American films of the 1930s and '40s have a witty, sarcastic and literary feel to them that have never been equaled. The reason for this have largely to do with the influence of two men, who happened to be brothers, Herman and Joseph Mankiewicz.  Herman (1897-1953), co-wrote Citizen Kane with Orson Welles and both received an Academy Award for it.  Herman, who struggled with the twin demons of alcohol and gambling, seemed to be everywhere in Hollywood. He was the “Script Doctor,” that everyone wanted, but his work frequently went uncredited.  It is because of Herman, that the first part of The Wizard of OZ is set in Kansas and filmed in black and white. Much to his unhappiness, Herman produced the first two Marx Brothers movies and often tangled with the unpleasant and ungenerous Groucho. Herman also left his mark on such classic films as Dinner at Eight and Pride of the Yankees. Joseph Mankiewicz (1909-1993) is best remembered today for directing one of the greatest bombs of all time, 1963's Cleopatra. However, he was also the great talent behind such films as the Bette Davis classic, All About Eve and Letter to Three Wives.  Joe was the producer of The Philadelphia Story, which rescued Katharine Hepburn’s career.

Our guest for this program is the filmmaker and member of the extended Mankiewicz Family, Nick Davis. Davis is also the author of the recent joint biography of Herman and Joe called Competing With Idiots: Herman and Joe Mankiewicz, A Dual Portrait.  

This program is produced by Central Senior Services.
This is a FREE virtual Zoom program.
To register for this free program email Dick Levinson at  levinsonr@freelibrary.org