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Lord Borg
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Joined: 27 May 2003
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Location: Vulcan Capital City, Vulcan
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 Fri Sep 16, 2005 5:57 pm RIP Robert Wise 1914-2005 |
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| startrek.com wrote: |
09.15.2005
Robert Wise, Legendary Director, Dies at 91
Robert Wise, the legendary film director who first brought Star Trek to the silver screen, died Wednesday of heart failure in Los Angeles. He had just celebrated his 91st birthday on Saturday.
Wise was director of "Star Trek: The Motion Picture," which revived the Star Trek franchise in 1979 after a 10-year absence, and set the stage for five more big-screen outings featuring the Original Series crew, and further spin-offs.
Wise also personally supervised the "Director's Edition" of "ST:TMP" which debuted on DVD in 2001. He considered that version of the film his completed work.
In an interview held in early 2004 (transcript), Wise said that, despite problems with initial production on the movie, "I think we still ended up with quite a good film," adding, "But when the opportunity came 20 years later to finally finish the picture, I immediately said, 'Yes, let's do this, and finally get 'Star Trek' finished.'" It was the only film he returned to and revised.
Wise boasted one of the most distinguished and prolific careers in Hollywood, with credits in a broad range of genres. Before Star Trek, he had already established himself as a classic science fiction director with "The Day the Earth Stood Still" and "The Andromeda Strain." He was also adept at horror ("The Haunting," "The Body Snatcher"), mystery ("The House on Telegraph Hill"), war dramas ("Run Silent Run Deep," "The Sand Pebbles"), crime dramas ("Born to Kill," "I Want to Live!") and practically every other category of film you could name.
But the pinnacle of his success came in the musical genre. Two of the most beloved musicals of all time, "West Side Story" and "The Sound of Music," earned Wise two Oscars each, for directing and producing ("West Side Story" received a total of 10 Oscars, and "Sound of Music" won five). In 1967 Wise was also honored at the Academy Awards with the Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award for lifetime achievement as a producer.
Born September 10, 1914, in Winchester, Indiana, the son of a meatpacker, Wise loved movies from the earliest years of the medium. He visited the dime matinees several times a week, and dreamed of becoming part of the magic that he saw on the screen. When he found himself in Hollywood, he got himself a job as a messenger in the RKO Studio film editing department, on the grounds which now make up the west side of the Paramount Studios lot. He came to learn how movies are cut and patched together, and worked his way up to be a film editor.
An opportunity then came his way that would first establish Robert Wise's place in movie history: he edited Orson Welles' seminal film "Citizen Kane," and earned an Academy Award nomination for it. Later, in 1944, he was editing "The Curse of the Cat People" when the studio removed the director for being far behind schedule, and gave Wise the job. The movie became a hit, and he was established as a director. He came to be known and respected for his versatility, dedication and craftsmanship.
Gene Roddenberry met Wise in the 1970s when both were guests at a science fiction seminar in Arizona, and decided they'd like to work together. A revived Star Trek series was in the works, but plans for a new TV show was scrapped when Paramount decided to turn the pilot script into a major motion picture event. The studio then set out to recruit a major director, and for Roddenberry one name rose to the top: Robert Wise. And the rest is Trek history.
Wise is survived by his wife, Millicent, plus a son, a stepdaughter and a granddaughter. His first wife, Patricia, died in 1975.
Services are pending.
Tributes are pouring in from all over the world of Star Trek, and they can be found on page 2 (link to the right below).
"I loved Bob Wise. He was one of the grandmasters of the cinema and a gentle soul who was very loving to his family and to his cast and crew. He taught me a great deal and I shall think of him often."
� William Shatner
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"He was a giant in the industry � a real filmmaker's filmmaker, a master of every genre. When we learned that Bob Wise was going to be at the helm of the first motion picture, we knew this would be a significant new phase for Star Trek. He brought with him all of his professionalism and experience, along with his warm and down-to-Earth quality. It was a great honor to work with a legend. But unlike other legends in Hollywood, he was never full of himself. He was always a very unassuming gentleman. He left a great legacy, and his memory will last for a long, long time."
� George Takei
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"He was a wonderful man. He had a very dry sense of humor, and at first seemed to be unapproachable as a director, but it was soon apparent that he was very giving and personable. He really did his homework on Star Trek the movie. I think it was the essence of good science fiction, and when you see it again and again, you see what a great film it was. I often visited him at his home, and he and his wife were always so warm and charming and funny. He was a valuable soul that's lost to us now."
� Nichelle Nichols
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"A tribute to Bob is very hard for me to write. He was my mentor, my teacher, and my friend.
"Passion ... Persistence ... and Perseverance. Those were Bob's three 'P's. Countless times he drummed those words into my head � and the heads of so many people whose lives he touched. They also described him � he was always relaxed, enthusiastic and dedicated. Just knowing him was an education, an honor and a privilege.
"There is one deeply touching moment that I will never forget: Early in production of the Director's Edition of Star Trek: The Motion Picture, Bob shared a story with me about how Gene Roddenberry was so happy with how the film was going that he gave all of the cast members and above-the-line crew members a custom-made round pendant that was shaped like the Starfleet insignia. Bob had mentioned that each was inscribed with the person's name, and that only two � Bob's and Gene's � were jewel-encrusted gold. Bob proudly wore the pendant throughout the original production of the film.
"I met with Bob and his wife Millicent shortly after we completed the Director's Edition. He was so happy that the film (alas, 'the one that got away') was finally complete, that he wanted me to have his pendant. He told me 'I want people to know how much our completing the picture made a difference to me, and how much you mean to us.' When it came time for the premiere of the Director's Edition he told me to wear the pendant in clear sight ... and, proudly, I did. Every day I wear it as close to my heart as possible. His deep appreciation and respect is the greatest reward I've ever received. I will cherish him and this 'token' forever.
"There was a special smile he had ... a smile like I had never seen on him for any other reason. This was his smile that said 'I'm happy � for the first time, I'm happy with Star Trek: The Motion Picture.' I'll never forget this smile, and was truly shocked when Martin Blythe of Paramount's publicity department gave me a photograph that had captured this smile forever. That is the Bob that I'll remember ... the man whom you'd look to for approval, and he'd smile and wink � his warm friendly salute.
"I salute you Bob. I'm forever touched by your kindness and generosity. Rest peacefully my friend."
� David C. Fein, Producer, "Star Trek: The Motion Picture � The Director's Edition"
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"With the news of Robert Wise's passing, a wave of sadness washes over all of us who were privileged to know him and work with him, but it doesn't take long to realize that the sadness is ours ... and it is fleeting. We only have to look at Bob's incredible body of work, to reflect on his extraordinary contributions as a humanitarian and his inspiring leadership in the motion picture industry, to realize that through these gifts, he will always be with us.
"For me, I not only have these, but personal memories that have come to live with me again. Such was his influence that I can seem to recall almost every moment with him ... our many hours and days spent together while making the 'Sound of Music' documentary ... many more hours creating his 'Director's Edition' of 'Star Trek: The Motion Picture' ... riding with him in a golf cart on the Paramount lot listening enraptured as he pointed out whose office was where in the RKO days... sitting beside him at the Hollywood Bowl when 'The Sound of Music' sing-along was screened, Bob grabbing my arm and giving me a wink when an audience of eighteen thousand cheered at the famous aerial image of Julie Andrews ... being beside him again at the Bowl a few months later, this time with Jerry Goldsmith, as twenty minutes of 'The Director's Edition' were played with live orchestral accompaniment, joy on Bob's face ... countless screenings, festivals, awards dinners, interviews ... all indelibly etched in my memory for all time.
"In trying to reach beyond the individual memories to the essence of why knowing Bob was so special, what has finally come to mind is this: he is THE reason to be in the movie business... because Bob was never any worse-for-the wear for working in the industry through sixty years, forty films as a director, and stellar leadership of the Academy and Directors Guild. Bob is proof that it IS possible to work hard, get the job done, and still remain a gentleman. His gift was the ability to bring out the best in anyone he worked with or knew. And in light of this greatest of gifts, the sadness is, indeed, ours to bear. Together with his family, friends, and colleagues, I grieve for our loss, but for you, Bob � my mentor, my friend, my inspiration � there can be only joy, fulfillment, peace, and well-deserved rest for a job well-done. Your human adventure is just beginning."
� Michael Matessino, Restoration Supervisor, "Star Trek: The Motion Picture � The Director's Edition"
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"The makeshift curtains blocked off the 'green room' area behind the stage in the giant hall that was hosting the 2001 Grand Slam convention in Pasadena. At this moment, the room held only two people: myself, and the legendary Robert Wise. We were there at his first Star Trek convention appearance ever, to promote the new 'Director's Edition' of his 'Star Trek: The Motion Picture.' His wife, Millie, and my two partners on the project, Dave Fein and Mike Matessino, had taken a few minutes to go and peruse the dealer's room at the giant convention center, so I had the opportunity to sit with the then-86-year-old Hollywood icon and have a few personal moments.
"He and I both sat quietly, listening to the crowd outside in the hall and the presentations currently on stage. I'd met with him dozens of times before during the production of the Director's Edition and at other gatherings, but never one on one � a thousand questions flashed through my mind ... a thousand things I wanted to know ... but none of them seemed appropriate ... none seemed important enough to ask. Finally, after realizing my moments were fading, I asked him: 'Do you still find this fun? You must have done hundreds of promotional trips and speaking engagements... Doesn't this kind of thing wear you out?' He smiled and said 'Oh, sure it's still fun... It's a little overwhelming right now, I didn't realize the amount of people that would turn out for this... it's exciting. You always can get a kick out of a good audience... That's what it's all about.' We then talked a bit about how frustrating it was for him to do the original Motion Picture project, and he contrasted it with his adventure doing 'The Sand Pebbles,' saying that there were lots of problems on that film too, but in different ways ... and it was more of an adventure for him. After 18 years of silence and bad feelings after the Trek Film, he had come back with renewed vigor and excitement to finish the job he wasn't allowed to in 1979 ... and he looked relieved and gratified that the only film he wasn't happy with in his long career was finally finished to his satisfaction. I'm proud to have been a part of it, and so thankful I had the chance to know him and work with him. His legacy is truly enormous and his work and passion will live forever."
� Daren R. Dochterman, Visual Effects Supervisor, "Star Trek: The Motion Picture � The Director's Edition"
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"It is with great sadness that I ponder the loss of such a giant. Although growing up, I first got acquainted with Robert Wise's work through myriad viewings of 'Star Trek: The Motion Picture,' which at the time to me was the coolest movie imaginable, it was later when I grew to appreciate the amazing diversity and talent that Robert Wise had as a filmmaker. As an editor on 'Citizen Kane' � my favorite movie of all time � and his brilliant work in a multitude of genres including sci-fi with 'The Day The Earth Stood Still,' one of my most beloved sci-fi films, and 'The Set-Up,' a film noir par excellence, I realized Robert Wise was a chameleon. But even more importantly, he was a mensch. Unlike so many in this industry who are consumed with ego and insecurity, Robert Wise was a soft-spoken man of great integrity and class. I had the good fortune to meet him when he was working on his restoration of 'Star Trek: The Motion Picture' and it was truly a momentous day for me. The last time I saw him was at an Islands restaurant in Los Angeles where once again I was treated warmly and both he and his wife truly appreciated being recognized and acknowledged and we briefly reminisced about Welles, Roddenberry and Rennie. What fun!!! I remember telling him how delighted I was with the re-worked ST:TMP, for which he was greatly appreciative. We shall not see his likes again, but we can take solace in that he leaves such a rich legacy behind and that although he may be gone ... we shall always remember him."
� Mark A. Altman, Writer/Producer, "Free Enterprise"; Publisher, CFQ/Cinefantstique Magazine |
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