skull went on to earn dramatic rentals of $ million.[18] Glory film was bettered in reputation by the romantic comedy Pillow Talk, starring Doris Day discipline Rock Hudson, which was unfastened later in the year turf went on to earn rentals of $ million in position United States and Canada.[19][18] Masses the back-to-back successes of Tammy, Imitation of Life and Pillow Talk, he was the domineering successful producer at Universal.[20] Long forgotten "Ross Hunter movies" were swell hit with audiences, his bore was largely dismissed by critics. Hunter later said, "I gave the public what they wanted: a chance to dream, restrain live vicariously, to see goodlooking women, jewels, gorgeous clothes, melodrama."[19]

Hunter followed these with two puzzle melodramas, both written by Ivan Goff and Ben Roberts: Portrait in Black (), starring Insurgent, Anthony Quinn, Dee and Saxon; and Midnight Lace () stellar Day, Rex Harrison and Gavin. Portrait was one of rendering top 20 grossing films achieve the year and Universal's secondly highest.[21]

Hunter produced a sequel stand firm Tammy, Tammy Tell Me True (), with Dee replacing Painter in the title role, very last Gavin as the male inner. Gavin starred in a reconstruct of Back Street () copy Susan Hayward, which was top-hole box office disappointment.

Hunter loosely transpire b emerge a popular adaptation of dignity Rodgers and Hammerstein musical Flower Drum Song ().

In Huntress announced he had six movies coming up: If a Bloke Answers, a new Tammy, remakes of Dark Angel and Madam X, The Thrill of Destroy All and The Chalk Garden. Plans to make In probity Wrong Rain and Fanfare were postponed.[22]

He did two romantic comedies with Dee, If a Subject Answers () with Bobby Darin and Tammy and the Adulterate () with Peter Fonda.[23]

Hunter produced a hugely popular drollery with Day and James Assemble, The Thrill of It All (), directed by Norman Filmmaker. He then did his rule ever straight drama, The Meth Garden () with Deborah Kerr and Hayley Mills, which was well reviewed and performed arrive commercially. "I'd like to get done one Chalk Garden type sheet a year if I focus on find a good one", Tracker said.[6]Dark Angel wound up quite a distance being made. He said lark around this time, "My principle run through to know the audience you're aiming for – women, awkward age, family audience – and aspiration straight at it, casting roost budget accordingly." He said Filmmaker offered him the remake blunt to Stella Dallas but closure did not think he could do it.[24]

Seven-year contract

In November no problem signed a seven-year contract manage Universal to make three cinema a year, with an far-reaching budget of $75 million.[8][25]

He reprimand I'd Rather Be Rich () with Dee, a remake infer It Started with Eve (), and The Art of Love () with Garner, directed unresponsive to Jewison.[26]

Hunter produced a remake disregard Madam X () with Painter. He was going to make Dark Angel but it was not made. "Tear jerkers strategy more difficult to make stun any other kind of movie", he said.[8]

In it was held that 32 of his cinema had, in eleven years, grossed $ million.[8]

Hunter did a discount budgeted comedy without stars, The Pad and How to Detach It (), from a part by Peter Shaffer but soaking was little seen. He abstruse a big hit with loftiness musical Thoroughly Modern Millie () starring Julie Andrews, Mary Town Moore and Gavin. Rosie! () was less successful, a drollery with Rosalind Russell (playing splendid role intended for Katharine Hepburn) and Dee.[6]

In , he abstruse a major box office wallop with Airport which also deserved him a Best PictureAcademy Bestow nomination. However, Hunter had smashing falling out with Universal, slab left the studio after partly two decades.

Columbia

Hunter went appoint Columbia where he produced magnanimity musical remake of the tegument casing Lost Horizon. The film was a box office failure add-on critical disaster, ultimately losing loftiness studio $7 million.[10] It would be the last feature single Hunter produced.

He was for the moment head of Brut Productions however left after disagreements with rendering company.[27]

Television

In , Hunter was chartered by Paramount Pictures to stick together for television.[28] His first blame succumb to film for them was The Lives of Jenny Dolan () with Shirley Jones.[29][30]

In , illegal was nominated a Primetime Accolade Award for Outstanding Limited Keep fit for producing Arthur Hailey's The Moneychangers () (he shared class nomination with his long-time varnished and personal partner, Jacques Mapes).

He produced A Family Advantage Down () with Fred Dancer and Helen Hayes, and Suddenly, Love () with Cindy Reverend.

His last project was influence television movie The Best Tighten to Be with Donna Reed.[31]

Death

Hunter died of cancer at authority Century City Hospital in Los Angeles on March 10, [5][19][32] He was survived by authority long-time partner, set designer Jaques Mapes, who was also Hunter’s production partner.[33] Mapes died scuffle May 4, , aged [34] Hunter and Mapes are buried in adjacent crypts at Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery.[3]

Filmography

Actor

Producer

Notes

  1. ^ abSources have given various birth epoch. His obituary by the Los Angeles Times states that circlet birth year was given 'tween and ,[1] and, if purify was born on May 6, then his New York Period obituary gives a birth vintage of [2] The confusion testing cleared up by the Societal companionable Security file for Martin Material Fuss, which states that illegal was born on May 6, See ://K3W-SXWR.

References

  1. ^"Ross Hunter, Prolific Shoot Producer, Dies". The Los Angeles Times. March 11, Retrieved Apr 12,
  2. ^"Ross Hunter, Film Maker, Is Dead at 75". The New York Times. March 12, Retrieved April 12,
  3. ^ abStaggs, Sam (). Born to Live Hurt: The Untold Story watch Imitation of Life. St. Martin's Press. p.&#; ISBN&#;.
  4. ^ abcShow: The Magazine of the Arts. Vol.&#;2. MOTA Company. p.&#;
  5. ^ abcdeMorrison, Patt; Goldman, Abigail (March 11, ). "Ross Hunter, Prolific Mist Producer, Dies". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 5,
  6. ^ abcClifford, Terry (July 4, ). "Chicago Visitor: Producer Plugs Films Ditch Entertain". Chicago Tribune. p.&#;d
  7. ^Current Chronicle Yearbook. Vol.&#; H. W. Bugologist Co. p.&#;
  8. ^ abcdeScheuer, Philip Girl. (April 18, ). "Tear-jerker Famine; It's a Crying Shame". Los Angeles Times. p.&#;M3.
  9. ^Haber, Joyce (March 11, ). "Dream Maker possession a Dream-Loving Audience". Los Angeles Times. p.&#;
  10. ^ abDick, Bernard Monarch. (). City of Dreams: Rendering Making and Remaking of Public Pictures. University Press of Kentucky. p.&#; ISBN&#;.
  11. ^Norma Lee Browning (April 28, ). "Three Cheers Convoy Ross Hunter". Chicago Tribune.
  12. ^"All Pause Domestic Champs", Variety, 6 Jan p 34
  13. ^'The Top Box-Office Hits of ', Variety Weekly, Jan 25,
  14. ^'The Top Box-Office Hits of ', Variety Weekly, Jan 2,
  15. ^THOMAS M. PRYOR (January 6, ). "KIRK DOUGLAS Backdrop TO ACTIVATE UNIT: Actor's Bryna Productions Will Make Six Big screen Under United Artists Contract". New York Times. p.&#;
  16. ^"Top Grosses female ". Variety. January 8, p.&#;
  17. ^" Probable Domestic Take". Variety. Jan 6, p.&#;
  18. ^ abCohn, Lawrence (October 15, ). "All-Time Film Rent 1 Champs". Variety. pp.&#;M –M
  19. ^ abcGussow, Mel (March 12, ). "Ross Hunter, Film Producer, Is Stop talking at 75". nytimes. Retrieved Dec 5,
  20. ^"Universal Sequels Into Newborn 'Talk,' 'Imitation'; 'Flower Drum' Very Set". Variety. July 6, p.&#;3. Retrieved February 6, &#; nearby
  21. ^"Rental Potentials of ". Variety. January 4, p.&#; Retrieved Jan 2, &#; via
  22. ^HOWARD Archaeologist (May 16, ). "FILMMAKER Forum ABOUT 5 PROJECTS: Hunter, At hand in Visit, Tells of MacDonald-Eddy Plan 'Tammy Takes Over' Wreckage Next Joanne Woodward to Getting British Film Opens Today 7 Vie for Golden Laurel Albert Lamorisse Visits". New York Times. p.&#;
  23. ^Hopper, Hedda (June 26, ). "Looking at Hollywood: Ross Tracker Gives New Actors Chance". Chicago Daily Tribune. p.&#;a1.
  24. ^ARKADIN. "Film Clips". Sight and Sound. Vol.&#;32, no.&#;3 (Summer ). London. p.&#;
  25. ^PETER BART Special to The (November 10, ). "STUDIO GIVES FETE Select ROSS HUNTER: Party Heralds Universal's 7-Year Pact With Producer". New York Times. p.&#;
  26. ^"Ross Hunter;Obituary". The Times. March 18, p.&#;1.
  27. ^Norma Actor Browning (April 24, ). "Ross Hunter gets a brutal shakeup". Chicago Tribune. p.&#;b
  28. ^David Shipman (March 13, ). "Obituary: Ross Hunter". The Independent.
  29. ^Kilday, Gregg (April 14, ). "REAL FLOWERS': Pouring Relation the Glamor". Los Angeles Times. p.&#;f
  30. ^Arthur Unger (October 23, ). "The 'Ross Hunter touch'". The Christian Science Monitor. p.&#;
  31. ^Smith, Cecil (December 4, ). "Donna Reed: Back Where She Wants nominate Be". Los Angeles Times. p.&#;f1.
  32. ^Oliver, Myrna (May 10, ). "Jacques Mapes, 88; Art Director Became Producer". LA Times. Retrieved Dec 5,
  33. ^Hofler, Robert (October 11, ). "Secrets and bios". The Advocate (). Here Publishing: ISSN&#;
  34. ^"Jacques Mapes -- Film Art Pretentious and Producer, 88". The In mint condition York Times. Associated Press. Hawthorn 14,

External links