Happy Birthday, Anatole Litvak! Born today in 1902 as Mikhail Anatole Litwak, this Ukrainian-born Lithuanian-American filmmaker wrote, directed, and produced films in various countries and languages. He began his theatrical training at age thirteen in Petrograd, Russia.
Litvak was notable for directing little-known foreign actors to early fame, and is believed to have contributed to several actors winning Academy Awards.
In the early 1930s, Litvak directed French actor and sometime singer. Jean Gabin in his screen debut. This was the 1932 French black and white crime/drama film 'Coeur de Lilas' ('Lilac').
In the late 1930s, he directed the 1936 French black and whiter romance/historical drama film 'Mayerling'. This was the feature of which made French-American actor Charles Boyer and French actress of stage, television, film, singer and dancer Danielle Darrieux international stars.
Three years later, Litvak directed the 1939 American black and white war spy/thriller film 'Confessions of a Nazi Spy' starring Edward G. Robinson. The film used actual newsreel footage from U.S. Nazi rallies.
As a refugee from Nazi Germany, Litvak was among the few directors who tried to open Hollywood's eyes to the threat Germany posed to Europe and the world.
The following year,, Litvak co-directed Greek-American director, producer, writer and actor Elia Kazan in his earliest acting role This was the 1940 American black and white drama/melodrama film 'City for Conquest'.
During World War II, Litvak enlisted and co-directed documentaries with Italian-American film director, producer and writer Frank Capra, including the American black and white documentary films Why We Fight (1942–1945).
The series of seven documentaries were commissioned by the United States government during World War II to justify to U.S. soldiers their country's involvement in the war.
Later on, they were also shown to the American public to persuade them to support the United State's involvement in the war.
Later on, they were also shown to the American public to persuade them to support the United State's involvement in the war.
Litvak's co-directed the 1943 American black and white documentary/war film 'The Battle of Russia' This was the fifth installment of the Why We Fight series.
This was the longest film of the series, consisting of two parts. It was made in collaboration with Litvak, as primary director under Capra's supervision.
'The Battle of Russia' later won numerous awards. The following year, it was even nominated for an Oscar.
Because of Litvak's ability to speak Russian, German, and French, he supervised the filming of the D-Day Normandy landings. He also filmed aerial warfare with the U.S. Eighth Air Force.
For his volunteer wartime efforts, he was promoted to the rank of full colonel by the end of the war. He received special awards from the governments of the United States, Britain and France.
In the late 1940s, Litvak directed British-American actress Olivia de Havilland in the 1948 American black and white psychological drama film 'The Snake Pit'. Litvak is best known for co-producing and directing the film.
It tells of Virginia Stuart Cunningham (Olivia de Havilland), who is confused upon finding herself in a mental hospital with no memory of her arrival at the institution.
Tormented by delusions and unable to even recognize her husband, Robert (Mark Stevens), she is treated by Dr. Mark Kik (Leo Genn), who is determined to get to the root of her mental illness.
As Virginia's treatment progresses, flashbacks depict events in her life that may have contributed to her instability.
The following year, for her performance, de Havilland received an Oscar nomination at the 21st Academy Awards in late March 1949. However, she did not win. Despite this, the film won an Oscar for Best Sound Mixing (Thomas T. Moulton).
'The Snake Pit' had been adapted for the screen from American novelist Mary Jane Ward's eponymous 1946 semi-autobiographical fiction novel.
The film was also co-written by American playwright, stage director and screenwriter Arthur Laurents. However, he went uncredited.
Litvak returned Swedish actress Ingrid Bergman to popularity with American audiences. This was with the 1956 American DeLuxe Color/CinemaScope drama/romance film 'Anastasia'.
The following year, for her performance, Bergman won her second Oscar at the 29th Academy Awards in late March 1957.
Litvak had been active from 1930–1970.
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